Brings it home......

[ShinyF1]

I also have noticed in recent years a big improvement in bikers attitudes/skill on roads

Which is good - sadly there are still some unhappy endings where there is
a complete disconnect between actions and consequences..

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/wandsworthnews/9828851.Biker_died_after_pulling_wheelie_in_busy_road/

This story was recently in our local paper. I remember the incident last year and there was no talk at all of the background that emerged at the inquest. You have to feel very sorry for the family left behind and the other driver and witnesses to the accident.

Too little protection on a bike for my liking so I shall continue to resist, though I can fully appreciate the thrill of it. Two close 'senior' friends have had nasty accidents on touring bikes in recent years and although both carry constant pain and internal scaffolding, they continue to ride.

 

[ss201]

It's many years since I rode a m/cycle. If one is behind me and there's room to overtake, I indicate left once and pull over to the left slightly to give him/her room. I usually get a wave of thanks. I don't see any point in making life any more hazardous for motorcyclists than it is already.

 

[MercFanUk]

It's many years since I rode a m/cycle. If one is behind me and there's room to overtake, I indicate left once and pull over to the left slightly to give him/her room. I usually get a wave of thanks. I don't see any point in making life any more hazardous for motorcyclists than it is already.

That's what I do - but without the indicating. I always thought that might confuse them thinking I'm about to stop.

 

[martin_a]

That's what I do - but without the indicating. I always thought that might confuse them thinking I'm about to stop.

If you do indicate, it's nice, you'd get a wave off me as it is good to know I've been seen.

Unless it is a tight road though no need to pull over as it usually means showerign the rider in all the rubbish from the gutter (plus risking running over a nail yourself).

Given the speed a bike can accelerate, if there is space to go, I'll be round. If not, I'll stay behind until I think the overtake is safe for all parties.

As I say, good to know we've been seen though!

m.

 

[ss201]

Unless it is a tight road though no need to pull over as it usually means showerign the rider in all the rubbish from the gutter (plus risking running over a nail yourself).

Most motorcyclists who come up behind are usually on the outside, rather than the inside and are visible in my driver's door mirror. Can't see me showering them with anything from the gutter when they're almost in the middle of the road. One quick flick of the L/H indicator and just a slight deviation to the left from me and the ones who are on the ball get the message and they're off and away.

 

[JohnEclass]

Sort of on topic, coming home tonight on busy dual carriageway, traffic starts to tail back as usual.....bikers filtering up the middle, as usual...nothing wrong there, I move over towards central reservation....give the boys (& girls) plenty of room (and protect my wing mirrors) as I normally do....most other drivers do the same. But there's always a few who get upset and close the gap.....why? , its a bike its not going to delay you by filtering past.....unless some inconsiderate oaf knocks them off!....then were all going to late home

 

[MercFanUk]

why?

Jealousy. The bikers are getting past when they are sit still - simple. If not, then blind ignorance to the fact the bikers are even there.

 

[martin_a]

Unless it is a tight road though no need to pull over as it usually means showerign the rider in all the rubbish from the gutter (plus risking running over a nail yourself).

Most motorcyclists who come up behind are usually on the outside, rather than the inside and are visible in my driver's door mirror. Can't see me showering them with anything from the gutter when they're almost in the middle of the road. One quick flick of the L/H indicator and just a slight deviation to the left from me and the ones who are on the ball get the message and they're off and away.

I'll move to the outside when I want to, better for wind blast off lorries for example and trust me, dust from the edge of the road disperses fairly quick.

Again though, if I want to be past you I will be, indicate and dive to the left or not so it isn't about 'getting the message' it is about making sure that you (the rider in this case) are happy to make the move. I'll pass when I think it is safe and not because of an indicator but asa I say, nice to know I've been seen and a move is expected.

m.

 

[haggis2768]

too true it is dangerous riding a bike(the bike isnt dangerous,its the solid object placed inconsideratly in your path) but i have always believed riding an m/c to be the best way to learn to drive.

 

[A150]

I think that drivers in cars who have ridden bikes. Have more thought for bikers (motorised or not) on the road than others who haven't.

I used to peddle my bike the short distance to work, and a number of times I have been almost knocked off my bike because the car behind overtook so close that their wing mirror was almost touching me (and once even did) as they can't be bothered to move over a little bit further. Or because there is a car coming the other way don't wait until it has passed and then over take me giving me a wide berth. They simple whizz past. Which is why I like to give riders as much room as i can when I overtake them.

The same goes for people riding horses as well. When they see you move way over and drive slowly. Some have actually give me a wave of thanks for being more considerate and courteous toward them and their horse.

Tony.

 

[Mr E]

Unfortunately Master E got to see his Dad's volunteer work this weekend...

He works near a crossroads on a dual carriageway - access to/from his place is traffic light controlled about 30 yards down one of the single carriage crossing roads. He was admiring the bike that was waiting to leave the premises at the lights when the light goes green, bike pulls out and is hit by a Porsche 911 at some speed (having come round off the dual carriageway on the filter lane). Rider is thrown from the bike a fair distance, and Porsche driver fails to stop after the collision.

I was beeped less than 5 mins after the accident, and was there 5 mins later - unfortunately the rider had died, probably on impact with the road. Air ambulance was called, landed, but turned away after the doctor had confirmed.

Laddo was quite shaken by having witnessed the event - gave a statement to the police, and fortunately other witnesses were able to give a part number on the car that the officers thought would be fairly easy to track down. Thoughts are with the guy's family and the officers who had to go and deliver the bad new on a sunny Saturday evening...

I do ride, but gave up riding in this country years ago. You can be the best rider in the world, and you still can't account for the numptys out there. I now stick to sunny, uncrowded roads in the hills of the South of France.

 

[brucemillar]

heading up the M20 to Sidcup this morning minding my own business in heavy traffic (08:00am) White van suddenly spears across the chevrons from the M25 exit lane onto the M20 where I am traveling. I have nowhere to go due to traffic on my outside. I hit the anchors and steer onto the chevrons (as do the three cars behind me). I actually made it level with the van (now on my right side).

Van man then carries on up the M20 without a care in the world. Sadly this is is now just such a common event it hardly rates a mention.

 

[scottydee]

As a biker myself, I must say that the biggest danger I have faced has always been car drivers who appear to completely oblivious to anything happening further than the bonnet of their car!
You can feel quite vulnerable at times, when you're having to observe potential hazards for the car driver in front of you

That said, there are also a good amount of safe courteous car drivers who seem to go out of their way to let you past, or acknowledge that you're there.

 

[Bosco]

Here in France a significant proportion of motorists spent time on scooters as teenagers and so have a much better awareness of our two wheeled friends. Even so some of my son's friends have managed to get themselves busted up at some stage. Most of the time it has been their own fault but the one really serious accident was caused by a doddery old guy in a car making a left turn across the on-coming traffic and not seeing the scooter until it hit him.

 

[Ian_Mac]

A good friend of mine was knocked off his push bike where cycling to work one morning last week. He had right of way but the car just pulled out knocking him off and wrecking the bike, he was wearing hi-viz, lights on the bike etc.

Worst bit is the driver of the car drove off leaving him in the road, fortunately my friend had the nouse to get the reg of the car and a witness stopped to help.

A trip to hospital, injuries to knee, neck and missing lots of skin but could have been a whole lot worse.

Police called on the driver later in the day who admitted everything and is due in court in the near future.

What goes through someone's head to leave a father and husband at the side of the road?? Totally crazy.........

 

[RhysC63?]

...
The same goes for people riding horses as well. When they see you move way over and drive slowly. Some have actually give me a wave of thanks for being more considerate and courteous toward them and their horse.

Tony.

I ALWAYS slow down for horses, partly because I'm a nice guy and want the horse and rider to feel, and be, safe but it's mainly beacuase I have a fetish for riding boots and jodpurs

 

[Daveneil]

I Have been knocked off my motorcycle twice by bad driving and both not my fault but still here fit and well.