Motorcycle Misadventures

Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures

Carla King — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:23:28 PST

A motorcycle accident study offers you and your students a wealth of
information about accidents and how to avoid them. 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, researcher Harry Hurt
investigated almost every aspect of 900 motorcycle accidents in the Los
Angeles area. Additionally, Hurt and his staff analyzed 3,600 motorcycle
traffic accident reports in the same geographic area.
Reprinted here for your information and use are the findings.

The final report is several hundred pages. If you would like this this
document in your resource library, the order information is:

Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures,
Volume 1: Technical Report, Hurt, H.H., Ouellet, J.V. and Thom, D.R.,
Traffic Safety Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles,
California 90007, Contract No. DOT HS-5-01160, January 1981 (Final
Report)

This document is available through:

National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, Virginia 22161
(703)-487-4600

Vol.I (The Main Report and Summary) is PB81206443 (~400 pages)
Vol.II (Appendix: Supplementary Data) is PB81206450 (~400 pages)
Either document is $42.95 plus $3.00 shipping. (circa 1990)

Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures
Findings

Throughout the accident and exposure data there are special observations
which relate to accident and injury causation and characteristics of the
motorcycle accidents studied. These findings are summarized as follows:

1. Approximately three-fourths of these motorcycle accidents involved
collision with another vehicle, which was most often a passenger
automobile.

2. Approximately one-fourth of these motorcycle accidents were single
vehicle accidents involving the motorcycle colliding with the roadway or
some fixed object in the environment.

3. Vehicle failure accounted for less than 3% of these motorcycle
accidents, and most of those were single vehicle accidents where control
was lost due to a puncture flat.

4. In single vehicle accidents, motorcycle rider error was present as the
accident precipitating factor in about two-thirds of the cases, with the
typical error being a slideout and fall due to overbraking or running
wide on a curve due to excess speed or under-cornering.

5. Roadway defects (pavement ridges, potholes, etc.) were the accident
cause in 2% of the accidents; animal involvement was 1% of the accidents.

6. In multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle
violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in
two-thirds of those accidents.

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.

8. Deliberate hostile action by a motorist against a motorcycle rider is
a rare accident cause. The most frequent accident configuration is the
motorcycle proceeding straight then the automobile makes a left turn in
front of the oncoming motorcycle.

10. Intersections are the most likely place for the motorcycle accident,
with the other vehicle violating the motorcycle right-of-way, and often
violating traffic controls.

11. Weather is not a factor in 98% of motorcycle accidents.

12. Most motorcycle accidents involve a short trip associated with
shopping, errands, friends, entertainment or recreation, and the accident
is likely to happen in a very short time close to the trip origin.

13. The view of the motorcycle or the other vehicle involved in the
accident is limited by glare or obstructed by other vehicles in almost
half of the multiple vehicle accidents.

14. Conspicuity of the motorcycle is a critical factor in the multiple
vehicle accidents, and accident involvement is significantly reduced by
the use of motorcycle headlamps (on in daylight) and the wearing of high
visibility yellow, orange or bright red jackets.

15. Fuel system leaks and spills were present in 62% of the motorcycle
accidents in the post-crash phase. This represents an undue hazard for
fire.

16. The median pre-crash speed was 29.8 mph, and the median crash speed
was 21.5 mph, and the one-in-a-thousand crash speed is approximately 86
mph.

17. The typical motorcycle pre-crash lines-of-sight to the traffic hazard
portray no contribution of the limits of peripheral vision; more than
three-fourths of all accident hazards are within 45deg of either side of
straight ahead.

18. Conspicuity of the motorcycle is most critical for the frontal
surfaces of the motorcycle and rider.

19. Vehicle defects related to accident causation are rare and likely to
be due to deficient or defective maintenance.

20. Motorcycle riders between the ages of 16 and 24 are significantly
overrepresented in accidents; motorcycle riders between the ages of 30
and 50 are significantly underrepresented. Although the majority of the
accident-involved motorcycle riders are male (96%), the female
motorcycles riders are significantly overrepresented in the accident
data.

22. Craftsmen, laborers, and students comprise most of the
accident-involved motorcycle riders. Professionals, sales workers, and
craftsmen are underrepresented and laborers, students and unemployed are
overrepresented in the accidents.

23. Motorcycle riders with previous recent traffic citations and
accidents are overrepresented in the accident data.

24. The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without
training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends.
Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is
related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents.

25. More than half of the accident-involved motorcycle riders had less
than 5 months experience on the accident motorcycle, although the total
street riding experience was almost 3 years. Motorcycle riders with dirt
bike experience are significantly underrepresented in the accident data.

26. Lack of attention to the driving task is a common factor for the
motorcyclist in an accident.

27. Almost half of the fatal accidents show alcohol involvement.

28. Motorcycle riders in these accidents showed significant collision
avoidance problems. Most riders would overbrake and skid the rear wheel,
and underbrake the front wheel greatly reducing collision avoidance
deceleration. The ability to countersteer and swerve was essentially
absent.

29. The typical motorcycle accident allows the motorcyclist just less
than 2 seconds to complete all collision avoidance action.

30. Passenger-carrying motorcycles are not overrepresented in the
accident area.

31. The driver of the other vehicles involved in collision with the
motorcycle are not distinguished from other accident populations except
that the ages of 20 to 29, and beyond 65 are overrepresented. Also, these
drivers are generally unfamiliar with motorcycles.

32. Large displacement motorcycles are underrepresented in accidents but
they are associated with higher injury severity when involved in
accidents.

33. Any effect of motorcycle color on accident involvement is not
determinable from these data, but is expected to be insignificant because
the frontal surfaces are most often presented to the other vehicle
involved in the collision.

34. Motorcycles equipped with fairings and windshields are
underrepresented in accidents, most likely because of the contribution to
conspicuity and the association with more experienced and trained riders.

35. Motorcycle riders in these accidents were significantly without
motorcycle license, without any license, or with license revoked.

36. Motorcycle modifications such as those associated with the
semi-chopper or cafe racer are definitely overrepresented in accidents.

37. The likelihood of injury is extremely high in these motorcycle
accidents-98% of the multiple vehicle collisions and 96% of the single
vehicle accidents resulted in some kind of injury to the motorcycle
rider; 45% resulted in more than a minor injury.

38. Half of the injuries to the somatic regions were to the ankle-foot,
lower leg, knee, and thigh-upper leg.

39. Crash bars are not an effective injury countermeasure; the reduction
of injury to the ankle-foot is balanced by increase of injury to the
thigh-upper leg, knee, and lower leg.

40. The use of heavy boots, jacket, gloves, etc., is effective in
preventing or reducing abrasions and lacerations, which are frequent but
rarely severe injuries.

41. Groin injuries were sustained by the motorcyclist in at least 13% of
the accidents, which typified by multiple vehicle collision in frontal
impact at higher than average speed.

42. Injury severity increases with speed, alcohol involvement and
motorcycle size.

43. Seventy-three percent of the accident-involved motorcycle riders used
no eye protection, and it is likely that the wind on the unprotected eyes
contributed in impairment of vision which delayed hazard detection.

44. Approximately 50% of the motorcycle riders in traffic were using
safety helmets but only 40% of the accident-involved motorcycle riders
were wearing helmets at the time of the accident.

45. Voluntary safety helmet use by those accident-involved motorcycle
riders was lowest for untrained, uneducated, young motorcycle riders on
hot days and short trips.

46. The most deadly injuries to the accident victims were injuries to the
chest and head.

47. The use of the safety helmet is the single critical factor in the
prevention of reduction of head injury; the safety helmet which complies
with FMVSS 218 is a significantly effective injury countermeasure.

48. Safety helmet use caused no attenuation of critical traffic sounds,
no limitation of precrash visual field, and no fatigue or loss of
attention; no element of accident causation was related to helmet use.

49. FMVSS 218 provides a high level of protection in traffic accidents,
and needs modification only to increase coverage at the back of the head
and demonstrate impact protection of the front of full facial coverage
helmets, and insure all adult sizes for traffic use are covered by the
standard.

50. Helmeted riders and passengers showed significantly lower head and
neck injury for all types of injury, at all levels of injury severity.

51. The increased coverage of the full facial coverage helmet increases
protection, and significantly reduces face injuries.

52. There is no liability for neck injury by wearing a safety helmet;
helmeted riders had less neck injuries than unhelmeted riders. Only four
minor injuries were attributable to helmet use, and in each case the
helmet prevented possible critical or fatal head injury.

53. Sixty percent of the motorcyclists were not wearing safety helmets at
the time of the accident. Of this group, 26% said they did not wear
helmets because they were uncomfortable and inconvenient, and 53% simply
had no expectation of accident involvement.

54. Valid motorcycle exposure data can be obtained only from collection
at the traffic site. Motor vehicle or driver license data presents
information which is completely unrelated to actual use.

55. Less than 10% of the motorcycle riders involved in these accidents
had insurance of any kind to provide medical care or replace property.

More on sidecars in China

Carla King — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:34:00 PST

Awesome. In the second part of the show about Riding in China Jim and Bill talk about my 1998 trip in China, and the second trip last year with Teresa and Diny - 1st 5 minutes.

Sidecar Motorcycles in China Video

Carla King — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:08:13 PST

Meet Jim Bryant of Jimbo's Sidecars - who lent me the motorcycles in China and exports overseas - and also Bill of Big Bill's Bikes from Beijing, who I also met there. They're being interviewed on a show called Easy China about their sidecars. These are two 1/2 hour segments...

Sidecars in China Part 1
Sidecars in China Part 2

By the way, if you want a sidecar Jim will sell you one with a nice, reliable BMW engine in it for about 50/60K ($8000) RMB and Bill with the original CJ engine for 30K RMB ($4400). You can fly into Beijing and pick it up to start your round the world trip there. Have fun!

Great gift for travelers: A stereo digital recorder for the iPod

Carla King — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:43:41 PST

I like my little iTalk Pro attachment for recording voice memos or short interviews to my iPod, but BSW just sent me a notice about this direct-to-iPod stereo digital recording device. It's called the ProTrack, which is incorporated into an "integrated sled" for the iPod, and it's on sale for $149, which is amazing because it lists at $399.

I like that it uses AAA batteries, which are available everywhere in the world. And it works with iPod (Classic and 5th generation) and iPod nano (2nd or 3rd generation) , iPod Touch, iPhone 3G and 1st Generation with Optional Pro Track Adaptor .

Alesis PROTRACK Handheld Stereo Digital Recorder for iPod at BSWUSA.com

Augusta and Adeline Van Buren Women's First Motorcycle Trip

Carla King — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:22:00 PST

It was the summer of 1916. Women didn't have the right to vote, nor were they considered equals to men. But they did have the same tenacity, courage, and creativity that women have always had, regardless of the recognition they received for their talents and abilities. This is the story of Augusta and Adeline Van Buren, two sisters who journeyed from New York to California, the first women to do so on solo motorcycles. Augusta and Adeline Van Buren Women's First Motorcycle Trip

Marin Farmers Market

Carla King — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:27:29 PST

Just home from the Marin Farmers Market buying fresh organic produce - white carrots, kale, Brussels sprouts, green grapes, persimmons, little seedless tangerines, a hunk of bright orange Kobe squash, and a cappuccino to sit down with while listening to live acoustic music. Just found the Our Stories page where they interview a lot of the farmers. Nice. They also have a good recipes page. Not many motorcycles today, though the weather is sunny and warm with just the barest chill in the air. Maybe everyone's out by the coast. I don't see any fog coming over Mt. Tam... off I go!

Motorcycle Travel Packing List for Middle East and Eastern Europe

Carla King — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:43:00 PST

Here's a nice Motorcycle Travel Packing List for Middle East and Eastern Europe. Enjoy this couple's story and make note for your dream trip!

Welcome to the Miss Adventuring Weblog by Carla King

Carla King — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:03:59 PST

Here's where you'll find the latest news and updates on motorcycle misadventures, writing, books, bikes, gear and gadgets, events, radio, and podcasts. I send live dispatches from the road when I travel, and talk about them on a variety of shows. I post news and commentary here. Enjoy, and contact me if you have a suggestion for a trip, a story, or a show. And please visit my website for stories, books, and other writings.

New website and some recent podcasts on motorcycling, books, and writing

Carla King — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:38:55 PST

I've finally gathered all my websites under just one, carlaking.com, so I'm no longer scattered all over the place. It's a great feeling being so organized. I used AuthorFriendly, a browser-based content management system that I helped develop, that makes it easy for people who don't know HTML or DreamWeaver or FrontPage or WordPress installations to update their own sites. It works pretty much like a blog.

I put a link to my Twitter updates and FaceBook widget on the page so I can update my status right from my own website. Still, I've had this TypePad blog for so long now that I hesitate to move it over to AuthorFriendly just yet -- I'd probably lose a lot of links that make my site come up on the first google page when people search for "women motorcycle travel" and other keywords. There's probably a widget that will let me put my TypePad blog on a page of my website. That's next!

All of my dispatches - American Borders, China Road, Indian Sunset, Italian Lessons, Around the Adriatic, and Alps to Atlas - are now available in the Journeys section of my site, and there's a Contact form too, so I'll never miss an email from you -- use the form and you won't get caught in my spam filter.

Also check out the Press Room for audio and video podcasts I've done the past few years. Some notable recent shows include:

November 17, 2009: Episode 120 Side Stand Up Radio, Carla King and Joanne Donn host an all San Francisco cast live at BMW Motorcycle San Francisco (click to download MP3 audio)
October 20, 2009: Episode 116 Side Stand Up Radio interviewing Doug Bingham, Griffith Park Sidecar Rally (click to download MP3 audio)
September 22, 2009: Episode 122 Side Stand Up Radio interviewing Cristine Sommer-Simmons about her book The American Motorcycle Girls: 1900 to 1950 (click to download MP3 audio)
August 25, 2009: Side Stand Up Radio talking with Tom about my Alps to the Atlas journey from Austria to Morocco's Sahara Desert (click to listen to the MP3 audio)
March 24, 2009: Side Stand Up (MP3) on blogging, travel writing and self-publishing

Enjoy - and let me know how you like it!

Best,
Carla

All San Francisco Side Stand Up Podcast

Carla King — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:12:22 PST

Tonight, Side Stand Up gathered at BMW Motorcycle in San Francisco to do a live podcast with a great lineup. We missed Tom Lowdermilk, who was stuck south of Fresno on a wild ride I'm sure we'll hear about next week. So Joanne Donn (GearChic) and I did our best. Thanks to Joanne's husband Evan, the AV guy, for sound help despite the lack of the right equipment. We will put him on the advisory board further in advance for next time. Catch the archives at http://sidestandup.com/ - we know you'll love hearing from these great guests about their specialties, motorcycle culture in San Francisco, and the Bay Area's best roads. Tune in to Episode 120, November 17, 2009.

Jennifer Bromme, owner and head mechanic of Werkstatt Motorcycle Repair in San Francisco tells the story of starting Werkstatt, what's it like to be owner of the most popular motorcycle repair shop in SF, her antique bikes/pet projects, and her wild travels and racing activities. Jennifer was trained in Munich, Germany on street and race bikes, and founded Werkstatt in 1994. She raced sidecars and motorcycles for 4 years, and supports AFM and AMA races as a technical and crew chief. She loves to take crazy trips to explore Mexico. Her shop works on Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, Triumph, and BMW motorcycles, and was Baylist's best motorcycle repair shop in the Bay Area.

Gabe Ets-Hokin, Motorcycle reviewer, editor of CityBike Magazine in San Francisco, reveals the truth about the glamorous life of a professional motorcycle reviewer, plus talks about his new role editing CityBike magazine. Ets-Hokin [rhymes with "Get Smokin'] has written for most of the top motorcycle magazines and websites and has had a ride on almost every new bike introduced in the last five years. His stories appear in City Bike magazine (which he edits), MotorcycleDaily.com and many other outlets.

Crystal Gurr, Co-owner of Scuderia West Motorcycle Dealership and Repair in San Francisco talks about how to attract women to your motorcycle shop, staffing your shop with knowledgeable people who know how to fit gear. Crystal is co-owner of Scuderia West, San Francisco's #1 motorcycle dealership. They sell and service KTM, Aprilia, Victory, and Kymco scooters. They are also arguably the best place to buy gear anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Join the live podcast today at 7pm Eastern THE AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE GIRLS

Carla King — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:31:33 PDT

Today at 7pm Easter (that's 4pm for you west-coasters), I'll be joining the motley crew at Sidestand Up Radio. I'll be interviewing longtime motorcycle journalist, author, columnist, and songwriter, Chris Sommer-Simmons. She's collected photos of women riders for more than thirty years and created the new book, "The American Motorcycle Girls:" A Photographic History of Early Women Motorcyclists.

Why did I unfollow you on twitter?

Carla King — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:43:49 PDT

I tweet, and I follow a lot of twits. But I unfollow every day. Why? Because I don't want to get text messages, I want small info bytes that helps me with my work, or informs me in some other valuable area. I want tweets on topic, and with links. Here's a list of examples of what I think are good and bad tweets.

BAD

I hate spreadsheets!
REALLY need to upload a photo. Still havent found my usb cord though.
Going for lunch, back shortly.
Going for coffee, back shortly
Thanks for the #ff shoutout! you guys are awesome! :)
Thanks for the RTs. You guys are awesome! :)
Hey, how's Twitterville treating you?
Never drink black coffee at lunch; it will keep you awake all afternoon.
Hey if any of you use itunes, you can get songs for free! check out my URL :D
Thanks for the #FollowFriday #ff @... and have a great weekend!
What up biker dudes and babes!?
I love this Iphone Case. It comes in 10 different colors!
Have a safe and wonderful weekend everyone!

You get the picture. So, you ask, what's a good tweet?

GOOD

Good article on packing 4 round-the-world trip-6 surprising essentials w/link 2 complete list http://tinyurl.com/mmabnt
RT @ANight_in_Paris: Fabulous interactive metro map for Paris - love it! http://bit.ly/3VCYWE #paris
Bike rental delivery & pickup right to your door! Sorry, they don't have any Harleys! http://bit.ly/ZVuQ2
Outside: The Road Trip Is Back Four of our favorite nomads share tales of http://tinyurl.com/o46qjh Full http://tinyurl.com/2ukrhs
Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle primes for its Best Buy debut http://bit.ly/iXqoU
TCX Sunray Boots for women with Gore-Tex and plenty of pr http://tinyurl.com/p9whdw Full http://tinyurl.com/qtabl
One sort of surprising thing about the Suzuki TU250X is that it's fuel-injected. http://bit.ly/MK5ab
Round up of HOT #travel deals from the NY Post, including @azulbeach, a Karisma Resort: http://bit.ly/474k3V

You get the picture. So now if you see I've unfollowed you, please don't take it personally. Or do, and tweet smart.

Miss Adventuring on Twitter