Another Victim

[Sherman]

Fellow Feejers,

We had the brother of one of our employees rear-ended while he sat at a stop light yesterday. He was on an '03 HD anniversary issue - so the bike was pretty visible. 54 years old - pushed out into cross traffic, died of internal bleeding a few hours later.

Anyway I'm starting to believe in lane splitting when at the rear end of the line waiting for a light or a traffic slowdown. The is no way in hell we should be sitting there waiting to get runned over. I don't believe we should be doing it to overtake traffic, but it would be much safer to be off to the side waiting for movement.

- your thoughts please.

Bruce

 

[GunMD]

I'm really sorry to hear about this...what a shame.

I tend to agree with you about not wanting to sit at the rear of traffic at a light. I'm always nervous, checking mirrors, tapping brake (to flash brake lights) and just generally being in a heightened state of alertness. I also make every effort to leave myself an "out", just incase it becomes necessary.

 

[skyway]

Bummer about hearing this kind of stuff. Most of the time I will ride up front at a stop light, right side or left, whichever has the most room.

 

[radman]

A bummer, but all the equipment in the world, all the training, all the awareness, will not be sufficient when your number is up. One has to accept that, or quit riding. Then, some drunk will T-Bone your cage. All part of the mystery.

 

[exskibum]

A bummer, but all the equipment in the world, all the training, all the awareness, will not be sufficient when your number is up. One has to accept that, or quit riding. Then, some drunk will T-Bone your cage. All part of the mystery.

Well said, Rad.

 

[Derek]

i agree. if there is a place to safely go that's relatively out of harms way, i'm going there. i'll be more than happy to defend my actions in court if necessary.

derek

 

[FlyingLow]

It's either that or just plain never leave your house.

Some people live that way. It's a bad way to live, but comparatively safe.

 

[Toecutter]

Damned shame. The person who did the negligent homicide will probably suffer a slight increase in insurance rates, but not much else. Please keep us informed of their consequences if you can. Where (in the world) did it happen?

 

[Sherman]

The accident happened in Chesterton, Indiana - near the Southern tip of Lake Michigan.

Bruce

 

[Mike-H]

Condolences to his family & friends....

 

[radman]

The accident happened in Chesterton, Indiana - near the Southern tip of Lake Michigan.Rad - your fatalism is admirable in a sick sort of way. However, it is not very helpful except to shut down a thread and to reinforce the public's perception of the motorcycle riders suicidal tendencies. (Didn't we just recently get lit up over some legislation calling motorcycle accidents suicides?) Most of us have responsibilities to our families and community. Anything that increases our chances to return home safely is only offered to help others.

Aviation was once only for dare devils. Through pilots sharing of experiences and accident investigations, this once dangerous endeavour has long been safe enough for commercial travel. OTOH - motorcycles are still viewed by the general population as being for the very poor or very stupid due to their dismal safety record.

Pass the plate.

Bruce

Huh? I would suggest re-reading my post, all of it this time. Larry Grodsky was as geared up, trained, and not suicidal as they come-gone. Planes, despite every advance in equipment, training, and legislation, still occasionally fall victim to gravity. Thats all my post is saying-I noticed a big edit in your post after this eye opener was laid down-did it appear to you as it did to me?

rad

7 friends lighter

more to come

 

[Mike-H]

Rad....did I miss something :blink: ....I don't see that quote on this thread...

 

[huron52]

I know I had my awareness opened up when I got rear ened two years ago.

The light changed to red and I stopped in the left lane . The bikes that I was riding with, one stopped beside but just past me and the other was following the car that hit me. The guy following the car saw the brake lights on, but kept saying to himself " that car is getting awful close". then bang I got hit. I was sitting at the red light with my hand holding in the cluth and other hand on the front brake. The impact pushed me about a bike length or two into the interesction. Bike flopped down and I rolled off the bike and on to my feet trying to figure out what happened. I was totally unhurt but then this was in town, car was almost stopped, and I had my gear on. The cost to repair the bike after that little oops was $6000.

After something like that happens you try to go over in your head .... "how can I make sure that does happened again" Look out behind and I guess and try to have yourself an out. I do watch traffic flows and sometimes plan routes that don't have high traffic accidents on. Example of that is I have to go by Detriot. Shortes way would be to take I 75 straight through it but I am take I 69 across to Flint and then US 23 down to miss it altogether.A little out of my way but on a bike it is worth it. Or driving across the top of Toronto... I would think about a different route.

I have to agree with Rad. When your number is up that's it.

But everyday when we get out of bed you can change the chance of it not ending today.

They call it safety!

 

[Sherman]

The accident happened in Chesterton, Indiana - near the Southern tip of Lake Michigan.

Rad - your fatalism is admirable in a sick sort of way. However, it is not very helpful except to shut down a thread and to reinforce the public's perception of the motorcycle riders suicidal tendencies. (Didn't we just recently get lit up over some legislation calling motorcycle accidents suicides?) Most of us have responsibilities to our families and community. Anything that increases our chances to return home safely is only offered to help others.

Aviation was once only for dare devils. Through pilots sharing of experiences and accident investigations, this once dangerous endeavour has long been safe enough for commercial travel. OTOH - motorcycles are still viewed by the general population as being for the very poor or very stupid due to their dismal safety record.

Pass the plate.

Bruce

Huh? I would suggest re-reading my post, all of it this time. Larry Grodsky was as geared up, trained, and not suicidal as they come-gone. Planes, despite every advance in equipment, training, and legislation, still occasionally fall victim to gravity. Thats all my post is saying-I noticed a big edit in your post after this eye opener was laid down-did it appear to you as it did to me?

rad

7 friends lighter

more to come

True I did write this today. I posted it for about 5 min and then re-read your post, then I deleted the item. I don't know how or why you dug it up. I apoligize if I offended you, even though your first response is fatalistic. But I'll stand by the post if you wish. I wasn't talking about Larry or the thousands of riders that get offed at no fault of their own. I am only pointing out that the mentality that we are all dead when our number is up may lead to some minimizing safe riding practices. I read too much into your post late last night and neglected to re-read it this am before responding. Yes, it is an inapproiate and overstated reply. That is why I deleted it.

Bruce