[Treehugger]

bad traffic I.E stationary is classic of the sudden u turn or as bad, the "duck dowwn this little turning" if they are familiar roads to you and the traffic is worse than normal or not usually there its another red alert for that kinda behaviour in drivers. I get it alot when it rains in london. When it rains the traffic always seems far worse. And to add to that, impatient drivers end up with steemed up windows, water droplets on side mirrors and a frustrated temperment. I was trying to work out the odds from being hit in the same way you did when it rains and its something really shocking. I find that after riding the route i go home, every second in journey I would be in a position where I could have been hit. Now when it rains on the way home its not a ride, its just anticipate the crash every step of the way, if the oncomming lane is empty I drive way out from the cars im passing down the line. This is also where having a loud exhaust helps...
glad to hear you're ok, the last time someone did that to me the traffic was moving and the guy thought he'd switch lanes fast and collected me in the process. He was driving a fast merc and guess he thought NO one could have left the lights as quick as him. Luckily my boot took most of the damage running a big black rubber mark all the way down the car. My oil pressure switch plate was the point of contact with the car and it tore a hole in his wing and scratched down the side of the car. I ended up with just a bent oil pressure switch plate. Guess he learnt his lesson.

A tip which doesnt always ring true, but if youre moving down a stationary line of traffic, dont espect any indication from a sudden mover, but in many cases I've found, they do think about it for a sec then go. In the think process they do turn the wheel as if should i? shouldnt i? (is it worth it) it's when they decide "f&*k it yeah" they dont look and just pull out. This is also why they can look to see if its safe but in the thinking time you enter the picture. You can see the car thinking what hes about to do sometimes, if not you may see that the front wheels are looking like they're not happy just sitting in the line of traffic and are pointing to the on-comming lane indicating a likely move.

well done on the correctly dressed pillion, the amount of time I'm spent convincing a girl to "also" use the trousers when popping out... As a single guy I think I own more girl bike gear than a blokes! why do they have to come in so many shapes and sizes?? lol

glad to hear you're ok

 

[Treehugger]

an then spawn another "motorcycle hater" ? spreading the word about how motorbikes come out of nowhere and are just a bunch of aholes? if he was genuine,insurance covers everything and no one's badly hurt... is there really a need to sue? the shock of being hit an the "what if's" is usually lesson learnt. He's unlikely to do that kinda turn without always remembering what happened and more importantly what could have happend.

 

[Treehugger]

good to hear the insurance people arent being an arse BMW. Thats usually where we get let down the most.

good to hear other peoples viewpoints. ooobaby, its not about offending anyone, if you are hurt, then you are hurt. I think my point was missed slightly.

Tomsk, good to hear your point and point taken. IMO financial threat really doesnt work. most people drive without insurance and tax in london... I believe there a finacial threat to make them. In my experience with accidents and the way (good people) respond when they hit you, is that they are really shaken. To see a couple of defencless people(as in BMW's accident) come off and take a tumble from the safety of your cage makes you realise how vaunerable we are and in the seconds of getting out and assesing the accident, its very clear the potential for total disaster. There is no finacial penalty worse than knowing you took a persons life (ESPECIALLY, from being irresponsible). It's someting unrevokable. This is what we should be teaching and spreading. Like you I'd like it if we all loved each other, but we don't come any closer to that by involving money and apperently "getting whats due". Of course its different if youre hurt.

If I may bore you with an example. I found my bike on its side one morning and i was heartbroken. The bike was scratched and the mirror and brake lever snapped. it was pissing with rain but there was a little piece of paper in a plastic bag by my bike, it read "dear bike owner" and had a number. I called it and the guy wanted to help me out and was very appologetic. My insurance skanked him for all the damage and rental bike. To get "what i deserved". Total insurance bill,£4,500... for a tip over! His insurance would have gone up too.
So one persons good nature (love) is crippled by our need to punish. I wouldnt blame him if he drove away next time, like you say in "fear of being financially spanked". I've found my bike knocked over a couple of times and none have shown such good nature, just left it there. He wasnt english (aussie), and I hate to say it, but maybe thats why he was so kind, other than other motorcyclists, car drivers arent so caring.

anyhoo, I guess its my idealist ways but the tougher we get, the harder life is. Like everything in life, when we involve money and fear, love leaves pretty fast.

I wish during a car driving course like the emergency stop, they'd throw a body dummie arcoss the car just out of the blue. Harsh I know and would properly sh*t up the newbie driver, specially when the instructer says "ah yes.... you just killed someone... it really is as easy as that... pull away when ready..." :hammer:

we're all on the same tip, its about looking out for each other and understanding how easy it is to hurt us bikers. Thats why its hard not to get frustrated with it all. Don't get me wrong, I'd sue the sh*t out of someone if I was badly hurt tho.

 

[Treehugger]

lol no honest! ... so i'm shaped like a woman... well just on weekends. lol

you'll be suprised how funny girls are about wearing "that ex's" biker gear lol pshhh fussy fussy!
:hammer: