learning from their lessons: two stories of injuries
Published by Crystal November 8th, 2006 in accidents, hot weather riding.This past weekend, an old high school buddy was asking Dwayne if we would want to go down to Key West for a vacation. Key West is not only a hot spot for beautiful beaches and bar hopping, it’s also home to many a scooter-rental place, and if you visit there, it’s practically the law that you rent a scooter to get around.
I laughed when Dwayne told me about it, because as much as I’d love to ride a scooter around during a vacation, I said, “I’ll be the only person in full gear riding around Key West!” I’m sure there are others who wear gear, but from all the photos I’ve seen, I’d be in the minority.
I might be a party pooper, but I don’t think I could bring myself to ride without gear, no matter how speed restricted a scooter is, how hot it is, or how tough the peer pressure is. I totally understand the appeal of riding in a t-shirt and shorts and flip flops, but I just can’t do it. It makes me cringe to think about it. When I was hit by a car, I was lucky that I had 3 layers of clothes on and I had very little skin injury, and I kept my limbs. From that point on, I started wearing armored gear. Now I’m on the hunt for good armored pants for all seasons.
If my stubborness and lectures aren’t enough to get you to wear a helmet or to consider a good pair of boots, here’s a couple of links to stories of people who survived two rough tumbles with injuries no one should have to endure. I don’t link to this stuff to gross you out, or to scare you away from riding scooters or motorcycles. I link to it because I want you to stay alive and to keep your limbs intact - and I’m sure they both want the same thing. Unlike the debates you might hear about helmets (some argue that you are more likely to be injured wearing a helmet), these stories aren’t conjecture or opinion, they are real situations where two women were badly hurt - and thankfully, are recovering well from all reports. Both are experienced riders and both were wearing helmets, but may have been less severely injured with additional gear.
Note: the photos may be very difficult for some to look at. Phil’s link must be cut and pasted and joined together, but small versions of Brittany’s photos are in the article. You must click on them for larger images.
- Phil Waters account of Renae’s accident and foot injury - on ScooterBBS.com
- Extreme Roadrash: Cause, Effect, and Lesson Learned by Brittany Morrow - published on SpeedFreakInc.com
All the best wishes for continued healing to both Brittany and Renae.
Thank you for these links. I wear an armored jacket, full face helmet, full finger gloves, boots and jeans when I ride my Vespa GT200, but sometimes I pick up my daughter from school and she just has on sneakers, jeans, a sweater and 3/4 helmet. I’m going to that New Enough Motorcycle Leathers website and get an extra armored jacket (Joe Rocket- under $40, can’t beat that!) for my daughter and keep it in my top case. Thanks again for reminiding us about rider safety for the rider and passenger.
Theresa
Eep. Brittany’s story is exactly why riding as a passenger scares me far more than riding solo ever could.
I have to say, the post-op photo of Renae’s foot is something of a relief after reading about what it looked like before. I mean, it still looks awful but it isn’t nearly as bad as what I was imagining. (And that’s coming from someone who can’t watch the surgery shows on Discovery Health.)
As for what I wear — I’m annoyed that none of the stores in my area carry plus-size women’s jackets. But I always wear my ff helmet, jeans, gloves and leather shoes/boots.
Wow… these articles are very sobering. I have worked in the ER of a Trauma one hospital. Some of our staff referred to motorcyclists as “organ donors.” That is a phrase that really illustrates how sever these accidents can be. There were often cases where it was supposed that if the patient would have been wearing a helmet they might have retained their brain functions and perhaps survived.
Sometimes I think “well, I’m only going a few blocks”, and it seems like a “pain” to put on my full suit just for a short ride. But then I remember some to the horrible things I’ve seen in the ER, then I decide its not as big of a “pain” as the PAIN I could end up with if I crash without proper protection. Seeing others riding down the road without a helmet it causes my hair to stand on end, as I imagine what would happen to them if they met the pavement.
Hopefully this will be an eye-opener to a lot of people. I often shake my head at some of the people I see riding scooters and even motorcycles. I once saw a guy riding barefeet in shorts with no shirt. I saw a passenger on a the back of a motorcycle wearing shorts and a tank top with spaghetti straps. She and her friend were riding on a highway. Yeah it can get pretty hot wearing all that gear in the summer, but having been a victim in two not ‘bike’ related accidents, I know it CAN happen to me and I want to be ready if it does. BTW, hear hear CatMoran!
Thanks for once again equating Key West with bar hopping, just a couple more alcoholics riding scooters and we’ll be all sold out. You can wear all the armor you want but drinking and riding will do you in far faster and more efficently than wearing jeans and sneakers.
Oh and if you want beautiful beaches try Melbourne or better yet Ft Myers. Key West’s beaches are artificial and puny. Common misconception. I wish the bar hopping was too.
I ride a yamaha vino 125. I ride ONLY with belleville boots. Designed for the military. Certified steel toe. They are the best boots I’ve ever worn.
Cheers and Best Wishes.
I still have keloid scars from a crash almost 20 years ago when I wasn’t wearing proper gear. Funny, I wore a Kevlar vest for most of my police career, but didn’t think to wear gloves and an armored jacket on the bike. My rationale for the Kevlar vest applies to the bike riding gear, too - I’d rather sweat than bleed.
I just had a new 2007 Yamaha Vino XL50 B delivered this morning. I’m 53 years old and haven’t ridden a two wheeled vehicle in years. I’m exceedingly aware of what fragile little creatures we are, and these stories are, to say the least, sobering. I bought my scooter to commute to work – approximately 2 miles a day in a residential area, but after having read these accounts, I’m heading out tomorrow in my Jeep to buy some REAL gear.
Thank you so much for this information. What a GREAT site! Best wishes to all!