“Dead Biker” Stories…
By John Davis • May 16th, 2006 • Category: Rants and RavesMark Briggs, editor of thenewstribune.com, mentioned NorthwestCycleNews.com in his Online in the South Sound blog yesterday.
He makes the point that many of the recent entries have been “Rider Down” or “Road Rash” entries. I have noticed this trend as well and am troubled by it. In the very first issue of my newsletter I said:
ALTHOUGH TWO OF THE STORIES in this issue involve the deaths of motorcyclists, it is not my intent to turn this publication into a collection of “dead biker” stories. The two stories in this issue were selected because one is especially ironic and the other especially outrageous. Both are terrible tragedies that are felt within the motorcycling community and beyond. Both can serve as calls to action to assure that drunk and reckless (or careless in the case of New Mexico) drivers get the justice that the deserve. Not just because the victims in todays stories were bikers, but to make all of us, bikers and cagers alike, more safe on the road.
So, what about now?
I have increasingly featured stories of crashes and fatalities in recent weeks. Are these still serving as the “calls to action” that I intended or are they becoming just a depressing litany of tragedies?
Should I be more selective of those incidents that I feature; choosing only those that illustrate the most outrageous or unjust circumstances?
Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.
John Davis is the owner, editor and publisher of Northwest Cycle Report. John also owns and writes for MotoSkagit.com and is the administrator for the Washington 120 State Park Tour. In addition to his own sites, John is a contributing author for MotorcycleLife.com and Motorcyclebloggers.com. He lives in Mount Vernon, WA and rides a candy-red Honda VTX1800 Retro.
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We read all the biker down stuff in the news. What we need is uplifting interactive stories, who you met on the road and what was learned from the interchange. This evening I had a relevant discussion with a duck who wandered up my lawn from the lake. I was not getting any proper answers to my Ducati questions.
Ciao!
Bill
Mark wrote “Unfortunately, many of the recent updates have been about motorcycle riders involved in accidents.”
We could also say “Unfortunately many of the articles in the mainstream media are about rape, murder, the deaths of our soldiers, genocide…”
The stories you wrote about originated in the mainstream media. Is it also unfortunate that they reported them?
Your site is is a fledgling, still pecking its way out of the shell. You will find the right balance over time. Don’t sweat it.
(Think I’ll head over to the Trib and ask my question of Mark)
William - Sorry the duck wasn’t able to help with the Duc. “Uplifting, interactive stories” now that’s a good plan.
Richard - I am still trying to find the balance; it’s getting there I think. I can tell when it’s not there; and I think this is the case with all the crash stories. It feels like too much.
I don’t watch or read mainstream news for the very reason you cite; it’s just too damned depressing and there is no uplifting value. I don’t want this space to be more of the same. I’m inclined to back off of the crash stories a bit.
Mark, I believe that we all know the dangers that are inherent in the decision to get some “breeze on the knees”. We all also know that we accept this risk along with the joy that comes with riding.
I for one do not read these type of articles, as they serve no purpose except to excite fear that is ill placed. If a certain article “can serve as a “call to action” then there is a spot for that, but, personally, I don’t need my shot of tragedy.
Course, what do I know? I haven’t seen, heard or watched an organized newscast in over 10 years! (I’m still alive and having fun, too! Amazingly enuf!)
I don’t know the answer to this. Sometimes I read them, sometimes I don’t. There have been so many of my friends lost these last couple of years, I don’t even want to think about it because it makes me feel that riding is too big a risk anymore. After 23 years riding, I wonder if my number is going to come up.