This wasn’t supposed to be an editorial on what the motorcycling community has become, but originated as an effort to help a friend.  I’ll get to the details of how you can help a little bit later, but first let me tell you about my concerns about and for bikers, both “old school” and recreational riders.

Lately there has been press about motorists (4 & 2 wheels) being involved in accidents—several where a minor slap on the wrist has been all that has taken place.  The most prominent story that comes to mind is the woman who was polishing her nails while driving her auto.  This person rear-ended a motorcyclist who was STOPPED at a red light and killed her.  Many of these type of accidents (including this one) result in minor tickets and fines.  We as motorcyclists are and should be outraged.  Let this serve as a call to work harder to change the penalties for such accidents. 

To further complicate matters, accident reporting when a motorcycle is involved seems to be almost an afterthought and is many times incomplete or simply inadequate.  I’ve been hearing horror stories of incomplete investigations and failure to fully collect information about accidents that result in permanent injury and scarring.  Are we as a group joined by a common interest going to stand by and not raise a voice about this or attempt to improve this sad commentary?

Let me share with you just this one story.  My friend who is a disabled cancer survivor with only one lung, had been hospitalized in the ICU in December, adding to this, his son passed away tragically in January shortly after my friend’s release from the hospital.   He was hospitalized again after returning from making arrangements for his son for another respiratory related illness.  His health deteriorated another notch as he came away from this now needing oxygen at times.  This old school biker has struggled with knowing that a way of life for him is slowly being stolen by failing health.  Realizing this, some of his dearest friends trailered his Electra Glide to Cherokee, NC.  They wanted him to be able to enjoy another rally and some pleasant riding, especially as the heat that sometimes chokes his lung would be less of a factor and allow him to live the biking experience at least a little longer.

While out enjoying a pleasant afternoon ride in NC on US 19 in the Cherokee reservation--a pick-up truck pulled out of a driveway turning left into the motorcyclist.  To quote the accident report “Vehicle 1 [truck] failed to see before starting colliding into vehicle 2 [mc].”  There was auto and motorcycle traffic all around at the time of the accident as one would expect with the Cherokee Survivor’s Rally and Thunder in the Smokies  both going on. 

The first person to reach my injured friend was a vacationing Fire Department Captain and trained EMT who was vacationing in Maggie Valley attending Thunder in the Smokies.  How often is one fortunate enough to have trained medical help on their own motorcycle arrive at an accident scene so quickly!  The Captain did not see the accident occur as he had just watched my friend go around the curve and came upon him immediately in the ditch where he had landed.

Despite being badly injured (his arm was crushed) this crusty old biker had the presence of mind to realize his injuries were not of a terminal nature.  Through the pain he asked the off duty EMT to obtain information from witnesses.  You see, my friend has worked many long hours over the years championing for rights of motorcyclists.  He knows the inequities in the traffic courts and the laws when auto vs. motorcycle.   He knew this would be important and would be difficult to obtain later. 

After attending to my friends injuries and seeing that the arriving EMS had him “packed up” and getting hospital info, the good Captain asked one of the two officers at the scene for a pen and paper to gather the witness information.   The good Samaritan was told by the officer that he didn’t have time for this.   The Captain had spoken to a man and woman who witnessed the accident, but did not have pen nor paper with him to take information.  The couple was waiting in a nearby driveway for the EMS and police when the Captain left to contact the downed rider’s family.  I’m told there were 15 – 20 vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the accident (both autos and motorcycles).   

The formal accident report contains absolutely no information on witnesses or notations that there even were witnesses.  It becomes apparent that either:   the officer(s) did not completely investigate the accident, the witnesses were asked to leave and clear the area, or that the witnesses decided this was not worth their time and left.  If you were one of these witnesses you are sorely needed.  Please come forward so this investigation can be completed!

This is definitely a decline in the biking community I have known, but is consistent with reports of inadequately investigated motorcycle involved accidents.  This would be one time the persona of the biking group that crowds around the accident to look after their fallen brother would be a wonderful “profile” to have!

My appeal to you would be to become involved.  You may be the next person who may end up losing the use of an arm or leg or a life.  Losing the ability to pursue activities for whatever reason is difficult enough, but to have the joy of motorcycling snatched from one with little or no repercussions through inattention or diversion is unacceptable.  Allowing incomplete investigations of motorcycle accidents is also unacceptable.   So – what can you do?  There are specifically 2 things as a motorcycling community you can do—

1.  Voice your concerns to your elected officials, almost all of them have e-mail these days.  Push for harsher penalties for these accidents caused by distraction or inattentiveness, not just for motorcycles, but bicycles & pedestrians.  Distracted driving is unacceptable!!!!!
2. If you witness such an accident, take the time to be a witness.  You may be the only factor that will help determine the true facts of the case.  Be sure the victim(s) know how to contact you.

The remaining option is to turn a blind eye to distracted driving, that is until you become it’s next victim.  I would wish for you to not have a crushed limb or lose the use of your hand as has happened to my friend.  I further wish that you do not have any under-investigated accident especially if you are on a motorcycle. 

Oh yes, that was why I began writing this missive to begin with.  I would like to appeal to those of you who went to the Cherokee Rally or the Rally in the Valley or who live in the area to reach back into your recent memory, especially that couple that did initially wait.  Did you witness an accident that took place on Friday, April 24, 2009 in Jackson County on US 19 (between Blue Wing & Washington Creek).  At about 4:20 pm a Silver Chevy pick up truck and White Harley Davidson Electra Glide collided.   If you were a witness or have heard someone talk about this accident, please have them come forward and help!  The attorney for this case is Richard Donat (704) 602-3040.  You may reference the motorcycle accident in Cherokee.

I’m hoping someone will step up and renew my faith in my riding brothers & sisters.