Some interesting and disturbing figures

[kmoney_imp]

I always find these stats interesting, as they're the underlying basis (or independent variables, if you want to think of it as a regression analysis, as I tend to) of the aggregated "motorcycles are so dangerous stat" people always point to. If you actually filter all the personally avoidable factors, you can see how quickly the safety of motorcycles increases.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I always find these stats interesting, as they're the underlying basis (or independent variables, if you want to think of it as a regression analysis, as I tend to) of the aggregated "motorcycles are so dangerous stat" people always point to. If you actually filter all the personally avoidable factors, you can see how quickly the safety of motorcycles increases.

Yep. It's a choice.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Easy to repeat the obvious: Motorcycle riding is one of many therapeutic freedoms available that is repeatably accessible on-demand and can be economical while enjoying it.

Compare that to skydiving, deep sea diving, sailing, most vacations, etc. All good, but can take time to plan, wait for, stress over, and recover from. In addition, typically you are never alone.

[tommymck]

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.

[GoldOxide_imp]

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.

Interesting points, and another: The increase in volume and the number of unaware cagers plaguing our roads just raises the odds for everybody.

[jimgl3_imp]

got two things from all that:

we baby boomers who ride are getting older

very few states out there with no helmet law

cheers ; )

[GoldOxide_imp]

got two things from all that:

we baby boomers who ride are getting older

very few states out there with no helmet law

cheers ; )

Yeah, those have been constants indeed.

[LongRanger_imp]

There's no helmet law in my state, which I'm fine with. It's common to see stereotypical "lifestyle bikers" cruise past without a helmet (or any other gear for that matter), but I'm always astounded when a helmetless guy flies by on a Goldwing or BMW. Certainly, these guys should know better, shouldn't they?

[GoldOxide_imp]

LR: One word: "ego".

[peterbaron]

Easy to repeat the obvious: Motorcycle riding is one of many therapeutic freedoms available that is repeatably accessible on-demand and can be economical while enjoying it.

Compare that to skydiving, deep sea diving, sailing, most vacations, etc. All good, but can take time to plan, wait for, stress over, and recover from. In addition, typically you are never alone.

+1^...