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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A report released by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Thursday shows fatal accidents involving motorcycles are up 30 percent from this time last year.
The report said 22 motorcyclists have been killed on Minnesota roads so far in 2011, compared to 17 at this time last year.
In 2010 there were a total of 45 deaths, which was a 15 percent drop from 53 in 2009. There were 74 deaths in 2008, which was a 24-year high for riders killed.
The DPS reports nine of the 22 deaths this year have been this month, including four over July 20-21. There were seven fatalities in June and five in May. Twenty of the 22 deaths were the motorcycle drivers and two were passengers. Only five of the 22 victims were wearing helmets.
Thirteen of the 22 crashes also happened outside the seven county Twin Cities area. DPS is reminding those who ride motorcycles to use extra caution when out on the road and wear protective gear, especially helmets.
7 Comments
A few of them I have seen not wearing helmets either!
I just love how some of them zip in and out of traffic – I laugh at those ones and wish to see them wreck!
July 28, 2011 at 2:28 pm | | Report comment
The same ones that zip in and out of traffic and generally drive like sh t go home and then jump in their cars that have a bumper sticker that says “Start Seeing Motorcycles” and blame the driver of the car when there is a motorcycle accident.
July 28, 2011 at 2:41 pm | | Report comment
O BS ‘undercover’. Join ABATE of MN and learn something for a change.
July 28, 2011 at 5:57 pm | | Report comment
The ones that zip in and out of traffic are definately not the majority of motorcycle riders out there. They, unfortunately, give the rest of us a bad image. That said, people in cars need to make sure they are looking for motorcycles while out on the road. I’ve been cut of at least 10 times this season (since April). In most cases, it seemed that the people just didn’t look when changing lanes. As for us bikers, we need to make sure to ride defensively and anticipate every car out on the road as a potential threat, that has been my saving grace in at least two of the cut-offs.
July 28, 2011 at 2:53 pm | | Report comment
As a sportbike I’m not going to lie – I have had my fair share of high-speed fun. However, I’ve also had my fair share of autos nearly kill me. It’s gotten worse in the last few years as it seems Minnesota drivers have become more aggressive AND distracted.
But numbers don’t lie – most motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle accidents where rider error was to blame. It is also fairly common knowledge that many baby boomers are taking to the streets in droves – often times with bigger egos than riding skill.
Listen close, having ridden an ATV, dirtbike, or snowmobile at one point in your life does not mean you have mastered the skill of riding. I’ve been riding since I was 16 (8 years now) and I am still learning yet I consider myself an advanced rider.
Here is a correlation for you – most of these riders not wearing helmets are the ones on “hogs”, not the guys on sportbikes (who often take the heat when this topic arises). Minnesotan motorcyclists seem to be partial to hogs; I estimate it to be 10 of them to every sportbike.
Now to tie in all of my comments – the guys on Harleys are generally older riders; not wearing a helmet is the standard image these riders as somehow not wearing a helmet is more bad-A than wearing one. On a similar note – alcohol and riding don’t mix. A popular destination for hogs seems to be bars. To that I say just enjoy the ride.
Don’t get me wrong – I appreciate motorcyclists of all types; after all we are a brotherhood. But the single most important thing to take from this article and what I am saying is wear a helmet and proper riding gear to protect you. Many people think I’m crazy to wear a full-leather suit, boots, gloves, and a helmet when it’s hot out. But when people ask me how I do it, I usually tell them I would rather sweat than bleed. In fact, a common phrase is tossed around with sportbike enthusiasts – “Dress for the crash – not the ride”.
Regards,
July 28, 2011 at 3:47 pm | | Report comment
I agree you need to dress for the crash – not the ride. My husband has been riding a bike for over thirty years, and can’t believe the riders with the shorts, tank tops, and flip flops on. And these ususally are the people on the ninja bikes weaving in and out of traffic. He diligently wears a helmet, gloves, leather jacket, boots, and leather pants. But I do have to say if the day is way too hot, he’ll not wear his leather pants. And, yes, I also dress properly when I ride with him.
July 28, 2011 at 4:09 pm | | Report comment
I luv the riders with tank tops, shorts up to the
, the less the best
I luv wimmen
July 28, 2011 at 4:57 pm | | Report comment