That same article made the local papers. Don't know what to make of the stats. I can see their points in that I do agree that a lot of riders (such as myself) are on their second go-around with bikes. I was out of the saddle for almost 30 (gulp) years, but because of that, I took the MSF course and am much more cautious now than I was then. I also have skills (thanks, MSF) that I didn't know were important back then.
My MSF instructor told our class that the far and away most at-risk age group was 18-25, with returning, older riders second. Maybe things have changed in the last two years.
I think it was at the Myrtle Beach rally last year that ten riders were killed in ten days, setting a notorious record of sorts. It wouldn't surprise me if most or all of those were older, that is 30 and up, as it seems that most of the major rally (Sturgis, Daytona, Laconia, Hollister, Myrtle Beach) attendees aren't exactly twenty year-olds and there always seems to be a death toll associated with each of those events.
Anyway, I would hope that each rider, regardless of age, would do all in their power to ride safe, thereby preserving themselves and the reputation of the sport as well.
Of course, there's always those bullet bike types....don't get me started, and they aren't "older" riders.