By Francis Scarcella
The Daily Item
SELINSGROVE —
More motorcycles on the road mean more accidents.
Period.
That's what a Valley motorcycle shop owner and a state Department of Transportation spokeswoman said Tuesday, three days after the fifth motorcyclist since June died in a crash on Valley roads.
"The big thing is there are just more bikes out there," said Jim Keister, of New Berlin, owner of Xtreme Power Sports, Selinsgrove.
Geoffrey T. Michalesko, 23, of Kingston, Luzerne County, died around 7:30 p.m. Saturday when his motorcycle clipped a Honda Accord on Route 54 near Elysburg.
PennDOT reports that 187 motorcycle drivers or passengers in Pennsylvania died in crashes in 2006, and 237 in 2008. Motorcycle injuries increased from 3,751 in 2006 to 4,077 in 2008.
His business sells more motorcycles each year than it did the previous year, Keister said.
"So I know there are more bikes on the road than before," Keister said.
Licensed and registered riders have increased annually, said Danielle Klinger, of PennDOT.
"There is definitely a lot more motorcycles out there," Klinger said. "It just seems to be on the rise."
In 2007, there were about 801,000 licensed motorcyclists; by 2009, that number jumped to about 830,000.
"Those numbers show the trend in which they just keep going up," Klinger said.
Data for 2009 and 2010 — on fatalities, injuries, and licensed and registered drivers — is not yet available, she said.
In the three-year span beginning in 2006, one motorcyclist died in Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties. None were killed in Montour.
"It's not the motorcycle that is causing these accidents," Keister said. "It's people trying to make the machine do things it can't do."
Some sports motorcycles can reach speeds nearing 200 mph, Keister said.
"Some of the sport bikes can go that fast," he said. "But it is a matter of trying to make the machine do something it cannot do that causes accidents, plus the mixture of people driving vehicles that aren't looking for the motorcycle. They are looking at other cars."
Klinger, the PennDOT, wouldn't elaborate on why motorcycle accidents have been occurring more often, but pointed to 2009, when the number of statewide fatalities dipped.
"I can't speculate on why accidents happen, but motorcycle wrecks have actually decreased in 2009 for some reason," she said. Data for 2009 has not yet been released.
Manufacturers are making motorcycles much safer than in years past, Keister said.
"These machines have limits, and if you exceed these limits, then you're asking for a problem," he said. "I wrecked a bike myself, and it was my own fault because I tried to do something the machine couldn't."
Taking turns at high rates of speed, trying to perform tricks, and driving in an unsafe manner are some of the causes of accidents, but Keister said the summer months and a bit of partying can also play a part.
"That stuff plays somewhat into the equation," he said. "But, again, the main reason is just the increase in bikes on the road."
Keister sells Yamaha and Suzuki motorcycles, and his clients are mostly adults.
"Some of the bikes are over $10,000 and believe it or not most bikes sold are to adults," Keister said. "People like to buy cruising bikes."
Keister's son, Ron, said he believes the reason for accidents are motorcyclists not using caution while riding, but they seem to be wearing helmets.
"The big thing is people aren't careful," he said. "But, we have seen an increase in people buying helmets more than ever."
Jim Keister said even though he believes wearing a helmet is a personal preference, he thinks it's a good idea.
"Even though, legally, you might not have to wear one," he said, "it's the right thing to do, but you shouldn't be forced to wear one."
Pay attention to what you're doing, and focus on the road, Keister said.
"Experienced riders know to learn their surroundings," he said. "Show caution and watch for vehicles because again, they might not see you."
n E-mail comments to fscarcella@dailyitem.com.
