Fatal motorcycle crashes vs. Fatal car crashes

I'm curious. I just bought the new R6 after a season of learning to ride on another bike. I felt like it was a smart move to put some seat time down on an easier bike, to get familiar with technique and how to ride in general. Granted I still have to get familiar with my bike so I recognize and appreciate the power it has. However!!!

I have been constantly bombarded by people I work with about how "dangerous" sport bikes are and we have all heard this crap before. I know somebody that knew someone who's brother got killed on a bike. I always say the same thing "yeah that sucks man." As of late this issue is really starting to get on my nerves. Sure people have been killed as a result of a motorcycle crash but people die in car crashes all the time. Do any of you all know where I can find some stats of fatalities due to motorcycles vs. cars.

It has also been my experience that most of the brothers of people who knew people that tell me that guy got killed (don't try to figure that out for to long)were doing some stupid ass thing on their bike thus resulting in his unfortunate demise. I like to have as much fun as the next guy but damn do people constantly have to tell you your going to get killed? What do you guys say to these people?  

They're right though. Motorcycling is one of the more dangerous activities a human being can do. All you can do is try to be the best and safest rider you can be. That doesn't mean that you must ride around like a gramma, it means being alert, in control and skillful. Next time they judge you just fire back at them and ask if they wear a helmet while they're in their cages because head injuries are by in large the cause of death in a car crash.  

Well, you can probably google the statistics....  If I wasn't feeling so lazy tonight, I'd do it for you.  

But I think the latest year that there are statistics for (2003?), 43k people died in automobile accidents and 3800 died in bike accidents.  I think half the bike deaths were single vehicle where speeding and/or drinking was involved.  The largest increase was in bikes over 1400cc I think...  And I want to say that deaths for younger riders decreased...  I don't know if it shows how many bike deaths were due to dumb cage drivers.....  That is something I'd like to know.  I think too there is some number where you are 10 or 15 times more likely to die in a bike accident...  And deaths per 100,000 miles is much higher on bikes...

You are right though, doing stupid things can get you hurt or even killed.  Be safe and assume everyone out there is trying to kill you.  Works for me.  



Chris  

Several here will espouse the notion, it's not if, but when. Sorry, but I disagree. All things can be mitigated in life by prudence and a keen understanding of ability. I have often argued that the typical "just riding along" crash story has a DIRECT rider mistake involved. It could be anything, but ultimately the rider is at fault to some degree. The real key to safety is knowing your limits and STAYING within them and knowing and respecting the capabilities of the machine you are on. I disagree that riding a bike is one of the most dangerous things a human can do. There are FAR more dangerous things, it just happens that any idiot with credit or cash can buy a bike.

Alcohol is a major no-no on a bike. PERIOD. If you drink and ride, sorry, no quarter... you are an putz and deserve what you get... Pretty simple really.

Have respect for what you are doing and learn all you possibly can. Don't rely on your "experienced" buddies to guide you, get professional guidance. These things will help to keep the rubber side down and make your career safer. Know that cagers are out to kill you and never assume otherwise.

On the track the rules change. The track is a tool to find limits. Mental, physical, machine etc. This is really the ONLY place to truly test those limits. Too much at stake trying to discover these limits on the open road.

Be smart, be prudent, and never assume... it'll keep you in the game no matter what you ride.  

Here's something to ponder: The more dangerous you think motorcycling is, the less dangerous it will actually be.

If I approach a blind turn concerned that there might be gravel at the unseen apex, I'll slow down, look carefully, and be ready to change my line. When I do encounter gravel, I can deal with it. But if I approach that same turn expecting a racetrack-perfect surface, I could be in big trouble because I've committed to a line that doesn't allow adjustment. In both cases, my expectation influenced my preparation.

The larger lesson is that if you think motorcycling is dangerous and requires training, practice, and constant vigilance, you'll be safer than you would be if think it's easy. A common perception is that the majority of motorcyclists who die are drunk, unhelmeted, or both, so if you just ride sober and wear your gear, you'll be fine. That's an excellent start. But more than half of riders who died in 2004 were helmeted and two-thirds were sober. So there's a lot more to riding safely.

You'll find the latest available statistics in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2004 Motorcycle Fact Sheet (6-page PDF) and 2004 Traffic Safety Facts Annual Report (200-page PDF).  

Yea, you hear about people getting killed in Iraq all the time too, but that does'nt stop most Soldiers from going back again.  If I can put my life in danger for my Country, I sure as hell will put in on the line for what I love to do.  And the last time I checked, there were no road side bombs where I ride at anyway.  But to be serious, we all know about the risks and hazards of riding. All we can do is try to be more alert and more skillful to lower those risks.  

um heres  my two cents...im only 16 so u dont have to take me seriously lol but....i drive pretty crazy and people including my parents always say that....bikes are so dangerous etc etc...sure its dangerous....everything is dangerous , crossing the damn street is dangerous doesnt mean you dont cross the damn street.I rather live 30 something years having the fun then live 100 years living a boring dull life...cagers will never understand my logic of course because they chose to live a dull life behind those so called "safe" cars and such.PLUS bikes you can manuever and totally prevent an accident....even better.    

I refuse to tip toe through life only to arrive safely at death.  It is going to happen to all of us eventually why not enjoy it while it lasts!  
Broom Brooomm

I went through the link in one of the posts and got some stats.

Motorcycles account for 0.8% of accidents and 7% of fatalities

4.6% of motorcycle accidents are fatal
0.4% of car accidents are fatal

79.9% of motorcycle accidents have injury
31.9% of car accidents have injury

26% of motorcycle fatalities are due to a hitting a fixed object

4,008 motorcycle deaths
4,641 pedestrian deaths

I couldn't find total number of motorcycles or cars to compare fatalities per registered motorcycles/cars  

Thanks, I hadn't got around to doing the homework on it yet. But that's interesting.  

The question is; how much risk are you willing to accept? Risk is everywhere, every time you go swimming, you risk drowning, every time you eat, you risk choking. Riding a motorcycle is no different, you accept the risk and manage it by taking safety courses, riding as safely as you can all the time and constantly work on improving your skills. Look at the NFL quarterback who just had a motorcycle accident, his head hit the windshield, he did not have a helmet on!!  This is a guy who makes millions a year, wears a helmet when he plays football to protect his head but doesn't wear one riding a motorcycle, duh!  That's accepting way too much risk for me!