[Elias]

So, I have been pretty obsessive about learning how to become a safe rider BEFORE I actually get my first bike. I have researched for months about how to practice safe riding habits. I took my BRC and passed with flying colors. But I’ve always had this scary thought in my head that motorcycling is the most dangerous thing I will ever decide to do. My family and friends don’t help either, claiming “Motorcycling is too dangerous, don’t do it.” With no other proof besides their empty accusations, I decided to get some statistical facts about how dangerous it actually is. So I found some stats about fatality rates and crash rates here in Arizona, and the results surprised me! Here are some things I learned:

Results of motorcycle accidents in Arizona in 2007 according to the AZ Department of Transportation include:

– Of 141,458 registered motorcycles, there were 3,464 motorcycle crashes (2.5%)
– Of the 3,464 crashed, 132 involved a motorcyclist fatality (3.8% of crashes were fatal)
– There were 157 pedestrian fatalities in 2007, and 135 motorcyclist fatalities!!!

You can see the rest of the stats here: http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/statistics/crash/index.asp

I was amazed by this! Sure motorcycling is dangerous when you get in an accident, but I had no idea the percentage was so low! I know this is no excuse for me to feel more confident or be less careful, but it definitely eases my mind to know the drivers around me here in AZ aren’t nearly as awful as I thought they were…statistically speaking

[wbsprudels]

I think the issue family and friends have with most of us riding motorcycles is that riding is something we choose to do, not something we have to do. That makes it a hobby. As hobbies go, it is more dangerous than most. It certainly my most dangerous hobby–compared to reading, exercising, and playing video games.

[Clay Dowling]

Serious risk of both obesity and repetitive stress injuries from video games. Obesity will kill you young. Much better to be outside on the motorcycle, or cleaning the motorcycle (which I need to do this weekend), or just not on the couch.

[bigguybbr]

And on the topic of weight control, as someone who attends weight watchers, you get excersize activity points for riding a motorcycle. So with a 3 hour ride upto Americade, I can enjoy a nice steak dinner once I get there tonight and not feel guilty about it

[Clay Dowling]

What’s the point value? I didn’t ride when I was a member, so I never really looked at that.

[megaspaz]

If you were talking about dirt riding, i’d agree with you that would be exercise. But just cruising to anywhere for 3 hours? That’s not exercise by any stretch of the imagination… just saying. did the person who came up with this point system even ride?

[Elias]

Taaaaaangent

[SantaCruzRider]

Hey, if people at my work can tout the exercise value of sitting on one of those big blue balls while working at their desk, I can get credit for sitting on my bike and twisting my wrist a few times. I’m sure I burn a few calories just getting my gear on!

On a side note: How funny is it that we’ve been reduced to counting different modes of sitting as forms of exercise? Retorical question — no response expected.

[zeppelinfromled]

“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.

[wbsprudels]

Elias wrote:

Results of motorcycle accidents in Arizona in 2007 according to the AZ Department of Transportation include:

– Of 141,458 registered motorcycles, there were 3,464 motorcycle crashes (2.5%)
– Of the 3,464 crashed, 132 involved a motorcyclist fatality (3.8% of crashes were fatal)
– There were 157 pedestrian fatalities in 2007, and 135 motorcyclist fatalities!!!

Here are those stats for my state, Indiana, in 2008 (even smaller rate of crashes and fatalities):

– Of 200,387 registered motorcycles, there were 3,814 motorcycle crashes (1.9%)
– Of the 3,814 crashed, 128 involved a motorcyclist fatality (3.4% of crashes were fatal)

[Elias]

I completely agree. One might argue that the pedestrian stat is taken out of context. I just thought the data was interesting, I had no idea that more pedestrians died in 2007 in AZ than motorcyclists. It just put everything into perspective for me. I’m not arguing that riding a bike is safe than walking, I’m just posting the numbers. I agree with you, how I ride is more important than how the statistics rode at the time of their crash.

[Elias]

Haha, somehow I knew some other comparative stats would eventually pop up. AZ is a dangerous place to learn to ride in, but I’ve accepted that after living here for 23 years. I think what we need to focus on is that X.X% or riders are involved in fatal accidents and how we, as responsible riders, can avoid increasing that statistic.

[cyclenovice]

One the one hand, it would seem riding is less dangerous. You have only a 2.5% chance of getting into an motorcycle accident in Arizona (3,464 crashes divided by 141,158 registered motorcycles) VS. a 2.83% chance of getting into non-motorcycle accident (133,335 crashes divided by 4,706,704 registered non-motorcycles). But when you compare fatalities, you realize that motorcycle deaths realize 15% of all traffic deaths (135 divided by 893), yet motorcycles represent only 2.9% of all vehicles on the road (141,158 divided by 4,847,862). In other words, car fatalities are 5.5 times more common than motorcycle fatalities, but cars are 33 times more common than motorcycles. Although you’re no more likely to get into an accident on a motorcycle than in a car, you are more likely to die if you do get into an accident on a motorcycle. That’s what makes it more dangerous.

[cyclenovice]

If you read the statistics further, you realize that 25-50% of the fatalities involved alcohol, at least 30% of the operators had no license or an invalid one, 47% had no helmet, and 33% were speeding or going too fast for the conditions. So if you wear a helmet, have a valid license, don’t drink, and don’t go too fast, you’ve cut your risk of dying in a motorcycle accident by at least 50% or more. Now your odds look better!

Thanks, Elias. Interesting report.

[Elias]

Yep! I understand the risk. OBVIOUSLY motorcycling is more dangerous, but the stats show that if you are a smart and safe rider with a sturdy foundation of skill, you’re chances of wrecking are slim, and your chances or dying are even slimmer. Because of all the negative feedback I’ve heard all my life (biased, weightless negativity with no first-hand evidence), I just had the blind impression that motorcycling will take you down hard. These stats have opened my mind that accidents are dangerous still, but uncommon (especially if you are in the right demographic)…and that feels good to know.

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