[dhgeyer]

Well, I think maybe we can draw a line under this, as I'm not sure we're all that far apart. I agree, and have said (actually in this thread) that there is increased risk to riding in rain, excess heat, cold, etc. I've also said that, if you are properly equipped and have some experience, the added risk is not huge, and I think that the best information we have bears that out. To put it in perspective, look at the Hurt Report findings and see all the other factors that increase risk by a lot more than 2%, and a lot of people here accept those increased risks because they feel it is worth the increased enjoyment, comfort, thrills, etc.

In the end, it comes down to how much risk you are willing to accept in order to do something you enjoy doing in the way you enjoy doing it.

In answer to your question, the Hurt Report is fairly ancient. The data came from several thousand accidents that occurred in the Los Angeles area in the late 70's. I would never claim that the Hurt Report (named for its lead researcher, Harry Hurt) is perfect by any means. It is flawed, not only by being pretty out of date, but also by the fact that most (although not all) of the data came from an urban area. Some of the accidents did happen in the outlying communities, so it wasn't 100% urban. Still, I suspect the low percentage of animal strikes, for example, would not reflect rural New Hampshire.

Still, the Hurt Report remains the largest, most comprehensive, and most thorough piece of research done on the subject in this country to date, and most authorities rely on it primarily. There is another study under way right now which, when completed will no doubt supplant The Hurt Report. The new study is funded from several sources, only one of which is the government. It is years from completion, and it will be very interesting to see what conclusions are different, and what remains the same.