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Biker column was disrespectful
Contributed by: PaPaLew Vaughan on 4/27/2007

I understand that you don't know why bikers ride with their headlights on bright, or like their bikes to make so much noise. Perhaps I can help you.

In most collisions involving 4 wheel vehicles with 2 wheel vehicles, when the driver of the car is at fault, they always say "I didn't see him." As a result we are trying to be seen, and even heard be motorists to help save our lives.

Riding with your high beam on is taught in riding schools, recommended by the state, and preached by bikers who have had experience with not being seen. It helps. We also are required to turn the beams to normal after dark.

A great majority of bikers are licensed by the state. All motorcycles must have license plates. They are required to have insurance and comply with the same laws and rules as other drivers.

By flashing your high beams at an on coming vehicle, you have broken these laws, and possibly made a bad situation worse by temporally blinding the other driver. You knew his lights were on high, and your option is to look to the side of the road, as stated in the Colorado driver handbook, or report him to the police.

"Loud pipes save lives" has always been a biker motto and belief. Recent research has shown this not to be true. Just ask any ambulance driver. People don't hear outside their cars. All cities have noise ordinances, and some enforce them. Once again your only option is to report the violation to the police.

"A flick of the steering wheel" is also not an option. If you were currently attending a school in this state and you said or blogged a threat to kill someone like that, you would probably be arrested and charged. You would also probably find yourself in countless hours of counseling.

I have a couple of friends that were riding in New Mexico on Memorial Day four years ago when an oncoming driver decided to "flick the steering wheel..." They are both dead now, and their passengers are still recovering from the loss of limbs. No joke. It is one of the reasons ABATE of Colorado is leading a boycott of that state.

I am sorry for the inconsiderate way some motorcycle riders choose to act. It puts a bad light on all of us. But I hope in the future you and other drivers can learn to share the road with us. We will be looking out for you; will you be looking for us?

PaPaLew Vaughan
Licensed Biker
Member of ABATE of Colorado, AMA, MRF

This letter is in response to a blog by Michael Rule. Read the blog by clicking here.


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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments
Submitted By: Lisa Arata
posted on 9/30/2008 @ 12:58:33 PM
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You clearly believe in the safety of a loud muffler at 2 am on my street when other traffic is not around. I'm just saying this to voice my irritation. It's a free country.
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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 5/1/2007 @ 9:57:07 PM
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I checked out your link. This "HURT" report (which I researched last weekend) also mentioned that nearly half of the accidents involved alcohol. Findings such as you reported have also been disproved in more recent studies. C'mon guyz, show me something meaningful. You guyz just can't seem to make a strong case.........
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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 5/1/2007 @ 9:50:28 PM
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Approximately 3/4 of WHAT accidents?
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Submitted By: John Simpson
posted on 4/30/2007 @ 2:14:58 PM
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www.ct.gov/dot/LIB/dot/Documents/dhighwaysafety/CTDOT_Hurt.pdf The "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures," is a study conducted by the University of Southern California (USC). With funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1. Approximately three-fourths of these motorcycle accidents involved collision with another vehicle, which was most usually a passenger automobile. 7. The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.
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Submitted By: Barbara Neff
posted on 4/28/2007 @ 8:42:47 AM
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Great article, Mr. Vaughan. Very informative.
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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 4/28/2007 @ 6:28:23 AM
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I did a little research. Here's the link - http://www.msgroup.org/DISCUSS.asp The findings; most motorcycle accidents are from 1)excessive speed, 2)alcohol, 3)lack of helmets. "Didn't see me" accounts for only 8% of all causes. And yes, studies have shown the "Loud to be safe" thing is wrong (aka a crock). You can call these studies asinine if you want, but there they are........
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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 4/27/2007 @ 7:30:33 PM
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P.S. I forgot to give you my 5 stars
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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 4/27/2007 @ 7:29:01 PM
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The pint at the pub is an attempt to lighten you up, Scott, chill out! Are you going to defend this biker's actions? And let me add this, I have no control over what YourHub decides to put in their headlines, I was asking questions, not preaching ettiquette! Scott, Why do you want noise, Your propane truck isn't loud, is it? PaPaLew, I hope you will keep writing. Sincerely, I mean that. Scott, get a grip
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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 4/27/2007 @ 7:28:53 PM
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Guys, My point is this - other people get it in their minds to "flick their wheel", not me. This is a comment I came up with sitting here, in front of this computor, not while driving. Put it in other's heads??? PaPaLew commented what I am trying to point out; acting in a manner such as this guy did might invite that type of response. It happens. It happened to his friends. I am sorry about that. Extremely. But to say I am guilty for pointing out the obvious, well....This type of response happens, and the motorcyclist loses! Hello!Not from me, but how does he (the driver of the bike) know that? .
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Submitted By: Scott Temple
posted on 4/27/2007 @ 5:24:32 PM
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Michael, I did not misinterpet what you said at all. I also forwarded a copy of YOUR statement to the State Patrol. They were amazed that anyone would say such a thing, even if they did not mean it, it could put that idea into someone elses mind. Like I said, it was a very assinine thing to say. As far as betting me a drink that you have a better driving record then me, let me say first of all, I do not drink, and second I have been driving for 37 yrs and have never gotten a ticket for anything. Once again, an assinine thing to say. By the way, I am a licensed motorcycle rider who also has a CDL with a boatload of endorsements, probably because I drive a propane truck and have done so for the last 23 years.
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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments
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