Back in the Saddle Again

As gas prices continue to change our thinking about how we get around, motorcycles and motorcycle accidents are both becoming more common.  Lots of folks that haven’t ridden in years, or maybe never before, will now go get themselves something to save gas with.  As they research new motorcycle info, maybe a moped or scooter comes to mind, but more than likely, it will be a large motorcycle.  In the USA, we enjoy the freedom of picking out whatever street bike we want, without having to graduate up in engine size.  For example, in France, people I know there say they have to start out with a small one and work your way up over time, and apparently, you can’t just start riding a full-size motorcycle without the proper credentials.  I’m sure other countries are like that too, but is it a good idea?  I’m not suggesting that we do this in the USA, but accidents will likely keep increasing with sales of motorcycles.  New pressure for new safety-oriented laws to help reduce the number of motorcycle accidents is on the way already.

It sure was sad news to hear about young Mr. Luc Bourdon (NHL Vancouver Canucks) last week.  According to several news outlets, he was killed when he crashed into a truck on his motorcycle that he just got 2 weeks prior.  I don’t know how long he had been riding prior to this, but there are a lot of real and unfortunate statistics showing that fatal accidents often happen due to rider inexperience, and also when riding a motorcycle that they are not very familiar with.

Riding motorcycles on the street is a great privelage that we enjoy.  Taking it seriously and riding safely and responsibly is the best way we can maintain this freedom we have to go out and start riding whatever size bike we want here in the USA.  With the panic to reduce what we pay for gas, more will start riding, or will get back into riding after many years away. This will likely bring motorcycle accidents into focus more than ever.  Let’s hope people act responsibly and have respect their new machines.  Let’s also hope that the other drivers will respect the space and safety of the increasing amount of motorcycle riders out there.  Maybe car and truck license testing should include more about that.

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About J.Clay

» J.Clay has written 127 posts

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