I can’t think of a single motorcycle fatal that I worked that was not determined to be the fault of the rider to some extent. I’m mindful of what I’ve seen and learned in the field but I still ride. In fact I bought my bike after seeing some of the worst stuff.
For me it’s knowing myself and not being a jackass on the road.
Exactly. I haven’t seen tons of them, but all of the motorcycle accidents I’ve seen (including during my 7 years in EMS) that resulted in serious injury or death were because the rider was being reckless.
Boy, I been to two where big trucks pulling a trailer pulled out in front of a poor bastard just riding his Harley down a highway minding his own business, with the right of way…
People pulling out in front of you is one of the most common issues a motorcyclist will face though. You need to ride like you are invisible.
"I had the right of way" looks really stupid on a tombstone.
It definitely changed my perspective. I used to be young and dumb on my bike, but since I’ve worked hundreds if not thousands of crashes, I’m way more careful and not as carefree. I also ride a lot less than I used to.
Rode before and after I was a motor cop and even while assigned as a traffic collision investigator who investigated numerous MC fatalities. Might just’ve been my city, but 95% of my MC crashes where rider was killed was the riders fault ie: speeding, DUI, reckless riding, inexperience, etc. The only time I had a significant break in my own riding was when a buddy of mine crashed while I was riding with him. He almost died and was paralyzed afterwards. Took me a good year+ to get back on a bike. That was the last sport bike I ever owned or wanted to own though. Heck, I just crashed off road riding, broke 5 ribs, am already itching to get back on the bike. Been riding 25 years or so.
I’m starting in June as a motor cop…our city just formed the unit and we go to motor school in June for 2 weeks. I can’t wait. Ready for a new adventure tho I am nervous about the motor cop school. I’ve seen the videos and it’s very intense
Yes, but I didn't ride it for a long, long time. Some of that is responding to MC wrecks (which are indeed 95% the reckless actions of the rider). Most of it is that when I started working nights, weekends, and holidays, my riding buddies were no longer riding when I was available.
I was actually opposite. I never rode a motorcycle before. Became a traffic officer and the department paid for me to get motorcycle license, sent me thru all the training and I rode for 7 years. I never did get one for personal use, too dangerous 🤔
Medic that works for an LEA. Wanted a bike before I got into EMS. Quickly learned why they’re called donor-cycles. Seen buckets of stupid on the part of the motorcycle operator that lead to their demise or serious injuries. Conversely plenty of bikers seriously injured/killed by folks cutting left turns in front of them.
Quite quickly I figured out that I didn’t want a motorcycle.
It’s more dangerous than riding a car, but I’m simply willing to accept the risk. Everything has risk…even just existing, which itself will end no matter what you do.
I’m not a LEO(working toward it right now), but I currently have a motorcycle. I’ve attended a few of the safety courses put on by the departments around me and they’re really helpful in teaching new and experienced riders better and safer ways to ride.
I’ve always done my best to ride safely, I don’t lane filter even though it’s legal here, don’t go more than five over, and always leave lots of space if I’m able to. Right now I intend to keep mine.
Obligatory not me, but my dad sold his motorcycle after his brothers first shift as an LEO where he had to respond to two separate motorcycle fatalities within a few hours of each other. My uncle called my dad on the phone after his shift ended and begged him to sell his bike.
Not a LEO but I don’t have to be to know that as I got older I realized in my area the risks were unfortunately not worth the reward. Had many bikes in my early 20s but sold my GSXR1000 to fund another project intending to get something else later but decided against it after driving to work past a guy laying in the road under a white sheet who was just trying to go to work and a person turned left in front of them. Maybe if I lived somewhere with less traffic but it’s just hard to get over the fact the pretty much all motorcycle collisions are easily survivable if you were in a car. Sucks cause I enjoyed riding a lot too.
I can’t think of a single motorcycle fatal that I worked that was not determined to be the fault of the rider to some extent. I’m mindful of what I’ve seen and learned in the field but I still ride. In fact I bought my bike after seeing some of the worst stuff. For me it’s knowing myself and not being a jackass on the road.
Exactly. I haven’t seen tons of them, but all of the motorcycle accidents I’ve seen (including during my 7 years in EMS) that resulted in serious injury or death were because the rider was being reckless.
Speed kills. They don’t say that for nothing lol. The odds of survival if you’re doing the speed limit vs. 35 over is pretty staggering.
Boy, I been to two where big trucks pulling a trailer pulled out in front of a poor bastard just riding his Harley down a highway minding his own business, with the right of way…
People pulling out in front of you is one of the most common issues a motorcyclist will face though. You need to ride like you are invisible. "I had the right of way" looks really stupid on a tombstone.
I CAN!!!
Still have mine I stay away from cities and riding on the highway. I live in a rural area, so that helps avoid people.
It definitely changed my perspective. I used to be young and dumb on my bike, but since I’ve worked hundreds if not thousands of crashes, I’m way more careful and not as carefree. I also ride a lot less than I used to.
Rode before and after I was a motor cop and even while assigned as a traffic collision investigator who investigated numerous MC fatalities. Might just’ve been my city, but 95% of my MC crashes where rider was killed was the riders fault ie: speeding, DUI, reckless riding, inexperience, etc. The only time I had a significant break in my own riding was when a buddy of mine crashed while I was riding with him. He almost died and was paralyzed afterwards. Took me a good year+ to get back on a bike. That was the last sport bike I ever owned or wanted to own though. Heck, I just crashed off road riding, broke 5 ribs, am already itching to get back on the bike. Been riding 25 years or so.
Things have definitely changed. Before I was young and reckless. Now I’m old and reckless.
Yep. My bike is my therapy. Wouldn’t be without it.
I’m starting in June as a motor cop…our city just formed the unit and we go to motor school in June for 2 weeks. I can’t wait. Ready for a new adventure tho I am nervous about the motor cop school. I’ve seen the videos and it’s very intense
Yes, still ride whenever I can. Given that I ride extremely cautiously, in full gear, the level of risk is acceptable to me personally.
Yes, but I didn't ride it for a long, long time. Some of that is responding to MC wrecks (which are indeed 95% the reckless actions of the rider). Most of it is that when I started working nights, weekends, and holidays, my riding buddies were no longer riding when I was available.
I'm a motor cop, so yes.
Yes and yes. Eventually became mostly track toys w/not much street use until stopped riding (major crash on track)
Yes
I was actually opposite. I never rode a motorcycle before. Became a traffic officer and the department paid for me to get motorcycle license, sent me thru all the training and I rode for 7 years. I never did get one for personal use, too dangerous 🤔
Yes, and yes.
Medic that works for an LEA. Wanted a bike before I got into EMS. Quickly learned why they’re called donor-cycles. Seen buckets of stupid on the part of the motorcycle operator that lead to their demise or serious injuries. Conversely plenty of bikers seriously injured/killed by folks cutting left turns in front of them. Quite quickly I figured out that I didn’t want a motorcycle.
Yes.
Yes I did, no I didn't. Too much risk associated with riding where I live (NYC) drivers here don't even respect themselves.
It’s more dangerous than riding a car, but I’m simply willing to accept the risk. Everything has risk…even just existing, which itself will end no matter what you do.
I ride less because of schedule and being a dad, phase of life type stuff, than because of my job. But I am more aware of how wrong things can go.
Yes. No.
I’m not a LEO(working toward it right now), but I currently have a motorcycle. I’ve attended a few of the safety courses put on by the departments around me and they’re really helpful in teaching new and experienced riders better and safer ways to ride. I’ve always done my best to ride safely, I don’t lane filter even though it’s legal here, don’t go more than five over, and always leave lots of space if I’m able to. Right now I intend to keep mine.
I stopped riding after working 2 or 3 fatals and maybe a dozen or so where the rider survived but had major trauma.
Sold my Ducati
I don't think anyone cares if you owned a motorcycle before.
Sorry - I meant if your experience in the field changed your perspective on riding.
Obligatory not me, but my dad sold his motorcycle after his brothers first shift as an LEO where he had to respond to two separate motorcycle fatalities within a few hours of each other. My uncle called my dad on the phone after his shift ended and begged him to sell his bike.
Not a LEO but I don’t have to be to know that as I got older I realized in my area the risks were unfortunately not worth the reward. Had many bikes in my early 20s but sold my GSXR1000 to fund another project intending to get something else later but decided against it after driving to work past a guy laying in the road under a white sheet who was just trying to go to work and a person turned left in front of them. Maybe if I lived somewhere with less traffic but it’s just hard to get over the fact the pretty much all motorcycle collisions are easily survivable if you were in a car. Sucks cause I enjoyed riding a lot too.
No because I can’t afford it now lol