American Motorcyclist February 2018
Ups & Downs
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To the Santa Clara County (Calif.) jury that awarded $7 million to a motorcyclist who was injured in 2012 by a distracted driver. Malte Selck was struck from behind while riding his motorcycle in rush hour traffic on Highway 101. The driver of the car that hit him was distracted by a dog in the passenger seat of her car. She was traveling more than 60 mph at impact. Selck also will receive $3.1 million in interest and for expert expenses accrued as a result of the insurance company refusing to settle the case when presented with an offer in 2014.
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To the Google Waze app developers for adding a motorcycle mode that give riders tailored routes and arrival times based on their mode of transportation. The app accounts for the ability of motorcycles to navigate narrower roads than cars and trucks and also calculates time savings from lane-splitting, where it is legal. The “motorcycle” setting sends user data to a different feed than that for car drivers. The new version of the app also can be used hands-free.
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To motorcycle racers Kevin Stollings Jr., of Indianapolis, and Shane O’Banion, of Avon, Ind., for paying a visit to 13-year-old Erik Miller at his Goshen, Ind., home. Miller, who has cerebral palsy, loves motorcycle racing, and his mother contacted Stollings and O’Banion, who agreed to stop by and demonstrate their skills for the teen. He even got a chance to sit on the bikes.
