Two speed-loving bikers were killed in a tragic accident in September. The community was devastated and authorities are still trying to figure out how to prevent similar accidents in the future. Two young men were riding with other riders in Texas outside Grapevine Hooters. However, when they pulled out of the lot, Robert Wright and Derek Smith, both 18, fell behind.
They were seen racing past each other on State Highway 161. Mr Smith had lost control of his bike and was thrown against the wall. Mr Wright, who was speeding past the others on the group, struck Mr Smith’s bike and flipped it over the wall. He plummeted to his death below. Both tragically fell to their deaths.
What’s the attraction?
Kim Hazelbaker, of the Highway Loss Data Institute, who has compiled accident statistics since 2007, said that a person who is more inclined to “thrill seeking behavior” will likely turn to activities like sport biking. He said that he enjoyed riding his bike and that he didn’t mind it getting his thrills, but that he would not allow riders to get hurt on highways or in public places.
Lee Martin, another young rider, stated that an experienced rider can do everything on one wheel that others on two, including braking, acceleration, and exiting off the highway. He stated that he is always looking for new thrills, as he can now do a wheelie of 15 to 25 miles and it’s not difficult. What challenge can satiate a thrill seeker’s need for danger? It is not possible to find one. This means it is likely that it will be a waiting sport before speeders turn into stunters who eventually pull off the stunt that stops them in their tracks.
Made for the masses
You would be wrong to think riding is an exclusive sport. The high-powered machines are easily affordable for the average Joe. In addition the market is so fiercely competitive that you can pick up one of the biggest and fastest mass produced bike for around $12,000 (£6,000). A bike that produces a staggering 175 horsepower and weighs less than 500 lbs can be easily purchased by anyone, whether they are the ones making your morning coffee or your lunchburger.
Any thrill seeker’s dream is to be able to travel from 0-60 in less than 3 seconds, cover a mile in 30 seconds and reach speeds of 185 mph in an hour. The fact that an average 18-year old can reach such speeds is a concern for many parties. One of these parties is the insurance companies, who must consider such capabilities and inclinations.
Is it any surprise that bike insurance companies increase the premiums for those who are younger than 25? In 2007, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released a report that stated that riders riding “supersport” bikes built on racing platforms are four times more likely to be killed than those who choose “cruiser” bikes like Harley Davidsons.
While fatalities can often be attributed to driver error, other times it has been caused by members of public who took the law into their hands and tried to make roads safer by running speedters and stunters off the road. Jeremy Durrett, who was a first-time wheelier, has seen this firsthand. He does not like the limitations of parking lots so he drives on the highway. Despite numerous attempts from other motorists, he isn’t afraid to use the road.
