Very sad story.
When approaching stopped traffic, I often pull up alongside the car in front of me, rather than stopping behind it. Actually always if there's room. Sometimes they notice and I get a strange look in the sideview mirror, but usually they don't notice. And I still keep it in gear looking in my mirrors, ready to pull even farther forward.
1) they can't put it in reverse and back into me (almost happened several times) 2) no motorcycle sandwich
Bad accident
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J.R. Bob Dobbs
- Elite
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:56 pm
- Sex: Male
- Location: Ducktown GA
I love to ride, but I must admit that when I hear about someone who is injured or killed while having done nothing wrong on a bike it rattles me. I learned the other day that a guy who worked where I used to was killed in a bike accident over the 4th of July holiday. I don't know any of the accident details but I do know that the rider had lots of experience. Of course, a point made in another thread is true; lots of experience does not necessarily translate to lots of skill.
I read an article in the last few weeks that compared the rate of serious bike accidents per miles ridden in the U.S. with the same information from other developed countries. I really don't remember the numbers or the specific countries cited, but there was one undeniable fact that surfaced; the countries that imposed the harshest penalties on those who caused the accident were the countries with the lowest rates of accidents per bike miles ridden. One of the conclusions presented by the article author was that in the U.S. drivers of cars and trucks who are at fault in accidents with motorcycles seldom face heavy fines or significant jail terms. Most accidents are judged as being unfortunate and possibly avoidable, but it is accepted that such is the risk of the road.
I don't know what the answer is but I do beleive that a high percentage of accidents involving bikes are the result of the bike not being seen or not being acknowledged by other drivers. When I lived in Tucson the rate of bike accidents was much lower than it is in central Ohio. I'm sure that much of that is the result of bikes being on the road year round. Other drivers become more aware that bike traffic is out there. The rate of accidents invovling bikes seemed to rise about the time that the winter visitors arrived. Mostly older drivers from cold climates where bikes are a seasonal oddity. In a perfect world there would be certain city streets reserved for motorcycle and bicycle traffic and closed to other vehicles. Of course that will never happen, but I can dream.
JR
I read an article in the last few weeks that compared the rate of serious bike accidents per miles ridden in the U.S. with the same information from other developed countries. I really don't remember the numbers or the specific countries cited, but there was one undeniable fact that surfaced; the countries that imposed the harshest penalties on those who caused the accident were the countries with the lowest rates of accidents per bike miles ridden. One of the conclusions presented by the article author was that in the U.S. drivers of cars and trucks who are at fault in accidents with motorcycles seldom face heavy fines or significant jail terms. Most accidents are judged as being unfortunate and possibly avoidable, but it is accepted that such is the risk of the road.
I don't know what the answer is but I do beleive that a high percentage of accidents involving bikes are the result of the bike not being seen or not being acknowledged by other drivers. When I lived in Tucson the rate of bike accidents was much lower than it is in central Ohio. I'm sure that much of that is the result of bikes being on the road year round. Other drivers become more aware that bike traffic is out there. The rate of accidents invovling bikes seemed to rise about the time that the winter visitors arrived. Mostly older drivers from cold climates where bikes are a seasonal oddity. In a perfect world there would be certain city streets reserved for motorcycle and bicycle traffic and closed to other vehicles. Of course that will never happen, but I can dream.
JR