Big Ben Goes Down

[PaulVS]

Of course here he wears a helmet.  

[Desolation Angel]

Man, I bet he's hurtin' today!  

[Desolation Angel]

Just saw this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ben-Roethlisberger-Replica-Motorcycle-Helmet_W0QQitemZ8827899546QQihZ005QQcategoryZ25211QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Ben Roethlisberger Replica Motorcycle Helmet!

[stormi]

As for the issue of the left-turner, has anyone contacted the news agency(s) and pointed out the other side of the coin? How many bikers in this forum alone, let alone anywhere else has done so? Betcha not one.

Posted to a forum, and emailed to a few news agencies:


While I agree that it's stupid that Ben Roethlisberger doesn't wear a helmet, and that hopefully he will learn from this,... isn't everyone missing the point?

HE didn't cause the accident that sent him to the hospital, and could very easily have ended his life. If the car had not turned in front of him, he wouldn't be down to begin with.

It should make you think... What are you doing behind the wheel? Are you paying attention?

The fact is that THE leading causes of DEATH for motorcyclists is inattentive drivers. "I didn't see him" is by far one of the most recorded responses from a car driver when the accident is investigated.

With or without helmets, we are dying at an alarming rate because because four wheeled drivers are too busy on cell phones, applying makeup, shaving, etc to pay proper attention to the 2+ tonne killing machine that they are wielding.

The -person- on that motorcycle is someone's co-worker, someone's son, someone's friend.

stormi
someone's daughter
someone's mother
someone's friend

AND a motorcyclist that avoids inattentive drivers daily.

[Tundrahog]

A couple notes on this:

the AMA magazine this month has an article the NHTS did on driving habits and how people drive.  They followed 100 cars for about a year and recorded 82 crashes!!  Most of them caused by distracted or sleepy drivers.  They said a couple people had to be removed from the study because they kept crashing cars.  It's an interesting read.

Second Greg White from 2Wheel Tuesday on speed, offered to provide Ben with a new Arai helmet assuming he decides to ride again.  Interesting, but i was surprised that even in the motorcycle community the focus is on the helmet not on the cause of the accident.

[smooth operator]

Looking @ the only positive thing I can think of... Turn over Tommy isn't waiting on deck to fill in.
  Hey... if I don't have to wear my helmet...why do I have to wear my seat belt

[tacoman]

I'm still not letting Ben off the hook for this one.  A new article today says he was never fully endorsed.  He had a temporary permit that expired in March.  The guy was riding illegally!  With proper skills, experience, and a HELMET, he more then likely would be reporting for training camp on time.
You have to wear gear, whether an accident is your fault or not, on a bike you lose.  I've seen enough crashes in my time I won't leave the driveway without a helmet.  Big Ben wouldn't step onto the field without a helmet, why jump on a Busa without one?  I don't get it.

[Daytona]

Ok this is getting deep here! Thoughts that is. How far can you go with safety?? At work we are so safe that safety orange cones don't mean squat anymore! Too many of them every where. If he was endorsed, or had the best armor / helmet would it have made much of a diff? Who's to know. Its an agreed fact most car drivers say they just didn't see em. Pulsating head lights, loud pipes, Rotating B lights all help! But if you get a person that really shouldn't be driving, is having a manic minute, a medication reaction, or lack of it, heart attach, stroke or not to mention the Oh well sh*t happens time in life! and your on a no cage, go fast mode of transport unit! U loose. How fast was he going? Looks like it wasn't to break neck! If he was say @ 90 in a 45 he got what he was looking for. But if @ 45 the other person should be who the news folk are trying to get a word from as they escort them to jail!

[tacoman]

My only point is this.  Endorsed riders with proper riding gear and not under the influence of alcohol are rarely involved in accidents.  If they are, a majority walk away from the accident.  Big Ben's injuries were all on his head and he got a concussion.  Hmmm, would a full face helmet have helped?

[scooter trash]

Quote:
As for the issue of the left-turner, has anyone contacted the news agency(s) and pointed out the other side of the coin? How many bikers in this forum alone, let alone anywhere else has done so? Betcha not one.

I sent 4 letters out. One to two of our three TV stations that went helmet crazy. One to ESPN. And a nice editioial to the local paper.

It didn't matter. They all stayed on the "no helmet, fast motorcycle, no license" track.

Still no one mentioned he didn't cause the accident.

[tacoman]

The issue is the helmet.  If there would have been one on his head he would have walked away.  I think Big Ben's riding days are over until retirement as whoever is signing his paychecks will demand it.

[Daytona]

="tacoman"]The issue is the helmet.  If there would have been one on his head he would have walked away.  I think Big Ben's riding days are over until retirement as whoever is signing his paychecks will demand it.

Ok odds are on the side of the experienced rider with advanced training. A helmet may have killed this guy who knows. Red Bandits are faster!!  

[2WheelinDaily]

Obviously, if he had been wearing his helmet, there would never have been an accident.  Not wearing it caused less wind drag and made him go faster resulting in his inability to slow down as the car turned in front of him...GIMME A BREAK!!<pun>

[PaulVS]

Yes, we all know it wasn't his fault.

But the undeniable fact remains that cagers just don't see motorcycles.  We are invisible.  We simply don't register on the radar.  I personally never assume anything when I'm on the bike.  There are tons of dead motorcyclists who had the right of way.

Knowledgeable and experienced riders plan on some idiot turning in front of them... ramming them from behind at a light... changing lanes into them.... etc., etc., etc.  They practice 100% defensive driving and assume anyone who can hit them will hit them.

Ben was neither experienced nor knowledgeable.  He didn't even have a valid m/c license.  He should have at least had the sense to wear a helmet.

[scooter trash]

Surprise, surprise, surprise !!! the VA Beach newspaper ran my editorial in this mornings paper. Shame it won’t make a difference. Women talking on her cell phone tried to take me out this morning coming to work.

Knowledgeable and experienced riders plan on some idiot turning in front of them... ramming them from behind at a light... changing lanes into them.... etc., etc., etc. They practice 100% defensive driving and assume anyone who can hit them will hit them.