Close call again

[tomb raider]

I don't know what's going on  but I had another close one yesterday and I was on a back main road, 25 MPH area. Taking in the nice day slowly on my way home. Some Gal, chick, Lady or ?  didn't see me then seen me and slams on the brakes after bolting from a stop sign. I ride with Nion green helmet, high beem on all the time and a yellow jacket... She waves, I was nice and did the same.

I don't know, I've had a hand full of this in 2 weeks of part time riding already this year, 2 close ones earlier this year, and Bamby and Hangster's bad luck.   I'm getting the feeling I should re think this bike gig. I love riding, Love IT.... 

[leftfield6]

Something is in the air for sure.  I witnessed a close call on my way to work today.  I'm driving my Element, but a couple of lanes over there is an older gentleman on a BMW GS.  He's wearing a dayglo yellow vest over his full gear, with a white helmet.  VERY VISIBLE.  And still I see him have to execute an emergency swerve to avoid some A-hole in a Dodge Ram who aggressively swerved into the bike's lane because he thought he saw the magic opening that was going to make his commute much easier.

Good thing the GS rider had somewhere to go, or he would have been the meat in a metal sandwich.

I may be bikeless for the moment, but I still feel a kinship with the riders I see out there.  Be safe everyone.

[JordanA]

Hey, the world is going to end in 2012 anyway!

Seriously, though... just be careful.  Imagine if you had no been wiring a hi-vis helmet or jacket... I swear my jacket has saved me from more than one accident.  You see people start moving and then slam on the brakes as they notice the bright colors.

Shoot, the guys (and gal) from the rally can attest to the brightness of my jacket.

[LOKi]

Help them out by swerving back and forth in your lane ANY time you see a car that could possibly enter or cross your line of travel. I know I repeat this a lot but it works and the more people that do it the less people that will be taken out by the cager that "doesn't see them".

[tomb raider]

I do that Loki, and blast the horn...   The other day some lady come screaming up on me at a light while I was stopped. I was bout to jet out of the way and she woke up... CELL PHONE AGAIN.... I strobe the brake light to..

[coffee_brake]

We lost three riders in my very town this weekend. A newbie on her Sportster (a mature doctor at our hospital) lost control in a curve.
An experienced rider in one of the local 1% clubs hit an animal (no gear is likely) and of course died. The third was attempting a swerve on a sportbike and lost control. This was a military member.
Another fatality was a homeless man who was hit and killed, the rider tried to swerve and failed, crashing his bike into the bike next to him. Both riders are OK, though. Hard to live with that, I imagine...
The fourth was my experienced riding buddy Gary, he and his girlfriend rear-ended a truck at enough speed that he ended up hitting the truck bed chest-first and she got tossed way off to the side. They were in minimal gear and the big Harley is totaled. They are OK, just very bruised. I bet they think about buying full-face helmets now...

The rest of us are keeping our heads up and our eyes even more wide open than usual....I'm covering the levers all the time now.

[OhCrap]

Things like this happen pretty much every day when I'm out on the bike. Even when I'm certain me and the other party have made eye-contact sometimes. I just assume everyone is out there to kill me and don't trust anyone but myself on the road, just seems the safest way to make it back home again.

It's a lot better in Germany or France though, seems like the people there are more used or more aware about bikes and bikers. Not sure if they're just taught to look/drive like that or that the people there are just a little less self centered then the dutch, but we could certainly learn a thing or two from them here.

[tomb raider]

Well this weekend I'm camping, no biking. Think about this Great Country and the People that have and are fighting for Her,HoooWa..

[JB1290]

TR, glad you didn't have an accident like Hangster or BAMBY. Situations like that make you wonder if riding a motorcycle is really worth it but, sometimes taking a break from riding is all you need to clear your head. Let's face it, most non riding car drivers don't look for us or just don't care whether we live or die. I personally ride as defensively as I can. I always have both breaks covered and start slowing down when I see a car sitting at a side street waiting to pull out onto the lane I am riding in. Especially if the moron is on their cell phone. It may not save me from getting hit 100% of the time but, I figure my chances have been increased ten fold from getting run down. Sometimes, there is just nothing you can do and you just have to leave it up to fate.

Ride safe, Bro.

[jerjohn]

cell phone signal disrupters need to be installed in all cars...I hate the cell phone culture

[JB1290]

cell phone signal disrupters need to be installed in all cars...I hate the cell phone culture

I agree. There is no reason anyone should be yapping on their cell phones while driving. I love having my smart phone but, I refuse to use it while driving.

[gammer]

cell phone signal disrupters need to be installed in all cars...I hate the cell phone culture

I agree. There is no reason anyone should be yapping on their cell phones while driving. I love having my smart phone but, I refuse to use it while driving.

We now have a law in Ontario that makes it illegal to use any cell phone (or electronic device) while driving. Unless you are using it with a hands free device. The fine is very hefty.

But you would be amazed at how many people still use their cell phones, regardless of the law. Drives me nuts and they get dirty looks when they do it.

Like OC said, treat everyone else on the road like they are going to kill you. Speed kills...so take it easy when there is traffic and save yourself to opening up the throttle when you have time and space and it is safe to do so.

And even with wearing full gear and practicing the safest riding possible, doesn't guarantee that you wont get hurt or killed.

[kwagoner82]

I have to use my cell all the time for work, even when i am driving just because there isn't enough time in the day. I do repair work and spend a lot of time speaking with customers and various tech support companies. Simple answer there, just by a damn blue tooth. We installed one inside my van right in the radio. You can talk, turn your head to look at traffic and still keep both hands on the damn wheel.

[coffee_brake]

I have to use my cell all the time for work, even when i am driving just because there isn't enough time in the day. I do repair work and spend a lot of time speaking with customers and various tech support companies. Simple answer there, just by a damn blue tooth. We installed one inside my van right in the radio. You can talk, turn your head to look at traffic and still keep both hands on the damn wheel.

+1
Still, I have to hang up in heavy traffic. I can't think about any important conversation and don't want any un-important conversation. HOKS is the same, I can't even talk to him from the passenger side in traffic, he makes mistakes.

That said, I haven't driven a four-wheel vehicle regularly in three years, and when I do drive HOKS's truck, it takes as much concentration as it would to ride a bike, if I hadn't ridden in two weeks or more.

[drdubb]

Hey, the world is going to end in 2012 anyway!

Actually it was postponed to October.

[LOKi]

Hey, the world is going to end in 2012 anyway!

Actually it was postponed to October.

No that was a different end of the world prediction. That was the christian rapture they where talking about recently. That one was postponed to October but the judgement on that was last weekend. Sounds like going to heaven is sorta like going to the DMV. 

[JordanA]

Hey, the world is going to end in 2012 anyway!

Actually it was postponed to October.

What Loki said.  I'm referring to the Maya prophecy claiming the world will end on December 21, 2012.

[tomb raider]

Looks like just a Xmas tree then with nothing under it