WEST BATH, Maine — Some Maine motorcyclists are saying goodbye to the bike after a deadly crash in New Hampshire killed seven riders and injured two more.
West Bath resident Rodney Toothaker posted on Facebook Sunday night: "After an afternoon on the Harley with my wife and not 1 but 3 close calls I think it’s time to say goodbye to the bike, my wife is worth to much to me to have her gone because of people not paying attention. I’m just not comfortable anymore. Please don’t judge , to all my friends that ride please be safe and be extra cautious"
Friends of Toothaker commented on his post.
"Gotta say I am debating puttin mine up...so many people on their damn phones!" wrote Sue Benoit-Anderson.
"I absolutely agree! One of the reasons I don’t miss riding whatsoever," wrote Tasha Morrissette.
"This is the exact reason why we don't have a bike anymore!" wrote Jessica Ross Allard.
"I never had to fear going out on my bike, but with my wife on the back, it's concerning," said Toothaker. "If something happened, I don't know what I would do."
Toothaker has been riding for 25 years, and got the bike as a wedding gift in 2017. He said he rides less than 25 miles on a typical trip: usually out to get ice cream or a short cruise. His friends are trying to convince him to keep it, but he said he feels uncomfortable, mostly due to other drivers not paying attention, using their phones, or cutting him off.
"My life and my family is more important than getting on this thing and risking my life every time I'm on it," said Toothaker. "Pay attention, because it's not going to be you. You've got to look out for everyone else."
On Saturday, L-A Harley-Davidson's manager, John Story said deadly crashes like these can hurt the motorcycle business.
"I'm sure some people see this and say, 'well, maybe I've had enough,'" said Story.
Story pleaded with the public to take a second look for motorcyclists.
"It's horrible. It's a horrific situation," said Story. "There's seven families now that lost a loved one."