Governors’ Highway Safety statistics for 2012/13

New Study: Motorcycle Deaths Spike in 2012 – copied from the Governors’ Hwy. Safety notice
Approximately 5,000 Motorcyclist Fatalities Projected

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a new report released today, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is projecting that motorcyclist deaths increased approximately 9 percent in 2012, to more than 5,000 lives lost. This is greater than the overall traffic fatality increase projected by the federal government and would be the 14th out of the last 15 years in which motorcyclist deaths increased. Notably, this level of deaths closes in on an all-time high, and motorcyclists remain one of the few roadway user groups where no progress can be shown over the last decade.

The new report — the first state-by-state look at motorcyclist fatalities occurring in 2012 — was authored by Dr. James Hedlund of Highway Safety North. Dr. Hedlund is a former senior official with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Most states have reasonably complete fatality counts for at least the first nine months of 2012, enabling GHSA to confidently project the full year. Dr. Hedlund completed similar projections for GHSA for 2009, 2010 and 2011, all of which mirrored the final fatality numbers.

Comparing the first nine months of 2011 to 2012, motorcyclist fatalities increased in thirty-four states, decreased in sixteen states and remained the same in the District of Columbia. Increases occurred in every region and were quite significant in many cases. For example, motorcyclist fatalities jumped 32 percent and 29 percent in Oregon and Indiana, respectively, while Pennsylvania experienced a more modest eight percent uptick.

The report notes that the economy influences motorcycle travel in several ways. With the economy improving in 2012 and further strengthening in 2013, more people have disposable income for purchasing and riding motorcycles. At the same time, high gas prices may cause more individuals to choose fuel-efficient vehicles like motorcycles as their preferred mode of transportation.

For his work on behalf of GHSA, Dr. Hedlund compared gas prices, motorcycle registrations, and motorcyclist fatality trends since 1976. He found that for the entire period fatalities closely track registrations, with significant similarities from 1990 to 2008. As gas prices increased, motorcycle registrations and fatalities also rose.

Troy Costales, GHSA’s Immediate Past Chairman and head of Oregon’s highway safety program, said, “In my state, an improving economy and a longer window of nice weather meant there were more riders and riding days. The fatality increase is disheartening. Every motorcyclist deserves to arrive at their destination safely. These numbers represent real people – they are family, friends and neighbors.”

Another disturbing trend is the decrease in states with universal helmet laws. A helmet law is the only motorcycle safety strategy with a five-star effectiveness rating in the federal government’s highly-regarded publication, Countermeasures That Work. Only 19 states currently require all riders to wear helmets, down from 26 in 1997. There is a strong push in many states to repeal these laws, and no state has enacted a universal helmet law since Louisiana reinstated its requirement in 2004.

GHSA Chairman Kendell Poole, who serves as director of Tennessee’s highway safety program, said, “All of the trends with motorcyclist deaths are really going in the wrong direction. This report is an urgent reminder that we must do more to address a problem that will only get worse with increased ridership. We are talking about 5,000 tragedies a year with no sign of progress.”

Poole added, “The good news is that we know how to prevent crashes and the resulting injuries and fatalities involving motorcycle riders and their passengers. There are effective strategies that, when implemented, can make a difference.”

Specifically, the report recommends states address six issues:

Increase helmet use: Helmets are proven to be 37 percent effective at preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle operators and 41 percent effective for passengers. NHTSA estimates that 706 of the unhelmeted motorcyclists who died in crashes in 2010 would have lived had they worn helmets.
Reduce alcohol impairment: In 2010, 29 percent of fatally injured riders had a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit of .08, the highest of all motorists.
Reduce speeding: According to the most recent data, 35 percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding, and almost half of these crashes did not involve another vehicle.
Provide motorcycle operator training to all who need or seek it: While all states currently offer training, some courses may not be provided at locations and times convenient for riders.
Ensure motorcyclists are properly licensed: NHTSA data reveals that in 2010, 22 percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes did not have a valid motorcycle license. This compares with twelve percent of passenger vehicle drivers in fatal crashes. The motorcycle license test prompts many riders to complete a training course. By encouraging licensing, states encourage training.
Encourage all drivers to share the road with motorcyclists: According to NHTSA, when motorcycles crash with other vehicles, the latter usually violates the motorcyclist’s right of way. Many states conduct “share the road” campaigns to increase awareness of motorcyclists.

In late 2012, the U.S. Senate requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of motorcyclist crashes and countermeasures. The GAO report recommended that states implement this broad approach to address motorcyclist deaths. States partially fund their motorcycle safety efforts with federal money from NHTSA. Currently, Congress only allows states to use this funding to address motorcyclist training and programs that encourage drivers to share the rode with motorcyclists. States should be permitted to fund effective approaches such as programs that increase helmet use and reduce drunk driving among motorcyclists.

All data in the report are preliminary. The report presents data through September 2012.

State-by-state data and image files are available from GHSA.

ILLEGAL BIKES & ATV’s on City Streets

Yesterday I posted about some kids riding an off-road ATV through the streets all afternoon with no questions asked by local police officers. Last night a small dirt bike rode through an intersection and crashed broad-sided into a Montgomery police cruiser. This is the second incidence of an off-road vehicle being ridden on city/town streets in three days – that I know of. The rider of the bike was sent to a local hospital.

It’s not rocket science – dirt bikes and ATV’s are for dirt tracks and off-road riding. They’re not equipped for street riding.

I remember when driving illegally netted you a traffic citation, and enough citations resulted in loss of license. I guess those days are long gone. Not a lot seems to draw the attention of officers these days. I ran out of gas leaving down-town Montgomery a while back, coasted off the main street onto a side street and the car stopped near a median, pretty much blocking one lane, and refused to go any further. As I sat there, obviously in an area where no one should be parked I counted eight police cruisers pass me without lifting an eyebrow. So much for protect and serve.

Ride safe.

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3-wheeled ATV, use of ATV on the street

Over the weekend several teens and early-twenty-somethings were ripping through the neighborhood on a dilapidated three-wheeled ATV that looked like it should have breathed its last 20 years ago, and I sat there evaluating the many laws being broken and wondering how or if such stupidity skews motorcycle accident statistics.

The vehicle is not street-legal and never should have been on public streets at all yet they ran it around the neighborhood for an entire Saturday afternoon. The fellow who seemed to be the owner was carrying passengers yet going way too fast, making the turn at intersections on two wheels. Forget stopping at stop signs – they went right through the intersections making wide turns out into the streets without slowing up or looking for oncoming traffic. They paid no heed at all to any traffic laws. Of the 10 or so people who rode the ATV, only one wore a helmet, and the girls who were being ridden around were clad in shorts, tank-tops, and flip-flops. No helmets, no boots or shoes, or any other protective clothing. The girls sat in front of the rider, legs sprawled out to the sides because there were no foot rests for a passenger. There were no turn signals, no brake lights, no headlamp for safety, basically “no nothing”. Every law that could be broken was.

You just can’t fix stupid. Apparently you can’t expect enforcement of traffic laws either. In a perfect world they’d have been ticketed and gotten off the road before they caused an accident with an unsuspecting motorist.

As I watched the escapades I kept wondering if I’d have time to avoid a collision if they darted out in front of my automobile the way they were recklessly riding out into the path of oncoming traffic, and the answer is, I seriously doubt it. By the time a driver’s brain registered what was happening in such an unexpected situation, it is highly unlikely there would be time to react and avoid a crash. Would a driver unfortunate enough to hit them be found at fault?

Cost Data for such stupidity:
Cost is calculated by estimating medical expenditure, work lost, and loss of quality of life.
•The average annual cost of nonfatal ATV-related injuries treated in an ED for youth under 17 years is over $1.4 billion.
•Hospital admitted ATV-related injuries to youth under 17 years cost more than $5.2 million annually.
•Nearly 80 percent of the average annual cost of nonfatal ATV-related injuries are associated with males.
•No helmet use
•Poor judgment and risk-taking behaviors
•Operating an ATV larger than that recommended for their size and age
•Operating on public roads, streets, and highways
•Riding with a passenger

http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/125247/atvoverview.pdf

http://www.brainline.org/content/2009/06/atv-safety-fact-sheet_pageall.html

MOTOR MAIDS: Never at a Loss for Something Fun to Do

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Motor Maids

I’m a historian and writer first, a rider second, so I admit when I was invited to join the Motor Maids it was the history of being part of the first women’s riding club that made me accept. Don’t get me wrong, I love riding, but I never tire of researching a thing as long as there’s information to be found. Pull up a chair and see if the following account doesn’t pique your curiosity, at least just a little.

I enjoy riding in cooler weather. I live in the Deep South where summers can be blistering hot and July and August are usually down times for me while January may see me out and about. For many, however, winter is down time, and for these Motor Maids January 1959 was just that.

“Right now there seems to be a slack season for motorcycle events. Therefore, we have the close of several district activity contests to report. Colorado State Director Millie King sends the results of their 1958 contest. Janice Pittman, Denver, was first with “Charlie” Enfield and La Vange Frazier tied for second place. They held a ‘Yuletide’ party, at which time awards were presented to the winners. Plans were also made for some Motor Maid activity during Colorado’s ‘Rush to the Rockies’ celebration, commemorating Colorado’s Centennial Birthday. The Committee has already invited the Motor Maids to participate in these outstanding events throughout the coming year. The Colorado girls held a ‘Hulu Hoop’ contest at one of their previous meetings and just everyone ‘flunked’ except La Vange, who managed a couple of go-rounds before letting the hoop hit the floor. To make the rest of the girls feel there was something definitely missing in their physical structure, Cathy Fox’s little daughter demonstrated the art of ‘Hulu Hoping’ by hooping an unlimited time with nary a miss. It looks so easy!

Millie and Janice braved 25 degree weather to shop in Denver. They rode their cycles to the city and didn’t see another cyclist except red-faced motorcycle patrolmen. Brrrrr. Cold weather doesn’t stop MM Mary Sheaffer, Buffalo, N.Y. She has a job delivering packages and rides a three-wheeler at work every day, rain, snow, and sleet. Besides that, she rides her own motorcycle to work. Mary rated a fine write-up in the Buffalo newspaper recently and managed to give the Motor Maids of America a fine compliment during the interview.

Glad to report the broken pins of Susie McCreary and Margaret Wilson are improving and both will be back in the saddle before too long…

As usual for this time of year, Evelyn has been busy with the muddy and snowy runs. She rides all the local events. Mostly she is the sole female rider but she rides anyway. Some day she hopes to ride the big Jack Pine enduro, but since her club is one of the sponsoring clubs it has always been necessary for Evelyn to act as a checker. In the 1958 Jack Pine, Evelyn and her husband handled eight checks on the run.

MM President Dot Robinson has been visiting around the country via motorcycle. She has been to Shreveport for a visit with Vice President Pat Boatright. MM Treasurer Nickie Hero and Florida State Director, Nancy Henson rode over from Pensacola, Fla., and the four of them had a real nice gab-session. A week or so later Dot dropped in on Minnesota State Director, Kathy Anderson in Bloomington, Minn. This was an excuse for another Motor Maid party.

MM Irene Smith and family of Tulsa, Okla., home from a trip to Florida. They had a fine visit with Nickie Hero and family and attended the Northern Florida rally. Irene is the proud owner of a new BMW motorcycle.

There’s a new all girl’s club formed in Phoenix, Ariz. Name of the new club is the ‘Polka Dots’. MM Pat Imes is in charge of the group and she says they have already had several events with more planned.

The Motor Maid officer’s meeting will be held in Memphis, Tenn., sometime this month. This is the meeting where all the officers work on the mailing list of MMs and where State Directors are decided upon for the coming year. Biggest job is the sorting of names and addresses which change at a very rapid rate. I’m looking forward to seeing fellow officers, Pat Boatright, Nicki Hero, Dot Robinson, Mary Cutright, Butch Widman and the three Advisory editors, Margaret Yoke, Lillian DeVore, and Mabel Hutchinson. If we all are able to attend, we should be able to get the work out in short order.

There was a Powder Puff endure held in Ludlow, Mass., recently. Leslie Pink was winner, Marlene Wolf, second and Thresa Haggett, third.

The Metropolitan Chapter of Motor Maids held their annual Christmas party in December. The affair was held at the home of MM Johnnie Pantanelli.

There will certainly have to be a chapter in the Motor Maids for grandmothers. Two St. Joseph, Mo., Motor Maids have their applications in for membership into the chapter in the spring. MMs Frances Boy and Juanita Walker are eagerly looking forward to the months of May and June (dates picked by the Stork to make grandmas of these two.) Already a qualified member is MM Mary Heard of Peterboro, Ont., Canada. Mary’s daughter, MM Pauline Carl presented her husband with a baby boy, named Howard Graham. Congratulations to all and especially to Grandma Mary!

Brad Edward arrived at the home of MM Bev Tibbets and husband, Dick. This new arrival was named for their favorite competition motorcycle rider. I’ll betcha!

The cold weather did not keep five Motor Maids in Missouri from riding the parade preceding the Mineral Bowl football game in Excelsior Springs, Mo. Several of the Missouri girls rode the turkey run in St. Joseph, Mo., in November. Winner in the lady operator class was MM Frances Boy. Your reporter (got lost, you know) was second.

See you next month.” – Source: American Motorcycling. January 1959.

Allstate Insurance and Bikers

ALLSTATE MOTORCYCLE: 2012 Rally Highlights

Allstate has an online newsletter for riders, allstateridernews.com, which reviews products such as gloves or the pros and cons of leather vs. fabric jackets, provides quizzes to test your trivia knowledge, highlights rallies they’ve participated in, offers tips from J&P Cycles, and there’s even a chance to win an Arlen Ness Victory.

Don’t forget – if you have Allstate motorcycle insurance and belong to groups such as HOG, Gold Wing riders, etc. you qualify for a discount on your bike insurance. Insure two bikes and you also get a multi-bike discount. Had a safety course? There’s a discount for that. They even offer a multi-policy discount – insure your house or auto and get a discount when you insure your bike. These discounts can add up to substantial savings. For more information, use the search feature on this blog and read my previous post.

Summer is coming, ride safe, and enjoy the road. – V.

GUN LAWS IN ALABAMA

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Alabama legislative acts, gun control

The following is taken from an email from Speaker Mike Hubbard regarding House Bill 8 – the Alabama Firearms Protection Amendment, received on Feb. 8, 2013.

If you agree, now is the time to let your legislators know and thank them for their stand in supporting the 2nd amendment.

“HB8- Alabama Firearms Protection Amendment (Sponsored by Rep Mike Jones)– House Republicans understand that many Alabamians cherish their right to own and use a firearm. Recent 5-to-4 opinions of the Supreme Court have threatened the sanctity of the 2nd Amendment, but have ultimately upheld the right of American citizens to keep and bear arms. If President Obama has the chance to fill any Court vacancies during his second term, these opinions could be overturned. Consequently, our state constitution should, as strongly as possible, protect the right of every Alabamian to keep and bear arms. With this amendment, Alabama’s 1901 Constitution will contain the strongest gun protection provisions in the country. If ratified, this amendment would require future courts to use strict judicial scrutiny in evaluating state laws that infringe on the right to keep and bear arms.”

Celebrity Riders

I haven’t posted to this blog in a while, concentrating more on thehistoricfoodie blog so perhaps a little something is in order. After a bit of research I see celebrity riders include: Adrien Brody, Al Gore, Alanis Morissette, Alton Brown, Amanda Bearse, Angelina Jolie, Angie Dickinson, Ann-Margret Olsson, Ann Richards, Anthony Perkins, Anthony Quinn, Antonio Banderas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Axl Rose, Ben Afflec, Billy Bob Thornton, Billy Idol, Billy Joel, Billy Ray Cyrus, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Bono, Brad Pitt, Branscombe Richmond, Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Willis, Camryn Manheim, Charlie Sheen, Cher, Christina Applegate, Chuck Woolery, Dan Akroyd, Daniel Day-Lewis, Demi Moore, Duane Allman, Doobie-Brothers, Dwight Yocum, Emilio Estevez, Ewan McGregor, George Clooney, Gordon Ramsey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Harrison Ford, Hugh Jackman, Hulk Hogan, Hugh Laurie, Jackie Chan, Jamie Oliver, Jay Leno, Jeremy Irons, Jessica Alba, Jim Carrey, Joaquin Phoenix, John Corbett, Jon Ratzenberger, John Travolta, Jude Law, Kate Hudson, Keanu Reeves, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Kirstie Allie, Kobe Bryant, Kyle Petty, Lance Armstrong, Laurence Fishburne, Lee Marvin, Leonardo Dicaprio, Liam Neeson, Lindsay Wagner, Lorenzo Lamas, Lyle Lovett, Martina Navratilova, Mary Hart, Matt Dillon, Matt le Blanc, Matthew McConaughey, Mel Gibson, Naomi Watts, Nastassja Kinski, Neil Young, Nicolas Cage, Nicole Eggert, Orlando Bloom, Ozzy Osbourne, Pamela Anderson, Parker Stevenson, Patti Labelle, Peter Coyote, Peter Fonda, Pink, Prince Phillip, Prince William, Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Queen Latifa, Richard Petty, Ricky Martin, Russel Crowe, Rusty Wallace. Ryan Reynolds, Salli Richardson, Sam Elliott, Samaire Armstrong, Sammy Hagar, Selena Gomez, Shannen Doherty, Shaquille O’Neal, Sheryl Crowe, Stephen Baldwin, Steven King, Steven Tyler, Sting, Tobey Maguire, Tom Cruise, Traviss Tritt, Vin Diesel, William Shatner, Willie Nelson, Wynona Judd, Yolanda Ross, and I’m sure countless others.

What are these people, who can afford anything they want riding? Some may surprise you. They include Harleys, BMW’s, Triumphs, Vespa, Yamaha, Victory, Honda, Ducati, Indian, Jesse James custom, KTM, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Boss Hoss, Aprilia, etc.

Brad Pitt has owned Triumph, BMW, Ducati, Roland Sands, Royal Enfield, Yamaha and KTM. Fabio has owned Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, Husqverna, Harley, Kawasaki, KTM, Moto-Guzzi, MV Agusta, and Yamaha. Alton Brown has owned BMW, Honda, and Suzuki.

It all comes down to being happy with your ride.

Alabama District Motor Maids Christmas Mixer

These ladies and their guests met at Jim & Nick’s BBQ in Homewood, AL for fellowship, year end review, and exchange of Christmas ornaments last Saturday.  The day was rainy and blustery but it did not dampen the group’s spirits.  All look forward to fun times in the year ahead.

 

 

The Bicycle as a Dress Reformer ©

Often we don’t realize the depth of difference between our lives and those of our grandmothers and even more of us often don’t realize what situations brought about the changes that we take for granted today.  Dress is a prime example.

Dress reform began in earnest in the 1850′s with Amelia Bloomer’s efforts to abandon tight lacing or to abandon corsets altogether, and to encourage women to wear trousers underneath a knee-length version of the ankle-to-floor length dresses common at the time.  If you ever heard your grandmother refer to panties as bloomers her choice of wording was linked to Amelia Bloomer’s dress reform movement.

A few forward thinking women eagerly followed her example, and a few farm women realized the practicality of it while doing outdoor chores in nasty weather, but the number of trouser-wearing women remained miniscule for several decades.  The following article is insightful in that it credits riding in large part for the public’s acceptance of dress reform.

“It really begins to be debatable whether anything has happened to the human race since the first locomotive drew the first train of cars that will affect it so materially as the bicycle.  Consider its effect on women.  Within two years it has given to all American womankind the liberty of dress for which the reformers have been sighing for generations.  The dress reform movement never seemed to affect any considerable number of women, or to modify women’s clothes to any noticeable degree.  The bicycle has not put many women into trousers–nothing will do that in this country–but it has given all women practical liberty to wear trousers if they want to, and indeed, to get themselves into any sort of decent raiment which they find convenient for whatever enterprise they have in hand.”  – Source:  Brooklyn Eagle.  Quoted from Scribner’s.  June 17, 1896.

© Material from this website is the property of the author and may not be reproduced without permission.  Thank you.

Gasoline Motor for Bicycles ©

I find it fascinating how existing vehicles were converted to engine power once motorized conveyances caught on, and the following article explains the process of conversion very simply and adequately.

H. K. Clever of Omaha, Neb., has invented a gasoline motor which he claims will create a sensation in the wheeling world.  The design is a gasoline motor attachable to either bicycles or carriages, but perfected only as to the former.  Mr. Clever has been working upon his plans for the past seven years and now feels that his efforts have met with success.  As attached to a bicycle the motor consists of two cylinders fastened to the rear semi diamond by means of clips, the whole weighing fifteen pounds, or seven and one-half pounds on each side, making an even balance.  Each cylinder is two inches in width by nine in length and two in depth housed in forged steel of one-sixty-fourth of an inch in thickness, it being thin in order to afford a cooling surface greater than the heating surface.  The cylinders are fed by gasoline, for which the tubing of the bicycle is the reservoir.  The tubing of an ordinary wheel holds three and one-half pounds of gasoline, sufficient to last sixteen hours.  This, with the cylinders added to the weight of an ordinary road wheel would make the total weight about forty-two pounds.  The cylinders are connected with the rear wheel by means of a cut raw hide gear, the engine running three to one at the rear wheel.  The speed of the engine is 950 revolutions a minute, with a two by two stroke and will furnish about one and one-sixteenth horse power.  Running at the full speed of 950 revolutions per minute at a ratio of three to one of the rear wheel, that would mean about 320 revolutions of the bicycle wheels or a lineal distance of about 800 yards with twenty-eight inch wheels.  The fluid supplied through the tubing of the frame is drawn into a vaporizer by the suction of the piston through a small tube passing into the vaporizer, the latter being supplied with a needle valve to regulate the flow of the fluid, that being set before starting out so that the proper amount of gasoline and air is drawn in.  The pistol travels up and causes a vacuum in the crank by using, which draws the air and gasoline in; the housing and in the process mixes the air and gasoline sufficiently to develop the combination into gas.  When the piston starts down it compresses the gas slightly, until it passes into the corrugations below the cylinder and being released it rushes into the top of the cylinder and the piston rod starts its upward stroke, closing the corrugations.  The gas is compressed in the top of the cylinder, where it is exploded by an electric spark and the piston is driven downward until the exhaust valve opens and the burned mixture and dead gasoline are allowed to escape.  The corrugations again spark, or rather the current developer is fastened to the cross piece in the rear truss of the diamond just over the wheel, and is revolved by the revolving of the rear wheel.  One revolution of the wheel gives speed enough to produce three sparks upon contact with a mercury pan in the cylinder.  The double motor is operated and the speed is regulated by a throttle on the handle bar.  It is so arranged that when pressure is released on the throttle the machine stops.  When at full speed the revolutions of the crank shaft to the driving wheel of the bicycle is three to one, but it may be regulated to suit the rider.  While the plan provides for two engines, one on either side, sufficient power may be developed by one to run the wheel.  Source:  Brooklyn Eagle.  April 3, 1896    © Material from this website is the property of the author, and may not be reproduced without the consent of the author.  Thank you.