Posted on 07/15/2007 7:30:18 AM PDT by BraveMan
There have been 5 riders killed locally that were all at least friends of friends.
Only one was hot dogging but it was still a left turning cager who killed her.
I ride about 2000 miles a month, half of that commuting. I have to stay vigilant because cagers attitudes vary from apathetic to hostile.
But we all make our choices and have to realize we assume some risks.
But I refuse to blame the victim.
I agree that car drivers are a big part of the problem.
The “blue-haired old lady in a Buick” is not just a silly stereotype, but a deadly menace on the road. There are others, of course (cell phone users come to mind).
BINGO! I ride extremely fast sport bikes and always break with one finger. I do that puposely to avoid a full squeeze when surprised and having the front wheel go out. Now of course you can't use this technique on a Harley, where one finger will do nothing...
So do 18 wheelers have to pack a keg? :)
One of the recent local bike fatalities was a guy in a pickup who turned left in front of the cyclist.
The reports indicated that the helmet made no difference.
Many times we read that the biker wasn’t wearing a helmet but many times it wouldn’t have made a difference anyway. But the stats don’t usually account for that. It just goes down as another biker died because he wasn’t wearing a helmet.
Not another biker killed because of a careless driver.
I ALWAYS assume they will do something stupid and am thinking defensively to the max.
A coworker was hit by one of those. He was at a stop light. She was turning left and clipped his front tire. He was out of work for months. She reportedly said, "I didn't see him".
Cellphone yackers are a hazard to everyone.
Damned if I don’t turn into Evel Knevel when I drink and ride! Lane splitting at midnight...yikes!
That’s why I don’t do it anymore.
Or do it much :>
2x2 works for me.
No keg, ‘cause they might have to pee in a bottle at the next weigh station, lose their job and/or get locked up!
Commercial driving is a whole other ballgame.
Depends on which finger.
There’s always the Indian Larry Rider Safety Course Graduates to watch out for also. :-)
I might paraphrase that somewhat but am with you in spirit/intent. Proud to say I grew up with them and have, like many in my age bunch, been riding accident-free for over 50 years. The secret is assuming you're invisible to all, keeping your bike well-maintained and never outdrive your headlights, eyesight or skill. Also, don't drink and drive.
Idaho is a good place to be if you need a kidney transplant. You see, there is no helmet law here and there are lots of people riding donorcycles without one. Only have to wait a year for a nice, fresh kidney since its former owner wrecked his bike.
I work in emergency medicine. If everyone rode donorcycles it would be a fair fight on the roads. Not everyone does, however, and I refuse to get into a road fight with something larger, helmet or not. Even riders who wear helmets suffer some of the most gruesome injuries imaginable.
The human body will suffer injury when it impacts anything at greater than 3mph. Greater velocity = greater injury. Think about that.
I work on a military base that requires ‘light or bright colors and/or reflective material’ to ride on base.
I like to commute in a bright yellow long sleeve shirt and during the dark winter months I wear an ANSI approved reflective vest.
There’s reflective tape on my helmet and I’m toying with the idea of mast mounted strobes for the pre-dawn and post sunset commutes.
No, I haven’t considered NOT riding...LOL.
Rest In Peace Indian Larry
NO ONE ever intends to crash or get hurt thus the term “accident” of course but IMHO inexperience is key.......know what can and will happen if you push the press to test button on ANYTHING including an old strata blue 1998 Harley Fat Boy !
Never rely on others to follow the rules of the road, posted stop /yield signs etc ......... and look at everything as the potential hazard it is.
I wear leathers, gloves, helmet etc when I get time to ride but that is my choice. I experienced road rash at an early age and learned what it is and in my older age I am a safety poster boy due the simple fact I don’t heal up as fast as I used too !
I peeked at Exiles (Russell’s) new Trike the other day 60K with paint and 45k without paint. Think I’m gonna save 15k and get 20$ worth of Krylon Black and finish my life riding on 3 wheels just like I did as a two year old on my old tricycle......:o)
I always get a kick out of mototcycle cops handing out no-seatbelt tickets.
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