Easy, older rider: deaths of over-40 motorcyclists grow

[PeteSC]

Easy, older rider: deaths of over-40 motorcyclists grow
A graying pastime's downside is a growing roster of older riders killed - a 100 percent hike for the last five years of state statistics.
By JEAN HELLER, Times Staff Writer
Published June 13, 2005



They all died on motorcycles.

Tom Fitzgerald, the University of Tampa's highly regarded soccer coach, was fatally injured when he collided with a Lincoln Navigator. He was 53.

Walter John Kashtan of Dunedin was killed in an accident with a car. He was 55.

Leslie Chissus of Tarpon Springs died when he collided with a Toyota SUV. Chissus was 47.

Merle Bush of Brooksville was killed in a collision with an SUV in San Antonio. He was 63.

In a pastime that is increasingly graying, they join a grim, growing roster of older riders killed at what used to be largely a young person's hobby.

The latest state statistics show that in the five years between 1999 and 2003, the number of accidents involving riders over 40 has increased by 60 percent. The number of riders over 40 who were injured has increased by 59 percent.

And the number of over-40 fatalities has increased by 100 percent.

"We're definitely seeing an elevated population of motorcyclists over 50," said Dr. Lewis Flint, medical director of regional trauma services at Tampa General Hospital. "I think it's probably a reflection of the older population of the state and the fact that there are lots more older riders than there used to be."

Flint's own wife is a motorcyclist, and he acknowledges it can be difficult to have a biker and a trauma specialist living under the same roof.

"I keep reminding her she can't ride when I'm on call," Flint said.

Robert "EZ" Taylor of St. Petersburg said he understands that his reflexes aren't what they were when he was 30.

"We take precautions," said Taylor, 59. "We wear helmets, even though the law says we don't have to. We drive defensively. We leave ourselves room to react to the unexpected because we recognize that our reflexes might not be as sharp as they used to be."

Still, Taylor was in an accident in February and managed to escape with superficial injuries. "We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said. "No reflexes would have prevented it."

Safety experts agree that, just as in cars, some motorcycle accidents are unavoidable. But the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which runs motorcycle and motor scooter training sessions nationwide, says there are five steps riders can take to increase their safety odds.

Get training and licensing, never assume you know everything, wear proper gear, stay free of drugs and alcohol and ride within your limits.

David Hough, author of two books on proficient motorcycling, says older bikers sometimes outsmart themselves.

"Maybe somebody's never ridden before or rode when they were younger and then gave it up to raise a family and is coming back to it years later and has some money to spend," Hough said. "They start with the biggest, most powerful Harley Davidson they can find without the least clue about the risks - or the fact that any risks exist.

"Some people would say excessive speed kills. I would say excessive stupidity."

Hough said speed is not, in and of itself, the highest risk factor for accidents among older riders.

"There are older people who ride very fast and very safely," he said. "There are others who ride without any regard to good judgment and safety at any speed."

According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were nearly 219,000 new motorcycle registrations (including scooters) in Florida in 2000. Last year, the number was 417,000. New motorcycle registrations were up almost 91 percent over the five-year period; new car registrations rose just 18 percent.

These figures don't reflect the age of the cycle owners, but between 1990 and 2003, the average age of motorcycle owners nationwide increased from 32 to 41, said Mike Mount, spokesman for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

"Older riders need to think about the changes that occur as they age," Mount said. "Their reflexes slow. Their eyesight isn't as good, especially at night. But there's no set age at which people should hang it up. It's a personal decision made after a thorough, periodic self-evaluation. You know when you're not as comfortable on a bike as you used to be."

Ralph Metcalf, 59, is one of those over-40 riders who came back to the sport after raising a family.

"People have the attitude that they rode before, and they can pick it right up again, but they can't," said Metcalf, Tampa's director of wastewater management. "When I got back on a bike the first time, it was intimidating. They're bigger, more powerful and a whole lot faster than they used to be. So I took a safety course and learned all over again."

Hobart "Hobie" Wilcox, who turns 86 on June 23 and has been riding for 71 years, is very safety conscious.

"I used to be a motorcycle fiend, but now I'm just a motorcycle rider," said Wilcox of St. Petersburg. "I'm extremely careful, and I always give way to other traffic. I know my reflexes have slowed way down."

After his wife forced him to get rid of his cycles, Wilcox bought a little red 49cc motor scooter.

"My son took that away from me because he didn't want me to ride it, but I still go over and get it once in a while," Wilcox said. "I ride with my neighbor, who's got a big, big Harley. We're kind of cute together, his big Harley and my little red scooter. I like riding with him because I know he's got my back."

--In the interest of full disclosure, reporter Jean Heller is a motorcycle rider and is (well) over 40.

(St. Pete Times)

[slo coach]

It used to be here in N.Z that cars were very expensive..an old rx7 was 20gran  and a big bike was 7 or 8gran.It's now the other way,with our dopey goverment allowing 22000 japanese used import cars a month,into a country  with 4million people,thats a million cars in 4 years have come into the country in 4 years,so the cars are now worth nothing but the bikes are the 10 and 20gran vehicles,so its the older person with desposable income who have finally got some cash after years of being broke bringing up kids etc who are the majority of the customers at the bike shops.So we should take notice of those accident figures,but the nujmber is higher because the amount of older riders has increased as well thereby making the figure higher.

SAFE RIDING-------slo coach

[JV]

From the examples listed, it looks like SUV's do more killing than just age.

[smooth operator]

I think for one,they're more riders out on the road,and not all are experienced riders. They jump on they're Fat Boy or whatever with a pal or 2 and head to the pub. As a matter of fact they are having a big bike night here in Erie tonight. Peter Fonda and Colin Powel are here( I did'nt know Colin Powel road a bike?) Sounda like a big parade of chrome to me( I hate parades) The whole bottom section of State st in Erie is 1 bar after the next. Do'nt get me wrong, I like to have fun too. But you do'nt have to be drunk to let your guard down. Sometimes you almost have to have a 6th sence( just be a very defensive driver) Sometimes you see a car at a intersection, they have plenty of time to see you, and you just know they're going to pull out anyhow. Kinda like a weapon, I was taught a gun was always loaded. And I've learned a car will always pull out. Someone who has'nt learned that yet,relaxed having fun with a couple of pals can easily let their guard down. They may go along withoput any trouble. But you have to be ready and alert when the time comes. If you snooze, you loose.  Just my 2 cents, Old Fart Dan

[Bazza]

I get to many of the local bike nights here and I can tell you I see many more middle aged farts (Male & Female) struggling to hold up their newly purchased Harley, than I see kids under 18 (male & female) struggling with their sport bikes.

I don't know what it is like in the U.S., but here it seems like once you pay of your mortgauge, you go out and purchase the biggest cruiser you can find, regardless of your riding ability (and most have none) to show that you have "made it"

[billster]

Ooooops.  I'd better take up GOLF (and die bored to shit!)  

Bill