Roethlisberger injured in motorcycle accident

[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.