“There were 157 pedestrian fatalities in 2007, and 135 motorcyclist fatalities”
There is more to this than the given statement. The total number isn’t enough to make an informed decision. I don’t have the numbers, but there are a lot more pedestrians than motorcycle riders. Also, most motorcycle riders are also pedestrians, so riding is actually still increasing our level of risk by my “calculations.”
I’m obviously not arguing that one shouldn’t ride a motorcycle, but raw information can be misleading. Also, statistics aren’t necessarily useful to the individual. These statistics include everyone who rides irresponsibly and without safety gear. What I find to be more important than the statistics to me is how I ride. And that’s what I argue when people tell me that “riding is dangerous” and that I shouldn’t do it.