i am sick , a man died in front of me

[Nix]

The human body is an incredibly fragile thing. It's so much more delicate that people realise, after all it's only flesh, organs and bones.
I once saw someone hit on a bike by a 4x4 at a junction. The cyclist flew off his bike about 10 feet or so IIRC and didn't move but he seemed fine by the time the ambulance arrived and I didn't hear anything about it in the news so I assume he survived.

 

[dirtydog]

By the by, I would guess that cats eyes prevent way more accidents than they cause, and that a lower percentage of bikes end up in accidents compared to cars.

But I am sure a far higher percentage of accidents on bikes result in serious injury than car accidents.

 

[Marshmule]

day i passed my test i saw a dead motorcyclist on road with lots of blood horrific!

 

[Takhisis]

But I am sure a far higher percentage of accidents on bikes result in serious injury than car accidents.

Yet the majority of bike accidents are caused by car drivers not "seeing" the biker

 

[Sic]

Yet the majority of bike accidents are caused by car drivers not "seeing" the biker

not always down to the car driver though. i've seen some bikers use, frankly, abysmal road positioning and now headlights in low-light.

it has to be taken case-by-case, unfortunately.

Iraklis...hope you feel better mate. try and get some time off work

 

[scratch]

I found some squashed flat in a car crash once.. Still think about it today! Absolutely horrific

Same here. The dashboard/engine of the car was where the passenger seat should have been. Had to listen to the guy die over the space of 5 minutes. Its not nice and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I also think about it at random times and it's enough to make a grown man cry on the spot

Andy

 

[penski]

I was drinking under a bridge in Berwick one summer afternoon (I was 15, there's nothing else to do in Berwick) when someone plopped into the tarmac about 10' from me.

From this bridge...Didn't leave much.

*n

 

[JRS]

That is why I will never get on a bike - they are just not safe.

Bikes are perfectly safe. It's the people who ride them that sometimes aren't.

 

[Neoni]

That sucks. Pretty traumatic for sure. We once found a guy who'd shot himself when we were on holiday. Kinda spoilt the day.

Silly of him not to be wearing a helmet.

why would he wear a helmet if he wanted to shoot himself?

/gets coat.

-Neon.

 

[DarkShadow]

why would he wear a helmet if he wanted to shoot himself?

/gets coat.

-Neon.

Take that coat off!

I really shouldn't laugh

 

[Treefrog]

Yet the majority of bike accidents are caused by car drivers not "seeing" the biker

not always down to the car driver though. i've seen some bikers use, frankly, abysmal road positioning and no headlights in low-light.

it has to be taken case-by-case, unfortunately.

Erm, she didn't say always.

I've also seen abysmal positioning - like too close to a lorry so they can't see past it. But then I've seen car drivers do the same. The stupid thing is that you can have a much better view on a bike if you use it correctly.

In AJUK's post (#6) for example:
1. You don't do an emergency stop for a dog (dangerous driving)
2. The bike was too close to the lorry and badly positioned (stupid)
3. The car was too close to the bike as well (stupid)

Iraklis - I know what you mean mate. *manly internet hug*

 

[Squark]

I feel for you, thats a nasty experience to go through

I hope that you are able to cope with it soon

Ash

 

[dirtydog]

Yet the majority of bike accidents are caused by car drivers not "seeing" the biker

The way some bikers ride, is that surprising.. I'm sure we've all seen bikers doing crazy overtakes in busy traffic. I do watch out for bikes but they are inherently harder to spot because of their size, that's an unavoidable fact. The idea that all bikers are highly skilled, competent and safe is flawed IMO.

 

[Takhisis]

The idea that all bikers are highly skilled, competent and safe is flawed IMO.

Talk about reading between the lines!!! Where on earth did I say that?

There are definately some extremely stupid bikers who take risks that are just not worth it, and I'm sorry but I have no sympathy for stupid riders, but statistically the main cause of bike accidents is car drivers.

I know - I've been pillion with Mic when a car which had been travelling in the inside lane for a good few miles in line with us suddenly decided he wanted to be in the middle lane - there is no excuse for that kind of unobservant driving.

The majority of bike riders are a lot more careful that car drivers due to the fact that they are more at risk, they don't have nice seat belts or big padded air bags or Mr SIPS, so they keep watch, know whats going on, and look after themselves.

 

[dirtydog]

Talk about reading between the lines!!! Where on earth did I say that?

I thought that you were implying it It is a point of view which I've heard many times, just like the laughable idea that HGV drivers are the safest drivers on the road which I've heard a few times.

There are definately some extremely stupid bikers who take risks that are just not worth it, and I'm sorry but I have no sympathy for stupid riders, but statistically the main cause of bike accidents is car drivers.

I know - I've been pillion with Mic when a car which had been travelling in the inside lane for a good few miles in line with us suddenly decided he wanted to be in the middle lane - there is no excuse for that kind of unobservant driving.

The majority of bike riders are a lot more careful that car drivers due to the fact that they are more at risk, they don't have nice seat belts or big padded air bags or Mr SIPS, so they keep watch, know whats going on, and look after themselves.

Sure, because they realise they're riding a deathtrap and the slightest most innocuous accident even at low speed could very easily result in death or serious injury. I think it's a bit simplistic to blame car drivers for not seeing bikes, when bikes are hard to spot. I've also seen plenty of bikes without their headlight on, even in dim light, which seems suicidal to me.

 

[Sic]

Erm, she didn't say always.

i never inferred even for a second that she did.

 

[Treefrog]

The way some bikers ride, is that surprising.. I'm sure we've all seen bikers doing crazy overtakes in busy traffic. I do watch out for bikes but they are inherently harder to spot because of their size, that's an unavoidable fact. The idea that all bikers are highly skilled, competent and safe is flawed IMO.

The way some car drivers fail to look, is that surprising..
Last month, on the mountain bike, a car pulled out from stationary behind a bus while I was alongside him. No mirror, no signal, just manoeuvre. Had I been on the 750 he'd still have needed to actually look in order to have seen me. Plus an indication wouldn't go amiss.

 

[Takhisis]

A bike is bigger than a pedestrian - do you use the same justification when people get run over?

I've not done my driving test yet but I'm sure one of the things you're meant to get taught is observancy and hazzard perception.

I don't blame car drivers for all bike accidents, I'm just stating what is a proven fact on what causes the majority of them. Yes bikes are smaller than cars, so bikers need to be aware of this and act accordingly (ie putting lights on), but car drivers need to also take responsibility for the fact that they are driving a machine that can kill - if you're not responsible enough to realise the power a car has, then you shouldn't be able to drive one IMO.

 

[Rich1988]

all the adverts are putting me off a bike

 

[Mikeyboy]

I've seen a man being run over by a train.

Tasty.