I was in the hospital last year, and my roommate was a motorcyclist. He was in for diabetes, but he went on and on about his experiences on the bike (I had indicated I was interested in riding). He told me that his worst accidents happened when he was riding slowly on the country roads, not when he was going hell bent for leather. This was mentioned because I suggested that most accidents happened because guys were on bikes too powerful for them to safely handle, and that I was interested in getting a small, lower powered one and riding it relatively conservatively. Any of you riders think there is something to his, or my story/idea? I am an avid cyclist with 35 years of accident free riding, and wanting the motorized ride, primarily for convenience and some fun.
Good luck with motorbikes, I hope you try it. It is the best part of my day sometimes, commuting to work even in Toronto traffic.
Most bike accidents happen due to rider error in my opinion (background - ridden almost everything two-wheeled since 14yo - bikes, dirt bikes, motorbikes, never had a major accident)
Multi-vehicle accidents are probably the most devastating due to speeds involved
- collisions on highway are fast, and often involve lane-changes from motorists that don't see us in blind spots, or when a reckless biker is moving a high velocity and drivers cannot anticipate what we are doing
- I think most of these could be avoided by riding at similar speeds as cars (not much faster or slower, but moving so they see you) and being smart
- watch cars that are going to change lanes, imagine what the car in front is going to do as they approach a merge or slow traffic, they are going to cut in front of you...
- I sometimes blip my throttle - which is loud - to get driver's attention and to say "hi" or sometimes "get the fuck out of my way and don't kill me"
- Head on collisions and t-bones are harder. Most often on the streets with slightly lower speeds, and often not avoidable, but can be mitigated. If on the highway or country road velocity, you as a rider are pretty much dead meat
- riders learn to watch for driveways, blind corners, oncoming traffic turning left (i wiggle my handlebars so the lights get their attention)
- be very careful in traffic esp when cars try to turn and weave thru traffic.
- I don't have all the right answers but... so far so good
Single vehicle accidents should never happen
- don't ride beyond your limit - speed and corners are tough, learn how to brake and manage your lean angle correctly for conditions
- don't show off, always know your abilities, especially with other riders around
- know your weather, how to deal with snow, cold fingers and wind are tough, watch for gravel on those country roads, watch for speed limits to tell you suggested safe speeds and about hazards
- wear good protective gear - leather is much better than mesh/textile and use armour - and yes, full sized helmets are safer
- maintain your bike - check your tires, pressure, chain condition
Nobody is perfect, but this is a good start. I only write this b/c I'm passionate about riding and I hope other people try it. If more people ride - look at countries in Asia and Europe - awareness improves and everyone is better off.
(Plus with gas being $1.30 per litre it just makes sense!)
