Western Courier

Issue date: 10/2/06 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: www.google.com

Motorcyclists, listen up! It is getting colder out and it is almost time to put that bike away - which means bikers will have time to consider the importance of wearing protective gear. Although state law does not require it, it is an important issue that needs to be addressed especially since there are many bikers on campus who don't wear any protective gear. Hopefully the following statistics will get bikers thinking about spending extra bucks to save their lives.

According to the State of Illinois Motorcycle Safety Program Assessment, the sale of motorcycles went up from 8,032 in 1998 to 49,784 in 2004. This directly impacted registrations going from 192,087 to 259,380.

Unfortunately, the same increase was reflected in fatalities. Motorcycle fatalities increased from 99 in 1998 to 157 in 2004. Data would later show that 12 percent of all people killed on Illinois roadways in 2004 were bikers. An even scarier fact revealed by these statistics is that in 2004, 85 percent of those who died in a motorcycle accident were not wearing helmets.

It is too late for those bikers and their families to look back and ask themselves, "What if he or she was wearing a helmet? What if I had bought him or her that jacket?"

Fortunately, we have the opportunity to reflect and ask "what if?" Protective gear is on the pricey side, but it is definitely worth it in the long run. Bikers should look at it as an investment for their lives.

While protective biking gear can be expensive, just think about the irreparable dent you would leave in the lives of friends and family if you became a victim of one of those fatalities. Some people may think, "It can't happen to me!" Well, guess what: it can. Human beings are not invincible, although some like to think otherwise.

This also goes for the girls who ride with bikers. Ladies, think twice before you get on a motorcycle without any protective gear. One never knows what can happen. Just think about the fact that you're putting your safety and life in the hands of not only the driver, but other drivers as well. Yeah, it is sexy and attractive to ride with a guy who has a bike (especially if he is hot), but ask yourself if it's really worth it. One wrong maneuver, and that could be it.

So bikers, take the long, cold season to think about investing in some protective gear. Think of the 85 percent of fellow bikers who have died knowing that their chances of living would have been tremendously better had they invested in a helmet. Think about your friends and family. Do not become a statistic.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools