Figures and statistics and white helmets

A European study shows that scooters are more likely to be involved in fatal collisions than motorcycles.

The study from various Euro states shows that motorcycles are about equally represented in the wrecks, fatal and non-fatal, but that small-engined mopeds and scooters were overly represented. In other words, more crashes of scooters were reported than the percentage of scooters in the survey.

The least-likely to crash were cycles with engines of 1000 cc or more.

About 75 percent of the wrecks, fatal and non-fatal, occurred in urban areas. About 80 percent of the wrecks involved another vehicle and of those vehicles 60 percent were cars. Only 15 percent of wrecks were single vehicle crashes.

So what does it all mean? Good question. It could be that scooters are harder to control. It could that European licensing regulations mean the rookies and newbies and folks who shouldn't be on two wheels are on scooters. It could mean that scooters are a common form of transportation in urban areas in Europe and, being harder to see, are better targets.

Another study, done in Australia and New Zealand a few years back, showed white helmets and safety vests resulted in a decreased likelihood of a wham-o.

Drivers wearing reflective or fluorescent clothing had a 37% lower risk of crashing; wearing a white helmet had a 24% lower risk; the headlight burning daylight resulted in a 27% lower risk, but the color of the bike itself rated no lowered risk.

So, if you wear lime yellow nuclear vests, a white helmet and burn your headlight, you have an 81 percent lower risk when riding.

Of course, if you don't ride at all, your risk is less, but what's life without a little risk?