Discussion
Hi Mel
I do have an interest in bikes although I dont ride myself. Most of my best mates have large bikes and most of them have been Police trained. I have ridden pillion on a number of occasions but do not particularly enjoy that.
The reason I don't ride is that I have seen too many casualties that have not been at fault. In 1989, I carried my advanced car instructor who was alleged to have been the best rider in the force ( he was sh*t hot in a car as well) as a pall bearer. He was 46 years old, was instructor on an advanced bike course and taken out by an artic overtaking a tractor cutting the verge near Leominster. The tragic thing about it was that he was third in line of 4 on a wind down run after a very fast advanced course, the day before they were due to go home. They had all passed and were not turning it on. They were all travelling at around NSL on a road that was governed by solid lines in both directions. Lead rider is a good mate of mine, now a senior instructor, car and bike himself. He and no.2 made it between the artic and the hedge but poor Pete hit the verge came off and hit the only tree in the hedge.
I have lost 2 other good friends who were excellent class 1 riders both through conflict with goods vehicles. Both as it happens whilst on duty on Police bikes
I have attended hundreds of RTAs where people I don't know become victims of someone elses inattention, often with tragic consequences.
Recently though bikes have served a purpose by removing 2 of my areas most problematic P.I.T.A's (Pain in the Arses).
One cut himself in half whilst pissed on a nicked bike carrying 200 exstacy pills and some aphet after a wheely went wrong and he hit a road sign edge on.
The other turned around to make an obscence gesture to a pedestrian as he went past and hit the car that was turning right up the arse. He died a few days later in hospital. Sad but fitting end to this pond life.
My neighbour races classic bikes (He has 3. Norton Commando, Triumph Boneville and one other I don't know the name of. He also has a fireblade for road stuff) and attends I.O.M. TT every year where he takes part. I spend time talking to him about his views and problems not just on the circuit. He was very lucky a couple of years ago whilst at Castle Coombe when he was hit from behind exiting a bend by someone on a superbike. He left the tarmac at over 100mph on his arse and spent the next 6 weeks at home whilst the NHS rebuilt his Achilles and knee and then a long time limping around after that.
I sypathise with the problems that bikers have today but chose not to load those problems on myself. The roads have just got too busy and there are too many people who are not driving when they are in motion. They are on auto pilot behind the steering wheel.
When the time comes for me to meet one of them, I would like it to be on equal-ish terms.
>> Edited by madcop on Monday 19th August 11:18
>> Edited by madcop on Monday 19th August 11:22
I do have an interest in bikes although I dont ride myself. Most of my best mates have large bikes and most of them have been Police trained. I have ridden pillion on a number of occasions but do not particularly enjoy that.
The reason I don't ride is that I have seen too many casualties that have not been at fault. In 1989, I carried my advanced car instructor who was alleged to have been the best rider in the force ( he was sh*t hot in a car as well) as a pall bearer. He was 46 years old, was instructor on an advanced bike course and taken out by an artic overtaking a tractor cutting the verge near Leominster. The tragic thing about it was that he was third in line of 4 on a wind down run after a very fast advanced course, the day before they were due to go home. They had all passed and were not turning it on. They were all travelling at around NSL on a road that was governed by solid lines in both directions. Lead rider is a good mate of mine, now a senior instructor, car and bike himself. He and no.2 made it between the artic and the hedge but poor Pete hit the verge came off and hit the only tree in the hedge.
I have lost 2 other good friends who were excellent class 1 riders both through conflict with goods vehicles. Both as it happens whilst on duty on Police bikes
I have attended hundreds of RTAs where people I don't know become victims of someone elses inattention, often with tragic consequences.
Recently though bikes have served a purpose by removing 2 of my areas most problematic P.I.T.A's (Pain in the Arses).
One cut himself in half whilst pissed on a nicked bike carrying 200 exstacy pills and some aphet after a wheely went wrong and he hit a road sign edge on.
The other turned around to make an obscence gesture to a pedestrian as he went past and hit the car that was turning right up the arse. He died a few days later in hospital. Sad but fitting end to this pond life.
My neighbour races classic bikes (He has 3. Norton Commando, Triumph Boneville and one other I don't know the name of. He also has a fireblade for road stuff) and attends I.O.M. TT every year where he takes part. I spend time talking to him about his views and problems not just on the circuit. He was very lucky a couple of years ago whilst at Castle Coombe when he was hit from behind exiting a bend by someone on a superbike. He left the tarmac at over 100mph on his arse and spent the next 6 weeks at home whilst the NHS rebuilt his Achilles and knee and then a long time limping around after that.
I sypathise with the problems that bikers have today but chose not to load those problems on myself. The roads have just got too busy and there are too many people who are not driving when they are in motion. They are on auto pilot behind the steering wheel.
When the time comes for me to meet one of them, I would like it to be on equal-ish terms.
>> Edited by madcop on Monday 19th August 11:18
>> Edited by madcop on Monday 19th August 11:22
quote:
there are too many people who are not driving when they are in motion.
Second that sentiment. This is (IMHO) probably the biggest cause of accidents there is, much greater influence than excessive speed. Why this inane attack on speed and headlong reduction in limits gets so much support is beyond me.
madcop, appreciate these are your personal thoughts about lack of attention but are they generally held throughout the police force?
Is the govt. taking the easy way out by changing the numbers on the speed limit signs and persuading us all that is the real reason? That is a low cost, no blame approach that will keep them in favour with the electorate ( not called politicians for nothing then). I can't see why a concerted advertising campaign demonstrating the effects of inattention in causing accidents and deaths is not being pursued. The sort of thing we see at Christmas time for instance. Time this was made as socially unacceptable as drink driving.
Oops, sorry, rant over.
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