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chickenhawk · Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:13 am

I've had A LOT of near misses, and I think I didn't go down because of predicting a problem when I didn't realize I was even thinking about it. It all came from the MSF course I took, that SIPDE(scan, identify, predict, decide, execute) rule- it really stuck, and so far so good on being able to avoid stuff. On my hubby's first day out on his permit, we were behind a flatbed and off tumbles a 2x4 board right in front of us! EEK! I went over it and he swerved. We were quite happy with the result.

Mintbread · Sun Jul 03, 2005 1:54 pm

I don't believe that having an accident is inevitable if you ride smart.
I have picked up a lot of bad habits from my job (I am a postman on a CT110) that requires me to ride up to five hours a day delivering mail. I ride along, one hand controlling the bike, reading mail for the next delivery point and my head in the clouds. When I jump on my bike after work I tend to stay in that frame of mind.
I have had several accidents, to which all but one I can blame myself completely. But there are those occasions where no amount of training or attention is going to help.

Mer · #13 Unread post by **Mer** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 9:10 am

Mintbread wrote:I don't believe that having an accident is inevitable if you ride smart.

Well said!! I agree!!

BuzZz · #14 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:43 pm

Have you ever been in an automobile accident?
It's not inevitable, but it is very likely to happen at some piont. Riding smart sure helps your chances though....

#15 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:59 pm

"If you plan to fail, you will succeed"

Likewise, if you plan to go down, you will.

I plan on staying on two wheels, I plan on doing everything I can to see that I follow up on that plan. I also plan to not ride with those that interfer with those above stated plans.

Safety is a mind set, it's a habit that you have to develop. I drive for a living, if I carry my habits of professional driving with me when I ride, I stand a lot better odds of keeping to those plans....

Mintbread · Mon Jul 04, 2005 4:12 pm

BuzZz wrote:Have you ever been in an automobile accident?
It's not inevitable, but it is very likely to happen at some piont. Riding smart sure helps your chances though....

I have been in several car accidents and likewise several bike accidents. I also know riders that have been on bikes for 20 years and have never come off.
I believe that if you ride wisely you greatly reduce the chances of having an accident. I also dress for the crash, not the ride.

harleydave51 · Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:41 am

Sometimes it's just a blink of the eye and some cager who didn't see you drives right into you without directionals or anything. I learned that the hard way.

sportsterideragogo · Sun Nov 13, 2005 4:49 pm

There isn't a doubt in my mind that I'll have another crash someday. But, I love to ride-so it's worth it to me.

Why no doubt? Because the roads are filled with idiots in minivans.

scan · #19 Unread post by **scan** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:39 am

I've set my bike down at low and no speed several times. Every time it was inattention to detail. I can say every mistake had a lesson attached to it and never again have I faced the same mistake twice. Again, these are not moving accidents. Once I was fiddling with the shifter while I was off the bike with it was running - dumb. Another time I was backing the bike up and didn't realize I'd let the kick stand pop back up - dumb. Another I was turning in some muddy sand in a parking lot and used too much front brake - dumb. Next I used too much front brake while turning a corner and lost balance - dumb. Now I never mess with my running bike, I always check my kick stand before I assume it is down, I check the ground carefully before I apply my brakes, and I always make sure I'm able to straighten the bike before a full stop.

Now as far as crashing while moving. It hasn't happened to me yet, and I use as much caution as I can when moving. I can tell you there have been some close calls. One day I'm behind this guy and he turns on his left blinker and slows, as I begin to pass on the right, he turns right. I almost t-boned him. I didn't even have time to brake, only almost hit his bumper. I now wait until I see a turn execution before I move past cars. I almost got hit coming over a hill by someone in my lane, but had been looking ahead enough to see them coming. I think caution is the key word. But you never know what can happen - wear good gear, and be extra careful at dusk and at night. Visual cues can save you butt, but not if your moving too fast to see them around a corner, over a hill, or obscured by darkness. Be aware.

Mon Nov 14, 2005 1:35 pm

I've been down many a time. There was a week that i would go down at least once per ride. I will probably go down again. I'm HOPING that when i get a road bike, that i never go down, but the chance is always there. That's why i always dress for the crash. Can't put your gear on when you're lying in the ground bleeding from the face.