Lies, Damned Lies, and This!

**bogan** · 19th July 2009, 15:31

Well, my boss keeps getting on my case about the dangers of riding motorcycles, so Ill see what I can do with the stats out there.

From this it says we're 18 times more likely to be in serious accident than the cagers. Heard that before, but 18 times more likely than what? I've never heard an actual probability.

Fatalities for the last few years, combined with the registered motorcycle count in above article give 0.000441 fatality chance per year, this doesn't take into account rider demographic.

Another stat I'd like to throw into the mix (or in this case take out of the mix) is the chance of a rider fault crash, personally I feel I'm less likely to cause a crash on my bike than in my cage. So taking the rider fault out of the mix from here it is around 73.5% which is a lot higher than I though it'd be. Now the chance of being killed on the road is 0.000117 per year, excluding rider fault.

Now I plan to be riding for at least 50 years, the chance of surviving is (1-chance of death)^50.

So taking rider fault into account the chance of death is 2.18% for 50 years of riding.

Without rider fault accidents the chance of death is 0.58% for 50 years of riding.

Dunno about you guys but I can certainly live with those odds!

**cheesemethod** · 19th July 2009, 15:53

How unpatriotic of you suggesting that riding a motorcycle could be considered safe. Calm down and take your folate.

**miSTa** · 19th July 2009, 15:57

He/she is your boss not your mother, tell them to fuck off.

**Squiggles** · 19th July 2009, 16:33

To fuckup your calculations, i currently own 2 registered motorcycles (last year owned 4)...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...4&postcount=62 may be of some use, although you're mostly pissing into the wind.

**bogan** · 19th July 2009, 16:44

Originally Posted by Squiggles

To fuckup your calculations, i currently own 2 registered motorcycles (last year owned 4)...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...4&postcount=62 may be of some use, although you're mostly pissing into the wind.

yeh, thought someone would pick up on that, but it still gives a general idea which is all I was after

**p.dath** · 19th July 2009, 17:04

Your boss is right. It is dangerous riding a motorcycle. It's more dangerous than driving a car.

It's a calculated risk us riders are aware of, but choose to accept and ride anyway.

Driving in a car is also a calculated risk - and one that car drivers accept.

Ditto walking on the foot path.

**James Deuce** · 19th July 2009, 17:13

Pssst. It's none of his business.

**Headbanger** · 19th July 2009, 17:32

Every time he brings up bikes, You should ask him about his sex life.

**YellowDog** · 19th July 2009, 17:57

I had something quite similar from my preveous boss. He didn't say anything directly however he just made the odd negative comment.

His 15km journey to work too 55 minutes each day. My 15km journey took around 12 minutes. One of us was happy and smiling after an exhilarating blat down the motorway.

What a Tosser!

**serious4** · 19th July 2009, 18:12

Riding bikes is dangerous. Your boss is right. Good effort on trying to statically shut him up but

**Ms Piggy** · 19th July 2009, 18:34

Originally Posted by bogan

Well, my boss keeps getting on my case about the dangers of riding motorcycles...

To feck with the stats - if you choose to ride a motorcycle it's your choice! What business of his/hers is it?

I remember my mates flatmate asking me: "Why do you ride 1 of those death machine?", my reply was: "Because I love riding those death machines", I think he had thought I'd say something else cos he shut up. Dork!

**swbarnett** · 19th July 2009, 18:50

Damn I feel lucky, never had a negative word out of my boss regarding my bike obsession. They even set aside one car space for the three regular bike commuters in my building. In the car park that's reserved for only top managers (which we're anything but).

If my boss pestered me about the "evils" of motorcycling I'd be looking for another job.

**kevfromcoro** · 19th July 2009, 18:57

I still get that shit all the time....

iam to old to ride. motorcycle satcics.. well a lot of it true.

but in some ways i think you are more safer on a bike.

its just something we live with...

you are going to get it for the rest of your life...
but fuck them.. we all ride

**Genestho** · 19th July 2009, 19:24

Despite what the stat's or the boss says
People ride because it's not just a mode of transportation, it's a lifestyle.

It's the eye watering view coming over a hill, it's the west coast of the south island and the amazing bitchumen, the passes (I'm talking Lindes and Arthurs), the many twisties on offer in our countryside - knowing you could reach down and touch the road... the adrenalin... the 'zone'.
It's the pulling up somewhere with your friends, grins plastered on. Stories and yarns, the comraderie of experiences shared. Tenting in snow...(ugh)
The grunt in the rain.
Stinky smelly hot leathers, and the rigamoral of putting everything on, and taking everything off to go to the toilet, the wet stinky leathers leaving your legs black in the rain.

It's the feel and the sound of Jappas through to rowdy Harleys, in a group, enjoying and sharing the same space.
That's what it's all about