Bear Vs. Motorcycle
by Steve
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
A biker riding back home from work through Cowan's Gap in Pennsylvania, struck a bear crossing the road..."I was on my way home, coming through Cowan's Gap and so I was going slow because in case there was a deer or anything jumps out in front of me and this bear came off of the side of the bank and ran right down in front of me before I could put on the brakes or anything," said Lamb.
The biker, sustained some injuries, but appeared to be ok. State Police traced the tracks of the bear back into the woods, but came up with nothing, except that he was a big boy, possibly 400-pounds.
See the video report here...
http://www.nbc25.com/content/fulltext/?cid=11634
Labels: Pennsylvania
0 comments | | Perma Link
Pennsylvania Lawmaker Seeks to Restore Helmet Law
by Steve
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The Associated Press reports that a Pennsylvania state legislator has submitted a bill to reverse the 2003 law that made wearing a helmet optional for riders 21 years and older...But state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, has introduced legislation to reverse the law.
He said there are too many deaths and injuries suffered by helmetless motorcyclists and that the associated medical costs are driving up costs to the public.
Read the full article here...
http://www.centredaily.com/116/story/70950.html
The old public healthcare burden excuse is always raised but never proven. Frankel doesn't provide actual numbers on how much helmetless riders have cost the state because it's impossible to determine the cost.
That is, in order to quantify the cost in dollars, he has to determine how much money helmetless riders have consumed in public healthcare versus how much money they would have saved if riders had wore helmets. Since it is impossible to measure the cost of hypothetical scenarios, it's all high-temperature banter.
Besides, it's very rare for public healthcare money to be spent on motorcycle accident victims mostly because these injuries are liability issues, and are paid out of liability insurance. And if not a liability case, it's paid out of group or private healthcare insurance.
Though, there is definitely a slim chance that a motorcycle accident victim who did not wear a helmet could wind up on the public dole. However, even if he was wearing a helmet, his injuries could be such that he still winds up on the public dole. Which begs the question, exactly how much money do helmets save the public, and is it worth taking away our freedom of choice?
Labels: Helmet Laws, Pennsylvania
2 comments | | Perma Link
Independence Ride (East Coast), June 9th, 2007
by Steve
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Riders on the East Coast, mark your calendars for June 9th, 2007 (Saturday) for the Independence Ride.
It's sponsored by ING Direct, the online banking provider. The ride runs from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, DE to raise money for charity. What that charity is has yet to be determined.
The event at the end of the ride includes a concert.
Keep up to date on the details by visiting the ride's website:
http://www.independenceride.com/
Labels: Delaware, Motorcycle Benefit Rides, Pennsylvania
1 comments | | Perma Link
Pennsylvania Modifies Motorcycle Permit Rule
by Steve
Friday, January 06, 2006
0 comments | | Perma Link
Helmet Law Repeal Proves Successful in Pennsylvania
by Steve
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Back on May 24, 2005, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT), reported that the number of motorcycle-related fatalities in 2004 was 157, compared to 171 in 2003. The significance of those numbers is that in July of 2003, the Governor signed into a law a bill allowing motorcyclists to ride without helmets. Hence, the helmet repeal did not actually contribute to an increase of deaths.
Since last May, the DOT admitted it made a mistake in reporting the number of motorcycle deaths for 2003. The correct number is actually 156. They had accidentally included deaths from ATVs. Still, 156 deaths in 2003 compared to 157 in 2004, shows that riding without helmets doesn't necessarily lead to more deaths.
Once again, showing that responsible riding goes a lot farther in reducing deaths than wearing helmets.
Labels: Helmet Laws, Pennsylvania
5 comments | | Perma Link
Pennsylvania Wants More Bikers
by Steve
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
The Southern Alleghenies Regional Tourism Confederation, a conglomeration of elected and appointed officials from a seven-county area in Southwest Pennsylvania, unveiled a plan to attract more motorcycle tourists in their area.
They cited the much financially successful Thunder in the Valley as a model, a biker event that takes place in Johnstown, PA. They estimate the next Thunder in the Valley event, which takes place this weekend, will pump $10 million into the greater Johnstown economy.
In summary, the plan involves seven guided tours of the region's points of interest. The Confederation has published brochures containing maps and an outline of each stop of the seven tours will be available at visitors centers throughout the region. To make it more interesting, the Confederation has also created ride pins for each tour, hoping that motorcyclists will seek to collect all seven.
Brad Zepka of Zepka Harley-Davidson Inc. of Richland Township said the program will make his job easier in serving tourists.
"When they come into the shop, motorcyclists want to know where to go and how to get there," Zepka said.
"It takes time to pull out a map and give each one directions," he said. "Now, I can just hand them a brochure; it has the map and lists the attractions. It's a great idea."
I agree, I think this is a great idea, not only to promote the enjoyment of motorcycling, but to bring attention to various places of interest around the state. And this is not just something specific to motorcyclists either.
The Confederation has
created a website specifically to promote the motorcycle tour.
Labels: Biker Friendly, Pennsylvania
1 comments | | Perma Link
Chrome at the Dome Bike Show
by Steve
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
For those of you in the Pennsylvania area, mark your calendars on June 11, 2005 for "Chrome at the Dome". Clearfield County Fairgrounds will play host to a rolling sea of chrome for two days with the hottest bikes and hot rods that ever to hit Central PA.
Evil Knieval will be there to showcase all of the bikes he used on his stunts including the one he used for the Snake River Canyon jump. Kendall Johnson and Mike Brown, two chopper builders featured on The Discovery Channel's "Biker Build-Off Series" will be there too.
Labels: Motorcycle Shows, Pennsylvania
0 comments | | Perma Link
