My daughter-in-law’s father, Mason Stevenson, was recently out riding on a nice, clear, sunny June day in west New Orleans, Louisiana. He was fully protected with a helmet, jacket, gloves and pants, but when an SUV pulled out in front of him at an intersection, there was no avoiding the crash. His motorcycle was buried in the front wheel well of the SUV and even though he was rushed to the hospital, he died several days later of his injuries.

Mason was a friend and a motorcycle collector, had seven bikes of different vintages, including an older BMW R 1200 R that he told me he wished he had bought much earlier, as he loved cruising on it.

This left me wondering what could have been done to avoid this. He was an experienced rider and wore all of the right gear! I spent many hours researching, and it’s my belief that had he worn an airbag system, he might have survived this crash.

I also ask why does this readership and BMW Owners News seemingly ignore airbags as an essential safety device? Why are there no ads for airbag safety systems? MotoGP riders are required to wear them; I presume that all racetracks require them, too.
There’s no question that the additional protection you’ll have if you crash with an airbag is a major

improvement compared to crashing without one. Surely that improvement is worth it. Price-wise, the airbags are only a little more than the cost of the average insurance deductible for a hospital stay, and less than a motorcycle shock absorber! Why would you spend good money on a farkle when you could buy something that can save your life?

Requiescat in pace, Mason.

BMW Owners News does not ignore moto airbag systems and their benefit to riders. We believe any gear created to lessen the effects of a crash to be beneficial. Why airbag systems manufacturers choose not to advertise their products in BMW Owners News is a question we cannot answer. -Editor