Matthew P. Gilbert is in stable condition after a motorcycle accident severed his right leg late Tuesday night, a family member said.
According to police reports, Gilbert, 316 W. 10th St., was landing a wheelie at an "unsafe speed" when his bike shook violently and hit a concrete light pole. The accident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on McGalliard Road, just west of Winston Drive.
Gilbert is in the Adult Critical Care area at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. The family member said that Gilbert has been sedated for quite some time.
Bikers continued riding Wednesday night, but the mood was slightly different, sophomore Chad Fry said.
"It's just not as lively," Fry said.
Fry said the accident is in the minds of all the regulars who ride, but the mind sets of the bikers won't change significantly.
"(The accident) will make me be a little more careful," Fry said. "I'll still bring it up and pull a wheelie."
Fry is one of 15 to 20 bikers who meet and ride on a regular basis. Fry said he knew who Gilbert was, but he did not know Gilbert personally. Fry said he had thought about the accident all day, but it wouldn't stop him from riding.
"It's too bad that that happened," Fry said, "but it's not going to stop me from riding."
One rider, who asked not to be identified, said that the warm-weather riders only have six months to enjoy their hobby, so they must endure.
"I didn't feel like riding today," the biker said, "but it's nice out. You have to take advantage of the weather."
The accident also brings up the issue of police supervision. City council candidate and former Ball State student government president Tommy Rector told the Student Senate Wednesday that some new guidelines might be set for bikers.
The anonymous rider said he thinks the bikers will be watched more closely by police.
"Every rider has his limits," Fry said. "You have to know them."
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