COLUMN: If I had a motorcycle, I'd park it Wendy Victora Saturday December 15th, 2007
If I were a motorcycle rider, I think I’d park mine permanently in the garage.
Lately, it seems like hardly a day passes without another tragic accident involving a cyclist. And though some can clearly be blamed on the rider, more often it seems that other drivers just don’t see them.
I’ve come to expect that in the wake of these tragedies, those who don’t ride motorcycles criticize those who do.
And those who ride motorcycles fiercely condemn unfocused — and all-too-often lethal — drivers.
I can’t quite understand why folks are so smitten with motorcycles. When we pass one on a long vacation, I always think how hot it must be, or how cold, or how wet. I wouldn’t enjoy the feel of the wind on my face or the bugs hitting my visor at 70 mph.
But I don’t mind other people riding on them as long as they wear helmets. If you ride a motorcycle and choose not to wear a helmet, I would like to choose not to contribute to paying for whatever lasting impacts your injuries have on society.
For example, should you have a head injury — which is almost guaranteed — and lose your job, I would rather not contribute to the government’s subsidy of your lifelong medical care. Of course, I have no choice with taxes being the only certainty we face in life, besides death.
I would also like there to be a law requiring you to wear a helmet, though, just like there are laws requiring me to wear a seat belt in my car.
Common sense, folks. Your head hits the pavement, that hard plastic casing may save you some brain cells.
If you ride a motorcycle and wear a helmet, all of that doesn’t apply. But I do worry about your safety in light of all the recent accidents.
Do motorists drive and talk on cell phones? Yes. I am guilty of that as is most of the driving public.
Do we register the sight of a larger vehicle easier than a motorcycle? Yes. At night, it’s particularly difficult.
Are motorcyclists at greater risk of serious injury if they are hit? Yes. A motorcycle just doesn’t offer enough protection.
After typing in too many tragic motorcycle accident stories, I am driving with an increased awareness of your presence.
I hope others are as well.
Staff Writer Wendy Victora can be reached at 863-1111, Ext. 1478, or wendyv@nwfdailynews.com
If you go to the link there is a place where you can "comment on this story". Excuse me, is this a story? Is this a journalist? Is this a Reporter? Or is this a "Bobble head Doll that sits behind a desk with a string hangin out her butt and if they have an empty place in the paper they pull it and she types?
You know don't you we have to drive on the same roads as these people. You also know these are the people that provide us with our dose of daily local news. Such hard hitting investigating journalism keeps me in awe.Add to Technorati Favorites
