tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post6152433113956694557..comments2024-01-30T22:53:34.269-08:00Comments on Musings of an Intrepid Commuter: irondadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-41990898211541196202007-09-24T11:47:00.000-07:002007-09-24T11:47:00.000-07:00Steve,I have to shake my head when the safety effo...Steve,<BR/>I have to shake my head when the safety efforts are always to protect people from themselves despite what they do. Where does taking responsibility for ourselves come in? Why not focus on making better drivers and riders?<BR/><BR/>That's also been one of my counterpoints when people say their decisions affect only them. As much as we hate to think so, nobody lives on an island anymore.<BR/><BR/>Lobsterman,<BR/>The scooter thing is interesting. I don't know what time frame the statistics cover. Could it be that scooters aren't really represented truly since the big surge is relatively new?<BR/><BR/>I find out here that scooter riders for the most part aren't as serious about gear. There seems to be a prevailing current that<BR/>"they're only scooters". Like you say, most are getting as powerful and big as regular bikes.<BR/><BR/>Was it Will Rogers who said something about figures lie and liars figure?<BR/><BR/>It all depends upon who's bull is being gored, doesn't it?<BR/><BR/>Take care,<BR/><BR/>Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-56322657209002982382007-09-24T11:04:00.000-07:002007-09-24T11:04:00.000-07:00I love these reports and the commentary sure to fo...I love these reports and the commentary sure to follow them. Statistics are slippery things.<BR/><BR/>One thing jumped out at me, since I ride a scooter myself.<BR/><BR/>The IIHS report specifically mentions scooters only a few times, in the charts (always lowest or close to lowest loss) and this quote:<BR/>"Scooters had the lowest overall losses per insured vehicle year of $17."<BR/><BR/>The moonrider article didn't mention scooters at all, just how pro Harley the IIHS report was.<BR/><BR/>For what it is worth, in my experience here in Cincinnati, most scooter riders wear good quality helmets, even though Ohio law allows us to go without a helmet after one year following endorsement.<BR/><BR/>You could probably argue that scooter losses are low because the relative cost of a scooter is low compared to your average HD, but many scooters costs as much as entry level sport bikes. Who knows the truth in a world where 84.375% of all statistics are made up on the spot?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-55269944221842502372007-09-22T14:06:00.000-07:002007-09-22T14:06:00.000-07:00Both this and your last post were good to read. I...Both this and your last post were good to read. I can't help but think that there is no magic bullet that will bring down fatalities. It's too complicated as you imply and there are too many personal decisions and inclinations that contribute to terrible outcomes.<BR/><BR/>Because our society will reach out and help those a person who needs medical care and cannot afford it then it becomes a public issue and not one of personal freedom. Sort of like privatizing Social Security. Some people will screw up and we just won't abandon them as much as we would like to think that it's their problem. <BR/><BR/>Being out on the road it doesn't surprise me that fatalities are going up. Unlike cars that can take advantage of new safety technology to offset bad habits riders can't avail themselves of it in the same way.<BR/><BR/>Slow down, pay attention, manage risk, gear up, wear a helmet. live long and prosper....<BR/><BR/>Steve Williams<BR/><A HREF="http://vespalx150.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Scooter in the Sticks</A>Steve Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540977884513559091noreply@blogger.com