"Motorcyclist deaths drop, sour economy cited"

[Arctic Dave]

WASHINGTON - After a decade of steady increases, motorcyclist deaths nose-dived last year, possibly due to bikers watching their budgets in a sour economy.

The study, set for release Thursday, indicates a 16 percent drop in U.S. motorcycle fatalities through the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period in the previous year. It projects at least a 10 percent decline in fatalities over the entire year, or about 530 fewer deaths.

The 5,290 motorcyclist deaths in 2008 was the highest ever.

The study - authored by safety consultant James Hedlund, a former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration official - is drawn from preliminary fatality data from all 50 states, although data from some states was incomplete. The study was sponsored by the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state traffic safety agencies,



Read more: http://www.adn.com/2010/04/21/1244447/motorcyclist-deaths-drop-sour.html#ixzz0loC4zFfM

[Champion Jack]

1. I have noticed bike prices dropping...

at least around here. On the other hand, you would think that more people would be on 2 wheels because of the fuel economy.

[Arctic Dave]

2. I thought the same thing.

I have seem more scooters this year though.

[Robb]

7. They fell like a ROCK around here.

I was fortunate to sell a bike last summer, really needed the cash. Ten like it for sale out there now for much less. :(

[douglas9]

3. San Antonio Didn't Get The Memo

A deadly month for motorcyclists

...............

The experienced motorcyclist was one of five killed on Bexar County roadways this month. The most recent fatality occurred early Wednesday when Lloyd Rivera, 23, veered off U.S. 281 near East Nakoma Drive and tumbled into the grassy median.

Last April, three motorcyclists were killed in Bexar County accidents.

“We have seen a rash of them lately,” said Bexar County Lt. Kyle Coleman, whose unit investigates fatal crashes outside of San Antonio. “It's an unfortunate thing, but we need to watch out for motorcyclists. People just do not pay attention anymore.”

..............................................

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/April_a_deadly_month_for_Bexar_County_motorcyclists.html

[mrcheerful]

4. Outside of the die hard motorcycle people motorcycles to most are recreation

vehicles used mainly for fun and self image. Only die hards are seen on the road when temps dip below 70 degrees or when its raining because riding when its cold and wet is misery at its finest, cycling stops being fun when your skin turns blue or the rain starts leaving bruises on your exposed skin. Then there is the roads themselves that are ill repaired, your body takes a real beating from riding on rough roads, mostly it is a cause of the back jarring event that happens when you hit pot holes, with hard tails,( custom cycles with no rear shocks ) it is even worse on the back.

Cycling can get right down nasty with weather, but also with the near misses you get the added mental stress and anger that goes with having a nit wit cutting you off or backing out of their drive ways with just a glance at the road. Sure cyclings a lot of fun, but no real cyclist gets on a cycle without knowing his/her fun adventure could end up being their last on this earth or the last they might be able to walk because cycling is dangerous.

[IDemo]

5. Temps below 70? LOL

I routinely commute at temps at or below freezing. One of the true (idiotic) diehards where I work was riding his Honda Goldwing in the single digits with snow on the ground.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. I am a die hard, and welcome the lack of RUBs and other idiots on two wheels

Those of us who commute on motorcycles have all sorts of stories. Had a minor near miss on Tuesday. However, we have enough experience to survive and at time chastise those who will not acknowledge our presence on the road and allow us to move through safely

Most accidents are from low time riders on the weekends. Some doing the group ride thing others who think that buying a fast bike means you can ride it well. All it does is add to the stats and raise insurance rates.

I am more than a little jaded on this.

[gratuitous]

8. If 2008 was the highest ever, and 2009 saw a decrease

There may be any number of factors at work besides a sour economy. There might be more public awareness after all the lethal accidents in 2008. Motorcyclists as a group might be riding more defensively, since more deaths increase the likelihood that a motorcyclist knew someone who got killed. Of course, sustained high unemployment numbers are going to affect the number of motorcyclists on the road (just like the numbers of any other commuters, whether motorist, public transit, bicycling or pedestrian).

Seems overly simplistic to say the decrease was solely or even majorly due to a sour economy.