The only thing I would add to this post is to watch for push bikes. I have a number of friends who can reach 20 + mph and use the road properly, rather than sticking next to the pavement.

Mind you, a bike scared me witless the otherday by zooming in and out of solid traffic at about 30. My heart was in my mouth for him. If he gets hit, it's his own fault.

I take it someone almost didn't see you recently then?

I live where a lot of people retire and should not be allowed to drive! Yes, I have had a close call recently and I'm getting ready to go to a rally that's a few hours from my house. I love to ride, but sometimes, people who talk on their cell phones, read papers, books, etc. make me want to retire my bike.

push bikes? what are those?

In Texas, we're having a big campaign to "look twice." there's a very graphic tv commercial for it (maybe national?) where a car driver looks, but doesn't see, them BAM.

Have not seen that one yet!

My BF rides a bike and also works at a Motorcycle shop so I am very aware of looking out for motorcycles all the time.

I'm glad someone brought this up. I was just having this conversation the other day. We have the "look twice" campaign too. I have a t-shirt that says "don't say you didn't see the motorcycle....when what you meant to say was I didn't look for the motorcycle." I'm a rider and so is my fiance.

Pedal bikes

Thanks for this thread . My dad used to ride a motorbike and he was in a terrible accident on my 5th birthday and was very lucky he didn't lose his life. Even though it is 18 years later he still has a lot of health issues arising from that incident as well as mental/emotional issues which has a huge impact on our family..the accident was caused by a drunk p plater who had only got their license that day..

Miss Jada, sorry to hear about your Dad. Unfortunately, this is a story to way to common.

On the other side of the fence, I also want to say that those on motorcycles should also pay attention.

They ride around at speeds far above the limit in the dark, swerve in and out of wild traffic and I have seen plenty of bikes cut off cars. Also - wear a helmet. Yes - it will muss your hair but it will save your damn fool head too! Cranial road rash is not a good look.

I am very aware of bikes because when 8 years ago, I hit one. It was at night, I was at a stop sign, I looked twice each way and saw nothing. My friend that was with me saw nothing either. I proceeded through the intersections and ::BAM::! Next thing I know there is an angry crotch-rocketeer STANDING on the hood of my Grand Marquis shouting explicitives. Nothing ever came of it other than hitting up the junk yard for parts to replace my fender and 2 doors and he had to rebend his frame. He was wearing all black, had NO headlight on and said he saw me but continued to come straight at me why? We will never know. Now I stay FAAAR away from motorcycles.

I also saw a guy die on that same road because him and his asshat friends were doing stunts between 80 and 100mph. One day the stunt didn't work....

Hey Badkitty! I totally agree with everything. There is always going to be that one person(s) that ruins everything and gives us a bad rap. Personally I always wear a helmet, I love to ride but I love my life more.

Try international. Think Twice is in the UK too, posters all over the place, and that same advert is on TV's here too.

I think that was a good thread idea tbh.

ETA: On my street an 18yo biker was riding recklessly on the A34, one of the busiest roads in the country...

He hit a 45yo mother of 3 kids who was crossing the road... killed her instantly.

Works for pedestrians too. Maybe then those kids would still have their mother.

In the UK, we had an advert that had the camera fixed on a driver's side mirror, with a motorbike squarely in it. A male voice said "Now you see him" Camera goes to the road, back to the side mirror which is empty "Now you don't". Road, mirror "Now you see him". Road, mirror "Now you don't". The car changes line, you hear and crash and the squeal of brakes. The camera is from the driver p.o.v as he gets out and sees the motorbike rider on the road, and the male narrator just repeats "Now you see him. Now you see him. Now you see him. Now you see him."

It gives me the willies just remembering it

i have trouble looking out for the other cars on the road....ahem.... but yeah.... ill try

A good point Toshia about people not even looking for motorcycles. My beau (on a bright yellow bike)in the last two months has nearly been run over by, coincidentally, 2 different cars driven by folks we know. His one pal stated quite clearly he wasn't even thinking about motorcycles when he was looking for on-coming traffic. He is a very alert and cautious driver and has had a number of near misses this summer. Many people just don't consider that there are plenty of bikers on the road too. More caution is required by all.

Neophyte - thanks for your comment, I feel like I'm getting beat up here...I know you have stupid riders of bikes that do very dangerous things. But, most of us are responsible! We wear the leather and the helmets and don't ride like idiots. I just wanted to make people on this website (a lot of us are pierced and tattooed) aware that there are more and more people riding because of the weather (I'm in Florida) and the cost of gas (which I think is slowly going down). Most of the people I ride with are professionals and have familes and would not do anything to endanger themselves or others!

Where can I get the t-shirt Toshia???

http://www.remembertheriders.com

Thanks for the thread, but it's a tough one for me!
A close friend was killed about a month ago while vacationing in Hawaii with her husband and eight year old daughter.
They were experienced riders and rode here in L.A. all the time.
They rented bikes over there and one day they rounded a curve (husband and daughter in front on one bike). Apparently Melissa went wide and was hit head on by a truck and killed instantly!

Yikes, this is suddenly a depressing thread.

I must say, I've noticed most bikers have very good road manners. On the other hand, a lot of cyclists are just dicks.

I travel down to Washington DC a lot and when I see cycles on the beltway (a 6-8-lane highway that circles our capital and is usualy 50-70mph bumper to bumper traffic for the international here) that weave in and out of traffic, between lanes, and on the shoulder I get so scared for them. Some people just have no sense.

I ride. Ive only been riding for about 2 years so I'm a pretty slow/careful rider. I only ride out at my home town, which is amish towns and farm land. So not a ton of traffic. I'm pretty inexperienced so I usually ride with my dad/brother or one of my relatives with me on their bikes.

Sometimes I wonder if its a good idea though. Ive been in two extremely serious car accidents (both the other drivers fault) where I was very lucky to walk away from both. If that ever happens on a bike... Sometimes I wonder if I'm being dumb considering my lack of luck with other drivers hitting me.

I know Crafty, I feel the same.
I have two boys 7 and 11, and I have no idea why I still want to buy a bike. For me, it's a choice. The choice is to live a life of fear and miss many of the opportunities that life has to offer. I don't just mean things that involve physical danger, but anything that involves risks. Be it financial or changing your job. At some point you have to be true to yourself and honor your own desires. Or live a life of frustration and resentment.
I don't mean that one should be fool hardy and take unnecessary risk. But accept the risk, learn everything you can about whatever you are undertaking and be careful.
I've done a lot of research on riding (to calm my fear), and here a couple of facts.
Most bike accidents happen on weekend nights, are speed related, or are alcohol/drug related. The latter doesn't mean that the bike rider was drunk or using. It could be the driver of the car. Soooooo, it might not be a good idea to ride on weekend nights when every drunk out there is trying to navigate their way home.
Your riding with your family is a good idea, it's proven to be much safer...more for other drivers to see.
Ride safe and have fun!
Sorry was a bit lengthy.

Eveything's a calculated risk ... as long as you sure you've done the calculation. Unlike some who nearly got mowed down twice wilst I was watching. My heart was in my mouth. He looked barely old enough to have a bike of that power, his (presumably) gf on the back in jeans and no helmet, doing 80-odd in a 40 zone weaving in and out of traffic, including the WRONG direction lane if he felt like it. She was clinging on, but laughing.

I'm watching the local news for "Teenagers killed in motorbike accident." it's only a matter of time.

And it frustrates me, because I see maybe ten or so bike on my daily commmute. The vast majority drive sensibly and legally. Sometimes they cut it a bit find overtaking, but everyone does occasionally. but I don't remember them, I onyl remember the adrenaline jockstraps who put my heart in my mouth. Wankers.

I often wonder why we try to hold back natural selection when some of these jackass motorcyclists really need to just be removed from the gene pool.

And yes, as my signature states, I do ride.

What kinda bikes do you guys ride anyway?

I rock a '98 Honda Shadow.

As per my signature, right now I ride a Suzuki GZ250. Looking to find a Suzuki SV650 this winter, though.

If I had an extra $20,000 just laying around, I would probably get a Road King. Instead I am looking for a basket case that I can turn into another low and fat Frankenstein bike like my last one - hopefully by next summer.

I have to agree with Chrmrk. She is right on! Why live a life in fear? Enjoy everyday to it's fullest. I also have a 14 year old and once in while I wonder what am I doing on the road? But, anything could happen to anyone at anytime and I want to enjoy the here and now.

I ride a Harley 1200 Custom Sportster and love every minute of it!

Actually I'm a he
I see a Heritage Classic in the near future for me. Probably after the new year. Can't wait!

I'm so sorry... This blog thing is still very new to me and I think a Heritage Classic is a super bike! My husband wants to add a Road King Classic to the collection. Currently he rides a Duce Softail.

hmpadilla wrote:

I'm so sorry... This blog thing is still very new to me and I think a Heritage Classic is a super bike! My husband wants to add a Road King Classic to the collection. Currently he rides a Duce Softail.

That's OK, no harm done.
I'd say your husband has good taste, and a good woman to allow another scooter to the stall.
Are you in a part of the country where you can ride during the winter?