They are the generation of the ‘Easy Rider’, growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, baby boomers were partially defined by the motorcycle. These machines had been a symbol of the outlaw up until this point in history. It was then that the motorcycle became a part of the countercultural cool, and America’s largest generation flocked to these machines. That means there are a lot of baby boomers riding the roads today, and that may be shown in the rising motorcycle fatalities numbers.

Rising Motorcycle Fatalities and Baby Boomers, Connected?

Here in Colorado, we saw 125 motorcyclist fatalities in 2016. That’s the highest number of fatal motorcycle crashes Colorado has seen since it started to keep a record. However, Colorado wasn’t the only state to suffer increased fatality numbers. AAA claims that motorcycle fatalities rose by 5.1 percent all over the country, but it was the increases in the baby boomer demographic that caught analyst attentions.

Between 1998 and 2007, injuries to motorcyclists age 60 or older surged from 2,000 to 8,000. In that same period of time, riders age 50 to 59 also saw an increase to the tune of 150 percent. This preluded the coming surge in fatalities the baby boomer generation was cruising into. From 2015 to 2016, motorcyclist fatalities for riders over 60 jumped by 22 percent. What does this mean for baby boomers?

Experts are warning these riders to ride with extra caution. They believe that motorcycle crashes result in more traumatic injuries the older you are, so it’s important to stay vigilant. Other ways these elder riders can keep safer is by training, and by holding negligent drivers responsible when sharing the road with motorcyclists.

The motorcycling attorneys at Metier Law Firm want motorcycle fatality numbers to go down, so remember to ride safe out there and look out for others!