Bike season is here OPEN YOUR EYES!!!

Big Pratt · Post by **Big Pratt** » Fri May 19, 2006 8:16 pm

All you four wheeled drivers out there, pay attention, look twice!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/71619/acc ... _realtime/

Not defending the passing technique here but still...
Wanna bet the Lexus driver was also on the phone?

w squared · Post by **w squared** » Fri May 19, 2006 8:27 pm

I'm buying a bike this spring (just picked up my new helmet today actually), so yes...keep your eyes peeled.

When I'm riding, I don't assume that someone's seen me until I make eye contact.

The Other Kind · Post by **The Other Kind** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:00 pm

So some dickhead on a crotch rocket gets a severe case of road rash as a result of driving like a complete dipshit and someone thinks it's the 4-wheelers fault. Look at the lines on the road, the moron had no business attempting to pass. You can't expect the person in the SUV to look for someone who shouldn't be there in the first place. The only fault I can find on the part of the SUV driver is failing to signal a turn.

Big Pratt · Post by **Big Pratt** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:22 pm

You can't expect the person in the SUV to look for someone who shouldn't be there in the first place.

So you never look in the mirror and over your shoulder when you cross a centre line before passing?
Do you ever scan an intersection before crossing it on a green light?
Never look for a train when the flashing lights are off?
Do you blindly accelerate through an intersection when the lights turn green?

Just because someone should not be there does not mean that they won't be there. I still double check.

BTW I never said that what the biker did was smart or that it was the SUV's fault.... but either of them could have prevented that accident... and at around 40mph you can get a lot more than road rash...

Cheers!

Stay safe out there.

looproll · Post by **looproll** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:00 pm

Bummer near GP the other day:

rider hit a deer and came off his bike, then got smoked by a semi truck

Dex · Post by **Dex** » Sat May 20, 2006 12:22 am

It would appear the double line goes left and the 4 wheel driver was only going around a corner doing what he is supposed to. The warning sign on the right side of the road before the corner is further proof.

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Sat May 20, 2006 5:22 am

I'd say both of the riders there made some bad choices. EVERY PERSON who had ridden a motorcycle has made the same choices at one point or another:

1. Crossing a solid double line to pass.

2. Driving too recklessly to "keep formation" with their riding partner(s). (Riding a motorcyle isn't like formation flying, folks- you have your own scan, you don't HAVE TO do everything the lead guys does. These guys started out with the proper lane positioning BTW.)

3. Everyone riding a motorcycle has broken the speed limit to pass.

4. Everyone has missed reading a road sign.

5. Everyone has been in a hurry while driving.

Like a pilot told me before: "Every pilot makes a bunch of mistakes. It's when you make them all at the same time you're in trouble." (he might have stolen that from someone- he didn't quote a source)

This motorcycle accident is no different.

My $0.02.

-istp

gr8gazu · Post by **gr8gazu** » Sat May 20, 2006 6:15 am

Sorry, but I have to assess blame 50/50 on that one.

While the biker was totally in the wrong in passing with a solid double line and in an intersection, the onus is on you as a driver to do a 360 degree sweep before entering an intersection. The SUV driver obviously neglected to do this or he/she would not have turned.

Hard to believe?? You bet, but the same thing happened to me years ago in YVR and I was the lead vehicle. A truck, not a bike, did the same thing and I was assessed 50% at fault, even with charges to the other driver.

As a former biker, I have seen a lot of stupidity on both sides and have paid the price on the biking side. That being said, the biker got what he bloody deserved in that video. Be seen and be safe. Have fun and go fast. Just pick the right place to do it so you don't endanger innocents.

CarbIce · Post by **CarbIce** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:08 am

I witnessed a similar accident a few years ago (2 cars)... a guy was passing on a backroad, and the front car turned left and nicked the passing car enough to get him airborne and he tumbled into the ditch.

Knew the officer on scene, and he said it was the front cars fault. He said the law states that before you assume any lane, it must first be safe to do so.... i.e. the front driver didnt look.... his fault.

Kinda surprising....

N2 · Post by N2 » Sat May 20, 2006 7:48 am

I love it when these Ricky Roadracers get knocked on their ass for pulling such a stupid move.

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sat May 20, 2006 8:00 am

Bike's fault..the way I see it, the road turns to the left...as do the solid lines. The SUV was just driving down the road, minding his own business. He is under no obligation to signal a left turn when that's the way the road goes. The sign indicating the left turn has an arrow on it pointing to the left. That's the direction of the main roadway...the turn off was actually straight ahead. No fault to the SUV on this one!

TheCheez · Post by **TheCheez** » Sat May 20, 2006 10:29 am

The 2nd bike got buddy fucked as he followed his friend across a double line, his friend turned off on a road to the right. SUV continues along its merry way and passing bike wants to turn right to follow his buddy starting from the position of the left lane with double yellow abeam a car and basically runs into the SUV which is still following the original road as it curves left.

Also no, I dont do shoulder checks when I'm following a curve left, nor would I signal. Even if I did, and saw this bike, I would assume he was going to continue to make the illegal pass around the curve to the left and continue following the main road.

Bottom line: SUV drove in a legal, predictable manner while the bike did not, and ran down a list of poor decisions ending in impact.

shitdisturber · Post by **shitdisturber** » Sat May 20, 2006 1:22 pm

The bottom line; if you're riding a bike, you're vulnerable. You need to be smarter and think further ahead than the average driver because you're the one who's going to get hurt; no matter whose fault it is. Those guys were just plain stupid and it's no surprise one of em got bitten in the ass.

pianodude · Post by **pianodude** » Mon May 22, 2006 8:23 am

as a rider (60000 +kms) in the last five years, the rider deserved what he got. you cannot assume that a cager will do anything right. in fact treat every driver on the road like they are trying to kill you(quote from the head instructor on one of my rider training courses) and you should be fine. i have seen some pretty stupid things over the years from both drivers and riders. the whole trick to defensive driving is NEVER assume anything. teaching students has scared me more times than riding.....

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:04 am

Did you know, that in Ontario, it is legal to pass on solid lines? If it is safe to do so, and if the solid lines do not lead to a pedistrain crossing, bridge abutment, and if the vis is more than 200M? It is not reccomended, but it is not illegal in the HTA. I put this to the test after being pulled over fo passing on a double line....and the cop looked it up...and he was pretty surprised to find it legal as well. Now (not in the case on this video) with the performance of a modern motorcycle, a pass on a solid line is not only legal, but in many cases the safest thing to do, to escape being "in the rocking chair" between, for example two large trucks. Even on my Harley, which is a total "slug" compared to a sport bike, a pass on a solid line takes but 2-3 seconds. This is far safer than having someone on my tail for the next several kms. This would not be reccomended in a 1986 Buick wagon! But, if you have done any miles on a bike at all, you know that trapped between two large trucks, is not a happy place!

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:21 am

Yep, you're right, Doc. The solid line is a suggestion with regards to passing- one worth paying attention to.

After viewing the video some more, I think the Rice Rocketeer might have made it if he went as far to the left as he could and didn't brake. Maybe.

Whenever I pass, on a bike, I keep as much distance as possible from the cager I'm passing for just this reason.

-istp

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Mon May 22, 2006 10:27 am

istp...the other trick, is pass right NOW...hammer it. Do not make like a tourist!

w squared · Post by **w squared** » Mon May 22, 2006 12:34 pm

Doc is right. Get out, get past, get in. Every second that you're in that other lane is another second when you're more exposed. The same principle applies when you're driving something with four wheels.