As a therapist and hypnotist I have a problem with a certain old biker adage. Most motorcyclists have heard it. "There are two types of bikers. Those who have been down and those who are going down."

From a psychological perspective this saying is potentially dangerous as it could create what clinicians call a self-fulfilling prophecy. A self-fulfilling prophecy is a mental process whereby an individual subconsciously creates an event due to the mind's belief in the inevitability of that event. In hypnotic theory there is a similar mental process called waking hypnosis. Waking hypnotic incidences occur to everyone on a regular basis. For example, if someone said to you, "What happened to your hair?" chances are pretty high you would quickly go to the nearest mirror to check. The reason is because you became hypnotized around the idea that something was different about your hair simply through the power of suggestion.

Waking hypnosis is especially strong when the person giving you the suggestion has some kind of prestige. So, if an experienced rider tells you that you are going to go down, you may be more hypnotized around the suggestion than if a non-rider tells you the same thing. The point is, be careful what you buy into. Don't think of accidents as a right of passage.

Further, that old biker quote fails to qualify what is meant by, "going down." Consequently, many people will jump to the most catastrophic imagery possible such as a fatal crash. Imagine the self-fulfilling prophecy and hypnotic impact that kind of thought could have.

The Truth
In reality, it is possible for a motorcyclist to never go down. Ask around. You'll be surprised how many motorcyclists have never actually been in an accident. Oh sure, they've had scary moments, war stories even. But quite a few have never been down in any kind of a serious way. It is also possible for a rider to go down once and never again. Psychologically it is important to keep a careful watch on your belief system. This is the psychological end of risk management on a motorcycle, just as taking a safety course and wearing proper riding gear is part of the behavioral aspect of risk management.

However, motorcycling does clearly carry risks. There are, after all, other activities we motorcyclists could engage in that would be much safer. And unfortunately, there are riders who have been in accidents. A problem not commonly discussed between motorcyclists is the psychological symptoms that can linger long after the physical wounds have healed. Interestingly, men are likely to turn to alcohol or another substance in an attempt to quell their symptoms. While women may do this too, symptoms are more likely to turn inward and become depression.

Recovery Problems
Often, the clinical diagnosis of someone who has had a life-threatening trauma is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Sometimes, an individual may only have some features of PTSD but not enough to warrant the actual diagnosis. Whether or not an individual has full blown PTSD, common symptoms post-accident survivors will most likely go through can include a loss of self-esteem, nightmares, a numb feeling, avoidance of places, people or situations reminiscent of the accident, panic symptoms, depression, anxiety, fear of motorcycling and, a general questioning of one's ability to be effective in their decisions and abilities. If you have been in an accident it is best to consult with a mental health professional to determine if you have PTSD or just a few of its symptoms. Let's see how some of these symptoms affected women who have had motorcycle accidents, beginning with the loss of self-esteem.

Vicky Racine of Michigan had a scary accident while riding her motorcycle in August of 2000. She hit a deer. Vicky's husband was riding ahead of her. Vicky had been riding her own bike for three years at the time. As a result of the accident, she suffered a lot of bruising and a broken bone in her hand. After the accident, I asked her to gage her self-esteem on a scale from one to 10 (10 being the highest). "After the accident," a soft-spoken Vicky began, pausing to take a deep breath, "my self-esteem was about a four. I really questioned if I could have avoided the accident. I really doubted my ability then. Now I'm riding again and my self-esteem is about a seven."

Laurie Ingstrup of Illinois had her accident in May of 2000. The incident occurred in a construction zone covered with loose gravel. Laurie was riding her own motorcycle along with her husband and a friend. She incurred a broken collarbone and lots of bruising. Laurie spoke very definitively when remembering her self-esteem on a one to 10 scale. "After the accident I was about a one," she chuckled. "I didn't even feel like myself. I had no confidence in anything I did. I'm tall, 5 feet 9 inches, and at that time I went around feeling like I was 4 feet high. I sought therapy for my symptoms and now I'm riding again. My self-esteem is now about a 9.5.”

Self-esteem Problems
The loss of self-esteem is a serious issue. Left unchecked it will likely move into depression. Psychologically, self-esteem is directly related to an individual's feeling of competence and a sense of having a positive effect in the world. After an accident, it is common for people to loose that sense of personal effectiveness, not just in motorcycling, but with life in general.

Another common symptom after an accident is a feeling of numbness and a tendency to avoid anything connected with riding, especially motorcycles. Laurie recalls, "[My husband and I] have four motorcycles in the garage and after the accident they were nonexistent to me. It was like a black hole in the garage. I wouldn't even look at them. I didn't connect with riding at all."

Symptoms of panic, which include a pounding heart, shortness of breath and tremendous fearfulness are also typical for people who've had accidents. Vicky remembers, "After I started riding again I started looking for something to jump out at me. The first time I did see a deer I actually panicked. My heart went up in my throat and I started shaking."

Fear Levels
Most motorcyclists do experience some degree of fear while riding, at least some of the time. But after an accident the fear factor can become a true force with which to contend. Etta McQueary of California had a serious accident in January of 1999. She was on life support as a trauma patient and not expected to live. Etta was hit by a four-wheel vehicle on a twisty mountain curve. Etta now speaks publicly about her accident and her decision to ride again. At the time of her accident Etta had been riding her own bike on the street for about 10 months, though she had had years of experience riding off road in the desert. Etta says, "My fear is not completely gone but I ride anyway. After my accident my self-esteem was about a two. Now it's about an eight." When asked about what personality trait Etta believes contributes to her riding again, after a long thoughtful pause, she replied, "Perseverance...and a strong desire to overcome fear." 

Strong Support and Character
Etta also surrounded herself with an adequate support system that helped her to make the decision to ride again. One friend in particular, was very supportive. "I felt safe with him after the accident because I knew I could ride at my own pace." Vicky also had support from her husband after her accident, "My husband didn't pressure me. He understood it was my decision."

Vicky, Laurie and Etta all exhibit the strength of character needed to overcome such trauma. Psychologically, the decision to ride again has been life affirming for these women. Note the high number for self-esteem each woman gave after riding again. Of course, it's also O.K. to choose not to ride anymore. Among other things, this decision should revolve around how much of the individual's identity is tied in with being a motorcyclist. If riding is not that important to the person, it's not unreasonable to give up riding altogether.

Psychologically, though, something, like riding, may be a part of an individual's identity if it involves some or all of these qualities: that something plays a role in the individual's social life, married or romantic life, it gives that person a sense of feeling unique or special, it is a coping skill in that it causes pleasure, relaxation or a sense of freedom and, the individual invests time thinking and planning activities around this special something.

Learning from the Past
They say that hindsight is 20-20. So, when asked to think about the day of the accident and what, if anything, these women could have done differently, Vicky replied, "I guess I could have been more aware, instead of just staring at my husbands back. I always ride behind him. Now I'm always very aware of my surroundings."

Laurie responded, "Since then I've learned to ride my own ride. I feel I'm a better rider now because of this." Etta reasoned that, "On the day of my accident I had just a light breakfast. I know now that my blood sugar was very low. I'm self-sufficient now. Before my accident I used to just carry a little purse with me. Now I have saddlebags and I carry food, water and clothes so I can dress according to the weather changes." All three women agreed that safety equipment, such as leathers and a helmet, is extremely important to them now.

Needless to say, it was not easy for Vicky, Laurie or Etta to return to riding. Each concurred that taking it slow and not being pressured by others is the best way to proceed. Additionally, having a support person is most helpful. Psychologically, this is sound advice. Gradual exposure is the best way to begin to ride again. If you have been in an accident and want to ride again your "cycle-therapy" prescription is to start by simply reading about motorcycles and looking at pictures. Then move to just sitting on a bike. Set up small goals for yourself and do not proceed to the next until you are comfortable with the last.      

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Riding Right: You Flunked! Now What?

On a Sunday morning ride with friends when I have sudden vague recollection of asking "What happened?" I only have bits and pieces of memories of the rest of that day, like EMTs cutting off brand new armor jacket and putting brace around my neck. I broke clavicle, fractured seven ribs, collapsed a lung, had bleeding on the brain, but worst of all, I compressed three cervical vertebrae. That was eight months ago, and am still heavily reliant on pain meds and PT, but getting better and getting around well. Could have very easily been a lot worse.

Am still buying, fixing up and selling bikes, but cannot ride again....yet, which presents a dilemma- I really miss riding, but 1. family is going to have a big problem if I start talking like I want to get back in, and 2. the cause of the wreck is still a mystery. Those behind me said I never lifted, never braked, just drifted across the road after a turn and pitched over the bars face first when the bike stopped in the ditch.

I have a ways to go before I will have to confront the issue, but I really, really miss riding. Not a woman, but I found this site searching for info and answers regarding those who have wrecked and returned.

John King
Raleigh, NC
Friday, March 29, 2013

After watching the movie “The Bucket List,” I decided to work on my own list. Learning to ride a motorcycle was definitely on my list. My inspiration was my husband who decided to get back into riding after 19 years. I lasted about three months as a passenger when I said I need to learn and cross this one off my bucket list.

I started with a 250 Honda Rebel and then graduated to a 250 Ninja in about a year's time. Learning to ride in my neck of the woods was not an easy task. There are no leveled streets – all are hills, upward and downward. The stop signs were the hardest for me. Always seemed to topple over on the hills, especially those with gravel underneath my wheels. My husband was usually a ball of nerves but always had words of encouragement. Finally, I got a 1200 HD Low Sportster, what a beauty! My husband rode it home as I followed in my car. I just looked through the mirror, partly excited and part nervous. At 5 feet, what were we thinking? Though my feet go flat on the ground, the weight of the bike took some getting used to.

We’ve made several trips up and down the Bear Mountain in New York. One day, while coming down a steep windy road, I pressed the front brake while on the curve. Needles to say, I took quite a spill, down and across the road in front of oncoming traffic. Lucky for me, I was geared up and well protected. I held onto the handlebars as I slid across the road and somehow managed to hit the kill switch. I also managed to keep my head tucked in and off the pavement. I held on to the bike and put new meaning to the phrase, “Ride to slide.” My arms and both knees and legs were heavily bruised and scratched. My husband, who was following just behind me, was quickly by my side. My first instinct was to get out off the road. By the time a state trooper approached me, I was already standing and off the road.

The trooper kept asking me if I was OK. He seemed shocked that I was actually standing. I was afraid to take off my jacket or to look at any of the bruises. I was standing, and I was thankful that my Lil Angels were watching over me. I knew what I did wrong. I knew I was going down the curve too fast and that I should not have pressed the front brakes. It was quite a lesson to learn. My husband straightened out the bike and made sure it was functioning, but his main concern was me not the bike. Thankfully, the crash bars and saddlebags got the brunt of the scratches.

My husband looked at me and said, “I watched you slide and thought I lost you forever.” I said, “Not yet buddy – let’s go home.” So, I got back on my bike and rode home. I did not want to think of the pain I was in. I knew there were no broken bones – I just wanted to get home and clean up. I’m still riding, but before going on the road, I went back to the parking lot to hone on some skills. I refuse to quit riding but know how important it is to practice, practice, and practice. With my husband’s support, I know that I will someday, “Ride like a Pro.” So never give up on your dreams but always know that you are more valuable than any bike and never let anyone tell you otherwise.


Magi Plunkett
Bear Mountain, NY
Wednesday, July 07, 2010