How dangerous motorcycles are and why I ride

[mr.anderson]

Quitting riding motorcycles sucked. It wasn't the fear of dying but the fear of becoming a dumber version of Steven Hawking.

[MaxSpeedMike]

Bikes are scary for two reasons: you have to have good self control, and you have to drive for everybody else's mistakes because a lot of motorcyclists end up getting hit by somebody who is just not paying attention. It's a scary thing and you have to be really careful

[MagnumX]

"...We're not just making more educated and talented drivers, which frankly is the best way to make the roads safe."


This right here. I wish I could like this video more than once for this statement right here.

[AnonyMous-jflc]

I’ve constantly complained that the continuous focus on adding safety features to automobiles ignores the root cause. We don’t need safer cars, we need better drivers. 20 airbags, enhanced crumple zones, collision detection, automatic braking.... We have been hovering around the same number of fatalities for about 2 decades, so the effect is negligible. God forbid we make driver qualifications more stringent.

[chrismartin]

If god forbid I die riding my bike every one I know knows for a fact an absolute fact I died doing something I loved the only serious accident I have been in is some one traveling in the opposite direction turned left in front of me now by the law she was 100% at fault I still consider it partly my fault because I expected her to do the right thing and riding a motorcycle you must expect others to do the wrong thing.

[sgtaaronp]

This is hard to talk about, however it is necessary... great job and thank you Casey.
a fellow motorcycle rider...

[basithph]

I don’t know why my mom doesn’t understand motorcycles
You don’t look for safety in a bike

[TheMercenary]

I just want you to know that growing up I've never found a reason to look up to someone older than me, I had to learned to be my own hero. I never quite understood why, until I was much older. But now I've now consumed your content for the past few weeks and I can honestly say that you are my hero. I really enjoy your message and I believe more people should hear you speak. The previous generation have failed us at best and at worst tried to hinder us through their own selfish nature.

[HallsoftheSummer]

My dad was hit and nearly killed riding his Harley. A drunk driver turned left into him, completely crushing his leg and launching him off his bike. Was in the hospital for weeks.

Four years later I talked him into test riding another Harley, and he missed it but doesn't want to do a disservice to my step mother. We don't have a long time here, I think we should spend it doing what makes us happy

[arabonarocketcamel]

Bicycles are crazy dangerous, I'm a velodrome rider and it freaks me out how many of my track friends are willing to ride road bikes anywhere

[CheapskateMotorsports]

It's so true, the reason I ride is because it actually does feel like flying! I used to want to be a pilot like my dad but unfortunately developed a serious fear of heights, so riding a motorcycle was the less scary option🤷‍♂️. I don't ride for the "dangerous" aspect of it (I feel more in danger when I'm in a vehicle controlled by someone else) I ride for the freedom it gives you, and I suspect that's true for most of us.

[BShine-eihn]

I'm really sorry for your loss. I stopped riding because the same thing happened to me but thankfully I was going slow enough to only get minor injuries. My gear saved my life.

[Rinyotsu]

On your point of bicycles, the cops in my area told me that leg ally I should be on the road, but they will never ticket a cyclist simply for choosing the safer option of the sidewalk because they deal with the drivers, and after 2 times on the same stretch of road where the same car tried hitting me, I stopped doing it altogether. Same reason I jaywalk instead of crossing at an intersection. Dealing with one or two directions of traffic at a time is safer than paying attention to 12 (left, right, straight on 4 initial directions of travel)

[billdaily]

100% with you on this one Casey. I like the fact that you had some compassion for the driver in the accident, regardless of fault it would be a terrible thing to live with.

[markchip]

As a biker myself, I have to strongly agree with almost everything you said - with a single exception!

You pointed out the ridiculously tragic occurrences of motorcycle injuries and how unexpected circumstances can appear from nowhere. And in the same speech, you don't see anything wrong with riding with minimal protection... assuming no surprises! Yet most accidents are a surprise and some have no avoiding precautions. Those are exactly the reasons why you should always wear the right gear! Don't skip and just keep your trainers on, instead of your boots, jacket and gloves - because sliding down the road at 50mph is not just going to require skin grafts but major reconstructive surgery to try and hold the ankle in one piece after 1" of bone has been GROUND OFF by the weight of the bike on top of it!

I've toured Europe during the height of summer but always in full (two piece) leathers, boots and gloves. Albeit with the zipper down, visor open with sunglasses and only a t-shirt and shorts underneath.
Don't skimp on safety! It ain't worth it!

[coyotepete]

I ride. Taught my wifey and kids to ride. Tried to teach them about drivers, speed and road conditions.

[Frank-utmj]

James May once said that Riding bikes are the closest thing to a calvary charge in the modern world. So true.

[justinwright]

He is a genuinely considered thinker this bloke. Enjoying his thoughts on numerous topics.

[Dennis-deji]

I am 18, I got my small 100cc Honda Underbone (C50) 2 years ago.
My dad is a very good driver taught me a lot about driving and hazards of the road when we commuted in my small town.

I was already quite good on understanding the road but man when I started driving that small old motorcycle, I understood it 1000x better.

You come to realize just how the most mundane and common situation can hide a fatal danger.

Yesterday a friend asked me how can I wear a helmet on so hot days. Jokingly I replied "because tomorrow can be very cold"

[bigbosha]

Thank you so much for listening Casey. You have made a huge fan out of me over the last few weeks. You're the man!