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Tragic: Motorcyclist finishes ride across U.S., then is killed at home
Jon Canaday just finished a 4,200 mile ride across the United States on his motorcycle, returning home to Palm Beach Gardens Saturday night. On Tuesday, he was hit by a car and killed in downtown West Palm Beach while on his motorcycle. (Palm Beach Post)July 15, 2009 | Permalink
Comments
Sad
Posted by: LimeGreenLizard | Jul 15, 2009 8:37:50 AM
The Feel Bad Story of the Day.
Posted by: LimeGreenLizard | Jul 15, 2009 8:38:12 AM
make motorcycles illegal. only solution.
Posted by: buddy | Jul 15, 2009 8:39:43 AM
Only weenies won't ride motorcycles.
I am one of those weenies and I don't care who knows it.
Posted by: twerp | Jul 15, 2009 8:53:48 AM
i rode accross the u.s from arizona to buffalo new york and orlando, florida via the southern route three times...the first was on a 305cc honda, took 5 days, a year later after returning from the war in 'nam on a bmw 750, took 4 days...the third in 2002 on a goldwing 1100 to florida from arizona. took less than 48 hours. that's living!
Posted by: Tom | Jul 15, 2009 8:57:20 AM
This is exactly why I don't want a motorcycle: even if you do everything right somebody will come along and run you over, plus doing everything right involves heavy clothing and a helmet so it kind of takes the fun out of it anyway.
(working in an ER I see how even a low speed separation from a bike can tear a body up)
Now I'm going to read the story...
Posted by: Me | Jul 15, 2009 9:01:56 AM
I have often wondered about the percentage of motorcyclists who had at least one accident. My guess would be pretty high.
Posted by: Bill B. | Jul 15, 2009 9:20:25 AM
Sad story. Helmet wearing is a touchy issue for motorcycle riders. I suppose if you see the point of wearing a helmet, you would be one of the people who wouldn't ride a motorcycle in traffic.
I think that is why there is more helmet wearing among off-road motor cyclists -- some of the off-roaders aren't fatalists.
Posted by: Sigh | Jul 15, 2009 9:32:49 AM
SUCH ARE THE SURPRISES OF LIFE
Posted by: MONKEY JERKm | Jul 15, 2009 9:58:35 AM
Wonder what an attorney is doing driving a 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis.
Posted by: kevy | Jul 15, 2009 10:01:37 AM
@Bill B.
It's not a question of "if you crash", it's "when you crash". I ride. I don't know anyone who has not been down at least once. It's a game... get from point "A" to point "B" while everyone else try to kill you. You must also try NOT to kill yourself. If the game is played correctly it's great. If you get it wrong... well?
Posted by: Dick C. Normas | Jul 15, 2009 10:19:43 AM
Riding a motorcycle in Florida where there is traffic is dangerous anyway... with or without a helmet. After growing up in the snow, I find it amazing at the number of accidents in Florida.
Posted by: Jenn | Jul 15, 2009 11:18:32 AM
I once thought the "Most accidents occur within X miles of your house" interesting until I realized you were most likely to be driving near your home than anywhere else.
Posted by: stopeatingmysesamecake | Jul 15, 2009 12:06:56 PM
A good friend of mine was killed on a bike down in Bend, OR, recently. She was riding her own bike following her husband. Reports are that the crash wasn't enough to kill her (husband is a MAJOR safety freak - drives trucks for Boeing and has won numerous driving competitions). I work in the same building she did and we attend the same church. Memorial is tomorrow. As Dick said, it's only a matter of time. Still hasn't removed from me the desire to ride, though I don't own a bike myself.
Posted by: Navy Chief | Jul 15, 2009 12:38:01 PM
I once had a cycle.
I have some fairly deep roadrage and KNOW that I'd end up dead if I rode a bike again.
I use a Ranger PU for my service truck and drive my Jag for pleasure.
I've gotten so protective of the Jag that it has helped me to control my roadrage.
Now if the asshole governor of WI would allow CCW, I'd be fine.
Posted by: American Veteran | Jul 15, 2009 1:21:49 PM
Two bike accidents in my youth. Neither with a helmet. One was just a 'dump'. The other was head on with a car. I lost.
No injuries in the head-on. Broke my collarbone in the other.
I would love to ride again, but I have two little boys now. So I won't for all the reasons stated above.
Posted by: stopeatingmysesamecake | Jul 15, 2009 1:57:58 PM
wonder who was at fault?
Posted by: ssarkies | Jul 15, 2009 3:05:42 PM
Yeah, but if my defibrillator goes off while I'm riding, I'm a DEAD wienie!
Posted by: D. D. Tannenbaum | Jul 15, 2009 3:58:17 PM
"wonder who was at fault?"
The story said the rider was pulling away from a stop sign, which suggests it may have been his fault, but they don't give much more information than that.
I had a friend when I was younger who didn't see motorcycles when he was driving. He'd always make left turns in front of them. It was as if they didn't register in his vision.
Posted by: Me | Jul 15, 2009 5:00:07 PM
This is really a sad story,keep in mind more people are killed in cars and planes then on motorcycles.This tells me drivers need to pay more attention when they drive.This is why so many children are hit by cars,if you can't see a motorcycle how would you see a child. Congress will want set belts on motorcycles now.
Posted by: Chad | Jul 16, 2009 5:26:23 AM
Man, I can't even joke on this one... I ride all the time... but my bike is glass shattering loud, so if they don't see me, they hear me...
Posted by: thing1 | Jul 16, 2009 12:20:24 PM
