Electric motorcycle pioneer Matt Dieckmann dies in traffic accident

Yesterday Matthew Dieckmann, 29, of Santa Rosa California died in a motorcycle accident. Matt was an entrepreneur in the electric motorcycle field, being the owner of ElectricRaceBikes.com, a small business selling parts for high performance electric motorcycles, and the owner of the Electric Race Bikes team. The Electric Race Bikes team, consisting of Matt and professional rider Mike Hannas, raced this year in the TTXGP and e-Power electric motorcycle races. History was made and new territory was pioneered due to their efforts.

Dieckmann was riding a newly built electric motorcycle at 10:30 AM near the Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa when a Prius driven by Gilbert Dorame, 71, of Santa Rosa, made a left turn into his path. Dieckmann is estimated to have been traveling 30-35 miles per hour. He died on the scene from his injuries.

He was a well rounded young man into motorcycle racing, Aikido, roller blading, skate boarding, and was a trained massage therapist. His interest in electric motorcycles began last year when a friend introduced him to electric bicycles.

With his gas bike racing background he quickly moved on to building electric motorcycles. His father, a sheet metal worker, helped him build his first electric motorcycle. He jumped in with both feet, setting up a business to sell electric motorcycle parts, flying to India to negotiate a deal with Agni Motors to import their electric motors, and building a race bike after the design Team Agni used to win the 2009 TTXGP on the Isle of Man.

The race bike was built using a 2002 Yamaha TZ250 chassis and had twin motors mounted shaft-to-shaft. Its first time out was the TTXGP race at Infineon in May, and they took third place. He and Mike Hannas raced at all four of the North America TTXGP races, and the July e-Power race at Laguna Seca. By the TTXGP race two weeks ago in Virginia, he was planning out a better bike for next years racing season. The motorcycle he was riding at the time of the accident was the prototype for a lighter racing motorcycle, built with a 125cc frame and with a carbon-fiber rear end.

Dieckmann was a big part of the tight knit group making up the TTXGP race teams. Everybody worked very closely with each other, and Matt was always in the middle of it giving and receiving help and advice. The strongest memory of him is his head buried in the motorcycle, tweaking something. Everybody involved with the TTXGP was touched by Matt’s friendly nature and passion.

“His bikes were among the best and he had so much potential for greatness,” said Zoe Rem, rider for Team Agni.

“Matt quietly worked away at each race, and was always competitive. He certainly made a huge contribution to the first year of Electric Grand Prix racing,” said Brian Richardson, owner of Team Electra.

Mike Hannas, rider for Electric Race Bikes, said “Matt was one of those really special people that you only get the chance to meet a few of in your lifetime if you are lucky...so bright, so much passion, and so much promise.”

John Wild of Square Wave Racing said “Every week Matt would be feverishly working on his bike and I would think that maybe this time we’d beat him. No matter what was wrong with his bike, on Sunday he and Hannas would be far in front of us. Matt worked hard for his results. It was a pleasure to have met him.”

A statement issued by the TTXGP said “He was a truly inspiring figure and popular in the paddock and with so much promise. Always offering support or a friendly hand, Matt touched all who met him with an infectious laugh and a glowing smile. He will be sorely missed and our hearts and condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues.”

He is survived by his father, Steven Michael Dieckmann, step-mother Denise Dieckmann, grandmother Betty Hiebel, and two siblings.

Dude, RIP.

See also:

Lightning strikes at VIR to win the TTXGP North America 2010 electric motorcycle racing  championship

Lightning almost strikes at Laguna Seca e-Power electric motorcycle race, instead MotoCzysz sizzles

Lightning strikes in Canada with Lightning Motors win at 3rd TTXGP race

Lightning strikes second round of TTXGP 2010 with Lightning Motors win

Zero/Agni wins at Infineon after battle royale with Lightning Motors

References:

Electric motorcycle designer dies in crash

Fatal Accident Report, Santa Rosa Police, 8/31/2010

SPECIAL NOTICE: Matthew Dieckmann

If Yamaha Went Electric, It Would Look Like This