Accident avoidance
Discussion
Much as I love biking, there is always the fear of having a crash in the back of my mind. Bikers are a vulnerable lot which does concern me - I don't want to become a statistic!
As we're all adults, I'm sure we can all admit our mistakes and learn from them.
The only time I've fallen off was when entering a corner covered in wet leaves. I wasn't going that fast and luckily was able to get back on the bike and carry on.
So what accidents have you had - what led up to the accident - how did it happen - what was it like when you knew things were about to get bad - how could it have been avoided?
I'm hoping to learn a little more from your collective mishaps.
As we're all adults, I'm sure we can all admit our mistakes and learn from them.
The only time I've fallen off was when entering a corner covered in wet leaves. I wasn't going that fast and luckily was able to get back on the bike and carry on.
So what accidents have you had - what led up to the accident - how did it happen - what was it like when you knew things were about to get bad - how could it have been avoided?
I'm hoping to learn a little more from your collective mishaps.
been a few threads about this i think, have a look here.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
black-k1 said:
...Learn how to spot potential hazards before they become a real problem and how to avoid getting into ‘difficult’ situations.
This is the key factor in not binning it. Out of about 15 offs only 3 involved nobody else, so if you can try to predict the worse thing the opther road users will do and act accordingly, you mainly be safe.The other key factor to staying the right way up is not to panic. Unfortunately this tends to come with experience and isn't easilly taught. When impact seems imminent though, most people tend to stand on the brakes locking them up, which only makes the problem worse.
Things (for me at least) tend to happen in slow motion (this is apparently triggered by your brain sending messages twice as fast at critical moments), so you do usually have a little moment to make a few simple choices. These choices usually consist of; turn left, turn right, hit the brakes, accellerate or jump off. It's usually what you do in that split second multiple choice quiz that will determine if you walk away or not.
Other things like a shiny road usually means a slippery road, if you smell diesel you're probably riding on it, leaves are slippery etc. help guage available traction.
If a car looks like it's edging out a tad, it's probably about to change lanes or turn accross you. A driver craning his neck to one side is usually checking his mirrors for a drastic move.
If you're filtering, go for the gap between two cars rather than wait for a big gap because the car could just as easilly snatch that gap away from you, but is unlikely to hit the car that he knows is beside him.
Bikers tend to not use their mirrors and a majority are scared of cars when filtering, so if you need to overtake one, do it quickly and decisively. If you dither they're likely to take you out or try to race you.
There are way too many warning signs to list, but those are the key ones I can think of.
m3psm said:
If you're filtering, go for the gap between two cars rather than wait for a big gap because the car could just as easilly snatch that gap away from you, but is unlikely to hit the car that he knows is beside him.
Bikers tend to not use their mirrors and a majority are scared of cars when filtering, so if you need to overtake one, do it quickly and decisively. If you dither they're likely to take you out or try to race you.
Invaluable advice - I am amazed at the amount of bikers I see slowly going past bikes, and waiting for an "empty" gap.Bikers tend to not use their mirrors and a majority are scared of cars when filtering, so if you need to overtake one, do it quickly and decisively. If you dither they're likely to take you out or try to race you.
I think I've got filtering pretty much nailed now. I still get other bikers catching me up, but when I let them passed they usually only go as fast as I was going in the first place.
The only problem I have is my mirrors being the same height as Van mirrors...so I often have to slow down to squeeze through.
I've found riding up and down my road as slowly as possible (it's a cul-de-sac)helps you crack the balancing problems I used to have when making progress through slow city traffic. I don't usually put my foot down unless I'm almost stationary now.
The only problem I have is my mirrors being the same height as Van mirrors...so I often have to slow down to squeeze through.
I've found riding up and down my road as slowly as possible (it's a cul-de-sac)helps you crack the balancing problems I used to have when making progress through slow city traffic. I don't usually put my foot down unless I'm almost stationary now.
Hyperion said:
...I've found riding up and down my road as slowly as possible (it's a cul-de-sac)helps you crack the balancing problems I used to have when making progress through slow city traffic. I don't usually put my foot down unless I'm almost stationary now.
If you trail your rear brake slightly (if you're not already) you'll find the bike is much more stable at very low speeds 
Craphouserat said:
M3PSM - just read what you've said - all very good advice.
I'd like to say it's down to the number of advanced riding courses I've done. Alas it's experience gained from the huge number of times that I've kissed the tarmac over the years (usually preceeded by a short flight over the bonnet of a car) 
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