Are Celebs Good Bad or Irrelevant to Riding?

[L♥VE]

George Clooney's Harley Crash Begs the Question:
Are Celebs Good, Bad, or Irrelevant to Motorcycling?

http://z.about.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/S/7/-/-/GeorgeClooney.jpg
Last week's accident involving actor George Clooney (http://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSN2145450020070923) has pushed the topic of motorcycling into the news, and mainstream media are abuzz about the misfortune that befell the star of Ocean's 11 and ER (irony only partially intended.)
Clooney was reportedly riding his Harley-Davidson in the right lane when he was clipped by a 1999 Mazda Millenia, and while he claims that the driver attempted to pass him and turn right, the driver asserts that Clooney was attempting to pass him on the right, which is illegal in New Jersey, where the wreck occurred.* The unfortunate incident resulted in a fractured rib and road rash for Clooney, and a broken foot for passenger and girlfriend Sarah Larson. Both were wearing helmets.
Celebrity motorcycle accidents go back to the days of T.E. Lawrence's infamous fatal crash (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._E._Lawrence#Death), and the inevitable helmet debate has been revitalized by everything from actor Gary Busey's life-changing wreck (http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/spotlight/2001-07-05-busey-brain-injury.htm) to athlete Ben Roethlisberger's two-wheeled brush with death (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2480830).
While Clooney's crash will probably go down as a minor footnote to the long list of famous people to fall off a bike, it does-- at least for the moment-- beg several questions: Do celebrities ultimately draw positive attention to the dangers faced by motorcyclists every day? Do they trivialize them because their personalities overshadow the issues themselves? Or, do they simply have no effect on the day-to-day existence of the average motorcycle rider?
Sound off by posting a comment.

[SiC-0]

makes no difference since we all know that they are retarded.

[o2lily]

I still stand by the fact that regardless of who was in the wrong its bringing attn to cagers to watch out for bikes.

[wickles]

Celebs are irrelevant, not just in motorcycling. ;)

[SiC-0]

Celebs are irrelevant, not just in motorcycling. ;)
+1:rtfm:

[neeonazi]

Celebs are irrelevant, not just in motorcycling. ;)

+1

I don't think it harms the sport, or hurts it. I don't think Soccer Mom or Joe Commuter are going to think more or less of me on the road (or be any more or less aware of my existence) just because they just read about some celeb riding/crashing/running out of gas, etc...

[MrNoBody]

What has a celebrity done for you lately....? Not a Damn Thing...!!! For a matter of fact, they're not really entertaining in the movies... so the answer would be Yea-rah they're Irrelevant!


but then that may just be me.

[L♥VE]

I didn't mean for this to be another dumb thread!
I think they are kind of relevant. For one when a celeb wrecks it certainly brings the sport to the limelight. That being said...any one remember Gary Buseys wreck?
No one knows better than Gary Busey that life’s road is often filled with unexpected turns. “I had a nearly fatal motorcycle accident on December, 4, 1988,” says the actor and musician. “And almost no one expected me to recover.”

But Busey was able to work his way through trauma to triumph in order to bring a message of healing and hope to others. “I want people to understand that life is very important. And that if you’re riding a motorcycle, skateboard, or bicycle without a helmet – you’re challenging the face of death.”

Busey adds that riding without a helmet is a gamble everyone is bound to lose, sooner or later. “When the odds finally catch up with you, fate will steal your life, and the hearts of everyone who loves you.”

Busey had just picked up his bike at a repair shop when he slid on a patch of gravel at 40 mph, flipped over the handlebars, and his unprotected head hit the curb. “I landed at the feet of a police officer and was rushed to an emergency room with a hole in my head the size of a half dollar,” says Busey.

Doctors subsequently related that had Busey arrived even three minutes later, he would not have survived. As it was, Busey fell into a coma for over four weeks, while family and friends stood by his side.

If just one person wears a helmet after reading about some celeb then I think the media should cover it!

[itgirl25]

i think the fact that clooney crashed while illegally passing on the right draws more negative attention to motorcycling in general. just another example of squidliness, celebrity or not.

if a celebrity was to be seen out lobbying for motorcylists rights, now that would be a positive influence.

[o2lily]

good or bad it brings attention to bikes.

I'd rather it be GOOD but I think the fact that "the uber dreamy george clooney" was riding a motorcycle at ALL might make people think a lil bit more. Make them a little more aware.

Hell I should get "Angelina Jolie" embroidered on the back of my jacket maybe no one will hit me if they think I AM her hahaha