Motorcyclists - Take Precautions, There Are Some Mad Bad Drivers Out There

[Canary42]

This motor cyclist undoubtedly owes his life to protective gear (inflating outfit - something I wasn't even aware existed). IMO the car driver should be banned for life - just saying.

[Warning: possibly distressing pictures] https://uk.yahoo.com/news/horror-crash-motorcyclist-hit-by-car-wrong-side-of-the-road-081604613.html

[ToraToraTora]

we do!

[douglas9401]

Motorcyclists have always known that everybody else on the road is a potential killer and most tend to ride with that uppermost in their minds.

[ToraToraTora]

the roads would be a lot safer if everyone had to pass a bike test and ride a bike before ever getting into a jam jar.

[bhg481]

I'm not sure that's true, TTT. I think most drivers have ridden a push bike but it doesn't stop them driving like prats in the presence of cyclists.

[Chipchopper]

Horrific!.
You have to drive like there could be an idiot around every corner!

[Bazile]

I see idiot drivers almost on a daily basis

[ToraToraTora]

push bike is no comparison bhg

[bhg481]

I think it is a fair comparison in that the main cause of car v bike accidents is the car either not seeing or ignoring the bike and this is true of motor and push bikes.

[ToraToraTora]

not it's not a fair comparison. Have you ever been a motorcyclist bhg?

[bhg481]

Yes, only a scooter to be fair, but it would do over 50mph. In the few years I rode it I had 2 people try to knock me off and one succeeded. In all cases they clearly hadn't seen me.

[ToraToraTora]

yes, we all should ride as if we are invisible.

[bhg481]

Incidentallt, TTT, you told us you had an accident on your bike a little while ago. Would you be happy to tell us the cause?

[ToraToraTora]

yes, I was in traffic on a motorway, near a popular junction, going approx 30mph, cars were switching lanes a lot and one dove into the space in front of the car I was behind, he slammed the anchors on and I hit him up the jacksie. Momentary lapse of concentration, my fault.

[bhg481]

Yes, there are some situations where you can think you can see far enough ahead for there to be no risk of an accident and then someone throws a spanner in the works.

[ToraToraTora]

yeah, I've been riding since I was 14 and rarely have I crashed, on the road, but every now and again, wallop! Plod did say there was a case for due care and if I'm honest I agree. They let me do a "ride" course which was basically a day in classroom with a load of other bikers! My gear saved me, here is my lid: https://ibb.co/Mf9xkjZ

[bhg481]

The important thing, as you well know, is to learn from the experience. I've had a few near misses, which I learnt from as well as one accident. After assuming the person in front of me at a roundabout had plenty of time to go, I now wait until I see the person in front of me moving off before I assume it's safe to go.