Riding safety

I was asked the other day, "Why do you ride a motorcycle?  Isn't it dangerous?"

I thought about my answer for a moment, and decided to avoid a prolonged discourse.  I replied, "Because I don't like to wear seat belts."

After a few seconds of a blank stare, they asked, "But you do wear a helmet?  Right?"

Because of the pause/stare, I replied, "As often as you wear a seat belt."

The conversation ended.

This got me thinking about riding safety.  Sitting on top of a machine, hurtling down a road, is slightly more dangerous than sitting in a machine doing the same.  Yet not for the reasons most think about.

A bike has more power, proportionally, than an automobile.  Lighter weight and more maneuverability.  Meaning, I can go from 65mph to 90mph faster than most vehicles.  I can also stop faster than most automobiles.  Again it's a weight to power issue.  Simple physics.

The danger in riding a bike, is that most auto drivers, don't pay attention or are often distracted.  I don't text, talk on the phone, listen to the radio, etc. when I ride.  I am constantly scanning ahead, looking in my rear-view mirrors, anticipating, thinking through the "what-if's," formulating escape/evade plans...

So I will divulge a secret.  It's not really a secret to those that ride, yet most people who don't ride are oblivious to it...

A rider assumes that every vehicle, every driver, is out to kill them!

Proficient riders are acutely aware of this fact, and adjust accordingly.  It is not always about speed and swerving either.  I have literally pulled off the road and stopped, in order to put some distance between myself and an idiot.  Yet, I have also throttled up to 90mph and executed a few swerves to remove myself from a dangerous situation.

And as to the helmet discussion... a harsh reality...

After a rider get's up to 35mph, a helmet causes as many injuries as they prevent...  just like seat belts...