MEM
Well-known member
I love it .
I understand the rationale and I admire / am envious of your skill. But I do fear for you guys.
Carry on and stay safe!
ME
Reprising "Dancing in the Dark"
- Thread starter James Burleigh
- Start date
Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:
I understand the rationale and I admire / am envious of your skill. But I do fear for you guys.
Carry on and stay safe!
ME
Don - Please explain, splitting sheep. I think Bust may want more detail too.
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madmike2
Shtirrenuppenmeister
MEM
Well-known member
James Burleigh
Well-known member
:dirol:
Now THAT sounds dangerous! :dribble:
:rofl:
There's anecdotal information out there that the CHP see more rear-ended bikes in rush hour than side-swipes. At the risk of using more than my daily quota of bits and bytes on the forum, here's the article I published in Friction Zone magazine on rush-hour accidents.
Rush Hour Motorcycle Accident Statistics
After commuting to work each morning across the San Francisco Bay Bridge on my 1200 Sportster, I get into my office, turn on the radio, and invariably hear on the traffic report about another rush hour motorcycle accident. Given that I typically see only about four other bikes on my 45-mile ride in, as compared with about 50,000 cars, what are the odds that I’d be hearing about a motorcycle accident? With such an astronomical ratio of cars to bikes, hearing almost daily about motorcycle accidents during rush hour suggests to me that a bike in rush hour traffic is exponentially more likely to be in an accident than a car.
There is no greater commute vehicle invented than the motorcycle (okay, maybe except for when it’s pouring rain). From the motorcyclist’s perspective, even the densest traffic is porous. My daily commute time door to door, when traffic is moving well, is exactly one hour on the Harley, including getting in and out of my “costume” as my wife calls it. On the worst traffic day, with long backups in multiple locations, it only takes an additional ten minutes to make the commute. When you throw on top of the time savings being able to use HOV lanes, avoiding bridge tolls, and maximizing fuel efficiency, riding a bike to work makes a lot of sense.
Do Weekend Riders Know Something I Don’t?
I often wonder why I seem to be one of only about five motorcyclists I see commuting to work. Are all those motorcyclists who come out on weekends smarter for keeping their bikes in the garage Monday through Friday? Do they know something I don’t? We all agree riding a motorcycle is inherently risky. I wouldn’t presume that riding during rush hour would be any less risky than riding during other times, but is riding a bike during rush hour any more risky?
The California Highway Patrol’s Information Services Unit provided ten years worth of statewide motorcycle-involved accident data (1994 to present) from their Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). The SWITRS processes all fatal and injury traffic collision reports from all police agencies in California. With detailed information on more than 102,000 motorcycle accidents, it turns out that 33,449 accidents (33%) occurred Monday through Friday between 6–10am and 4–8pm. Before getting into the results, it’s important to point out that a key piece of information is missing—the total population of motorcyclists on the road at any given time. Without this information the probability that a rider will have an accident, or whether rush hour riders have accidents at a higher rate than non-rush hour riders, cannot be predicted.
Although we cannot predict the likelihood that a rider will have an accident, we can compare the statistics for rush hour accidents to those for non-rush hour accidents to analyze how the two types of accidents differ. In this way we can tell, for example, if rush hour riders who suffer accidents are injured more severely than riders in non-rush hour accidents.
Statistical Results
When are rush-hour motorcycle accidents most likely to occur? Seventy percent of motorcycle accidents occurred between 4–6pm. The fewest accidents occurred between 6–7am (only 8% of all rush hour accidents). No day of the week yielded materially more or less rush hour accidents—they are spread pretty evenly across the work week.
Was another vehicle (or object) involved?
Another motor vehicle was involved in 66% of the accidents. That percentage is about 13 points higher than for a non-rush hour accident (53%). In 18% of the accidents the motorcycle did not encounter another vehicle or object. For non-rush hour accidents this number jumps to 24%. The motorcycle collided with something that isn’t moving—the famous “stationary object”—in 8% of the accidents. The rate was higher (14%) for non-rush hour accidents.
When the rider is at fault, what is the most likely type of accident?
The most common type of motorcyclist-at-fault accident during rush hour is broad-siding (24%). The percentage for non-rush hour broad-side accidents where the motorcyclist was at fault is 17%. The next most common accident scenario is side-swiping (20%; 11% for non-rush hour), while the third highest common accident involves rear-ending (19%; 13% for non-rush hour).
The percentages of these three types of accidents during rush hour when the motorcyclist is not at fault are roughly the same as when he is at fault: broad-side—29%, side-swipe—19%, and rear-end—17%.
How old are the riders who are involved in rush-hour accidents? About 33% of all rush hour accident victims are 20–30 years old. This percentage holds true for non-rush hour victims as well. About 25% are 30–40 years old, which is the same for non-rush hour riders. Motorcyclists between 20–40 show a slightly higher percentage of having an accident when they ride during commute hours than their age group shows for non-rush hour accidents. Riders over 40 show a slightly lower percentage of having an accident when they ride during commute hours.
How bad are the injuries? In 98.3% of rush hour accidents the rider survived—a higher percentage than for non-rush hour accidents (96.9%). In 20% of the accidents the rider did not get hurt at all. In 69% of the accidents involving an injury, the injuries were not severe; but 11% had severe injury.
For accidents that occurred on an interstate during rush hour, 24% of the riders walked away without injury compared to 17% of the riders in accidents on a non-interstate during rush hour or on any kind of roadway during non-rush hour (15%). By the way, 7% of the motorcyclists in rush hour accidents were not wearing a helmet (the same percentage holds for non-rush hour accidents). Of motorcyclists killed, slightly more (12%) were not wearing a helmet.
What is the principal cause of an accident when the rider is at fault? During rush hour, 51% of the accidents were the rider’s fault, increasing to 60% for non-rush hour accidents. For accidents in which the motorcyclist was at fault, 45% involved “unsafe speed.” This percentage is slightly lower (41%) for non-rush hour accidents.
“Unsafe lane change” is cited as the principle collision factor in only 4% of accidents where the motorcyclist was at fault during rush hour. However, in rush hour accidents where the motorcyclist was not at fault, unsafe lane changing accounted for 18% of accidents.
What does it all mean—should I ride in or not?
What can be concluded from these statistics?
It appears that riders during rush hour tend to hit cars more frequently in an accident than non-rush hour riders, probably owing to what I call a greater “metal density” on the roads during rush hour. But they are less likely to drop their bikes and crash into stationary objects than non-rush hour riders.
The famous Hurt Study indicated that 77% of all accidents involved pre-crash sightlines within the 11 to 1 o’clock sightlines. The SWITRS data suggests that 63%, or almost two-thirds of rush hour accidents, involved either broad-siding, side-swiping, or rear-ending—which collectively come out of the 3 to 9 o’clock ranges. This discrepancy may only be an accident investigation difference of interpretation. Nevertheless, I think I’ll keep checking those mirrors while minding my following distance.
There does appear to be some good news for those of us who commute to work. First, it appears that if a rush hour rider has an accident, he is more likely to walk away with no injuries than a rider who is involved in a non-rush hour accident. Next, the level of injury (excluding death) is likely to be no greater than that experienced by a rider in a non-rush hour accident.
Moreover, deaths per 100 rush hour motorcycle accidents are 1.74, while deaths per 100 non-rush hour accidents are 3.15, or almost twice the rate of rush hour accidents. The data indicates that if you have an accident during rush hour, you are less likely to be killed than if you have an accident during non-rush hour. Possible explanations for the lower fatality rate might be riders’ wearing an increased level of protective gear, better strategies, riders’ being more experienced, or slower-moving traffic.
One of the most salient statistics to come out of this analysis is that an overwhelming amount (70%) of rush hour accidents occur during the evening rush hour. And it’s not about the dark, because most rush hour accidents (85%) happen during daylight (probably explained by more riders being out in the summer months). I certainly find that the evening commute seems more frantic, like everyone is in a hurry to get home (just as I am). On top of that, drivers are mentally fatigued after a long day at work (just as I am).
This statistical analysis has taught me to ride more conservatively on the way home, recognizing that fatigue may cause my judgment to be off just enough to misjudge that tight lane change between cars. Or conversely, that drivers are more likely to make poor decisions in the evening, resulting in more frequent violations of my right-of-way. That conservatism translates to a slower average speed, an increased bubble where possible, and fewer “yeah-baby!” passing maneuvers.
So should you ride in to work?
Well, I think the overall conclusion we can cull from the data is that, if I am willing to accept the risk of riding, say, on the weekend, then I have no reason to fear a higher risk of injury, a higher level of injury, or a greater threat of death from an accident during rush hour than from an accident during non-rush hour—particularly when on interstates (freeways). Unfortunately we don’t know if I am more likely to have an accident during rush or non-rush hour.
I’ve mentioned the benefits of commuting (HOV lanes, time savings, etc.), but there’s also that fundamental reason we ride: because it’s fun. So if you’re pretty much a weekend rider, put on your costume and give commuting by motorcycle a try. You may find, just as I did, that unlike when you’re in a car, the best part of your work day is the commute.
RayW
Well-known member
...all I know is that if my wife saw ME ride like that she would take my keys away... :lol:
But then, when I'm sitting in the middle of a long line of cars and have a wide open space about 4 feet wide all the way to the front of the line, I REALLY wish I was in Cali.
Enjoyed the video...good skills....need to work on mine a bit....
Ray
But then, when I'm sitting in the middle of a long line of cars and have a wide open space about 4 feet wide all the way to the front of the line, I REALLY wish I was in Cali.
Enjoyed the video...good skills....need to work on mine a bit....
Ray
SacramentoMike
Not Safe For Work
Heard that, Ray. Riding to CFR this summer, got stuck in a horrible traffic jam up in Portland, OR. How damn FRUSTRATING! Could have made it out of that mess in five minutes, if only. . . Same thing when I'm stuck in the car, especially when some free soul cruises on past me, "tearing along the dotted line."
RsvlFeej
RsvlFeej
These two quotes capture what I've known but never bothered to articulate:
"The SWITRS data suggests that 63%, or almost two-thirds of rush hour accidents, involved either broad-siding, side-swiping, or rear-ending—which collectively come out of the 3 to 9 o’clock ranges.
That data nails my 3 incidents while lane-sharing. One instance of getting pinched off (by a tour bus) = 33% in the 11-1 sightline and twice getting nailed from the side/rear (66%). Both of those drivers decided it was time to change lanes just as I was almost clear of the fronts of their cars and each clipped me in the left saddlebag with their right front fender/bumper. Unfortunately, I can't think of any defense against this move - Don't know that I would see or recognize their move using the mirror. Fortunately, the total damage from all 3 incidents was very minor - one broken saddlebag tang (plastic bit on top) and one broken saddlebag reflector.
One of the most salient statistics to come out of this analysis is that an overwhelming amount (70%) of rush hour accidents occur during the evening rush hour. And it’s not about the dark, because most rush hour accidents (85%) happen during daylight (probably explained by more riders being out in the summer months). I certainly find that the evening commute seems more frantic, like everyone is in a hurry to get home (just as I am). On top of that, drivers are mentally fatigued after a long day at work (just as I am).
YUP! Everybody's frantic and fatigued in the evening and are much more aggressive and less predictable (lane changing, pinching, and "You ain't passing me" syndrome, plus much more cell phoning, texting, and reading) than the morning zombies (who offer their own distinct dangers). I try not to leave my office between 4:10 and 4:30 pm anymore because of the people really trying to beat the rush. After 4:30, seems people are more resigned to their fates.
"The SWITRS data suggests that 63%, or almost two-thirds of rush hour accidents, involved either broad-siding, side-swiping, or rear-ending—which collectively come out of the 3 to 9 o’clock ranges.
That data nails my 3 incidents while lane-sharing. One instance of getting pinched off (by a tour bus) = 33% in the 11-1 sightline and twice getting nailed from the side/rear (66%). Both of those drivers decided it was time to change lanes just as I was almost clear of the fronts of their cars and each clipped me in the left saddlebag with their right front fender/bumper. Unfortunately, I can't think of any defense against this move - Don't know that I would see or recognize their move using the mirror. Fortunately, the total damage from all 3 incidents was very minor - one broken saddlebag tang (plastic bit on top) and one broken saddlebag reflector.
One of the most salient statistics to come out of this analysis is that an overwhelming amount (70%) of rush hour accidents occur during the evening rush hour. And it’s not about the dark, because most rush hour accidents (85%) happen during daylight (probably explained by more riders being out in the summer months). I certainly find that the evening commute seems more frantic, like everyone is in a hurry to get home (just as I am). On top of that, drivers are mentally fatigued after a long day at work (just as I am).
YUP! Everybody's frantic and fatigued in the evening and are much more aggressive and less predictable (lane changing, pinching, and "You ain't passing me" syndrome, plus much more cell phoning, texting, and reading) than the morning zombies (who offer their own distinct dangers). I try not to leave my office between 4:10 and 4:30 pm anymore because of the people really trying to beat the rush. After 4:30, seems people are more resigned to their fates.
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