QuoteRiding is dangerous. Period. Along with "planning for early death" we should do our absolute best to reduce the chances of it happening. That means reading, practicing, never taking the ride for granted, maintaining the bike, etc. I think too many of us hear stories about the demon SUV, use the info to justify our increasing contempt for cagers, and stop there. What we SHOULD do is skip the useless value judgement and let the information motivate us -- to hone our accident prevention strategies, practice for the (almost) inevitable "incident", and look for ways to constantly improve. Isn't that what we're expecting of the SUV driver, even though they might have plenty of reasons to hold "us" in contempt -- what with wild street antics, loud pipes and so on?

I don't have anything especially impactful to add, I just thought that part of Kerry's comment really deserved a repeat.

C

Many folks purchase SUVs or large cars because they feel "safer" in them.  In fact, compared to riding on 2 wheels, they are much better protected (safer).
 I just got back from a 40 mile ride.  I paid attention to my mental condition during the ride.  On 4 lane limited access Speed Limit 55 roads, I was monitoring the traffic around me closely.  Whe the SL dropped to 45 and traffic lights came every half mile, my "personal space" extended to the first 2 cars stopped at every intersection I passed through.
 When I got to the 4-6 lanes each way area, my threat warning radar was on maximum.  I remenber crossing 4 lanes of traffic in my Maxima to make the same turn that I was lining up for.  I came from a different direction when I was in the car, but I remember what happened.
 When I was in the car, I was working hard to see all around to make the lane change with out making anyone hit their brakes because of me.   My neck hurt from the scanning.  (I aim my side view mirrors into the spot beside my car, not the same spot that my inside mirror points to.  Do you?)


 We, because we also ride, have a hightened awareness of the traffic around us.  If you drive your 4 wheel vehicle with the same awareness that you have when you're on your bike, you are the safest person in the road.  But look around you in traffic.  You will see moms trying to quell a sibling dispute in the back seat and not miss their turn.  The Exec tryign to close the next deal on his cell phone going over notes from his last pricing meeting.  The software engineer (sorry Kerry) looking at the traffic light, but thinking about the bug that he's trying to beat into submission.  The carload of imigrants thinking about getting gas and beer at the 'stop and rob' 2 lanes over that has gas for 1 cent less than the next three places up the road.
 I could go on, but you probably get the picture by now and I apoligise to everyone that I've shown disrespect to.  Every one of these people have much more important things on their mind than looking for the hard to see motorcycle one car back in the next lane over.  
 They will run over you!  The fact that you were in the right doesn't matter in the least when youy're a quadriplegic or dead.
 3 years down the road your survivors will get a boat load of money, maybe, after they've lost YOUR house to keep the lawsuit alive.

 The point (thanks Kerry, you got it) is that being right will NOT keep you alive or healthy.  Winning in court is good for your heirs, but won't restore your life or health.  There's no "reset" button in this game.

 I'm ramblin about something that is *very* important to me.  If you tangle with a 4 wheel vehicle, you loose.  Pure and simple.  Being right dosen't make a damn bit of difference if you are preminantly injured or dead.  
 Is that sinking in???  If you're injured a court judgement isn't going to restore you to health.

 I *always* have to be at the top of my game if I'm going out on 2 wheels (motor or not).  I *always* assume that I are invisible.  If I always assume that no-one can see me and act accordingly,  I have a chance of staying alive and unharmed.

 Some get home safe, some don't.Good luck  Stay safe.

We, as motorcyclists, have to compensate for others lack of attention.

Standards are self-imposed restrictions. That's why the law is so often broken; even by the 'law abiding citizen'. It is up to us to decide what our own acceptable standards are to us. Realize that others may not have the same standards. These are the people we have to compensate for. Else, we die. And, I don't want to die. I will fight the good fight. Everyday. Ride on. Ride safe.

I have a couple more data points to add....

I mentioned my dad's wreck a few weeks ago.  Today I received the September issue of my mom's monthly "Letter From Home" with more info:



I still haven't had a chance to talk with him about the accident, so I don't know whether he's kicking himself for not paying attention, or laying all the blame on the pickup or what.  If it's appropriate to print   I'll let you know once I find out.

====================================

Meanwhile, this evening I opened up the November issue of Rider magazine.  I usually learn something from Lawrence Grodsky's "Stayin' Safe" column.  And what do I find right there on page 20?



Barn?  Cornfield?  He was writing about riding in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest.  But the principle obviously applies in town, too.  Just ask my Dad....

There is no doubt that motorcylcing is risky and although we can reduce the odds of getting hurt,  we can't eliminate the risk.

Drive defensively when in traffic, wear your safety gear, keep your bike maintained, take MSF refresher courses.  If you really concentrate on avoiding the next crash, you've got a much batter chance of actually doing it.

As James Dickey (literature professor and author of "Deliverance" ) once said:  When life gets boring, risk it.

When I ride in traffic, I know there will be cages doing all sorts of nasty things, and I consider it a challenge to anticipate and avoid their mindless manuevers.  I can tell from the way they drive whether they are on their damn cell phone, putting on their makeup, yelling at their kids in the backseat, reading the paper, or not paying attention for whatever reason.

It's not just that they didn't see the motorcycle, it's that they weren't paying attention to their driving or the traffic.  They are the enemy and we must be ever vigilant,

I'm apologizing for the 3 posts... guess I pressed submit too many times.... hmm...

Sorry

Quote from: DataDimeI look down the lane, approx 2 cars down, a green van with tinted windows has left a car length of space. I navigate my way between then 2 lengths of cars and park myself into the large empty space. Shoulder check and wave a thank you to the van driver who did not respond at all. Ok, I thought... probably upset that.

Now I know what some of you may be thinking. That I deserved this confrontation, that it put some sense and respect for the rules of the road back in my head, that lines on the road aren't a suggestion. Well then you're right! I did get a reality check, I understand how some people just love to enforce rules on others rather than take situations with a grain of salt and move on.

What I don't agree with is the van driver putting my life at risk over her selfishness regarding "HER" lane and "HER" space being compromised.

What you did is, according to my standards, would be O.K. She left enough space for you to get in. While she might have been compensating for a multiple vehicle accident by leaving that large space in front of her, you did nothing against the law. So, no, you did not deserve this, but it is good that you understand what may piss some people off. This even includes a freindly wave that may be interpreted as, "Thank you, Sucker", instead of just, "Thank you".

I have been warned of waving after passing somebody that it may be interpreted as, "See ya! (I'm a squid/racer, you're slow, see ya at the finish line!)".

Kerry, I hope your dad is allright and I hope he feels better.

I'm glad things worked out as well as they did for you.  

Quote from: DataDimeI'm apologizing for the 3 posts... guess I pressed submit too many times.... hmm...

Sorry

PS - You CAN delete your own posts.  I took care of it for you this time.  :mrgreen:

Kerry, sorry to hear about your dad, hope he and his bike turn out ok. (plus I hope I love YOU let's him back on it...)

I'd also like to apologise for ranting (twice) in this topic when the sentiment of the topic wasn't really appropriate, it was supposed to be just a fellow member giving friendly advise to us to slow down and watch out for ourselves.  I just got flared up, because I have had some unusually frequent encounters with negligent and /or malicious drivers lately. Sorry about that, I know I can't change the world by 'preaching to the choir'.