02-13-2019, 03:03 PM
Yep... There are a few things that jump out and a bunch that is left hard to interpret. The stuff about older rider fatalities continuing to increase is likely to do with the percentage of riders who are older today than in the 70s. There is a lot that could have been provided with this data that could add to context and understanding. Showing motorcycle deaths compared to automobile deaths is meaningless unless you know the relative percentage of motorcycle riders compared to automobile drivers. Showing deaths sorted by gender is meaningless unless you know the breakdown of male to female riders.
I always knew that riding is more dangerous than driving. I actually take some comfort though in the fact that if you don't drink and ride at all, you drastically reduce the risk. I'm a pilot (for fun, not work). I follow the same "12 hours from bottle to throttle" rule for riding that I do for flying.
I'd also like to see a breakdown by make and model (with the corresponding data showing percentage of ownership). Sure, there are less under 30 deaths today than in years gone by. But I'd be surprised if as a percentage, the 20-something dudes flying by me at 120mph on a sport bike aren't actually less safe.
I always knew that riding is more dangerous than driving. I actually take some comfort though in the fact that if you don't drink and ride at all, you drastically reduce the risk. I'm a pilot (for fun, not work). I follow the same "12 hours from bottle to throttle" rule for riding that I do for flying.
I'd also like to see a breakdown by make and model (with the corresponding data showing percentage of ownership). Sure, there are less under 30 deaths today than in years gone by. But I'd be surprised if as a percentage, the 20-something dudes flying by me at 120mph on a sport bike aren't actually less safe.