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Motorcycles booming, but rider error takes deadly toll
By HECTOR CASTRO
P-I REPORTER

Motorcycle riding has never been more popular, and climbing gas prices have only prompted more new riders to join the ranks.


But with so many rookie riders on the road, motorcycle accidents also have begun to climb, and the inexperienced riders are making their mark on those numbers.

Wednesday, the Washington State Patrol reported that 80 percent of all motorcycle fatalities in the state were the result of rider error, the most common causes being excessive speed and lane errors, usually a rider unable to negotiate a curve safely.

"It definitely goes against what was the common belief," Lt. Mike Turcott said. "But knowledge is power. Let's take advantage of this, and be safe."

The statistic is no surprise to Bill Davidson, owner of the Motorcycle Safety Co. in Tukwila, one of several such firms in the state that offer rider safety courses.

"Here's a stark statistic for you. Of fatal crashes, 93 percent had no training," Davidson said. "There's a core message which anyone should be able to look at and go, 'Gee whiz, maybe some training would help me avoid becoming a statistic.' "

Getting more riders into formal training programs is one of the goals of the State Patrol and the state Department of Licensing, which have for the past few years focused their efforts on reducing motorcycle fatalities.

But along with promoting motorcycle safety courses, the State Patrol also has cracked down on speeding, riders without the proper state endorsement to ride a motorcycle, and riding under the influence.

Statistics are behind this effort.

Nationally, motorcycle deaths in 2007 increased for the 10th consecutive year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with 5,154 motorcycle fatalities nationwide. That's 317 more than the previous year.

Ten years earlier, in 1997, there were 2,116 motorcycle deaths nationally.

Statewide, the picture has been much the same, fluctuating some years, but always climbing. In 1997, there were 28 motorcycle deaths reported statewide. By 2006, there were 80 such deaths.

That was the year when the state began focusing on motorcycle safety, and in 2007 deaths fell to 66.

"That's unheard of. We're the only state that's done that," Turcott said. "If you have 14 fewer people that didn't die on a motorcycle, that's great. We need to keep on this. These deaths are preventable."

But the fatal wrecks continue to occur. As of Wednesday, there have been 48 motorcycle fatalities across the state so far this year. Four occurred over the past two weeks.

One of the most recent happened in Skagit County Sunday, when a 12-year-old girl riding on the back of her father's motorcycle died after their bike ran into the back of a minivan when traffic slowed during a heavy rain.

"We're five ahead of where we were last year, and we don't want to be there," Turcott said.

Studies also show that statewide, a third of riders involved in accidents had no motorcycle endorsement. So in July 2007, a new state law went into effect allowing troopers to impound motorcycles from riders without proper endorsement.

Since then, more than 260 motorcycles have been impounded because operators were not properly endorsed, Turcott said.

Endorsements are also required for riders of scooters if the vehicle can exceed 30 mph, said Selena Davis with the Department of Licensing.

"With gas prices going the way they are, people are turning to these things," Davis said.

Though a training program isn't required to obtain an endorsement, it is recommended. Most are offered for as little as $125.

Bobby Lundin, 30, took just such a class before buying his shiny blue 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King, glistening with chrome.

"I just wanted a bike 'cause all my friends ride," Lundin said.

Following the advice of those friends, he took one of Davidson's courses before shopping for his Harley, hoping to minimize the risks of motorcycle riding.

"It's like anything in life," he said. "There's risks, and rewards. There's a lot of reward in riding."

The classes have grown in popularity, said Sue Fluegel, a riding instructor.

"The demand is more than it's ever been," she said.

Fluegel and two other instructors put a dozen new riders through several exercises Saturday, part of a beginner safety course.

Brad Kilpatrick, 45, of Federal Way, was one of those students. In his full-face helmet, gloves and boots, he dutifully went weaving in and out of cones and rode smoothly and gracefully as he negotiated tight turns on a vast, Boeing Co. parking lot empty except for orange cones and the riders.

"This is something that I've been wanting to do most of my life," Kilpatrick said.

He took the course at the urging of his wife and encouraged others to do the same.

"If someone is serious about riding a motorcycle on the street, absolutely they should do this," Kilpatrick said.

P-I reporter Hector Castro can be reached at 206-448-8334 or [e-mail].



In comments section below I think the best one is from BikerJoe who talks about how some of the safty courses you riding small bikes then there you are going out buying big ones so most of what you just learned in course as far as the bike you were riding handling wise is now totally different because of course the bigger bike going to handle different.









#531213Posted by Denny P at 8/27/08 10:45 p.m.

This is an issue that gets little attention. Most fatal motorcycle accidents happen to beginners. Training is a good way to get experience. The final test for the endorsement at a qualified training facility is much tougher than the state test at the DMV. Even these courses don't go far enough though and nothing is done out on the road. Most people die going too fast and not having total control of their bike. A large percentage are single vehicle accidents, the rider ran into a tree or lost it in a curve.

Total control (practice and limit speed) and absolute attention to everything around you and on the road in front of you will save so many more lives than mandatory helmet laws ever will.

I have ridden this fair land on just about everything on two wheels for over 45 years (legally) and rode dirt bikes before that. I know I got in my worst scrapes and almost died stories in my first few years of riding. I know a bit about motorcycles (cross country, twice) and I believe we make a mistake when we mandate helmets and ignore education and training. Helmets are not a magic bullet but they do tend to make people feel invulnerable sometimes and that is not good. The real solution is to not have the accident in the first place.

If I had a choice I would not wear a helmet and I guarantee I would be 99 percent safer than a newbe with a big, heavy, vision limiting and hearing impairing helmet.

Do use leather or protective clothing though. I see so many people riding with huge helmets in shorts and T shirts. Road rash is something you never forget, I went down at 50 once and it ate through my levis, my long johns and most of the skin on the side of my leg. To wear a helmet or not is my choice and statistics can be made to prove anything.

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#531219Posted by 2nation at 8/27/08 10:57 p.m.

This is very good article.
I am pondering on getting on motorcycle by the end of this year if my finance allows me.
I am definitely thinking of taking safety course before purchasing a bike.
However when I checked for course availability around my neighborhood, they don't offer enough courses and they don't offer schedule that is convenient.
I wish they offer more flexible schedule.
It would help if they had at least one morning courses because some of us work nights and weekends.
But I will definitely take novice, if not intermediate course before even thinking of getting a bike.
I do wish more people take up on these safety courses because I've seen some crazy riders out there.

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#531237Posted by darkwingdave at 8/28/08 12:07 a.m.

Here is a theory about helmets. Now I'm all for freedom, if you want to ride without one citing that, great. The only challenge is when you wipe out and now care and feeding of your brain-dead/paralyzed frame is now on the taxpayer, that's where the problem comes in. People who mountain climb in certain areas are required to have a bond (I believe) to cover emergency services if they have to come rescue you. Couldn't a bike rider who wants to go helmetless have the option of putting up a bond/insurance that would cover injuries like that? Just a thought..

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#531242Posted by Redhawk19 at 8/28/08 12:21 a.m.

darkwingdave, here's a thought for you. Tomorrow during lunch you are probably going to eat something loaded with fat. You like the mayo, you like fried foods, you even want it supersized and you don't want anyone telling you that eating fattening fried foods is bad. Now after eating this way for numerous years you are starting to have a whole laundry list of health problems, you probably won't have enough health insurance to cover all the bills, now it's up to the taxpayers to pay for you freedom to put whatever fattening food you want into your mouth. Maybe, just maybe we should make you and the other 60+ percent of overweight people in this country put up a bond/insurance that would cover your fat butt. Just a thought..

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#531245Posted by belchfire at 8/28/08 12:30 a.m.

It's really a shame that the exam for a motorcycle endorsement can't include some sort of a maturity test. I see riders every. single. day. who simply shouldn't have a bike at all. If the State Patrol would put 5% as much effort into going after these knuckleheads as they do worrying about seat belts and cell phones, the roads would be much safer for all.

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#531247Posted by Devil Dog 72-03 at 8/28/08 12:40 a.m.

Would you believe that there is no mandantory motorcycle insurance in the State of Washington. Riders below the age of 18 or 21 should have insurance as well as those whom have had their endorsements less than a year.

I carry motorcycle insurance just to cover my six.

Ride on

uh Denny P, I'll see your 45 and raise you 5. You lose credibility when you brag on stuff that has no bearing.

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#531248Posted by NoBoutaDoubtIt at 8/28/08 12:41 a.m.

Take the MSF course and you'll live a lot longer, regardless of what vehicle you operate. It's a great course, and you can't pass it if you don't know how to counter-steer.

When I took the advanced rider course after buying an FZR1000 to replace my oil-burning, crappy BMW in 1992, a guy who had been riding many years and was required to take the course by the Navy said, "what's a head check?" when I mentioned this technique in class.

"What's a head check?" If you have to ask this, you're about one stupid chance away from being turned into bloody raw hamburger with lots of ground-up bones in it.

Hint: a head check does not involve making sure your bathroom is clean.

What's counter-steering? Hint: it's not when you try to drive a kitchen counter.

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#531258Posted by Slarjnor at 8/28/08 1:10 a.m.

I took the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class several years ago at the behest of my partner who wanted to start riding. He had taken it years ago and was going to re-take it before buying a motorcycle. I must say that the class is no picnic. It is HARD to ride a motorcycle with due diligence. I discovered that I LOVED the feeling of zipping along on motorized two wheels, but I lack the ferocity necessary to operate a motorcycle in traffic. So sometimes the best outcome of the class is that you learn that you are NOT a motorcycle rider! Never-the-less, I found the MSF class made me a much better AUTOMOBILE operator.

Those who complain about their helmet should get off their wallet and get a good helmet. Statistics don't lie: THEY SAVE BRAIN CELLS (if those are present initially).

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#531270Posted by jonmark at 8/28/08 3:55 a.m.

Helmets are the unsafest things. You can't
see or hear as good. I gave up riding when
the helmet law came in,but I am going to
go for it again.

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#531272Posted by bawbee at 8/28/08 4:09 a.m.

I spent a huge part of my life in WA but now live in FL. NO helmet law here other than you have to have a certain level of insurance to ride without one, but that can't be easily monitored. Teh "helmet" people are constanlty trying to get a helmet law here. I don't own a helmet and my point of view is that if you WANT to wear oen do it, but let me make my own decision, That RUSE about getting in a wreck and taxpayers paying for it is bull. It is helmet people's propaganda. Even IF it WERE true, the percentage of those people using the public type of coverage would be minicule compared to the abuses of it by other people that goes on today and every day. I was pleased to see THIS article in length and in detail without ONE mention of a helmet. Vocal people about helmets are in general, people that have never ridden a bike and never will. I tell them to wear one in their car if they want, but let me choose for myself. Nobody says you CAN'T wear one.

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#531284Posted by rufus o at 8/28/08 5:29 a.m.

Helmet? in Az it's your choice...i wear a helmet because i want a better chance of getting up to ride again, rather than be laying in someone else's bed and being turned every 2 hours - that's assuming there is enough staff to do it.

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#531285Posted by Dom92 at 8/28/08 5:35 a.m.

Jonmark: Your argument doesn't hold water. There's helmets out there that don't come anywhere near your eyes or ears. They're called skullcaps and it's what I wear because I especially don't like having my hearing affected.

I think it would be great if helmet use were optional, but unfortunately we just have too many uninsured people out there. I would support the bond option too. And to answer a previous poster, yes, I'd also support people having a bond that want to eat at McDonalds every day. Maybe add in an extra .10 per order to go to the state health coffers. But I also think people should have to show financial evidence that they can raise and support a child, so my opinions probably aren't too popular.

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#531289Posted by navvet at 8/28/08 5:53 a.m.

I have only been riding for 35 years but log about 20,000 miles a year riding daily to and from work, etc. I have taken the MSF Begining Rider Course twice now and the Experienced Rider Course once. Both are must have courses for people who ride. I have learned something in each course. (Never to old or experienced to learn.)NoBoutaDoubtIt, when I took the BRC the first time, I didn't know it was called countersteering but was doing it. Lighten up on folks!
As for helmets, I wear a modular (full face that the lower half can flip up on) most of the time and a half on super days. My hearing and vision is NOT impaired to the point that I can't hear/see traffic around me. Turn your head! I have not spoken to one person who has been in a serious crash that didn't sing the praises of his/her helmet. This has nothing to do with insurance or cost, it has to do with getting up and riding another day! That's the real choice.
Remember, there are only two kinds of motorcyclists...
Those that have crashed and those that are about to crash.
Ride safe.

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#531295Posted by bikerjoe at 8/28/08 6:12 a.m.

While I too have been riding 3 plus decades now and think this is a long over due article, There are things it just does not mention.

The safety course really only qualifies a person to go about 20 miles per hour on a 250 cc motorcycle in a parking lot. It does not teach them how to handle traffic etc.

Next, after the course, most people don't go out and buy the size motorcycle they learned on. Heck, they have their endorsement, they know what they are doing right? The difference between that 300 lb motorcycle they learned on and that 600 lb big harley or other kind of cruiser is just staggering. That big bike is not going to react and handle so much differently than what they are used to it is like starting all over again. Except now they are not starting over in the safety of a parking lot, they are starting off in traffic and throwing highway speeds into the mix.

Even those that opt for a sport bike have different issues. The power curve. Even a relatively small 500 cc sport bike makes what these people have learned on pale in comparison. Most of your relatively smaller 600 cc sport bikes are capable of speeds up to 160 miles per hour, right out of the box. These newbies have no way of knowing how to handle that kind of power.

All in all, safety courses do save lives, and there are some very good one's here in the Pacific Northwest. Team Oregon has been rated the number one safety program in the country and does an amazing job. But, even at that, it is an amazing job done in a parking lot full of cones.

People need to start slow, work their way up, don't mix alcohol and speed on a bike. And, they need to know their own bike and how it is going to react in any kind of a situation before jumpin out on the freeway.

I do not intend this at all as a slam on safety courses. They are good and they work, just don't think because you have passed the class that you know it all. Even condoms give a false sense of security.

Ride safe, ride hard, go home in one piece.

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#531298Posted by bikerjoe at 8/28/08 6:17 a.m.

darkwingdave. the statistics show that the majority of long term care patients are people that were wearing helmets. Helmets not only cause broken necks in some cases, but, they enable a person to survive as a basket case a crash that would have otherwise killed them.

The number of long term patients needing constant care that didn't wear helmets is vastly lower than those that were wearing helmets.

Us folks that don't wear helmets usually die outright, and, that is our choice. We know the risks of riding a bike to begin with, we accept the risk.

Texas has a great system. If you are over 18 and carry x amount of insurance over the minimum, you get a sticker for your fender that allows you to ride without a helmet. This helps offset any injury you may incure.
Texas is quite happy with that system and there has been no increase in the number of long term care patients.

The biggest push behind helmets is the Dr's and the insurance industries who have huge lobbys.

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#531303Posted by 4623yt at 8/28/08 6:26 a.m.

Youth, speed, testosterone. The feeling of invincibility. That's the combination that has led to several recent fatalities. The recent death on the Rockport-Darrington highway, a perfect example - young male on crotch rocket, passing cars at speeds of 80 to 100+, misses a curve, hit by truck, dead right there. How many times have we all seen that type of person go by us in a blur and wonder how long that individual has to live? It's a completely self-centered mentality, with little regard for the consequences - including the consequences to family members & other drivers.

I have worked in emergency services for many years, and have seen this played out many times. I wonder what kind of training reaches this person? Should those machines be in a category of their own, with special training or endorsements required? Would that even work? We're not talking your average harley rider here, btw...

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#531308Posted by wambammer at 8/28/08 6:34 a.m.

my son didn't wear his helmet one day. he died.

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#531326Posted by 4623yt at 8/28/08 7:05 a.m.

"...Us folks that don't wear helmets usually die outright, and, that is our choice..."

wambammer, the personal tragedy you have experienced shines light on the fact that helmetless riders don't get the choice to exempt their families and loved ones from the consequences of their actions...

my sympathies to you, for sure.