Risk is something that we deal with on a daily basis so why is motorcycling any different? You can look at statistics, listen to and or read motorcycling horror stories or just experience your own close calls to form your own opinions about the dangers of motorcycling. No matter what you do there is no denying that there are dangers to motorcycling. But don't just go by stats or horror stories Let's break down a few misconceptions about the dangers assosciated with motorcycling.
One day I was out riding with a friend whom I hadn't ridden with in a while. I've known this person to have been a motorcycle rider for at least 40 years having owned and ridden many different types of motorcycles. We stopped for something to eat and during our lunch he told me he just got his motorcycle license endoresement a few weeks prior to today. So I asked. you mean all the times we have ridden in the past you never had a motorcycle license? He said no I didn't. Now I'm sure nobody asks their family or friends to produce their motorcycle license prior to riding. Most of us just assume they have it. The problem here with the stats is if he were to have an accident today, I certainly hope not, the stats would list him as a newly licensed rider that had an accident when in reality he is an experienced rider. In my experience new riders have new rider mishaps. Tipping over, hitting sand or gravel, whiskey throttle , etc. New riders will ask questions. It's usually the experienced ones who think they know it all that won't.
There is risk and then there is increased risk. Riding sober has it's risks, riding intoxicated or under the influence just increases your risk. The same goes for running stop signs and lights, riding erratic , riding to fast for the conditions or riding over the posted speed limit. If you eliminate the accidents that happened due to riders increasing their risks and adjust the stats to reflect a newly licensed rider from a new rider you'll probably find motorcycling not to be as dangerous as some people want to make you believe it is.
Again this in no way means there is no risks involved in motorcycling. It only means you can greatly increase your risk by doing risky things while riding. There is no right or wrong in motorcycling just getting home safe. Blaming someone else will not make the accident any better if you don't do your part in protecting yourself.
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