Wednesday test drive on motorcycle leads to riders death

A man was test driving a motorcycle at Alamo Cycle Plex in San Antonio Wednesday afternoon around 3:45pm.

The man reported to be 43 years old, was pulling out of the motorcycle dealership riding a black 2005 Kawasaki and getting onto the eastbound access lane near Dezavala Rd. when apparently a problem began. The man was first clipped by a small yellow car knocking him off the motorcycle. Then the man was struck by a second car.

Authorities arrived shortly after 4:00pm and shut down a section of I-10 for about an hour and a half. The investigators were attempting to discover whether the motorcycles malfunction was due to mechanical failure or the riders mistake.

The cyclists name was not released at the time. But it was stated that the rider was wearing a helmet.


source: Examiner.com (Fields, 7/28)

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NY Motorcyclist crashes & dies from head injuries at anti-helmet protest

A bareheaded motorcyclist participating in a ride to protest mandatory helmet laws was killed when he was thrown over the handlebars in Onondaga, New York.

Philip A. Contos, 55, of Parish, New York, was on a ride organized by the Onondaga chapter of American Bikers Aimed Towards Education (ABATE), state police said Sunday.

Contos hit his brakes, began fishtailing and lost control of his 1983 Harley Davidson. He shot over the handlebars, hit his head on the pavement and was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, New York, where he was pronounced dead.

State police say evidence at the scene plus information from the attending medical expert indicated Contos would have survived had he been wearing a helmet as required by state law.

Asked about the apparent irony of Contos' death, the statewide president of ABATE, Thomas Alton, said, "We are riding at an increased risk and accept that. ... This individual was a seasoned rider, not a newbie. He made an adult decision. A full decision to ride in the manner he rode in."

Another New Yorker who has been a motorcyclist for over 50 years, Joseph Costantini, said, "I would never ride without a helmet -- even in a state that says you don't have to. I understand where the protesters are coming from because ultimately it's a matter of choice. For me, I would wear a helmet no matter what. ... Must feel great to ride without a helmet because sometimes it's uncomfortable. ... I'm sure his family isn't going to be happy."

Motorcycle helmet use dropped from 67% in 2009 to 54% in 2010, according to a press release issued by the Governors Highway Safety Association.

"This is another sad and tragic example where we have lost someone due to the lack of wearing a helmet," said Jonathan Adkins, communications director for the association.

According to Alton, a large percentage of motorcycle fatalities are due to inexperience and drivers not seeing motorcyclists when switching lanes or making turns.

ABATE of NY Inc. is organizing a memorial "to honor an individual who rode for freedom and risked his all for freedom," he said. A formal date is still to be determined.

Annual motorcycle deaths have more than doubled since the late 1990s with 5,290 in 2008, based on a report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.


source: cnn.com (Raja, 7/4)

Biker Groups play at being Santa

Biker Claus: Groups exchange sleighs for motorcycles to bring gifts to needy children

McKINNEY -- Conventional wisdom says Santa Claus rides a sleigh and leaves presents on Christmas Eve.

However, this Fourth of July, Santa will trade in his sleigh for a 2009 Harley Davidson Low Rider with a rubber-mounted twin-cam engine with 3,000 rpms of torque and chrome staggered shorty exhaust with dual mufflers.

The Dirty Bastards Motorcycle Club (DBMC), Bikers Against Road Rage (BARR) and the Guardians of Grace (GOG), the McKinney branch of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, are hosting the first-ever "Christmas in July." The clubs are collecting toys and goods for patients at a Plano children's hospital.

Collection boxes will be located at Fuzzy's Taco Shop, 3190 South Central Expressway, Suite 570, until July 4th. Collection boxes will also be placed at the parade, allowing for donations at the celebration.

The hospital is looking at different items based on age groups; the two groups with the greatest need are toddlers/infants and teenagers. For infants and toddlers, they are asking for children's books, baby toys, exersaucers, bumbo seats and plastic rattles. For teenagers, donations of art kits, clothing mirrors, bath products, journals and baseball caps would be appreciated.

Only new stuffed animals will be accepted due to infection control policies. Gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target and Toys"R"Us will also be accepted.

The DBMC got the idea for the event from one of the member's wives who made donations to hospitals' wish lists on a regular basis. She wanted to get the DBMC involved -- and the idea evolved into "Christmas in July."

Both groups will take part in McKinney's Hometown Fourth of July Parade, and immediately after the parade, the riders will pick up the donations from Fuzzy's Taco Shop and deliver them to the hospital in Plano.

"We are big on giving back to those who can't give back themselves," Shane LeClair, member of the DBMC, said.

LeClair said he and the DBMC hope to continue the Christmas tradition every summer.

"We would love to turn it into an annual event," LeClair said. "We would love to see it grow and have people participate."

"Christmas in July" allows the DBMC, BARR and the GOG to celebrate freedom through one big, caring gesture.

"The event is important because we are nothing if we aren't a community," GOG member Kirk Stephans said. "Freedom isn't free; we should lift each other up, both spiritually and physically. We want to foster community spirit through giving love."


source: star local news (Pawlinski, 7/2)
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