Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125667
~ Gues' f"i'oria' . . . .How The ~otorcycle Industry Council Promotes Safety By E. W. Colman Even the autOmobile Industry has been on the defensive In recent years In dealIngs with the Federal Government. Add the ••social stigma" often associated with motorcycling and you can understand that the motorcycle Industry has an attitude problem of truly magnificent propertlons. J1 It is d1fiicult for the Industry to maintain a posiUve attitude, It is nearly Impossible to create In others a dispassionate perspective of the sport of motorcycling. The motorcycle Industry had total sales In the United States In excess of 1/2 of a bUllon dollars In 1969. PerhaPs that will give ' some perspective on the size of the business. The Motorcycle Industry Council is an organization of approximately 54 members who represent approxlmately 96% of the Industry and who manufacture or import twowheeled motor vehicles. Members also Include several accessory manufacturers and distributors and several consumer magazines. The members represent the principal brands of motorcycles. In all, there are about sixty makes of motorcycles avallable to consumers In this country. The M.I.C. will soon have several thousand dealer members representing all 50 states. . In the mass of pronouncements on the subject of motorcycle safety from sources of all kinds, one simple fact is often overlooked. The Industry which produces the two- wheeled motor vehicle is as deeply concerned about safety as is any other group. Because death and injury to the operators of these vehicles represents death and Injury to customers of the Industry, there is a seJ1lsh, economic Interest In this matter. To the best of my knowledge there are no real In-depth studies of motorcycle accidents In existence. Motorcycles Are Safer There are some statistics published the ' National Safety Council In their booklet, "Accident Facts." Let's see what this booklet has to say about motorcycle accidents, when compared with all types of motor vehicles. On Page 56, the statistics show that there were 2,190,822 motorcycles (including motor scooters, motorized bicycles, and motorized tricycles) In 1967. On Page 54, the statistics indicate that there were a total of 103,000,000 drivers In all types of motor vehicles during the same year. Examining the statistics further, we find that 30.67% of the total vehlcledrlvers were 30 years of age or under. Our . own research Indicates that 80.6% of all motorcycle riders are 30 years of age or younger. We know from reliable sources that young drivers do present a ·saf ety hazard; therefore I'm sure you will agree that the safety record of motorcycle riders should be compared with that of all motor vehicle drivers In the same age bracket. by MotorAll Motor Vehicles Cycles Total drivers (1967) 2,190,822 I 1,765,803 80.6% 42,700 - 2.38% 1,971 .11% We can be reasonably sure that all registered two and three wheel vehlcles are counted In the total driver statistics. We suspect that the unregistered minibikes and other unregistered two wheel vehlcles Involved In accidents are counted as "Accidents" or "Falals," without being Included under "Total Drivers," thereby distorting the percentage of ac- . cidents and deaths when compared to the number of registered motorcycles. Even so•••even with distorted statistics ••,age group for age group, the death rate of motorcycle riders and of all motor vehlcle drivers is comparable, wblle the accident rate of motorcycle riders is only 2.38% when compared to total vehlcle accident rate of 35.44%. Statistics publlshed In the November 1969 issue of "Traffic Safety" showthat motorcycle deaths DECREASED 3.5% In 1967 and also DECREASED anaddltlonal 3.6% In 1968, wblle the death rate of all • motor vehicle occupants INCREASED a total of 4% during the same two year period. A combined death rate decrease for motorcycles of 7.1% compared to an Increase for all motor vehlcle deaths of 4%. Motorcycle safety islmprov1ng, but we sUll face problems. Some of our prob·lems result from the failure of automobile drivers to recognize the existence of motorcycle riders.:.the failure of drivers .to extend the same driving courtesies that they would If confrOnted with a bus or truck, or even another automobile. .' Motorcycle riders also have their own safety problems. J1 you asked me right now what was at the core of the motorcycle safety problem, I wouldhave to say . our educated guess is the lag In licensing and tra1n1ng, In addition to the attitude of the automobile drivers. At the end of 1966 there were only a handful of states which required a separate motorcycle license. How could we 8141 Garden Grove Blvd. r. Garden Grove, Ca I. 120cc &. l75cc write or call $46 standards for the following: 1. Tires, Tubes and Rim. 2. Handle- .,J bars, 3. Brakes, 4. Electrical Systems. ~ 5. Standardized Controls. 6. SoundLevel U Limits. 7. Seating. As technical standards are developed, they are offered to the National Highway Safety Bureau for their consideration. Our Council works very closely with Mr. Douglas Toms, who now heads the N.H.S.B. A second committee, Public Relations, provides information and assistance to the nation's news media, with special emphasis on programs that will foster safety and responslblllty on the part of the owners and operators of two-wheeled motor vehlcles. Our Industry association produced a television publlc service spot announcement and received endorsement of the film from the U.S.PubllcHealthSerVice, Accident Prevention Division. Entitled " Safety Is A Snap," thefllm urges riders to wear safety helmets and eye protection. It was provided to 400 TV stations In all parts of the country and was used on a regular basis for several months In public service time. In a "Position Paper" of the Association we have recommended periodic safety inspections of two-wheeled motor vehlcles, legislation which would prohlblt modification of original equlpment exhaust systems, and the outlawing of hlghrise handlebars (those In excess of \ 15 Inches above the horizontal plane of the seat). We support the provisions of the Uniform Motor Vehlcle Code which permit passengers only on machines designed with a permanent passenger seat. We have also issued a plea to all organizations - publlc and private - which are Interested In driver education to join the M.I.C. In advocating expansion of current driver education programs .to Include motorcycle training. Slowly, but surely, more and more schools and private groups are asking for help In establishing rider education , programs. We do lake pride In the fact that our Industry association has achleved some stature as a source of sound advice"": III! imparUal as we can make It- In technical and gener:il matters related to the two- wheeled motor vehlcle. . But we will take even greater pride on the day that sl.gn1flcant Improvement In the motorcycle safety record has been achleved. It is both our hope and belle! that the programs we are nowadvocating and performing will give us that satisfaction In t1ie near future. NOISE ANNOYS .IDE WITH .REASON MOTORCYCLE TRAILERS Full body pan for complete protection Perfect balance for easy towing Capable of carrying snowmobile Standard 14 Inch wheels Non-skid walk ways AII-stH' unlt.body KAWASAKI SPEED KITS 1 Blk. East of Beach THREE-Z-LOAD, INC. 753 Channe I SI. , .00 up DRACO'S MOTORCYCLES (14) 893-5091 San Pedro, Ca. 1629 So. Standard Ave. Santa Ana, Cal. 92707 (714) 543·96U ~UL..T~C= ~ I HARLEY-DAVIDSON I Of Inglewood 901 N. La Brea (near Sporfs,erS . cenrlnela) " 103,000,000 Total 30 yrs, or under 31,590,100 % 30 yrs. or under 30.67% Under 30 drf, In accidents 11,200,000 % under 30 drtv, In ace, 35.44% Under 30 drtv, 28,900 In falals % under 30 drtv, In falals . .09% SUZUKI-SACHS-BULTACO Southland Cycle Center Use expect any impressive degree of safety where we failed to provide a practical llcense test In more than 40 of the 50 states ? On closer examination of the National Safety Councll's statistics, here's what we find: 611-1609 or 611-1600 90731 DELUXE DESERT MODEL Designed for fas', rough Deser' riding or 'ricley Trials use 60-90 PROGRESSIVELY WOUND CHROME PLATED SPRINGS, FOUR INCH TRAVEL, 13 INCHES CENTER TO CENTER, AVAILABLE IN. ' EYE & EYE OR EYE & CLEVIS ' TYPE. OfI_·ll\\\\Rl~~~~'l\)O MilYr;ck Shocks $34.00 pair TACO TlAIL '00 - New. ........ .... wh..1 p.,form., _ $2 .19.50. Othr mocIeh •• low as $119.95. Kits ... en...., dutch , etM.in.'$49.95. s.ncI25c .... brochurw, ".. deal. 1:1Oop. c......- $1 We Pay Postage on Prepaid Orders California Residents add 5% for sales tax Wheel lacing available Dealer Inquires Invited Visit Booth #11 ~ tzl :2: tzl NORm AMERICAN IMPORTS P.O . BOX 621 GAROEN GROVE . CAL.IFORNIA. 926"2 PHONE (714) 534-6390