11-11-2023, 03:21 AM
(11-10-2023, 11:52 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Corynorhinus ..UK must not have deer, tractors around bends, inattentive drivers pulling out at the last minute, left turners, people jamming on brakes on the freeway etc
We get plenty of chances to practice our emergency braking here in the states
Yes we have deer in the UK. We also have roadsigns to warn road users entering an area where deer are prevalent. From your list of hazards, deer are probably the highest risk because they can appear suddenly from dense vegetation/woodland, they are fast moving and are usually suicidal in their behaviour. But of course you know all this. To some extent, you can still mitigate the risk created by a suddenly appearing animal by buying time and space by constantly moderating your speed and keeping to the safest line in accordance with all the environmental factors as you go about your travels.
All the other hazards can also be mitigated against if you allow yourself to make assumptions of others. The first assumption I make is that everyone else is out to kill me. Paying attention to who is driving the tin box and what time of day it is. Around school opening and closing times, who is the driver of that vehicle in front/at the side of you/waiting to pull out of a side street etc. Have you paid attention? Is it a distracted and distraught parent (usually a mother) with arguing kids in the back? If so, get out of their killing zone. Likewise, delivery drivers looking for their next turn or stop or checking their cell phone for details of the next job etc. The business type driver also on his cell phone hoping to close a lucrative deal or grabbing the opportunity out of the office to chat sweet nothings to his secret lover. The loud exhaust/lowered suspension youth driven hooligan drivers. Unusual or frequent movement of the driver in the car ahead that tells you their mind is on something other than their driving. Did you spot the car waiting to pull out at the junction ahead has a very elderly driver? Very elderly entitles you to assume, they cannot see you, cannot hear you, cannot judge your distance and speed - and if they could, they are still likely to mistake the gas pedal for the footbrake. Vehicles with L and P plates. Do you have these in your part of the world? L Plates on a driving school car generally suggests safety as the driver is under the supervision of a professional trainer. However, L plates on a privately owned vehicle are much higher risk. Likewise P plates provide a warning that the driver is probably is inexperienced. All this and more is reading the road, reading other road users. Always assume the worst of others on the road. I am very much a pessimistic rider. That way if i'm right, I survive because I've been alert to the danger and have mitigated the risk or planned a contingency. On the other hand if my assumptions are wrong - nothing bad happened. Either way, I'm a happy chappie. It's all about taking responsibility for and actively managing your own safety.
Having said all this, yes s**t can still happen!
Apologies for the egg sucking lesson to those who already know this.
(11-11-2023, 12:42 AM)obleo_imp Wrote: After having an accident on my CB in 2019 from a left turner that didn’t see me. I even now have ptsd and though I only ride on rural roads I find myself unable to truly have a relaxed ride. At 69 maybe time to hang up the motorcycle boots. I never go on a ride without stopping to do 15 minutes of practice for muscle memory. Maybe cage drivers could do a better job of looking out for bikes.
That is tragic and I offer my best wishes for a full recovery.
An awful experience for anyone but please think twice before giving up the things you enjoy. Why not go for some refresher training. Rebuild your confidence and hone your riding skills in a safer setting? So many more years of happy motorcycling ahead for you.