I went to bike night last night - first time this year. Met up with some guys - looking at new bikes, mods, yadda, yadda.
A couple of young people step up to the group and are collecting money for the family of a 21 yr old who was killed in a bike accident earlier in the week. (We had another one less than 36 hours later, but that is not part of this story)
As I said, 21 years old - 1st bike, 2006 Yamaha R6, family is on the hook for the bike loan. They are collecting to help pay off the bike. I didn't know much about the accident, but I popped for a $20 on the spur of the moment, and the other guys in the group kicked in a little as well.
Here is my issue. Should I have donated?
I have done a little research and found that the kid was speeding at 2:15 AM, with no lid, and 1 weeks experience. Cops say he was going "very, very fast". Newspapers say the bike sideswiped the bridge abutment (too much speed for a slight bend in the road) and ended up 400 feet away. Kid died next day of head trauma, and the paper says alcohol tests aren't back yet. I would have no problem donating for flowers, or for his kids (if he has 'em), but I'm feeling stupid for donating to pay for a bike that this putz didn't insure. The more I think about it, the more I wish I had done things a little differently:
A) asked if he was wearing any gear and why the bike wasn't insured
B) asked if the family on the hook was his wife and kids, or his parents
C) asked if he even had a motorcycle license
D) taken the opportunity to preach a little gear and insurance gospel to the group of young guys standing around
Based on the answers to A, B, and C, I might have changed my mind about donating.
What say you?
A couple of young people step up to the group and are collecting money for the family of a 21 yr old who was killed in a bike accident earlier in the week. (We had another one less than 36 hours later, but that is not part of this story)
As I said, 21 years old - 1st bike, 2006 Yamaha R6, family is on the hook for the bike loan. They are collecting to help pay off the bike. I didn't know much about the accident, but I popped for a $20 on the spur of the moment, and the other guys in the group kicked in a little as well.
Here is my issue. Should I have donated?
I have done a little research and found that the kid was speeding at 2:15 AM, with no lid, and 1 weeks experience. Cops say he was going "very, very fast". Newspapers say the bike sideswiped the bridge abutment (too much speed for a slight bend in the road) and ended up 400 feet away. Kid died next day of head trauma, and the paper says alcohol tests aren't back yet. I would have no problem donating for flowers, or for his kids (if he has 'em), but I'm feeling stupid for donating to pay for a bike that this putz didn't insure. The more I think about it, the more I wish I had done things a little differently:
A) asked if he was wearing any gear and why the bike wasn't insured
B) asked if the family on the hook was his wife and kids, or his parents
C) asked if he even had a motorcycle license
D) taken the opportunity to preach a little gear and insurance gospel to the group of young guys standing around
Based on the answers to A, B, and C, I might have changed my mind about donating.
What say you?
