I’ve been blogging all year about the increased number of motorcycle deaths this year and last. With Sturgis coming up, hopefully all of the riders will be looking to make this a safe ride for the rest of 2009. The way to do this:
Is to watch your speed
For bikes and cars to start seeing each other
For riders to be well trained and safety conscience
And no drinking, texting, or talking on the phone while driving.
With a goal for the rest of the season to be safe here are a great list of Sturgis facts from the Examiner:
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In 1976 the average attendee spent $50.
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In 2009 the average attendee will spend more than $1000.
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1/3 of western South Dakota’s motorcycle accidents connected to the event.
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The rally features hundreds of thousands of bare, saggy breasts. And that’s just the men.
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Sturgis businesses make 95% of their annual revenue from the rally.
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South Dakota collects approximately $1,000,000 in sales tax from the event.
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The town of Sturgis, population 6,000, adds $200,000 of taxes to its coffers.
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The first rally was in the summer of 1938, and has been in Sturgis every year except during WWII.
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In 2005 a rider was killed by a flying toilet.
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A conservative estimate of beer consumed in the two weeks surrounding the event: 3 million gallons
A founding partner with Bradshaw & Bryant, Mike Bryant has always fought to find justice for his clients—knowing that legal troubles, both personal injury and criminal, can be devastating for a family. Voted a Top 40 Personal Injury "Super Lawyer" multiple years, Mr. Bryant has also been voted one of the Top 100 Minnesota "Super Lawyers" four times.
4 Comments
Daniel 8791
Nice list of trivia ! The Sturgis Rally is a great event with a long tradition. It probably has got more safe over the years (per person attended) but with the increased numbers there will always be some mishaps. Hopefully they're mostly minor ones this year and 2009 will be one of the safer years on the High Plains of South Dakota.
Mike Bryant
Hope so, I know a lot of people that go out. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Mark Bello
Mike: Interesting post; am I the only person who never heard of this event? Your safety suggestions are the most important part of the post. In the context of "3 million gallons" of beer consumed during the two week event, is there any hope that your "no drinking while driving" warning will be heeded? 1/3 of all western South Dakota motorcycle accidents are attributed to the event; I wonder how many are alcohol related? Please folks; think of others. If you drive, don't drink; if you drink, don't drive!
Mike Bryant
It's a very big deal and has had everything from the Leno show to a WCW event out there. You are correct there are a number of statistics that seem to suggest trouble. Thanks for taking the time to read and post a comment.
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