Risks of getting inked

 

For those who love to indulge in getting inked, they should know that there are risks. According to Eli MacKinnon’s article The Hidden Risks of Getting a Tattoo, there was a cluster of individuals who ended up with skin infections in upstate New York from one single tattoo artist. According to the article, the artist was found to have correct hygiene procedures in place – needles, gloves, cleaning, chairs, etc. However, the ink he was using was not sterile. Unfortunately, the ink he was using held a harmful strain of bacteria. After further investigation, three other manufacturers were found to have bacteria in their ink as well. The article doesn’t discuss how many individuals were infected overall. However, according to Filip Kwiatkowski’s article Tattoos, featured in the New York Times, states that “Available in New York from almost 1,400 licensed tattoo artists, tattoos are probably better and safer now than they’ve ever been — more creative and varied, applied in many cases by serious, highly skilled body artists.”

Who do we believe? I personally love getting ink. There are risks in everything we do. We risk getting into an accident and potentially dying when we drive our cars to the store or work. We risk getting electrocuted when we plug something in at home. We risk falling off a ladder and dying when we put up Christmas lights. Getting a skin infection while getting inked is just another nominal risk. For the record, I have known hundred of people who have gotten thousands of tattoos from different artists and shops…even in prison where the sterility should be called into question. None of them have ever developed a skin infection as this article describes. For those of us who love to get ink, there really isn’t a way to ensure you don’t get a skin infection. I consider it a risk worth taking.

Southern Honda Powersports under investigation for selling unsafe vehicles

Picture from U.S. Rider News

Southern Honda Powersports, according to U.S. Rider News in their article Largest Honda Dealer in the US Under Investigation, is under investigation for selling potentially 25,000 unsafe motorcycles. According to the article, Southern Honda Powersports, which has locations in TN and FL, sold vehicles that had been recalled – without conducting the proper fixes on the vehicles, and sold vehicles assembled by employees without proper training.

7 Motorcycle riding tips

A few tips I’ve learned along the way:

1. Ride like you’re invisible – no matter how bright or reflective your clothing is, you can (and likely will) be in the blind spot of cars. Be prepared!
2. Stay away from cars – yes, it’s much easier said than done, but it’s the truth. If you aren’t following too closely, or being followed too closely, your chances of getting into an accident decrease greatly. Keep your distance from other vehicles to allow yourself time to brake and stop appropriately.
3. Have a plan – when you are in the blind spot of cars / trucks (see #1) you need to know how to maneuver quickly to get out of their way if they start merging into you. Keep your eyes open and always have a plan in the event a car / truck (or even bus) begins to merge into you.
4. Don’t look down – this is probably one of the most basic tips, but one of the most important. When you’re riding keep your eyes up and focused on where you want to be – even if you think you’re going to go down. You and your bike are going to go where your eyes are looking, and if that’s the ground, then that’s where you’ll end up.
5. Be courteous to drivers – I know, I know…why should I be? you ask. Well, because there are still a lot of drivers out there who don’t like motorcyclists and the nicer you are to them (i.e. waving when you split lanes and get in front of them), the more likely they will be to get out of your way and not run you over.
6. Wear proper riding gear – not all states have the DOT approved helmet law, but I think they should. Wearing a helmet that is DOT approved can increase your survival chances when in an accident. Don’t forget proper jacket and foot attire as well. The more protected your body is, the better you’ll be protected if you go down.
7. Only take passengers when you’re comfortable doing so – if you’re a new rider or if you have a bike that isn’t really meant for passengers, work your way up to taking someone with you on the back of your bike. My bike, for example, has a passenger seat. But, it’s far too small to carry me and another adult (hence, one of the reasons I really do need a new bike). And remember – when you take a passenger on your bike you are taking their life in your hands. 

152 MPH in a 70 zone? CRAZY!

Picture from MCN

I’ve had many, many people tell me just how dangerous motorcycle riding is…as if I didn’t already know. One of the big keys to staying safe out there on the road is to obey the traffic laws. You know…those pesky rules that all motorists have to follow, like:

-          Don’t run red lights

-          Come to a complete stop at stop signs

-          Don’t go over the speed limit

It was reported today on MCN today by Steve Farrell that there was a Motorcyclist caught speeding at 152 mph!! Stephen Tull was on a 70mph road in Binsted, Sussex when he was busted for going 152mph. That definitely sounds like a rush and a half, but I’d hate to think what would have happened if he had lost control of that bike!