In honor of the season and my girlfriend’s invalid husband, this week’s Standard Examiner article discusses the idiocy of motorbikes. When I mentioned this to my brother in law last night, he just about ripped me a new one. Wow, who knew boys were so attached to their big buzzing toys?
I hate motorcycles
June 14, 2010
YOu know how I feel about this. I too have put my foot down. Adam said that he would buy a Harley before he got engaged. Look how well that turned out!
And I have issues with him doing dangerous things anyway, i.e. therapy, so hell no.
I have a friend who lost her husband in a motorcycle accident. She has three small children, the youngest was only 6 months old when her husband died. Her oldest was only 5 when it happened.
I also lost one of my favorite bishops to a motorcycle accident.
Needless to say, I will never support ownership of such a dangerous vehicle in my family. And my husband knows that and, luckily, he understands.
Wait a minute: Utah won’t allow drivers to talk on cell phones because it’s dangerous, but does not have a helmet law for motorcyclists? You’re right; sounds like UT is practicing selective safety.
I hate the stupid machines, too. And frankly, I don’t have a lot of patience for the “little boy inside the man” schtick that seems to give a pass for gross irresponsibility to male adults upon whom a lot of other people are depending.
There’s no helmet law in South Carolina, either. I always joke with my husband, a SC native, that they’re just trying to kill off all the stupid ones. Because riding a motorcycle without a helmet? Definitely stupid, whether it’s against the law or not.
(And for the record, I think the states should be called Greater and Lesser Carolina instead of North and South. Yes, I have a bit of a superiority complex. Rightfully so, I think.)
After knowing my brother witnessed his good friend getting broadsided by a van (Not mini, but BIG) and now having a rod to replace his femur after a play; I am good without them. It is fun and thrilling, if you are responsible, and can guarantee the responsibility of the motorists around you, which you can’t. Too many variables. I guess I have no room to talk; since I want the thrill of jumping out of an airplane to skydive when I lose the baby weight.
I on the other hand, love Harley. I’m a car-girl, too. Love to go fast. Love the wind. I’m old, 65, and I still love ’em.
As a nurse I like to call them donor cycles especially when operated with out a helmet!
I completely agree with you. My husband borrowed a bike and road down to Lake Powell. I was nervous the whole time. Not because I don’t believe in my husband’s ability but because I don’t trust other people.
Oh yeah, I do not like them either! Don’t get me wrong, I have ridden on my share of them. I love the feel of the wind in my hair….but, I am also an volunteer EMT and have seen some really bad accidents, with and without helmets. You only have to see a 16 year old kid, with life threatening injuries, crying for his mama once, and you won’t ever want you or yours on those machines again.
And you probably don’t have guns in your house because they’re dangerous and stupid and kill people. Now I agree with you not to ask for trouble and that yes motorcycles are more dangerous than cars. BUT, growing up with a dad thats ridden a motorcycle since he was 15 and has NEVER been in an accident, I don’t have such an aversion to them. I think the biggest thing to remember with ANYTHING dangerous, be it motorcycles, guns, fireworks, a toothpick, whatever–is if you follow the rules and are safe, your chances of getting hurt are a LOT less. I think its important to teach our kids the rules and safety of those things, not just ban them so they’re curious and sneak them and then really get hurt. Just my thoughts.
I’m not asking him to ban motorcycles from his life, Mel, I’m asking him to wait a few more years before he buys one. Big difference.
I was being pretty general Annie, I was meaning with *all* dangerous things I think its more important to teach how to be safe than to just avoid them all together. (And I’m mostly talking about dangerous things with kids, that when we just avoid the topic, they get curious and then they really get hurt because they try it out behind your back.) I totally understand what you’re saying, and also that you have to push it a little farther because its an article and also that its your choice and your life. I’m just sharing my opinion, as you did yours. I wouldn’t mind my husband driving a motorcycle, you would. Great. 🙂
I think the people who are getting their panties all in a wad need to simmer down.
My man was in a motorcycle accident and his father was killed in a motorcycle accident. My man was doing everything right, and his father wasn’t. My man wore all the appropriate protective gear– the FIL didn’t even have on a helmet.
You are guaranteed at some point to wreck your bike. End of story. The trick is to be responsible– wear the best FULL FACE helmet that money can buy. Buy the Teflon Jackets, wrist bands, and pants. Wear boots.
I also think that the motorcycle industry in general has been incredibly irresponsible by creating an image of it being sexy to ride without protective gear. Look at the Ads– Sexy people aren’t wearing gear. Sexy people are riding in shorts with no helmets. That’s not sexy– it’s stupid. If the motorcycle industry would promote in their Ad’s safety and protective gear, I think we would see the younger generations being more responsible.
It’s just a basic need that we all have to NOT be the dorky nerd, but super sexy. I’ll take an alive dorky nerd any day over a dead sex symbol. But, that’s just me.
ps. My Father-In-Law was ONLY 1/2 mile from home when he was killed on his bike. In a Kmart parking lot. So just “running around town” or riding ” in the neighborhood” without a helmet on is VERY irresponsible! And just plain DUMB.
The End.