Governor, you should read this one

When Arnold Schwarzenegger took the state's top job in 2003, his weekend penchant for tooling around Malibu on a beloved Harley-Davidson gave a refreshing Everyman side to the Governor from Hollywood. And it surely brought a smile to all those motorcycle riders who grew up listening to their mothers nag: "Don't ride that thing, it's dangerous!" Hey, Arnold does it so it must be OK!

Of course, Mother was right: On Wednesday, the latest proof appeared in a report from no less than the Governor's Highway Safety Assn. The GHSA's Survey of the States: Motorcycle Safety Programs says cycle fatalities in the U.S. increased in 2006 for the ninth straight year, more than doubling from 2,110 in 1997 to 4,810 in 2006, according to a press release. "Also noteworthy is the fact that in 2004, 2005 and 2006 nearly one third of all fatalities occurred in California, Texas and Florida alone."

Still, it must be hard to resist that wind-in-the-hair, bugs-on-the-teeth feel that riders say they get -- along with gasoline mileage that would rival a Prius. (Insurance rates, however, could be another matter.)

...Because Schwarzenegger continues to ride from time to time, Press Secretary Aaron McLear told me today.

The governor must have forgotten that little mishap he suffered in 2006 when he crashed into an SUV that was pulling out of a driveway near his Los Angeles home. The resulting split lip is documented at right. (Did I mention he was driving without the cycler's license that he since has obtained? Oh well.) 

You can read the full report here. But the high points are noted on the page that follows this post:

--Bill Nottingham

Photos: Monica Almeida / The New York Times; Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times

In 2007, the GHSA asked state highway safety agencies to complete a survey detailing motorcycle safety activities designed to mitigate or reverse the annual increase in motorcycle crashes. Fifty states plus the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico completed surveys. The report found that:

• A patchwork of helmet laws, scant enforcement and a lack of helmet promotion exist despite clear evidence that proper helmet use saves lives. Twenty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have universal motorcycle helmet laws. Twenty-seven states and Guam have laws that cover certain riders, and three states have no motorcycle helmet laws. In states with partial laws or without helmet laws, most riders who died were not wearing helmets. Only nine states and Puerto Rico indicated special efforts to help law enforcement identify helmets that don’t meet safety standards. Although it is widely accepted that proper helmet use dramatically reduces the likelihood of a fatality in a crash, only 17 states reported special efforts to promote the benefits of helmet use and other protective gear.

• An explosion in motorcycle ownership has left states with training and education shortfalls. Motorcycle sales almost quadrupled from 1997 to 2006, from 356,000 to almost 1.1 million. As a result, 29 states and D.C. indicated they have capacity problems, with delays ranging from one day to 12 weeks for training classes. Only three states -- Florida, Maine and Rhode Island -- require rider education for all riders, regardless of age.

• Motorcycle licensing requirements vary widely. Across the country, the minimum age for a motorcycle license/endorsement ranges from 14 to 18. Unlike automobile drivers, motorcyclists in at least 33 states may have licensing tests waived for completion of a rider training course.

• Many motorcyclists drive without valid licenses. In 2006, 25% of operators in fatal motorcycle crashes did not have a valid license, compared to 13% of drivers of passenger vehicles.

• Road construction issues are addressed in only a few states. Although motorcycle riders and their passengers are vulnerable to hazardous road conditions, only 21 states and Puerto Rico currently consider motorcycle issues in road construction projects.

• Funding shortfalls are commonplace. Only 24 states reported that user fees alone support their motorcycle safety/education efforts. In 18 states, programs are supported by a combination of one or more of the following: user fees, dedicated state funding and federal grants. Three states only use federal money. According to GHSA Chairman Christopher J. Murphy, “This report is the most complete effort to date that examines how states are dealing with the problem of motorcycle safety. Clearly, more work must be done.” Murphy adds that the timing of the report is key given that Congress will be soon  reauthorizing surface transportation programs, including those funding motorcycle safety. “We know that we need more funding and also greater flexibility with those funds to promote countermeasures that clearly work, such as helmet use.” Murphy also says this report serves as a reminder to share the road, particularly as we start the summer driving season. “While the large majority of motorcycle crashes are single vehicle, other vehicles are a factor in 40% of all fatal motorcycle crashes, so this is an issue that impacts us all.”

Comments

[Camille Huntley]

In response tp Steve Hendrick posting...Maybe you'd like the government dictating everthing in yout life, I do not. How about a mandatory condom law...that way stupid people can't reproduce! As for FOY certification: The Department of transportation DOES NOT certify anything, just ask them. The DOt certification is done by the manufacturer of a product. Since you obvisously don;t like motorcycles, then don't have one, but keep your nannycrat attitude out of my choice to ride. I noticed that you did not cite a source for your statement that motorcycles pollute 90 times more than automobiles. I suggest that gross poluters are the school and city buses pollute much more than any motorcycle onthe road...just get behind one for a few minutes and try to breath! And these vehilces are exempt from smogging. So are the large trucks that PG &E, the phone companies and various city vehicles that are drive daily on Americas toads. Not to mention law enforcement vehicles that are over sized and also exempt.

[Michael Ballard]

Lane splitting is sadly legal, though at those speeds it is probably NOT legal. Regardless of that, it is still very dangerous, for EVERYONE on the road. Just remember, one hits your car doing that, and runs, still counts as a hit-and-run, is a felony. Report them. The bicycle lane is NOT legal to split, no matter what the situation. It is legal to drive, for about 50-75 feet, only to turn right.

[Sanchez]

Motorcycles, let me think....

The last time I thought of motorcycle riders was when a lime-green-mohawked rider gave a lady the finger for not noticing him lane-splitting at at least 40 MPH faster than the average car on the freeway...Hmmm.
I also start thinking of motorcycle riders when I notice the loud Hogs making an opening for themselves in between lanes by revving up their very quiet iron snouts.

Oh yeah, and I recall the dead motorcyclist on Wilshire Blvd. a few years back on my way to work.

I wonder: Has anybody done any long term effect studies of hearing loss related to chopper ridership.

I thought lane splitting was illegal.

[Stephen Hendricks]

The governor should be ashamed for owning or riding that machine. Since motorcycles pollute as much as 90 times as much as automobiles, he's doing far more damage to the environment with that Harley-Davidson than a fleet of Hummers does.

As a nation we should have uniform, enforced Helmet use laws requiring Snell approved or ECE-R 22.05 as a minimum acceptable standard for performance.
FAKE DOT stickers are for sale on the internet for $1.00. The DOT standard has no merit. We should go farther and require CE rated clothing to stop the sometimes fatal skin burns that occur from sliding on pavement.

Most of all we should require Motorcycles to meet the same pollution standards as automobiles.

[Matt]

My insurance rates for my motorcycle are a fraction of my car.

[Michael Ballard]

I take exception to the "no responsible bicyclists" statement. I ride a bicycle, quite often, and do obey traffic laws. It not only saves me from tickets, but makes my ride safer. What DOESN'T make it safer are the idiots on motorcycles riding in bicycle lanes, on the shoulder, on bicycle paths, and anywhere else they seem to think is ok. Bicycle lanes are NOT for motor vehicles - PERIOD! Bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities on the road that motor vehicles do. So, please, share the road.

[Greg Khougaz]

Mr. Nottingham,

You say that between 1997 and 2006 Motorcycle sales almost quadrupled while fatalities doubled. Statistically, that demonstrates their safety, not danger. When you factor in the percentage of fatalities involving alcohol, etc., that confirms their safety when used properly.

[jeanvaljean]

Read your story closely. There are no responsible two-wheelers (including bicycles.) The current mix with automobiles is lethal. Were the solution lies : G_d only knows.