Maybe this isn't as much fun and doesn't offer as much freedom as an open bike, but this has got to be the way forward.....................

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152418857844958

Maybe this isn't as much fun and doesn't offer as much freedom as an open bike, but this has got to be the way forward.....................https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152418857844958

I'll stick to a proper bike thanks .

I'll stick to a proper bike thanks .

Unfortunately two more bikers are killed in Norfolk.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-29106421

How did you get a pic of that? I leave it locked up at night and only ride it around the garden on a nice day...

How did you get a pic of that? I leave it locked up at night and only ride it around the garden on a nice day...

It really grinds my gears when the first thing people blame is excessive speed, after all riding at the NSL or otherwise posted limit may be too fast in any given situation depending on road and traffic conditions, but as long as you don't exceed it the speed nannies are happy irrelevant of the consequences.

There is a time and place for 'making good progress' and in that respect I would say the rider was a victim of poor judgement in where to speed and of other road users.

Tearing through T/staggered junctions at nearly 100mph is asking for trouble.

Condolences to all affected, hopefully someone will learn from it.

It really grinds my gears when the first thing people blame is excessive speed...

...Tearing through T/staggered junctions at nearly 100mph is asking for trouble.

Urgh. Okay then.

I agree with the second part.

You have to be even more aware of your speed on a bike and ride defensively at all times. He was not doing so, and entered a very dangerous scenerio at a silly high speed.

100mph is perfectly safe in some places. Some places 60mph (like the scenerio in the video) is too fast IMO.

He should of backed off to atleast 50mph and moved over to the left, incase the car started to turn. That could if saved his life.

Thats the second plan anyway, the first is to stay behind the red car until safe to pass, after the junction. Using the red cars road presence to the riders advantage.

Is it time this one was locked ?  It seems there's never going to be a consensus of opinion.

Really unfortunate accident and shocking to see the actual crash.

 

I do not ride a motorbike and never have so this is coming from a drivers point of view.

 

As a few people have said, this accident (like a lot of others) is one where blame can be apportioned to both sides.

 

Rider:

1) Not in full control of the bike - riding one handed just a couple of seconds prior to the accident

2) Excessive speed - going near 100mph on a clear road, whilst illegal, is not unknown for a motorbike.

3) Lack of foresight from the rider - riding through a junction without thinking fully about what other drivers could do.

 

Driver:

1) Admitted not seeing the rider - poor observational skill.

2) Cut the junction - poor driving skill

3 It is the car drivers responsibility to ensure that the junction is totally clear before crossing the other side of the carriageway.

 

Bearing all of this in mind, there is substantial fault on both sides.

 

I always try to drive defensively (if you treat everyone else as an asshole, you will only ever be pleasantly surprised when they prove otherwise). Everyone in charge of a vehicle (of any type) should be aware of their driving and its consequences for themselves and other road users.

 

For a rider, going 100mph might not be a problem on a straight section of road with no junctions or other vehicles but going through a busy junction at this speed overtaking other vehicles without full control of the bike is not something to condone. It would have been fairly easy in this instance to slow down to match the speed of the other vehicles for the duration of the junction and then wind the speed back on (back to 100mph within a 2-3 seconds slowing the journey by maybe 10 secs).

 

Likewise for the car driver, it is their responsibility to ensure the junction is clear prior to making the move to cross the carriageway. You are driving a vehicle which can be dangerous if not used with the correct level of respect. Lack of concentration and poor awareness of the road is also nothing to condone. If you aren't 100% positive the road is clear and that you have sufficient time to make a move (including a safety margin) then don't do it.

Is it time this one was locked ?  It seems there's never going to be a consensus of opinion.

Quite the contrary, leave it open I say. It is achieving exact what the family and police hoped it would.

It is promoting healthy discussion and thus raising awareness. With such divided opinions from both bikers and drivers alike, I doubt there'll ever be a consensus of opinion.

Couldn't agree more, the video was released to increase awareness and encourage discussion.

Leave the thread be.

Thread definitely stays. More poignant and purpose serving than 98% of the rest of the threads on the forum.

This thread is already achieving it's purpose in that people are discussing the topic and also are more likely to alter their behaviour on the road because of it.

 

If even one person watches the footage and takes more care by giving even one more look or reducing their speed in similar circumstances, then it is achieving its purpose.

Thread definitely stays. More poignant and purpose serving than 98% of the rest of the threads on the forum.

This

This thread is already achieving it's purpose in that people are discussing the topic and also are more likely to alter their behaviour on the road because of it.

 

If even one person watches the footage and takes more care by giving even one more look or reducing their speed in similar circumstances, then it is achieving its purpose.

Precisely - couldn't have said it better myself!

Please also take a look at the thread under "General Car Chat"  for "What Can An RAF Fighter Pilot Teach Us?"   Those that are blaming the car driver for "poor obbo skills" and "poor awareness" should definitely read the RAF Pilot's Guide and think (like I did) "My God! - That driver could have been me!" and those who ride a bike - whether pedal or motor powered - should also think "My God!   Maybe I am invisible to drivers, I'm going to buy more reflective stuff and better lights - maybe my road positioning could be better to stop drivers carving me up!"

This poor lad's death has opened up a whole train of thoughts in my mind.    I don't want to die on the roads and I don't want to be a killer either - I don't think I'm the only one judging by this discussion!

Edited 11 September, 201411 yr by bealine

Although it wouldn't have been useful in this instance as the high approach speed

would make a weave difficult, it has got me thinking about making myself

more eye catching at junctions so I have been practicing the S.I.A.M.

(Smidsy Identification & Avoidance Manouvre) while out on my rides and 

it certainly seems to make a difference. I'm not sure it's useful above 70mph but certainly 

at moderate a and b road speeds it seems to get you noticed and in that it can't be bad. 

 

Thank you for sharing that video clip - useful for those drivers who don't ride too!   As well as getting the message "Think Bike!" across, we also need to make drivers and bikers/cyclists aware of the reason why bikes are so difficult to spot and to make all of us much more aware and respectful of each other.

If we could kindly return to the old fashioned values where people were courteous on the roads and looked out to co-operate with each other, we could reduce the senseless casualty figures no end!

Edited 11 September, 201411 yr by bealine

Although it wouldn't have been useful in this instance as the high approach speed

would make a weave difficult, it has got me thinking about making myself

more eye catching at junctions so I have been practicing the S.I.A.M.

(Smidsy Identification & Avoidance Manouvre) while out on my rides and

it certainly seems to make a difference. I'm not sure it's useful above 70mph but certainly

at moderate a and b road speeds it seems to get you noticed and in that it can't be bad.

I am enlightened Garry!!

I retract my choice words aimed at a biker in front of me last Saturday on a B-road jaunt carrying out just such a manoeuvre. Albeit, thinking back, he did carry on for rather a long time.

I am enlightened Garry!!

I retract my choice words aimed at a biker in front of me last Saturday on a B-road jaunt carrying out just such a manoeuvre. Albeit, thinking back, he did carry on for rather a long time.

Was he warming up his tyres MotoGP style before thrashing around the corners? hahs.

In all seriousness. Cheers for that Gary. Thats something i hadnt actually seen before.

When i see a possible situation like that, i usually back off and move to the opposite side of my lane, and keenly watch to see if the drivers look and if alloys begin to turn.

I shall be trying this out . Just not in an NSL when its damp and greasy haha.

Cheers.

I am enlightened Garry!!

I retract my choice words aimed at a biker in front of me last Saturday on a B-road jaunt carrying out just such a manoeuvre. Albeit, thinking back, he did carry on for rather a long time.

But you saw him, right?

It really works

But you saw him, right?

It really works

Errrrr....... yes!!! I was following behind him!! Hence my wonderment (or rather WTFderment)

He might have been warming his tyres up I guess....  

Teach me to read the post properly, I took it as you were pulling out. 

Note to self, must wear glasses so I don't skim read because I can't see properly....

The majority of people tend to live under the illusion of being 'in control' of their lives, unfortunately this is not the case.

 

Random things happen all the time; mechanical parts fail, tyres burst, cancer is diagnosed, earthquakes, tsunamis, terrorist bombings, food stuck in ones throat...... the list is literally endless.

 

Basically, life should be enjoyed because a million and one different things could lead to tomorrow never coming for each and every one of us.

 

I don't mean any disrespect to the biker, or any biker, but I'm sure he felt fully 'in control' until the point when he realised he wasn't, by which time it was too late.

 

For clarity, I'm definitely not defending the driver here either, but again I'm pretty sure they also felt 'in control' until it was too late.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is this; if you take extreme risks to find fulfilment in your life then you need to be fully aware that there's an increased chance that something outside of your control could happen. I'm not suggesting that no one ever rides a motorcycle again, but I know I won't because the risks don't justify the thrill for me personally. I do like mountain biking, and won't give that up, but plenty of people have serious accidents and there are fatalities in the sport. 

 

In my mind, riding at that speed and in that manner is a little bit like tornado chasing or taking your surfboard out when sharks have been spotted... I'm sure the thrill is extreme, but you drastically increase the danger you are exposed to and, as is very sadly demonstrated in this case, you have zero control over the actions of others.

 

(Sir) Bradley Wiggins, one of the most talented cyclists the world has ever seen..... was still hospitalised on a training ride by a car driver 

I agree with the above

Apart from bikes not giving a thrill. They just do for me. Especially over cars, most cars are just boring and slow compared.