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Holy Shit! Please be careful out there!

flying_hun

flying_hun

Adverse Selection
Administrator
Joined
May 4, 2005
Location
Orinda, CA
Moto(s)
A funky red & white Italian named Gianni Cervo! Versys - two of 'em! And a Ducati for laughs.
BARF perks
AMA #: 281672
I was just looking at Climber's Bay Area CHP Motorcycle Incident page. It was chaos out there today, including two listed fatalities, one of which I came upon during the aftermath. There's no prize money on the line out there, not even any trophies. The goal of any ride needs to be to ride again tomorrow.

RIP riders, whoever you were. My condolences for those whose loved ones didn't come home today.
 
It is a war zone. There is no safety there. It it approaching critical mass.

Being careful means don't go there, don't do that (ride).

Way too many crazies out there now. No enforcement of our laws. It's done!
 
I don't think it's all external variables. A rider has to adapt.
 
I spend a lot of time on the freeways and I see way more riders doing needlessly dangerous things than cagers doing mindless things.
 
It's not an absolute, but a gross majority of the equation - of course in my specific experience.

The bounds of adaptation are artificially limited (i.e., unenforced laws)
 
In addition,

A 3rd biker was killed today (Friday) in San Jose while riding a stolen bike.
 
That’s horrible, 34 total and 20 of them between just 3 and 7 pm.

Strikingly, only 6 before 9am.

Wonder how that compares with the other recent Fridays and looking back at previous year’s really hot Fridays.

Thanks for posting.
 
You think any of this has to do with the races and an increase of riders in general?
 
SATANIC said:
You think any of this has to do with the races and an increase of riders in general?
Click to expand...

Two questions, and two answers:
  1. Maybe, but I kind of doubt it.
  2. Maybe, there's certainly a seasonal increase in riders, but I'm not aware of an absolute increase in riders.

As a rider, just as in the case of almost any human experience, the only variable I can hope to control is myself. If my experience and (relative) safety as a rider is something I see as entirely dependent upon the actions of others, then I'm just waiting for one of those others to off me. I would quit riding this minute if I didn't believe that it was within my power to improve my odds.

This seasonal uptick in injuries and deaths is an annual occurrence. I know it's coming, and yet it still shocks me when it happens. Those of us who are year round riders always notice the shift in the number of riders this time of year, and the noticeable change in judgment and skill on display. While it's true that some won't listen to pleas to ride within their skills, if any do, then it's worthwhile to bring them that message.

Last night I decided to take advantage of the long day to turn my ~1 hour commute into a ~3-1/2 hour commute, and that's what took me past one of those fatalities. Loads of police cars (at least 6), one lane closed, then there it was - the yellow tarp, the damaged helmet, the damaged car, the bike out of sight (I'm guessing in the ditch). Anyone who has been riding for awhile could read the scene and draw some inferences about the likely crash scenario.

It was chilling.

As I got back towards my house I came upon two riders of brand new, identical bikes, dealer placards still in place. I rode behind them as they passed somewhat aggressively through traffic. At each red light, one of them struggled to both come to a stop without dropping the bike, and start again without stalling it. His buddy didn't look much more accomplished. Yet they appeared to make speed, position, and lane changing choices as if they believed their skills were up to the task. With the scene of the fatality in my mind, I could only hope that they'll develop the skills they need before the lack of those skills catches up to them. I hope that's true for all of us.
 
makes me thankful every time I see this. I survived my own stupidity long enough to become a rider with much higher percentage of survival.
 
Good points Kurt. This was the year I not only stopped riding in the freeway (after watching my own sobering camera footage), but also realized I hadn’t taken a single pleasure ride in four years.

By riding only a safe surface street commute, never riding at night, never going beyond 5/10 cornering speed, careful attention to tire pressure/general upkeep, I can continue commuting by bike for years.

Ten years ago it was full on hot laps at Skaggs, burning through rear tires in 2000 miles. I did visit Palomar with a friend once and there was local asshole riders trying to intimidate us old folks the whole trip.

I should get a new moped instead of a multi strata.
 
How many of these people were able to learn to ride in the dirt before they got on the street? How many of them grew up around two wheels? I'm betting not many.
Learning to ride in an urban environment is like being tossed into the deep end.
 
This exactly. Im here today because of how long I've been riding. I feel like most accidents with bikes now a days are mostly the riders fault. New riders that don't realize cars don't care about you. People don't think ahead. I hear about it all the time on the morning news.

rsrider said:
How many of these people were able to learn to ride in the dirt before they got on the street? How many of them grew up around two wheels? I'm betting not many.
Learning to ride in an urban environment is like being tossed into the deep end.
Click to expand...
 
rsrider said:
How many of these people were able to learn to ride in the dirt before they got on the street? How many of them grew up around two wheels? I'm betting not many.
Learning to ride in an urban environment is like being tossed into the deep end.
Click to expand...

Good points... and certainly it is the deep end.

That is startling to see. Amazing actually.

Godspeed :rose

Heal up.

Ride smart ya'll.
 
DonniBoi said:
I feel like most accidents with bikes now a days are mostly the riders fault.
Click to expand...

Only once did another driver cause me to crash. I know it happens where we are not at fault, but the above statement rings true. 5/6 of six crashes totally avoidable and all on me. "Nowadays" could be always and forever. :(
 
Looks like it was a good day to work from home, good I did.

There are certain days out on the commute that just have a bad vibe. Lots of angry/crazy riders and driver's a like.
 
DonniBoi said:
I feel like most accidents with bikes now a days are mostly the riders fault.
Click to expand...

Virtually every single motorcycle accident can be attributed to something the rider did wrong. I know a lot of other motorcyclists hate to hear that and like to blame cagers right away. The rider is in control of their own life.

Riding too fast/over skill level. Sitting in someones blind spot and unaware that they are. Splitting unsafely. Not scanning approaching intersections and covering your brakes/escape routes. Anticipating/predicting traffic movement. Riding in the right lane on city streets, watching for merging traffic from driveways/alleys in between parked cars. Lack of bike maintenance and overall knowledge. Too fast into a blind corner. Ignoring or ignorant about road conditions. Etc Etc Etc........

Maybe the only times that are truly unavoidable is when some unseen fluid is on the road, or sitting at a light and you get plowed from behind. Even then the rider should be paying attention to their 6. It's your own life and well being after all. Don't leave it up to someone else or expect them to care.
Can't handle the truth, then don't ride on public roads.
 
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