By Kate Gorman
That’s according to motorcycle-safety instructors and emergency room doctors, who have noticed a growing number of older, inexperienced riders hopping on bikes — and getting hurt — as gas prices remain at historical highs.
"We’re seeing 50- and 60-year-olds who have bought a bike for the first time," said William Witham, a trauma surgeon at Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital, which has one of Tarrant County’s two trauma-care centers.
Nationwide last year, motorcycle injuries jumped 17 percent over 2006, even as motor vehicle injuries dropped slightly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That trend held true in Tarrant County, where motorcycle injuries rose from 353 in 2006 to 414 in 2007, according to figures from Harris and John Peter Smith Hospital.
The increase can be attributed at least in part to more motorcycles being on the road. Last year, the number of motorcycles registered in Texas jumped more than 9 percent, while vehicle registrations overall rose only about 4 percent, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
"There’s been a big glut this summer of new riders," said James Boyle, 58, who owns the Texas R.I.D.E.R. safety school. "I hear it every day. People are trying to save gas."
The average price for a gallon of gas in Texas topped $3 in March and peaked last month near $4. Motorists responded by looking for ways to save, transportation officials said.
"That seems to be the level at which people decide they’re going to cut their driving back," said Dan Ronan, a spokesman for the American Automobile Association. "People are doing whatever they need to do to save fuel, and for the most part they’re doing a pretty good job of it."
Motorcycles can get from 35 to 60 miles per gallon. Although the ranks of biking baby boomers were growing before gas prices started climbing, fuel efficiency seems to be motivating even more former riders to return to two wheels, said Ray Brockie, who owns Moto-Ed, a Fort Worth safety school.
"We’re seeing a lot of people who wouldn’t have come back to it if it weren’t for the gas prices," said Brockie, 56.
Not for everybody
But frugal commuters shouldn’t rush into the decision to ride, officials said,
"I suppose it’s a good idea for a lot of people. I don’t know that it’s a good idea for everybody," Boyle said. "I feel like there’s a lot of people that aren’t taking the course and aren’t getting the training," he said.
At Harris, motorcycle injuries have accounted for about 35 percent of all motor vehicle injuries this year, officials said. In previous years, that figure hovered around 25 percent. Though they still see plenty of young patients, the increase seems to be from the older set.
Patients tend to fall into three categories, Witham said:
Brand new riders, who tend to have manageable injuries from low-speed crashes.
Experienced riders, who were wearing appropriate protective gear and are going to be OK.
Riders involved in high-speed crashes.
"The major group that doesn’t do well are the ones that go hot-rod it right off the bat," he said.
Low-speed crashes often end with road rash and broken bones, though serious head injuries can result from crashes at just 20 to 30 mph if a helmet isn’t worn, Witham said.
Most people who die in motorcycle crashes aren’t wearing helmets, according to national safety administration statistics.
"If they have a head injury, you can pretty much bet they didn’t have a helmet on," said Witham, who rides motocross and still has a ’76 Honda motorcycle in his garage. "I don’t understand the reluctance to put on a piece of equipment that can so easily save your life."
Safety was a main concern for Matt Giddens of Arlington, who took a Texas R.I.D.E.R. class at Pennington Field in Bedford this week.
The 48-year-old father of two said he wanted to get back into riding for recreation but said he would likely start commuting by motorcycle as well.
"Now that I’m not young, I want to be safe," Giddens said. "I know I’m not bulletproof."
The Texas Department of Public Safety’s Motorcycle Safety Unit administers the Texas Motorcycle Operator and Safety Program, which includes the Basic Rider Course for beginners. Training helps returning riders brush up on their skills and teaches new riders how to ride safely. Last year, about 36,000 students took classes. This year, about 40,000 are expected.
Cost: $190
Length: About 15 hours over two days
Locations: www.txdps.state.tx.us/msb
Ride legal license requirements: In Texas, a Class M (motorcycle) license requires a written test and road test. The Basic Rider Course safety class is also required for anyone under 18. Anyone with an unrestricted driver’s license can use the course completion card to waive the road test. Most insurance companies offer a discount for taking the course.
Helmet law: Texas motorcyclists over 21 don’t have to wear a helmet if they take a safety class, meet certain health-insurance requirements and obtain an exemption sticker.
Source: Texas Department of Public Safety
There’s been a big glut this summer of new riders. I hear it every day. People are trying to save gas."
James Boyle,58, who owns the Texas R.I.D.E.R. safety school
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