PLEASE be careful if you're a motorcyclist

[mollmeister]

DH has been in Santa Fe for work and he just witnessed a terrible accident on the way back into Albuquerque. Guy flipped his bike when he slammed on the brakes due to stopped traffic hidden behind a rise. He was only wearing one of those *decorative* half-helmets according to DH.

DH pulled over to call 911, because this happened right in front of him. (I get the feeling we're lucky DH didn't end up in the accident, too -- he sounded utterly freaked out, and I think the bike may have flipped into the lane in front of him.) Guy was breathing but unconscious and non-responsive and looked to be in terrible shape. EMS was afraid to move him and called for a helicopter. DH overheard comments about multiple skull fractures being likely. He did not get the feeling this was going to end well. He was really, really upset, and he is not an easily rattled guy.

Please, please, please wear protective gear if you're on the bike. DH used to ride and I rode with him sometimes. We always wore well-fitted full helmets (I should probably sell mine now-- no more bikes for us) and body armor, even on nice, sunny days. Wind in the hair and cooler skin just wasn't worth the risk, IMO. Riding can be risky to begin with, but at least you stand a chance with the proper protective equipment.

Positive vibes to that guy and his family, whoever he is. I hope for a full recovery. :(

 

[Native Vail Gal]

That's awful, Moll. I'm sorry your DH saw that happen.
Like you said, positive vibes to this man and his family.
Very sad.

 

[num]

Terrible. ++++vibes for the man and his loved ones.

To be honest, I don't ride solely because of the protection issue. I wouldn't want to risk riding without all that protective gear, and I don't want to wear all that protective gear, so I don't ride. If it were safer, I'd ride as a supplement to public trans, for general transportation. I'm one of those people who doesn't want a car. I often daydream of having a motorcycle with my own personal forcefield.

I agree with Moll, hope everyone out there is as protected as possible. Unfortunately the "divas are invincible" concept doesn't quite hold up, so be careful!

 

[ride_ski]

As a rider, I hate to hear about these accidents. I'm glad that your husband wasn't "more" involved than he was, but it will be difficult to get some of the images out of his head.

 

[SnowHot]

Terry is a big motorcycle enthusiast. Also a huge advocate of protective gear.

I can't say enough about proper cycle safety and gear.

 

[vanhoskier]

I own a motorcycle. Used to ride to school often when the weather was cooperative. I always wore protective gear...full face helmet, armored jacket and pants, boots. But, a few close calls have convinced me to sell it. There are too many distracted drivers out there on their cell phones or in too much of a hurry, not to mention piles of gravel in corners, deer, sun glare. Those are also hazards to car drivers but they have that "cage" around them. My bike is really fun but it's also not the way I want to die.

So, it and all my gear going up on Ebay after I get it cleaned up this weekend. (Could that mean more $$$$ for skiing stuff?????? )

 

[Lori_K]

Sorry your husband had to witness an accident like that, Moll. Hopefully the rider will be ok.

We motorcyclists also have a favorite acronym. ATGATT-- All The Gear, All The Time.

As in skiing, we tend to avoid cities and high traffic areas while out on the bikes. I'm not worried about MY skills...it's the idiot drivers that worry me.

Lori & DH, ATGATT.