motorcycle accidents

Biffs25 · Jan 3, 2005

I've had patients coming in as trauma codes from accidents involving them on motorcycles... EMS and ER people don't call them donorcycles for nothing, the previous post stating that there would be a lot less organ donors if there weren't any motorcycles is correct. One of my buddies was in an accident on a motorcycle, he's got plenty of scars, aches, and pains to prove it. He was in a coma and had multiple surgeries to reconstruct his leg.

Do yourself a favor and buy an X box motorcycle game or something else instead.

There is minimal protection for you on a cycle, and I know there are many good motorcycle operators out there, so this is nothing against those who ride them, it's the chances with the bad car drivers that you take. You simply have a much better chance not getting injured in a car that has seatbelts, airbags and rollbars than you do on a bike. Those driving cars, running cyclists off the road, running red lights, etc are the ones that will take your life. It matters not your experience on the bike.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 3, 2005

What I always remember when I see motorcycle riders, especially on the dangerous CA freeways, is when I was working in ICU with 2 patients, friends, both comatose, bodies broken, pouring blood in one end, it coming out the other.
mv

While i am sorry you went through that, as well as their friends and family, i still feel it's a personal decision whether to ride or not.

NurseGuy_in_06 · Jan 3, 2005

I used to ride a bit when I was young, and now, for the life of me, I can't figure out why people do it. At least there are helmet laws up here!
Stay safe!

Outside of the pure enjoyment I get, the feeling of freedom riding gives, and the unique way it lets you experience your surroundings, I can't either. I have been riding motorcycles longer than I have been driving a car. Take the motorcycle safety course to learn how to ride and ride defensively. And have fun!

Kabin · Jan 3, 2005

Bikes are a lot of fun but one needs to be in the correct frame of mind when riding one as you may not get a second chance. For me the safest and the most exciting place to ride is on the track. I currently own a sport bike and it has seen most of it's life on the track. Once one rides on the track there's no going back to the street.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2005

Bikes are a lot of fun but one needs to be in the correct frame of mind when riding one as you may not get a second chance. For me the safest and the most exciting place to ride is on the track. I currently own a sport bike and it has seen most of it's life on the track. Once one rides on the track there's no going back to the street.

I could have written this post myself! My husband and I both ride...my husband is quite fast...too fast for the street really...he usually only rides on the track. Tracks are quite fun...you don't have to worry about old people, gravel, animals, crazy people trying to get to work on time, cops trying to clock you for the big ticket, etc...You can just concentrate on you and the bike, and being a better, safer rider. I enjoy motorcycling. My whole family and my husbands family rides (and we own a motorcycle shop....) You need to be prepared...it's usually others that cause problems. Get educated. Take the motorcycle safety course that is offered (I am from oregon too, it is offered throughout the state) Spend the money and get the right great...Oregon has fantastic roads to ride on. In fact, about 40% of my unit (doctors and nurses) ride. There is a risk, but the fun outweighs it...but it is a personal choice.

Who is going to watch MOto GP at laguna this year!!!!! I can't wait!

By the way OP...pm me if you need info on bikes or shops in the oregon area...

Kabin · Jan 3, 2005

I was planning to go to Laguna next year, but my class schedules are up in the air. Last time I was at the WSC/AMA Laguna races was about 1997. The MotoGP return should be a blast!

It's surprising how many docs ride bikes. I met a ER doc at a track day and years later saw him in his element on a trauma program on Discovery Health channel. He rode an R6 Yamaha. I also met an older plastic surgeon at a track day, he rode a CBR600 sport bike. I knew a double boarded psychiatrist-neurologist that owned about 7 sport bikes at the time. The track group I rode with also had a orthopedic surgeon that use to race with a Ducati AMA team in the mid 90's. He also happened to do work on some of the racers. He'd fly in while his driver drove his semi truck trailer to the track.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2005

Thank you, that's very well said.

Agreed.

I'm a bike nut. Give me a a choice between a car and a bike and I'll choose the bike eyes closed. :) I love riding my bikes. And for many years would drive one without a helmet.

Quite irresponsible, I know and I know better now. I've been involved in two serious accidents (after starting to wear helmets). One was pretty nasty - head on collision with another bike, resulted in a few stitches on my noggin'.

But I will still faithfully stay by my bikes. I've been biking for a few years now and nothing has ever given me as much pleasure - except maybe flying

shodobe · Jan 3, 2005

I had ridden bikes for a long time before I met my wife and things changed after that. I use to drive for an ambulance company many years ago and when I was dating my wife then she use to go out on runs with my partner and I. She saw too many bike accidents and the resulting injuries and I had to promise her I wouldn't ride again. The worse accident was one time I had to go out on a bike vs truck accident. This guy hit the truck head on and was dead at the scene. The CHP had already covered him up and my partner and I was trying to clean up the scene and I bentover to recover the guys helmet and suddenly realized his head was still in the helmet! I stood up and my partner saw what had happened and we both just walked over to our unit and sat there for a very long time. This was one of the few times my wife did not go with us and I was very grateful. I rode for years without a helmet and still to this day get this urge to ride again, but promises are promises. To each their own and always ride very defensive. Mike

angelymick · Jan 3, 2005

Hi, I would really appreciate it if anyone could share stories of motorcycle accidents, Im thinking of getting a motorcycle, but might reconsider. Thanks

along with being a student nurse, I drive for our local ambulance corp. We have seen more motorcycle accidents then we care too. You know what we refer to them as "Organ Donors". Need I say more...

z's playa · Jan 3, 2005

along with being a student nurse, I drive for our local ambulance corp. We have seen more motorcycle accidents then we care too. You know what we refer to them as "Organ Donors". Need I say more...

Exactly....(see my post). Sad but true.

hobbes · Jan 3, 2005

If you've never ridden a motorcycle, it's very difficult to explain the pure joy and excitement one gets when riding. In 1999 I bought a motorcycle (Kawasaki ZRX1100) when I was in my early thirtys because I had always wanted one. When I got it home and my wife, pregnant with our first child, saw it the resulting arguments and turmoil almost resulted in a divorce. My parents thought I was crazy. My friends tried to dissuade me. Shortly after I bought mine, a neighbor bought a Hayabusa and was dead within 6 months after racing with friends. I usually rode by myself to avoid the temptations and dangers of group riding (especially with newbies). I continued to ride my bike for the next 6 years until I sold it this summer on eBay before starting nursing school full time. The irony is that both my wife and my parents were against me selling it - they realized the joy it provided me and that I was a responsible rider. I often wonder whether I made the right decision everytime the stress builds and I can no longer hop on the bike and take a spin to relieve it. Every person needs to decide for themselves what risks they will take in life. (I wonder how many that so quickly condemn motorcycle riding for it's inherent risks, don't have a second thought about risks posed the activities the undertake like smoking, overeating, drinking, etc). I personally think it's a waste of time trying to scare people into not doing something. The majority of motorcycle fatalities involve riders with less 2 years of experience and those that haven't taken a motorcycle safety course. So, if you are going to ride, make sure you learn how to ride correctly and protect yourself when you are out on the road.

TracyB,RN, RN · Jan 3, 2005

I personally am afraid to get on one, but know many safe & defensive bikers... I am actually kind of jealous that I don't have the courage to feel that freedom, but, after some of the stories I heard from the fireman/paramedic I dated, I am just too scared to get on.

What I don't understand is the lack of helmet laws? Why do I have to wear a seat belt & the bikers are totally unrestrained & head unprotected? (BTW, I never go ANYWHERE without my seatbelt on).

But, go with your gut, & as my Grandma always said, "when in doubt don't."

To me, it almost sounds like you are trying to talk yourself out of it.... sounds like doubt to me.... JMO.....