Brings it home......

[Deleted member 11979]

Driving home tonight along a twisty and quite slow A road which goes from wide enough for 2 lorries to pass to narrow enough for two cars to collide.

Motorbike had been behind me for about 7 miles, driving very sensibly, not trying to barge past. On a straight bit he overtakes me and then the transit I am following.

About 3 miles further down the road there are a couple cars stopped in both directions. Sadly our biker is lieing motionless on the road after seemingly colliding with a car pulling out from a side junction. (didn't see it happen, but am guessing given position of vehicles)

He didn't regain conciousness before being taken away by ambulance. I fear the poor chap hasn't made it - the road remained closed for a few hours.

I've asked him upstairs to see if he can do anything if it's not too late.

It's dangerous out there - be careful.

 

[Red C220]

It does make you question your own mortality and values when you personally witness something of this nature.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

My father is a very keen biker (he owns a GSX1400) and I always worry about him when he's out.

To me, it's a tragedy waiting to happen, but his heart wouldn't beat without his beloved bike.

I hope that the rider in the OP makes it through, although it doesn't sound good.

Remember: Think Bike, Think Biker.

 

[m2287]

A friend from work came off his bike this morning... Got away with a bruised shoulder. I will never go on one.

 

[moonloops]

If this is the same incident then it sounds as though the biker wasn't brown bread and was being treated, hard to tell though !

Road collision closes A373 in Cullompton | This is Exeter

 

[Deleted member 11979]

It is the same incident

 

[davidjpowell]

Sadly bike riders are far too vulnerable, and some just don't help themselves additionally (not referring to OP rider here).

 

[Benzmanc]

A lot of people pull out of side roads only looking one way. Last year whilst bringing a wide load out of London I was in the middle of the road due to double parked cars, a bus coming stopped whilst a car saw the bus stopping pulled straight out to be confronted by me all beacons blazing. Needless to say they did quite a good job of going backwards to where they had come from.

 

[markjay]

Some years ago we almost missed a flight while driving on the motorway around Rome on the way to the airport.

Tensions were high in the car, and we were all very upset at the long delay, until an hour later we finally got to the point where the problem occurred.

Apparently a Fiat van was slowing down (or perhaps braking hard - after all this was in Italy) and taking the exit, not noticing a motorbike going fast on the hard shoulder, and the result was that the van was stopped on the verge of slip road with the bike firmly wedged at the rear of the van.

More disturbingly, there was a body covered in white cloth next to the bike.

The atmosphere in the car became very sombre and we all realised that missing a flight from Rome back to the UK was in fact a very trivial matter.

 

[developer]

I'm 30 years a biker, but I'm desperate for my young son (15) not to follow in my footsteps.

Luckily he seems more inclined towards cars at present - phew.

There's no doubt it's a dangerous pastime/necessary means of transport.

 

[jonnyMercUK]

Exactly the same thing happened to me a few years ago, motorcyclist overtook me then a few 100 yards down the road he had hit a car on a corner and unfortunately passed away at the scene.

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

A bike/biking gets in your blood, I even had a trike with a carrier for my wheel chair, my son loves motor bikes and cars like his dad. A gread deal of accidents are head on/side on, car pulls out not having seen the motor cyclist, even lights and dayglo clothing do not help. Your normal Joe public do not realise just how quick a motorbike gathers speed.
Ride safe, Ride free.

 

[MisterAdam]

I was stationary at a set of lights on my (dont laugh) scooter when a women (over the limit and using her mobile phone) ploughed into the back of me then fired me into the back of a stationary van. That was nearly 2 years ago, still in massive neck and back pain, still not got back on the road

I do worry when I see people on bikes on the road now.

Be warey of bikes on the road, and remember that they're not all being ridden by hooligan's.

 

[Peter DLM]

As a life long biker, I started on dirtbikes as a child, I'm all too aware of the risks in the modern day. There are things you can do as a biker to reduce the many risks, but accidents will always happen, especially if you allow complacency to take hold. Many of the risks are manageable, but not all.

 

[DSM10000]

I know it is rather black humour but in the Emergency Department (remember when it was Casualty then Accident and Emergency?) bikers are still known as "Donors"

From experience a very high percentage of accidents involving bikers is due to motorists just not noticing them.

 

[developer]

When we were kids at college, one of our guys went out at lunchtime, overcooked a bend on his AP50 and smashed his head against the sump of an oncoming Austin Maxi.

Game over .

Trouble is, there's not much more of a finer feeling than a superbike at full chat, which is why we still do it .

 

[ss201]

A good friend of mine, a mature experienced motor cyclist, was riding his brand new Honda 750 on the motorway. He was in the outside lane, in slow moving heavy traffic, keeping a safe distance between himself and the car in front. He felt a nudge at the back, then realised the car behind was pushing him forwards. Tried braking but the car behind kept pushing until eventually he was pushed into the narrow space between the outside lane and the barrier. He lost control of the bike, it toppled over and the car behind just drove off, leaving him with a damaged bike that was too heavy to pick up on his own. Eventually the traffic stopped and someone helped him but he he was badly shaken up. There are some complete nutcases out there.

 

[developer]

A good friend of mine, a mature experienced motor cyclist, was riding his brand new Honda 750 on the motorway. He was in the outside lane, in slow moving heavy traffic, keeping a safe distance between himself and the car in front. He felt a nudge at the back, then realised the car behind was pushing him forwards. Tried braking but the car behind kept pushing until eventually he was pushed into the narrow space between the outside lane and the barrier. He lost control of the bike, it toppled over and the car behind just drove off, leaving him with a damaged bike that was too heavy to pick up on his own. Eventually the traffic stopped and someone helped him but he he was badly shaken up. There are some complete nutcases out there.

Bloody hell .

 

[JohnEclass]

The Yanks refer to them as Donorcycles......for good reason, I promised my kids I would by them cars if they stayed well away from scooters / motorcycles, this country is too small with too many solid objects (Cars / Trucks). I know they can still have accidents, but % chance of survival....massively increased.
I'd rather spend money on cars than funerals.

But thats my personal feelings......good luck to all bikers out there.

 

[MercFanUk]

I can understand the reasons for bikers needing to get out and ride, but I can't ever see myself getting on one - it's sods law I'd have an accident!

I also have noticed in recent years a big improvement in bikers attitudes/skill on roads. I can't even remember now the last time I saw some hooligan/fool/donor making life difficult for all - it's pretty much been well ridden, respectable and professional road use from what I've seen. I don't expect bikers to overtake at dodgy moments or anything any more, and I don't feel like I have to prepare to not end up in an accident either if I have a biker in the rear view mirror.

Of course I'm naturally cautious and aware they are there, but It's nice to not have my heart pounding away when I see one.