YOUNG RIDERS PICK A DESTINATION AND GO.

OLD RIDERS PICK A DIRECTION AND GO.


These are sayings out of the book Sit Down, Shut Up & Hang On!

A biker's guide to life.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Injuries and Fatalities Down

Virginia Motorcycle Injuries and Fatalities Down in 2013

February 17, 2014 The preliminary motorcycle crash data for 2013 has been released by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.  The news is good.  Motorcycle crashes, injuries, and fatalities are down dramatically from last year.  While this is very good news, it is a cause for some concern for 2014.  I will explain that in a moment.  First, let’s look at the data.

In 2013 there were 60 motorcycle crash fatalities compared to 77 in 2012.  That is a decrease of 22%.  Further, there were 571 crashes involving serious injury in 2013 compared to 846 in 2012.  That is a 32.5% decrease in motorcycle crashes involving serious injury.

The numbers become even starker when we look at total motorcycle related injury crashes over the last four years.  In 2010 there were 1,848 motorcycle related injury crashes compared to 1,875 in 2011 and 1,987 in 2012.  In 2013 there were 1,222 motorcycle related injury crashes.  Additionally, in each of the three previous years, motorcycle related injury crashes made up 4% of total injury crashes in Virginia.  In 2013 motorcycle related injury crashes made up 3% of total injury crashes in Virginia.

Now here comes the part that causes me concern.  People will look at this data and ask what it means.  I would hope that continued focus on training and education had something to do with these numbers.  However, crash data can vary from year to year based upon factors that have nothing to do with training, education or equipment.    For example, weather and gas prices can affect motorcycle crash data.  If one year is dry and warm and the next is cold and damp, we would expect to see fewer motorcycle crashes in the cold and damp year since fewer motorcycles are on the road.  When gas prices go up we see more motorcycles on the road as people opt for their most fuel efficient vehicle.

My concern is that such a significant drop in crashes, injuries, and fatalities has to be due in part to factors outside of the control of both motorcyclists and the government.  It is the latter group that concerns me the most.  In 2014 the uncontrollable factors could very well change and we could see a significant rise in motorcycle crashes.  Historically when that happens, our elected officials become eager to step in to take legislative action.  It is an inherent need on their part to take action even if that action will, in all reality, have no impact on motorcycle safety.

So what can we as motorcyclists do about this if some of what affects motorcycle crash data is outside of our control?  We can continue to focus on those things over which we do have control.  We can continue to pursue a strategy for motorcycle safety which focuses on crash avoidance.  We can continue to hone our skills both on our own and through the many quality motorcycle training courses that are available to us in Virginia.  We can also police ourselves.  If we as riders want to protect and preserve riding as we know it, then we need to step in when appropriate and  make sure that others understand that their reckless behavior not only has a potential impact on them, it has a potential impact on all of us.  If we do those things, we may not be able to erase the effect that outside forces have on motorcycle crash data, but we can certainly lessen the impact.

As always, if you have any questions or comments concerning anything that I have written please feel free to contact me.
 
Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Second Annual Bikes on the Border

Reminder - Second Annual Bikes on the Border

February 9, 2014
I wanted to remind anyone who is interested that the Second Annual Bikes on the Border will be held from March 21 to 23, 2014 in Kings Mountain North Carolina.  The host hotel is the Holiday Inn Express Kings Mountain, NC at 100 Woodlake Pkwy., Kings Mountain, NC.  Room rates are $75.00.  Call 704-734-0014 for reservations.  A block of rooms has been set aside for the conference.

The Actual conference will be held on Saturday March 22nd at the H. Lawrence Patrick Conference Center at 909 E. King St., Kings Mountain, NC.  It is 1.8 miles from the host hotel.  Topics will include

- Federal legislation affecting motorcyclists.
- Lobbying 101 – A panel discussion on effective lobbying on both the state and federal level.
- Insurance law and how it affects motorcyclists.
- How to deal with toxic members in your motorcycle rights organization.
- A roundtable discussion among all attendees on issues of importance to motorcyclists in your state.

There is a $25.00 registration fee which includes a t-shirt and a ticket to the banquet Saturday night.  Walk-ins are welcome at the conference, but those who register will have guaranteed seating.  Additionally only registrants will receive banquet tickets and t-shirts.  You may register by check made payable to McGrath & Danielson, PO Box 5424, Richmond, VA 23220.  You may also register using PayPal at http://motorcyclelawgroup.com/bikes-on-the-border/

This year’s banquet will feature a silent auction and a 50/50 with all proceeds going to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.  If you have items for the silent auction please contact Rob Griffin at rob@motorcyclelawgroup.com.

If you can make the conference, plan to arrive Friday evening for fellowship over a few beverages in the hospitality room.  Also plan to stay around Sunday morning for a guided tour of the Kings Mountain Battlefield Park.  You may also want to make a stop at the 40th Annual CBA Swap Meet & Bike Show at the Metrolina Expo, 7100 Statesville Rd., Charlotte, NC 28269.  We look forward to another interesting and productive Bikes on the Border. 
 
Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

BioFuel Bill

Federal Bill of Interest to Motorcyclists

February 5, 2014

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation reports that the United States House of Representatives has passed a bill that would end a federal subsidy for biofuel blender pumps in rural areas. The measure passed by a vote of 251-166.  The Senate is expected to vote on the matter next week and there is little that those in support of the subsidies can do to reinstate the money. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation into law.

Putting an end to these subsidies will likely result in less biofuel blender pumps in the market place and therefore less E-15 fuel.  As most of you know, E-15 is gasoline that is blended with 15% ethanol.  Obviously that is a 50% increase in ethanol over the standard E-10 that most of us are used to seeing and using.  There are questions regarding how E-15 will affect engines, especially smaller ones.  The Motorcycle Industry Counsel claims that E-15 could affect engine durability and deterioration.  Further, if your motorcycle is damaged by E-15, you have no legal recourse.   Passage of this bill should be welcome news to all motorcycle riders.
 
Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

 
 

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