Here is a recent email from the Twisty Sisters Official Mailing List...

------------------------------

The local Atlanta Fox affiliate is doing an investigative report on motorcycle accidents (sportbikes in particular) in the N. Georgia mtns. Their numbers say over 300 reported accidents with 15 deaths since 2005. Tentative air dates of 11/2-3 (a two part report).

We'll see how fair it will portray motorcyclists...

It'll probably follow the "If it bleeds, it leads" paradigm. :mad:

The really telling factor will be if they mention how much money motorcyclists bring into the area, and how much money is raised for charitable causes.

Ride safe, and you'll be more safe. :moto: Ride stupid, and bad things will happen. :rulez: We've got to be our own best press agents and stress that we encourage everyone to be responsible riders, and that motorcycling is a great pastime. :thumb:

Here are the links to the two reports from the Fox5 Iteam

Mountain Motorcycles
Part 1 (http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=1362188&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1) Part 2 (http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=1375282&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1)

Thanks for posting that Mike. I missed it on TV.

I don't care if people kill themselves, just don't take anyone else with you. 150mph in those curves is stupid. I feel sorry for those families that watch some loser dying, pinned underneath their car. :mad:

Here's a thought: How about mailing these dorks a ticket and a photograph? $0.39 stamp + $1 for the printed page + not risking our sheriff's lives chasing punks + $250 speeding ticket = less darwinian activity in the mountains? Just a thought. :rolleyes: :eek:

My biggest fear is that the community is going to use this as an excuse to crack down on all motorcycles.

Here's a thought: How about mailing these dorks a ticket and a photograph? $0.39 stamp + $1 for the printed page + not risking our sheriff's lives chasing punks + $250 speeding ticket = less darwinian activity in the mountains?

I agree. I don't know if that technology is available to the counties involved but it looks like it would help alot! Here is a link to just such a device (http://www.redspeed-int.com/en/products_speedguard.htm).

Lets hope that people don't over react and take this out on all of us.

My biggest fear is that the community is going to use this as an excuse to crack down on all motorcycles.


Where better to have a solution come from, than the community with the problem? We should help our own community by helping to put a stop to the very activity that risks our freedoms.

Loud pipes is annoying and obnoxious, but not lethal. The killing of a family because a butthead is riding at 153mph and goes through their windshield is murder. Plain, sad, and simple.

I watched the report and yes the truth hurts, but there was much too much Hollywood in the report and both sides were not well represented. Really, 150 mph into a corner? I’m thinking not. What about the braking ability of those sport bikes? One bike was clocked at 153 mph and then comes up on the back end of a Mini-Van. If he was going that fast he would have ended up in the back of van given the position of the radar and the turn.

A vast majority of the motorcycle accidents listed where single vehicle accidents, not motorcycle/car as implied. I understand the need for news channels to get ratings but I feel this report is going to hurt those of us that obey the speed limits and laws. People remember the bad and forget the good. My bike can accelerate fast and stop quickly. This may give the illusion that I’m traveling faster than I am, relative to a car’s acceleration and braking ability.

If one really has the need for speed, take it to the track. It’s safer for everyone. I ride a sport bike and for me it’s not about getting through the corner the fastest. It’s about getting through the corner period. I ride to keep the rubber side down. Up at Deal’s Gap there are plenty of video clips of cruisers running through corners as well as cars.

It’s not the bike but the people on the bike. Oh, and don’t forget the sports cars. Ever see one of them cross over? Maybe the theme/solution of the report should have been one of courtesy and respect when it comes to operating motor vehicles on public roads. And yes, get those that endanger the rest of us off the road.

Unfortunately, there are many problems causing this issue: immaturity, lack of education, lack of experience and adrenaline junkies:

Immaturity
Immaturity is a hard one to address. Everyone knows this kid (and it is usually a boy)! The one that does doughnuts in the parking lot, burns out in front of the girls and races his buddies from street light to street light!

This does lessen with age but it takes a while...just ask any girl that has dated one, she can tell you what I mean! I know several 40 year old adolescents.

Lack of Education
Too many people on the road are there without proper motor vehicle education! A few of us have had a basic education course but hardly any have had defensive or advanced courses.

Require people to have formal education courses before getting a license. And to return for additional courses every so often. Companies make their employees go to training classes to improve there skills and knowledge, why not us?

Lack of Experience
Lack of experience is a big killer but how do you get experience without being out there putting others in danger? One way is formal education/training. The other tried by several countries is limiting the horsepower of the vehicle based on the driver's age. It seems to help...some.

Adrenaline Junkies
There really isn't a cure for this and I don't know as there should be. But I do believe there is a time and a place for it! If you want to go 150+mph on roads, do it on a track! There are many organizations and race tracks that provide just that (speed in a controlled environment).

I personally believe that you should be able to go as fast as you want (it's your life, do with it what you will), just don't jeopardize my life for your fun.

Who said anything about motorcycles?
Notice that I didn't mention motorcycles because it happens far more often with automobiles (teen auto deaths have always been an issue)! The only difference is a motorcycle will let you get into trouble faster and when you wipe out at high speeds in traffic, you usually get wiped up.

Stay safe for yourself and others, keep high speeds were they belong...on the track!

If any of you are interested in listening to what goes on up there (at least in Lumpkin county), check out this web page that allows you to listen to Lumpkin County Sheriff, Fire and EMS departments radio communications.

http://www.scanlumpkin.com/

If any of you are interested in listening to what goes on up there (at least in Lumpkin county), check out this web page that allows you to listen to Lumpkin County Sheriff, Fire and EMS departments radio communications.

http://www.scanlumpkin.com/

I tried to listen but I think the service was down. I went over and listened for a while to the Cherokee broadcast. I wonder why Forsyth doesn't use this service?

Maybe the theme/solution of the report should have been one of courtesy and respect when it comes to operating motor vehicles on public roads.

Excellent point! I find it happening more each day. Motorists just don't seem to have much courtesy for their fellow drivers.

Luckily, the majority of motorcyclists I meet seem to be very courteous and respectful of each other. That is one of the reasons I ride; motorcyclists seem to look out for each other and enjoy life.

:moto: