According to the Huffington Post, a study sponsored by the Governors Highway Safety Association, reports that there was a 16% decrease in motorcycle fatalities during the first nine months of 2009. Many believe that this trend is due to the poor economy, as motorcyclists are not hitting the road for recreational purposes. Jane Hedlund, a former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration official, believes that motorcyclists across the country are trying to save money by only using their motorcycles for transportation and not for recreation. In addition to the poor economy, other possibilities for the decline include better state safety programs, older motorcyclists and an increased awareness of motorcycles on the roadway. I am very happy about this trend as working for Motorcycle Accident Lawyers, I hear of these motorcycle fatalities all the time and it is heart breaking.
Unfortunately, while the poor economy may be saving California motorcyclists’ lives, it is not saving the California motorcycle industry. According to the Marin Independent Journal, on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, Golden Gate Harley-Davidson closed its famed Corte Madera store in Marin County.
How famed was the Marin County Harley Davidson? The Corte Madera Harley-Davidson motorcycle shop drew Harley enthusiasts from all over the world. In fact, according to the Marin Independent Journal, the “15,000 square-foot outlet had access to one of the largest inventories of new motorcycles in Northern California”.
Unfortunately this is not the only Harley-Davidson motorcycle shop to close in the San Francisco Bay Area. In fact, it is the second one that has been closed in the last year. Last fall, Harley-Davidson was forced to close its Novato, California motorcycle store due to the poor economy. According to Jon Magana, the sales manager at the Corte Madera Harley-Davidson shop, the tough economy, has forced Harley-Davidson into closing many of their dealerships due to low sales.
While there may one day be another Harley-Davidson motorcycle store in Marin County, for now—there is none. Unfortunately, San Francisco Bay Area motorcyclists who want to buy Harley-Davidson motorcycles, parts or accessories will need to travel to Cotati in order to do so.
There are many great events happening in the San Francisco area for motorcyclists. Support Local Riders is having a bike night on the second Wednesday of each month at the Harley Davidson San Jose . From 6 to 9 PM and there will be food, vendors and of course motorcycles.
8th Annual Big Bear Choppers Ride the Mountain 06/19/2010 – 06/19/2010: 8th Annual Big Bear Choppers Ride the Mountain. Big Bear Lake. Info: 909 – 878 – 4340;
San Francisco Motorcycle and Car Swap Meet Candlestick Park San Francisco CA – June 13
You can always come by and see us and the BAM booth at Alice’s Restaurant in Woodside, CA. It is one beautiful ride from San Jose, Morgan HIll, Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, Palo Alto and Redwood City. See you there!
