[FunkyBass13]

Woo Hoo. Great to have you back TR!!! I am also nominating you for quote of the year as "I didn't think it would help with my fucking foot!" is absolutely outstanding. Here's to a speedy recovery and to you being back home on the Forum.

[anddave]

chuckvegas, on 29 July 2010 - 06:31 PM, said:

ad campaign

Yes there's a "Start Seeing Motorcycles" initiative all around for a few years now. I agree with Ron's thinking and when I see the "Start Seeing Motorcycles" stuff I think "Why doesn't it just say 'Start Seeing'?"

Welcome back TR!

[Rusty the Scoob]

anddave, on 02 August 2010 - 09:38 AM, said:

Yes there's a "Start Seeing Motorcycles" initiative all around for a few years now. I agree with Ron's thinking and when I see the "Start Seeing Motorcycles" stuff I think "Why doesn't it just say 'Start Seeing'?"

Welcome back TR!

Three reasons:

Cars have a real problem seeing motorcycles - both in terms of noticing that we are there and also they have a hard time judging our speed and location accurately. It's hard to describe to a non-rider but it's a very real problem.

A fender-bender that would be a minor inconvenience in a car can have life-changing consequences for a biker, or worse.

Start Seeing is better advice, but it's too general to make an effective ad campaign. Start Seeing Motorcycles is good, catchy slogan that gets a more specific point across.

[neutrino]

It's great to hear that you are well on the mend, Ron!! This is great news. I hope to have the opportunity to meet you one of these days at a DSO show.

Taper Ron, on 29 July 2010 - 08:26 AM, said:

Everyone has a story about their aunt/uncle/cousin so on who has stories about the horrific things they have seen stemming from motorcycle accidents. I find it funny, and a little annoying, that they never see any car wrecks. In rehab I was the only one from a motorcycle wreck, there were, however, three from cars - two with spine damage and one with brain damage. As I previously mentioned my surgery was rescheduled because a car wreck victim came in; with both legs amputated. Almost every day there is something on the news about someone killed or critically injured in a car wreck. I also find it ironic (right word?) that anytime a motorcycle is involved in a wreck they have to bring up helmets. The newspaper article about my wreck said "the Police report he was not wearing a helmet". Had I been wearing a helmet it is quite possible my neck would have been broken instead of a scrape on my forehead.

I guess I was one of "annoying" people that brought up the issue of motorcycle safety. I'm truly sorry if you found this annoying, as the last thing I would want to do is to cause you any irritation--especially during your recovery. Yes you're correct, there is way more carnage caused by automobile crashes, and it is not surprising that the ER had more of them than bikers. The number of people killed and maimed with cars is appalling. However, to state the obvious, there are many more people driving cars than motorcycles. Probably weren't any handglider pilots in the ER that night either. The simple statistical fact is, you are MUCH more likely to suffer a serious or fatal accident per mile driven on bike. I will still encourage ANYONE who rides to use a helmet. They DO save lives and prevent the horrible disfigurement of faces. I don't think there can be any question about this. Whether helmets should be mandatory by law is another issue. If you chose not to wear one, so be it. Again--I really don't mean to cause any annoyance, but I have strong feeling about this due to direct experence with people I really cared about, so I feel compelled to state my opinion on the matter.
Peace

This post has been edited by neutrino: 02 August 2010 - 01:12 PM

[Taper Ron]

Hey Neutrino, I wasn't annoyed at you! What I meant was it's irritating that many hospital personnel seem to only want to talk about the horrific motorcycle accidents. Maybe they don't want to admit they are vulnerable in their cage (car).

Jazzman, I understand why they couldn't give me pain meds - that don't mean I didn't want some! I bet you would too.

I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman for eight years, several of which I was an ER tech/ ambulance driver I also flew Search and Rescue so I have seen my share of trauma. Furthermore, I started riding motorcycles more than 40 years ago. I have lost friends but honestly don't believe helmets would have saved any of them. In many cases helmets can kill you, by snapping your neck. I know it is a poor example, but that is what killed Dale Earnhardt.

Again, I was not at all annoyed by your post. We are all welcome to voice our opinions. I appreciate that you always state yours in a respectful manner- no name calling or hateful attitude!

Post On Brudders!

[acududeman]

Ron,

Glad you are home and on the mend. I went for a ride on my V-Strom Sunday that had me grinning from ear to ear.......there's nothing quite like riding in the zone.

reid.

[neutrino]

Taper Ron, on 03 August 2010 - 04:28 AM, said:

Hey Neutrino, I wasn't annoyed at you! What I meant was it's irritating that many hospital personnel seem to only want to talk about the horrific motorcycle accidents. Maybe they don't want to admit they are vulnerable in their cage (car).

Jazzman, I understand why they couldn't give me pain meds - that don't mean I didn't want some! I bet you would too.

I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman for eight years, several of which I was an ER tech/ ambulance driver I also flew Search and Rescue so I have seen my share of trauma. Furthermore, I started riding motorcycles more than 40 years ago. I have lost friends but honestly don't believe helmets would have saved any of them. In many cases helmets can kill you, by snapping your neck. I know it is a poor example, but that is what killed Dale Earnhardt.

Again, I was not at all annoyed by your post. We are all welcome to voice our opinions. I appreciate that you always state yours in a respectful manner- no name calling or hateful attitude!

Post On Brudders!

Hey TR,

Glad you didn't find my posts about motorcycle safety to be annoying. You and I clearly have a difference of opinion about helmets, and that's fine. I'm not a biker, but I'm sure if I was, I would wear a helmet. I would feel much better about my survival if my head were to hit the asphalt at 80 MPH if encased in a very strong polycarbonate shell. I longer ride my bicycle without a helmet. for the same reason I'm sure there are some deaths that occured BECAUSE of helmets, as you state. However, the same could be said for seatbelts, but I wouldn't think of driving without it on anymore. Just playing the odds--as I see them. Hope I don't come off as being part of the nanny state, as I also believe in personal choice. Anyway idn't want this to become the helmet forum. I'm just very happy to hear that you are doing so well!!

[nantucket]

welcome back taper ron!!

[nwnj steve]

Hay T.R. me & Kris are so grad you're starting to feel better ,we've been thinking alot about you & I did get your pm. hang in there brother .we both love ya very much