102 year old-biker chick shown for illustrative purposes only
I am publishing a letter from a reader of the Biker Law Blog named Brian W. with his permission. I am not publishing his last name for privacy reasons.
Here is his letter:
I am sending you this email in reference to an article you wrote regarding “Too old to ride” (at least that was the theme of the letter).
I am 68, and had my first bike when I was 14 (1939 Norton), and a steady rider ever since.
I have owned just about ever make and model over the years, and about 6 years ago I purchased a Honda Shadow Spirit 1100. It seemed to fit the bill for what I wanted, which was a reasonably priced touring bike.
Well, all that said and done, it’s truly time to quit and face the fact that I am not 20 anymore.
In the last year, I have “dropped” the bike from a basically stopped position, and also under 5 miles an hour. So many times, I have lost count actually.
As the bike has a dry weight of over 600 Lbs. there is not a hope in hell that I can get it upright by myself.
That is the minor side, as I have had 2 accidents, which of course I took no blame for!
In retrospect, it was a case of age and reaction time and sheer physical strength.
The days of being bullet proof have sadly passed, and I will miss taking my rides, and trips, but common sense has prevailed.
Thank goodness, I was not hurt to any degree, but on reflection, I certainly could have died, and my wife is now a happy puppy and doesn’t sit at home waiting for a phone call.
Best regards, and please pass this on to those who still feel they are bullet proof.
Brian W.
You can read the article that Brian was talking about by clicking here. I suspect that with the Baby Boomer generation all heading into retirement, the issue Brian discusses will become more and more prevalent on a daily basis.
Since writing me the letter and sending it to me, Brian and I have traded a couple of emails back and forth. Part of my response to Brian is below:
Dear Brian,
It saddens me to hear that you have come to a point in your life where you have determined that you can no longer safely ride.
It makes me feel good knowing that after weighing the pros and cons, you have opted to use common sense rather than stubbornness.
I have articles showing that fatal motorcycle accidents for persons over 50 have increased four fold in the past decade, for reasons which you stated in your email to me.
…………
Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.
The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates
I do not think there is a need to elaborate on this subject anymore than Brian’s letter to me and my response back to him.
By California Motorcycle Accident Attorney, and Biker Lawyer, Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © October 5, 2005 2010
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