accidents - an unpleasant subject

[Guth_imp]

The reason that most accidents are close to home is very simple : never mind how long or far you ride : there are ALWAYS the first miles/ten minutes when you leave home.

That's only half the story when it comes to the distance factor as the roads within a few miles of home are also the ones that we return to no matter how far or where we rode to in the first place. So whether we're leaving or returning, that accidents would happen close to home isn't a surprise.

[Gone in 60]

After years of riding, and taking all of the reasonable precautions one is expected to take, I had my first accident this February. As with the previous comments about being close to home, this one happened on my morning commute, right around the corner from my office. An oncoming driver turned left in front of me to enter a parking lot for her office.

As far as my precautions, I was wearing a hi-viz jacket, white helmet, had three LEDs on the front of my bike to maximize my frontal visibility, and was riding at a reasonable speed at the time. Regardless, the driver said "I didn't see you", so despite all of these precautions, they don't always work.

Playing it over and over in my head, I think I did all I could to minimize the impact and damage. I could see her approach in the turn lane, and judging her speed, I figured that she either didn't see me, or thought she could quickly turn in front of me and "beat" me across the street. I didn't have anyone behind me, so I immediately started braking hard, so that I would pass behind her as she completed her turn. I was on my Bonneville, which does not have the best brakes, but I did my best to modulate, and avoid skidding.

Unfortunately, she saw me mid-turn, and panic stopped directly in front of me, making a collision unavoidable. But, I had scrubbed off enough speed that I didn't hit hard, and was able to aim for the opening in her fender just behind her front wheel. The bike planted itself and stayed upright, and I stayed on the seat. Impact speed was minimal, as was the damage to my bike.

I see this as a net positive. Was my reaction perfect? Of course not, but I don't think I could have done anything differently once she stopped with less than 50 feet separating me from the side of her SUV. I even got a pat on the back and a "good job" from the investigating police officer.

How was it positive? It made me realize that I'm not invulnerable. And I'm not as young as I used to be. Despite not coming off of my seat, my inner thighs did a death-grip on the gas tank, and I got two huge bruises on each thigh. And I felt pretty sore for a few days. And, I upped my game a bit. The lady who turned in front of me disputed the accident, claiming that I was at fault. This delayed me in getting my bike repaired until the police report was available, which took quite a bit of time. It was obvious that she was cited at fault, and her insurance company took care of me. I had given some thought to putting a camera on my helmet for my own "insurance", and since then, I bought a GoPro, and never head out on my commute without the camera rolling.

The interesting thing is that, not only does the camera provide me with a way to document anything that might happen to me, it also makes me realize that anything stupid that I do would be documented as well.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Well written Gin60.

A driver's selfishness will typically override any precautions a rider will take. A person's self-absorption is unconscious and is almost always unstoppable until the damage is done. There is a spreading illness in society that will not significantly recede in our lifetime. We must try our best to remain aware, as you have.

BTW: I have seen a driver sail through a stop sign, then she panic-braked in the intersection messing up adapting traffic.

[Gone in 60]

Why thank you, GO.

Something else I thought about... I had gotten a bit lax on my ATGATT. I was wearing regular jeans and work boots when the accident occurred. I have riding pants, but don't use them when the weather is warm. I hadn't planned on filing a claim to do anything more than fix my bike, but on a whim, I took pictures of my big bruises, and sent them to the insurance company. They gave me a small check for my trouble, and I invested the money in a good pair of legitimate riding boots, some reinforced riding pants that are a bit more comfy in warmer weather, and my GoPro. Although I didn't go down, it taught me a good lesson of what could have happened if I did.

[Paris_imp]

I'm 70 and I've been riding since my mid-twenties. I've never had a accident, at least so far as I can remember I try to minimize distractions, no extra gauges, no GPS, no cell phone holder, no maps on the tank, no music in my helmet. I'd even almost not have a tach. I have always have ridden very defensively, just like the old man I am now.

For the last twenty years, I've used a headlight modulator, and I can absolutely see the difference it makes. One of the most common problems is people turning onto the road ahead of you, as if you're not there. With the modulator, I see them doing double takes and hesitating. I use a taillight braking modulator too, although I cannot say how effective it is. I used to have two bright blue LEDs on the bolts holding the license plate on. My thought was that the red and blue lights would contrast, drawing attention from those following me. Indeed it did, as I was soon pulled over by a cop and told that blue lights of any kind on my bike were illegal. He was sympathetic, but firm. He said he knew what I was trying to do, but if he caught me with them again, he'd ticket me and maybe impound the bike.

My biggest fear lately is having to stop on the crest of a hill at an intersection. I then find myself trying to wrestle with a +500 pound bike which wants to roll backward and tip over at the same time, which is not as easy as it used to be.

Perhaps my bad day is coming, or perhaps not: "There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come—the readiness is all."

[j3gq_imp]

The reason that most accidents are close to home is very simple : never mind how long or far you ride : there are ALWAYS the first miles/ten minutes when you leave home.

HI there,
I did not say, the first minutes from home, I said within the first three minutes after departure. And this is how the statistics were recorded. Leave home, count three minutes, stop for a burger and take off, again three minutes, stop at the train station ... I think there is more in this (focus, attention, etc.) than on which road I spend most of the time.

I'm 70 and I've been riding since my mid-twenties. I've never had a accident, at least so far as I can remember I try to minimize distractions, no extra gauges, no GPS, no cell phone holder, no maps on the tank, no music in my helmet. I'd even almost not have a tach. I have always have ridden very defensively, just like the old man I am now.

For the last twenty years, I've used a headlight modulator, and I can absolutely see the difference it makes. One of the most common problems is people turning onto the road ahead of you, as if you're not there. With the modulator, I see them doing double takes and hesitating. I use a taillight braking modulator too, although I cannot say how effective it is. I used to have two bright blue LEDs on the bolts holding the license plate on. My thought was that the red and blue lights would contrast, drawing attention from those following me. Indeed it did, as I was soon pulled over by a cop and told that blue lights of any kind on my bike were illegal. He was sympathetic, but firm. He said he knew what I was trying to do, but if he caught me with them again, he'd ticket me and maybe impound the bike.

My biggest fear lately is having to stop on the crest of a hill at an intersection. I then find myself trying to wrestle with a +500 pound bike which wants to roll backward and tip over at the same time, which is not as easy as it used to be.

Perhaps my bad day is coming, or perhaps not: "There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come—the readiness is all."

1) I really like what you say above, Paris, I'd recommend it to any rider, any age. I have done the same all my life. And you know what, I "feel" that after 2, 3, 4 hours on the bike in spring, after the winter break, my driving a car gets better instantaneously. So your attitude, plus what sb said before, drive as if you were invisible, really makes a difference. Thank you!

2) Stopping on a hill? let me try to explain what I do, see if it makes sense and if you can use it. Before coming to that stop, I use the foot brake only. When the bike stops that foot remains on the brake. The bike is balanced with the left foot. If I need to role forward, a little gas and clutch, both feet stay where they were. If I need to role backwards, pull the clutch, release the foot brake a tiny bit, that's it. I can even turn the bike around on that hill/street, without any concern. (But this requires a longer description). I promise, you will NOT FEEL the weight.

Please let me know what you think!

[Paris_imp]

The reason that most accidents are close to home is very simple : never mind how long or far you ride : there are ALWAYS the first miles/ten minutes when you leave home.

HI there,
I did not say, the first minutes from home, I said within the first three minutes after departure. And this is how the statistics were recorded. Leave home, count three minutes, stop for a burger and take off, again three minutes, stop at the train station ... I think there is more in this (focus, attention, etc.) than on which road I spend most of the time.

I'm 70 and I've been riding since my mid-twenties. I've never had a accident, at least so far as I can remember I try to minimize distractions, no extra gauges, no GPS, no cell phone holder, no maps on the tank, no music in my helmet. I'd even almost not have a tach. I have always have ridden very defensively, just like the old man I am now.

For the last twenty years, I've used a headlight modulator, and I can absolutely see the difference it makes. One of the most common problems is people turning onto the road ahead of you, as if you're not there. With the modulator, I see them doing double takes and hesitating. I use a taillight braking modulator too, although I cannot say how effective it is. I used to have two bright blue LEDs on the bolts holding the license plate on. My thought was that the red and blue lights would contrast, drawing attention from those following me. Indeed it did, as I was soon pulled over by a cop and told that blue lights of any kind on my bike were illegal. He was sympathetic, but firm. He said he knew what I was trying to do, but if he caught me with them again, he'd ticket me and maybe impound the bike.

My biggest fear lately is having to stop on the crest of a hill at an intersection. I then find myself trying to wrestle with a +500 pound bike which wants to roll backward and tip over at the same time, which is not as easy as it used to be.

Perhaps my bad day is coming, or perhaps not: "There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come—the readiness is all."

1) I really like what you say above, Paris, I'd recommend it to any rider, any age. I have done the same all my life. And you know what, I "feel" that after 2, 3, 4 hours on the bike in spring, after the winter break, my driving a car gets better instantaneously. So your attitude, plus what sb said before, drive as if you were invisible, really makes a difference. Thank you!

2) Stopping on a hill? let me try to explain what I do, see if it makes sense and if you can use it. Before coming to that stop, I use the foot brake only. When the bike stops that foot remains on the brake. The bike is balanced with the left foot. If I need to role forward, a little gas and clutch, both feet stay where they were. If I need to role backwards, pull the clutch, release the foot brake a tiny bit, that's it. I can even turn the bike around on that hill/street, without any concern. (But this requires a longer description). I promise, you will NOT FEEL the weight.

Please let me know what you think!

HI there,
I did not say, the first minutes from home, I said within the first three minutes after departure. And this is how the statistics were recorded. Leave home, count three minutes, stop for a burger and take off, again three minutes, stop at the train station ... I think there is more in this (focus, attention, etc.) than on which road I spend most of the time.

I'm 70 and I've been riding since my mid-twenties. I've never had a accident, at least so far as I can remember I try to minimize distractions, no extra gauges, no GPS, no cell phone holder, no maps on the tank, no music in my helmet. I'd even almost not have a tach. I have always have ridden very defensively, just like the old man I am now.

For the last twenty years, I've used a headlight modulator, and I can absolutely see the difference it makes. One of the most common problems is people turning onto the road ahead of you, as if you're not there. With the modulator, I see them doing double takes and hesitating. I use a taillight braking modulator too, although I cannot say how effective it is. I used to have two bright blue LEDs on the bolts holding the license plate on. My thought was that the red and blue lights would contrast, drawing attention from those following me. Indeed it did, as I was soon pulled over by a cop and told that blue lights of any kind on my bike were illegal. He was sympathetic, but firm. He said he knew what I was trying to do, but if he caught me with them again, he'd ticket me and maybe impound the bike.

My biggest fear lately is having to stop on the crest of a hill at an intersection. I then find myself trying to wrestle with a +500 pound bike which wants to roll backward and tip over at the same time, which is not as easy as it used to be.

Perhaps my bad day is coming, or perhaps not: "There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come—the readiness is all."

1) I really like what you say above, Paris, I'd recommend it to any rider, any age. I have done the same all my life. And you know what, I "feel" that after 2, 3, 4 hours on the bike in spring, after the winter break, my driving a car gets better instantaneously. So your attitude, plus what sb said before, drive as if you were invisible, really makes a difference. Thank you!

2) Stopping on a hill? let me try to explain what I do, see if it makes sense and if you can use it. Before coming to that stop, I use the foot brake only. When the bike stops that foot remains on the brake. The bike is balanced with the left foot. If I need to role forward, a little gas and clutch, both feet stay where they were. If I need to role backwards, pull the clutch, release the foot brake a tiny bit, that's it. I can even turn the bike around on that hill/street, without any concern. (But this requires a longer description). I promise, you will NOT FEEL the weight.

Please let me know what you think!

That sounds like a good idea. Your method keeps the right hand free to control the throttle. That was one of my problems, trying to feather the throttle while keeping the brake lever tight.

[j3gq_imp]

@Paris
If you're interested I can add the description of what to do if you stopped on the same hill-top, and realized you had to turn around going "backwards" (I didn't invent the method). But may be you can guess already ...

[Cormanus]

@j3gq, I'd be interested in the description of how to turn around, please.

[Paris_imp]

@Paris
If you're interested I can add the description of what to do if you stopped on the same hill-top, and realized you had to turn around going "backwards" (I didn't invent the method). But may be you can guess already ...

Yes, please do!