Are Motorcycles Safe?

Serendipity

I know there are a bunch of motorcycle riders on the forum, so I was wondering if you guys think motorcycles are safe? My parents say that "you can be the safest motorcycle rider, but it's the other people on the road you've go to watch out for"... Like people talking on cell phones, etc. and not paying attention to the road.

So what's the general consensus?

bobman1235

The answer is no. They're safer than some people would like you to think, but at the end of the day, no, they're not safe. Life is full of risks and deciding which risks are worth it to you. If you have a passion for something that is inherently unsafe, you do it in as safe a way as possible and hope for the best.

vc69

No, they are not. They are fun, but they are definitely not safe.

ryanjoachim

Motorcycles are no "more" dangerous than a car if driven carefully. If you drive like you're supposed to (keep the same distance back, drive slower in the rain, etc) then generally speaking you'll do fine.

Obviously you have to watch out for idiots a bit more, as it's a bit worse when you get clipped on a bike than if someone clipped you in your car.

sucks2beme

Motorcycles are very safe. It's all the cars and trucks out that
aren't safe! Hit by a motorcycle, no big deal. I'll just scrape it
off the truck bumper. Hummer, ouch! But, yes, I'd be much safer
if all of you drove motorcycles.

bobman1235

ryanjoachim wrote: »

Motorcycles are no "more" dangerous than a car if driven carefully. If you drive like you're supposed to (keep the same distance back, drive slower in the rain, etc) then generally speaking you'll do fine.

Obviously you have to watch out for idiots a bit more, as it's a bit worse when you get clipped on a bike than if someone clipped you in your car.

Sorry, gotta disagree. Even if you're just as likely to be in an accident on a moto as a car, you're far more likely to be seriously injured in that accident on a motorcycle. And I say this with my motorcycle parked right outside.

vc69

I guess I should clarify: People riding motorcycles are in a high risk position. Some of that risk can be mitigated with safe practices. Most of that risk cannot.

steveinaz

Cagers can kill you, so you have to have a plan B (escape plan) whenever you ride. If you're not a good, defensive car driver, don't even think about riding a motorcycle. I've been riding for nearly 30 yrs, I have never had an accident, but I'm extremely consciencious (sp?) and aware of my surroundings at all times.

Last week in Tucson, a truck driver on meth ran over 8 motorcycle riders stopped at red light. 2 were killed instantly. Some things, you can't plan for. As long as there are morons, there are risks.

dkg999

No, motorcycles are not as safe as driving an enclosed (ie a cage) vehicle. With that said, and in reference to comments above, there are ways to mitigate the dangers and enjoy what riding a motorcycle has to offer. Buy and use good safety gear, take a MSF class or two or three, drive with high awareness and defensively, etc. Always look out for cagers who have the three "C"'s going on ........ cigarette, cell phone, children. They are the ones who are out to kill you!

schutz2106

I was talking to a coworker at another station yesterday that had bought a used harley last fall. He is older than I and like me had a few bikes early on in life. He told me that years ago when he still had kids at home he laid his bike down one day but just got scraped up. It is then that he realized that his kids needed a dad more than he needed a motorcycle. No they are not as safe as driving a car. And with 3 kids still at home I also realize that they too need me more than I need a motorcycle. Someday I may journey that way but not now.

swegyptian

One of my friends lost his dad in a motorcycle accident. He was driving on a hilly country road on his annual multi state ride, came over a hill, and hit a moose. He was going 55 or so, and was killed instantly. We know that hitting things like that in a car is really bad, but on a bike it's even worse. One of my friends was riding his bike in town, and hit the side of a car while going 35. The car had run a stop sign, and ended up right in front of my buddy. 35 in a car with a seatbelt is like bumper cars, but on a bike it was three months in the hospital and a few more in a wheelchair because of his injuries, including a shattered pelvis.

In the end, you can be really responsible, but bad things can still happen. And when they happen to you on a bike, it's worse.

bruss

i would call them unforgiving rather than unsafe.

ryanjoachim

Well, you also gotta realize that hitting a moose is more akin to hitting a phone pole than an animal. Those things have completely crumpled pickup trucks before.

Granted, there are inherent risks while riding a bike. Less safety in a crash is definitely one of them. However, I still don't think that just the act of driving a motorcycle is a lot less safe than a car.

Now if we were talking about safety in accidents and such, then obviously yes. But just driving a motorcycle is NOT more dangerous than driving a car.

bruss wrote: »

i would call them unforgiving rather than unsafe.

I agree.

disneyjoe7

No there not safe, your parents are correct. You need to be a good rider, and pay attention to everything, everyone near by moving, driving, playing, day dreaming. It's not if you will crash, but when you'll crash.

bobman1235

swegyptian wrote: »

35 in a car with a seatbelt is like bumper cars

Sounds like someone's never been in an accident at 35mph before. It's certainly survivable but it ain't bumper cars.

Now if we were talking about safety in accidents and such, then obviously yes. But just driving a motorcycle is NOT more dangerous than driving a car.

I don't know what criteria you're using to define safety. For me, it would be, if I use this thing, am I more or less likely to be seriously injured than if I were in a car? The answer is more. By a LARGE margin. I'll concede that they're no more likely to be in an accident if you're a smart rider (though even that is VERY questionable), but there is an added inherent risk that even the most minor accident can be seriously damaging.

BrettT1

Old ladies in Cadillacs made me give up motorcycles.

dkg999

Is anything that's really, really fun safe? Let's see ...... motorcycles, guns, hunting, hiking, camping, canoe/kayak, whitewater rafting, archery, bicycling, horseback riding ........ nope, none of them really safe!

Even audio/HT is hazardous because you are sitting doing nothing but watching/listening and doesn't contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

So what's the point again?

billbillw

You are always one mistake away from death or serious injury when you ride. However, if you ride around always expecting the other cars to be idiots and expect they DON'T see you, then you can avoid many situations that would typically lead to accidents. I somehow managed to ride for many years with no accidents. A few close calls, but that's it.

thsmith

As a 40 year bike rider I feel qualified to say no, motorcycles are not safe.

Fun, yes but not safe. You can be the safest rider in the world but all it takes is someone in a cage to kill you.

The best you can do is take a motorcycle rider safetly course, dress for the wreck and be smart.

bigaudiofanatic

Motorcycles are safe in the hands of someone that knows the limits of them and the bike.

Also if another motorist is not paying attention than the cycle can become unsafe.

You always have to be aware of your surroundings always looking for danger and ply the I am invisible game when on the road.

dkg999

I've found that a "Support Your Local Hell's Angels Chapter" sticker placed in a very noticable location helps make cagers much more aware and respectful of you

exalted512

ryanjoachim wrote: »

Well, you also gotta realize that hitting a moose is more akin to hitting a phone pole than an animal. Those things have completely crumpled pickup trucks before.

Granted, there are inherent risks while riding a bike. Less safety in a crash is definitely one of them. However, I still don't think that just the act of driving a motorcycle is a lot less safe than a car.

Now if we were talking about safety in accidents and such, then obviously yes. But just driving a motorcycle is NOT more dangerous than driving a car.


I agree.

Spoken like someone who has never had a motorcycle. Tell the families of the 8 people that were run over by a dump truck a couple weeks ago that they're as safe as a car.
-Cody

gelinas

it depends on what you mean by safe. They offer no protection in a crash, and are easier to crash, but in the hands of a responsible rider, I don't think they are "un-safe".

Hillbilly61

Your parents are correct re. their assessment. You can be as safe as you want to be, the the foul ups of the other drivers must be a beware item. No different than driving a car or truck.

EXCEPT: You have no protection ... not like crushing a fender in the crash. You are the "fender".... On the other hand, you can more deftly move within traffic ... and that includes stopping sooner and maneuvering around traffic.

Bottom line, if you crash on a motorcycle, regardless of cause, then it is likely to be a bad outcome for your personal self. I have a 4 inch scar on my chin to evidence and feel lucky in just getting it.

Hillbilly

Face

Where you live and how you drive, forget it!

gdb

Go "off road". Much safer and more fun!!;)

Serendipity

Face wrote: »

Where you live and how you drive, forget it!

I always drive at or under the speed limit.

bobman1235

Serendipity wrote: »

I always drive at or under the speed limit.

Well then get out of the way....

Hillbilly61

BlueFox wrote: »

There is no way a bike is anywhere near as safe as a car. On the other hand, bikes are a lot of fun. At least until you go down.

Yea, I'd hop on a bike and drive it in an instant. With first hand knowledge re. what can happen in a crash in hand.... The experience just makes me the wiser.

AudioGenics

may not be most recent but contains stats

http://hawaii.gov/dot,/highways/hwy-v/Recent%20Trends%20in%20Fatal%20Motorcycle%20Crashes%20Update.pdf

Sami

BlueFox wrote: »

You can make the simpliest error driving a car (such as drift off the road), and other than a brief moment, have no ill effects. The same simple error on a bike can kill you, dismember you, paralyze you, or maim you.

Same as with a car. Drift off the road and flip over a few times in a cage isn't safe either.

BlueFox wrote: »

There is no way a bike is anywhere near as safe as a car. On the other hand, bikes are a lot of fun. At least until you go down.

No, it's not as safe as a car is but not as "unsafe" as some are trying to make them. Are they unsafe, yes, but so is any motorized vehicle. A safe MC rider is likely to live longer than the sloppy driver that is trying to take them out. Just keep your eyes open and be prepared for any unexpected traffic in your path.

Whoever said about every rider eventually crashing, that's one of the oldest urban legends out there.