there is some truth to this. I don’t know any rider who hasn’t experienced a simple tip-over in a parking lot during some point in his or her riding career. I also know several riders who have suffered significant crashes, and, tragically, some resulted in death.
Each rider’s perception of risk contributes to the way he or she rides and decisions he or she makes. Some people perceive the risk as high, or are generally risk-adverse, and therefore ride cautiously to limit risk exposure. They might avoid riding at night or in heavy traffic, and they work hard to keep their accident-avoidance skills up-to-date. As a result, they encounter fewer close calls and are usually more relaxed than a rider who is less prepared.
Riders who are in denial about the risks often end up in dangerous—or deadly— situations.
Risk Tolerance
There are many riders who are perfectly aware of the risks but still choose to operate their motorcycle in very risky ways, willing to accept more risk in exchange for opportunities to challenge their skills. These riders are more likely to contain their activity to remote roadways or closed courses where they can manage the risk.
Some riders are in denial about the risks and do stupid things that risk not only their own life, but also the lives of others. The most extreme examples of risk denial are those who underestimate the effects of riding under the influence of alcohol or deny the consequences of racing or stunting in traffic. This unrealistic optimism eventually leads to smashed bodywork and broken bones.
Most of us are somewhere in between the range of very cautious and reckless. We tolerate a level of risk that allows us to enjoy the challenge of riding, but self-preservation doesn’t allow us to expose ourselves to excessive or unnecessary danger. Self-preservation is what encourages us to wear protective gear, ride slowly through intersections, and improve our riding skills.
Denial
Even though most riders have a hunch that a crash is possible, many riders don’t believe it will happen to them. It’s rather easy to see what a rider’s beliefs are about risk by the type of riding gear they choose, their behavior in traffic, and their ability to ride within their limits. A rider who has a less-than-realistic perception of risk may not wear protective riding gear.
Accept the possibility that a serious fall may be in your future and prepare for it by protecting yourself from injury. You will avoid a lot of pain and suffering if you are wearing protective gear at the moment when your skill or luck runs out. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst!
The lesson is, if you think you are safe on a motorcycle, you’re wrong! You could die on any ride you take. With this sobering knowledge, what are you going to do about it? I suggest you become the most skilled motorcycle rider you can be.
Some environments have a higher likelihood of injury.
Defining Risk
An accurate measure of risk includes two factors:
•Your risk exposure and the probability of a mishap
•The consequences of being involved in a crash
The probability of a particular danger depends on your risk exposure and your attitude toward risk. Risk exposure is closely tied to your riding environment. For example, riding in pouring rain or in dense traffic is much riskier than riding on a dry day on a deserted road.
Your probability of a crash also depends on your willingness to take risks. For example, if you ride while intoxicated or use the public roadways as a racetrack, then you shouldn’t be surprised if you’re involved in a higher than average number of close calls and crashes.
The consequences of a crash vary depending on several factors, including how fast you are going at the time and whether you slide to a stop in an open area or hit a hard object. Some environments have a higher likelihood of injury. For example, a crash on the street often results in a catastrophic collision with a guardrail or curbing, but this terrible fate is much less likely if you crashed on a racetrack. Even though racetrack speeds may be higher, the lack of roadside barriers decreases the likelihood of injury.
Measuring Risk
Risk perception is formed by our attitude, experiences, knowledge, and ability. People also measure risk and determine their risk acceptance by finding a balance between risk and reward. But sometimes it’s tough to know how much risk we are exposed to. An imaginary tool you can use to measure risk is the “Risk Meter.” Imagine a gauge mounted next to your speedometer that reacts to the amount of risk you are being exposed to. The needle moves toward “more risk” when you approach a busy intersection or when you approach a decreasing radius curve, and then eases back toward “less risk” when danger passes.
Another instrument you should learn to utilize is your “Anxiety Meter.” This gauge responds to your subconscious as it tells you when you are entering a high-risk situation or approaching the limits of your comfort zone. This usually occurs when you cannot process information quickly enough. One easy way to combat this problem is to always ride at speeds that allow you to calmly respond to any change in your traffic or cornering situation.
Imagine a “Risk Meter” and “Anxiety Meter” to help gauge risk.
About Crashing
It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, what type of motorcycle you ride, or where you ride, we all agree that one of the worst things that can happen to you on a motorcycle is for you to crash. Notice that I am not using the word “accident” when describing a mishap. Nobody wants to crash, so technically all mishaps are accidents, but the term “accident” suggests that it was an act of God or a random incident that happens for no reason. Thinking that way will just cause you to get into more “accidents” by not taking responsibility for the incident and therefore learning nothing from the experience.
A crash is almost always caused by someone screwing up. Unfortunately, we cannot expect human beings to be perfect all the time. Whether a crash is the result of another driver’s poor judgment or from rider error, the fact is that most incidents can been prevented. I know what you’re saying—“it was the other guy’s fault!” Maybe. But where does that get you? Your job is to prevent the crashes from happening in the first place.
How Crashes Happen
Every Monday morning, I find myself scanning the news for reports of motorcycle accidents from the past weekend. It may be a rather morbid thing to do, but these reports can provide a glimpse into why motorcyclists crash. Many serious crashes I read about involve another driver, but about half of all fatal crashes are single-vehicle incidents where the rider fails to negotiate a curve.
Too often, the primary cause of crashes is the motorcyclist riding beyond his or her skill level and the limits of the environment. One news report I read described a rider who had collided with a car going in the opposite direction on a lightly traveled scenic road. I am familiar with the corner where the incident took place. It isn’t a particularly challenging corner, but witnesses said he had been riding at excessive speed before he crossed the centerline and hit the car head on. It also mentioned that he had been riding with some other motorcyclists who came upon the scene moments after it happened. The rider died instantly, and the innocent driver was seriously
