Baby Boomers, Motorcycles, Fun & Safety

Do you want to have some fun? The pages of BoomerCafé have been filled for years with different ways to do it. But when we got this piece from active baby boomer Frank Gates, we thought, “Hmmm, nobody’s ever told us this before.” He and his wife Irina live in Sacramento California, and have found something that makes them feel … well … they don’t care how old they might look in a younger person’s game; they just want to have some fun.

“You’ll kill yourself on that damn motorcycle!” I remember my mother’s words. And today? “You are just having a mid-life crisis, grow up and act your age” is what I hear from just about everyone when I tell them I am thinking about getting a motorcycle. Hey everyone, lighten up, I just want to have some fun. Let’s dig through the emotion and take a look at the hard facts.

FACT: Motorcycle sales have increased from 350,000 in 1996 up to 1,100,000 in 2005.

FACT: Harley reports that the median age for Harley sales has gone up from almost 45 in 2003 to almost 48 in 2007. That’s digging right into the heart of our baby boomer generation.

So motorcycle sales are rising and the rider’s median age is rising. They way I look at it is, if Harley calculates the median age at 48, there must be an awful lot of riders older than 48. That’s right; tons of baby boomers are out there riding Harleys.

Now, a “Spoiler Warning”: If you like to live in blissful ignorance, you may want to skip to the end of this article, because you won’t like the next few facts…..

FACT: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclist fatalities increased to 12.6% of all motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities compared to 5.5% in 1998.

FACT: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also says, motorcyclist fatalities increased for every age group with a larger increase in the 50-and-above age group.

Statistically, it all tracks right along. More motorcycles on the road result in more motorcycle rider fatalities and the older the median rider age, the older the riders who are dying.

I’m getting depressed. I still just want to have fun! So we continue…..

FACT: Riders of “supersports” motorcycles have driver death rates, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly four times higher than for drivers of other types of motorcycles.

FACT: In 2006, according to the Insurance Institute, only 35 percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were on cruisers or standards.

FACT: In 2006, the Institute says, 58 percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were helmeted.

FACT: 27 percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers in 2006 had a blood alcohol concentration at or above 0.08 percent; among single-vehicle crashes this was 41 percent.

Now, let’s get this straight. The fatality rate of those riding cruisers, statistically, is reduced to 35%, wearing a helmet reduces it another 42%, and staying sober reduces it another 27%. Wait, there’s more;

FACT: The Insurance Institute says, in 2006, about a quarter fewer fatally injured motorcyclists were operating without a valid license than in 1995, but this is still higher than among fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers (16 percent). If I am specifically licensed to ride a motorcycle, the fatality statistic drops another 26%.

Okay, the “Spoiler Warning” is over; you may resume blissful ignorance/

I know that anyone can look at these statistics (or any statistics) and draw just about any conclusion they like. What I get out of these statistics is that riding a cruiser, wearing a helmet, staying sober, and having a proper license has a dramatic impact on the fatality statistics, a dramatically positive impact.

So, my mother was half right when she planted those words in my head. A motorcycle can kill me, but so can driving or riding in a car or even being a pedestrian just walking down the side of the road.

Taking a realistic look at the danger involved with riding motorcycles can allow you to balance the fun factor against the risk and make an informed decision on whether or not to go riding.

Finally, I have a confession for you. I originally researched these statistics, which I’ve since updated, when I was making my own decision to ride six years and 75,000 miles ago. Today I’m on a Harley. Mine is part cruiser, part street bike. It’s loud, it’s powerful, and it’s a blast. I ride every day in all kinds of weather (California weather) and every time I fire it up I get my own juices going. I ride like an old man which is cool because people who see me probably think I am one. I accept the risk, I minimize it with training and proper gear, but I still accept it. With the wind in my face, the feeling of freedom and the thrill of the ride, I just love it.

I still just want to have some fun.

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Frank’s book is “Motorcycle Rider Basics.” You can order it here directly from Amazon.com.

Filed Under: Baby Boomers • Featured Story • Frank Gates • Lifestyle

Tags: Frank Gates • Harley-Davidson • Motorcycle Safety