Roethlisberger injured in motorcycle accident

[warriorzpath]

At least some good may come from this: getting some attention on the dangers of riding a bike (with or without a helmet). The way I look at it, you're taking a much bigger risk with riding a motorcycle versus driving a car - to me, it just isn't worth it.

[Mc2guy]

Originally Posted by warriorzpath

At least some good may come from this: getting some attention on the dangers of riding a bike (with or without a helmet). The way I look at it, you're taking a much bigger risk with riding a motorcycle versus driving a car - to me, it just isn't worth it.

Do you think that MC riders are suddenly going to wake up the fact that riding is dangerous because some NFL player got into an accident? Riders know that riding is dangerous. So is driving a car. 40,000 people a year die driving cars in this country. So is smoking. Over a million a year die from smoking related illnesses. Do you think they didn't know it was dangerous?

It isn't worth it to you, fine, don't ride, but don't condemn riding just because you don't think the reward is worth the risk. Simply put, if I have to explain to you why people ride, then nothing I can say will convey the reasoning to you so I won't try.

By the way, I'll put money that Ben was cut off by the other driver and was not at fault. It's a classic situation for riders...car doesn't look/see you and turns in front of you. Look out for riders guys, they are out there and you have to look for them.

He's still an idiot for not wearing a helmet. Just my $0.02

Mc2guy

[warriorzpath]

Originally Posted by Mc2guy

Do you think that MC riders are suddenly going to wake up the fact that riding is dangerous because some NFL player got into an accident? Riders know that riding is dangerous. So is driving a car. 40,000 people a year die driving cars in this country. So is smoking. Over a million a year die from smoking related illnesses. Do you think they didn't know it was dangerous?

It isn't worth it to you, fine, don't ride, but don't condemn riding just because you don't think the reward is worth the risk. Simply put, if I have to explain to you why people ride, then nothing I can say will convey the reasoning to you so I won't try.

By the way, I'll put money that Ben was cut off by the other driver and was not at fault. It's a classic situation for riders...car doesn't look/see you and turns in front of you. Look out for riders guys, they are out there and you have to look for them.

He's still an idiot for not wearing a helmet. Just my $0.02

Mc2guy

I do think that some people are going to reconsider riding bikes because of this. I just think that some people really aren't aware that motorcycles are that dangerous. To me, a car cutting off another car is dangerous in itself - but a car cutting off a motorcycle is much more life-threatening because of vulnerability and also a less likelihood of being aware that the motorcycle is even there. And of course, there are dangers with driving cars - but there is more of a danger to your life when you ride a motorcycle because you don't have the same protection of airbags, seatbelts, or even the physical car itself. Not to mention, motorcycles are smaller and thus less visible.

And I'm not condemning anybody for riding motorcycles - I just don't think they are aware of the dangers all of the time.

[Mc2guy]

Originally Posted by warriorzpath

I do think that some people are going to reconsider riding bikes because of this. I just think that some people really aren't aware that motorcycles are that dangerous. To me, a car cutting off another car is dangerous in itself - but a car cutting off a motorcycle is much more life-threatening because of vulnerability and also a less likelihood of being aware that the motorcycle is even there. And of course, there are dangers with driving cars - but there is more of a danger to your life when you ride a motorcycle because you don't have the same protection of airbags, seatbelts, or even the physical car itself. Not to mention, motorcycles are smaller and thus less visible.

And I'm not condemning anybody for riding motorcycles - I just don't think they are aware of the dangers all of the time.

MC's are statistically more dangerous than cages on a miles ridden basis, and I am not arguing that. That does not make an MC inherently dangerous. People, and their poor decisions are dangerous. What is dangerous is soccer mom's in giant SUV's with cellphones plastered to their ear trying to occupy the same lane I'm in without looking.

What I am arguing is that riders know the risk. What they choose to do with that knowledge is up to them. Even the boneheads who ride around in flipflops and shorts w/no helmet. They know...they just have made a decision about their risk tolerance. Would they make a different decision after a low-speed crash w/significant injuries such as Ben's situation...maybe, but they can't say they didn't know the risks. As such I do not support laws that govern mandatory safety equipment when engaged in private activities, just like I don't support laws that inhibit your right to buy a pack of cigs, a bag of pork rinds, or a bottle of jack, despite the inherent health risks.

For what it's worth I have been riding in D.C./NoVA traffic daily for 10 years without an even close call (knock on wood). In that same time, I have been in two accidents in cages (both due to other driver hitting me). What does that mean...nothing, just that perception is not always reality. If they didn't look/see my big ass car then what I am driving/riding is irrelevant. People generally don't look, so I ride like I am invisible to all around me.

For what its worth I always ride with a full face helmet and full high-vis gear. Ben would have likely walked away from this incident with nary a scratch had he been geared up properly, but we'll never know.

Mc2guy

P.S. As for your last power, we are in agreement. I would not ride if my multi-million dollar career depended on me being in physically top condition. Personally, a riding related injury would slow me down, but it would not end my career and that factors into my decision to ride. It should have factored into his.

[warriorzpath]

Originally Posted by Mc2guy

For what it's worth I have been riding in D.C./NoVA traffic daily for 10 years without an even close call (knock on wood). In that same time, I have been in two accidents in cages (both due to other driver hitting me). What does that mean...nothing, just that perception is not always reality. If they didn't look/see my big ass car then what I am driving/riding is irrelevant. People generally don't look, so I ride like I am invisible to all around me.

From my viewpoint, it means that you were lucky. You were lucky because if you were riding your motorcycle during the accidents, you could have been injured or injured more seriously.

Would you agree that you can be hurt more in an accident when you are riding a motorcycle versus driving a car ?

[warriorzpath]

Originally Posted by Mc2guy

By the way, I'll put money that Ben was cut off by the other driver and was not at fault. It's a classic situation for riders...car doesn't look/see you and turns in front of you. Look out for riders guys, they are out there and you have to look for them.

This is another reason why I don't ride motorcycles. Even if it isn't your fault, the one riding the motorcycle is the one that will have the greater chance of being injured.

Accidents happen all the time and I don't know about you, but when I hear about a motorcycle being involved - the first thing I say is: what happened to the guy on the motorcycle ?