Be careful out there gang.

[Slide Panda]

There were 3 fatal moto accidents in/around DC this weekend. 

One fella on a HD collided with a tree in a single vehicle accident.  Too much speed is the suspected cause.

A left turning cage involved in the 2nd

And the last rider collided with a car making a turn from a side street, onto the street the rider was on.

So, watch out for those cars, they sure aren't watching out for us. 

[Bun-bun]

YUP!
Only had two cages try to off me this am.
Fewer than usual, but it was Sunday morning, I guess they were all in church.

[kriswhite_23505]

Sunday afternoon...Drove right by it. Not pa pretty site.
Four people were injured in a high-speed crash involving two motorcycles Sunday afternoon, according to state police.

The accident occurred just after 4:30 p.m. on Interstate 64 east near the Virginia Beach Boulevard overpass, said Sgt. Michelle Cotten, state police spokeswoman.

According to Cotten one of the motorcycles was going between 80 and 100 miles per hour when the driver lost control, and the second motorcycle ran into it. Both motorcycles held a driver and a passenger, and all four received injuries not considered life-threatening, Cotten said.

A female passenger was six weeks pregnant, Cotten said.

The driver of the first motorcycle, identified as Thomas O'Malley II of Virginia Beach, was charged with reckless driving, Cotten said.

Three lanes of Interstate 64 East were closed temporarily following the crash.

[dohc97]

Last Saturday, about 4:30 PM, I was in the Beltway in the Silver Spring area, driving my wife's SUV when a bunch of sportbike riders past by me.  The lead rider was doing a wheelie at about 70 mph on a crowded beltway.

[tocino]

Maybe attitudes are-a changin'? 

"Long associated with counterculture, risk and rebellion, the motorcycle is being embraced by a growing contingent of Washington area drivers for, of all things, its practical benefits: high gas mileage and a speedier commute courtesy of the region's HOV lanes."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062301981.html?hpid=artslot

[Slide Panda]

An interesting turn this topic has taken.   A number of folks have been speculating for varied amounts of time about and expected rise in the number of 2 wheelers become more than just play toys, but main forms of transit for a lot of folks.  Though I think were far from a tipping point where 2 wheels will be seen in the US as they are in Europe.. perhaps, just perhaps the increased number of riders will have a ripple effect and make a greater portion of the population, more aware of motos...

But who am I kidding... this is the same culture where I've watched a mother, with an infant in the car - complete with BABY ON BOARD! stickers, weaving all over the road because she just had to send a text message while driving...

This also makes me wonder if we'll see a spike in moto accidents to coincide with the increased rookie ridership.  Though the percentages will probably stay the same over all.

But, my original point was to ride like they are out to get you... and they still are. 

[dolci]

A number of folks have been speculating for varied amounts of time about and expected rise in the number of 2 wheelers become more than just play toys, but main forms of transit for a lot of folks.  Though I think were far from a tipping point where 2 wheels will be seen in the US as they are in Europe.. perhaps, just perhaps the increased number of riders will have a ripple effect and make a greater portion of the population, more aware of motos...

I think we are definitely seeing more 2 wheelers out there and since I think some of those folks aren't thinking (or don't care) about taking an MSF course, we WILL see an increase in fatalities.  I believe that the people doing this to save some money probably are thinking that since they don't plan on riding long term, they probably don't "need" a course to take.  IMHO.  I do hope however that it does make the general population more aware of the motos....