Sharing the Road with Motorcycles

There was a horrific car/Motorcycle Crash yesterday near our home. One person lost his life, and several others have lost limbs.

The person driving the car was watching the motorcycles as they drove by him, and he went left of Center striking several of them.

Such a tragedy for those involved, and a reminder to me to be even more careful when coming upon motorcycles on the road.

The news story is here:
http://www.wcpo.com/news/2003/local/09/13/motorcycleax.html

This is horrendous! My heart goes out to all the people and families involved.

I own a 400cc bike and held a full motorcycle licence for nearly 10 years. I haven't ridden for a couple of years now (bike is due to be sold in the next few months) because of the insensitivity/inability of other road users. It's easy to forget how vunerable and/or dangerous any vehicle is let alone a motorcycle.

Motorbikes need more room between front and rear. I mean, "What's the hurry?" If they go down in front, from loose gravel or such, give them room! The same can be said in doubles concerning bicycles. They have just as much right to be on roads, streets, and avenues as do cars. "What's the hurry?" Bicyclists do need more instruction for riding on the streets. How many stay to the right and stop for stop signs? Not enough. A lot of kids seem to challenge cars by taunting, as if to say, "Go ahead, hit me". Really dumb!!! All that can be said when you see a motorcycle or bicycle in the vicinity is. How would you react if your child or relative is riding in front? Yes, we would slow down then. Why not cut others a break as well?

And why do we drive so fast without concern for others? I guess it is another subject to be discussed later.

How sad!My hearts goes out to them!

My DH and I are motorcycle riders as lots of our friends. We know it's dangerous when people in cars dont see us or they would watching at us when they drive. Most of time, we go on the country roads where it is less traffic.

Yes it is very sad. I know the man that was killed. His wife is a good friend of mine.Kim would have been with Larry except that they where having a overnight party for their son's birthday. Some of the children had not gone home yet so she didn't go with him. Larry was big in the civil war stuff and has a white beard and always rides in the Christmas parades as Santa Claus. He leaves behind a wonderful family and will be greatly missed.

Most people in cars don't relize the dangers Motorcyle riders face..

They don't give them enough room and don't think twice about pulling out in front of them or edging them over....

I have heard many a driver say "he can stop quicker, or turn quicker than I can"....Oh my how wrong they are and how many Motorcyclist are kill or injured because of ignorance or just plain hatefullness...

Oh those poor people....god bless them....

It only takes a second of courtsy to prevent a lifetime of regret....

That is so horrible news so sad so we are so happy to see my son sold his motorbike last month now we are worry free that really so dangerous not safe on the road anymore.

Ever since my son had a motorcycle when he was a teen I have been more aware of the need for caution when following motorcycles. He explained it to me. Jo

Been riding for 35 yrs. Had 5 bikes before a road bike. Dirt riding teaches what a bike can do. A full blast dump at the sand pit is just funny. A friend broke his thumb once. Road riding is so different. Many more dangers. There are a lot of riders out there for thier first year on a bike and a learners permit. If a car comes into your lane, obviously you should swerve. OK which way? Experience helps but most panic and hit the brakes and take it head on.I try to think like everybody in a car doesn't see me and they're idiots to boot. Riding is a lot of fun and I don't feel like dying just yet. Frank

One of the big problems we face in GB is that a lot of people who were bike owners way back in their pre-family days have returned to riding after a 20 or 30 years break and the roads are very much different today. I love riding the bike but just can't face the inconsiderate road users as well as I used to.

I once rode through the centre of London on a week day, a steep and fast learning curve for any road user. I came out with my life, a sore throat from yelling at the push bike cyclists who try and kick you off at the traffic lights and a much older head on my shoulders *G*

Many roads here carry a warning sign at some places:
SPEED THRILLS, BUT KILLS.

Oh, how sad, Melissa! I love the feeling of riding a motorcycle, but am terrified of them at the same time. There were so many less cars on the roads decades ago, and I think many riders forget that. I think many motorists do, too.

Riding on a motorcycle 20 years ago, we didn't have to dodge the 14 year olds with "school permits" and their daddy's car. Take a 3 week driving course in Iowa & supposedly drive with a parent for 6 months--presto! ---You have a school driving license! It's okay for the farm kids who learn to drive a tractor at 8 and have one stoplight in their town. Quite another for city kids with an interstate going thru the middle of town. Restricted hours & routes are ignored--they're all over the place! We have a rash of accidents at school start & first snow....

How very sad. And how ironic that they were riding for someone who had been injured in a motocycle accident. I lost two very dear friends years ago, both very young (19 and 22--brother and sister) when a car made a turn right in front of Marc's motorcycle. I had been on the back of Marc's bike many times; the first (and last) bike I'd ever been on. It was a devastating loss to so many. I respect bikers, for many reasons, and am always very careful to give them more than enough room and courtesy. Maybe someday I will get back on one--maybe my own. I'd like that. I think Marc would, too. :-)

This message was edited Sep 19, 2003 8:21 PM

I have been RIDING since the late 60's. I was one of about 3 females in the whole state of Texas when I started.
I am a Life Member of the AMA, TMRA, & the San Jacinto Highrollers!

I have several 'pet' sayings about riding:
Heads up & wheels down!
It hurts to lay it down!
Alcohol & motorcycles don't mix!
You can't argue with a car!
The rider is usually 'dead' right!
Let those who ride, decide!

I've been down & don't care to have that experience again!
I proudly wear a helmet but I vote against helmet laws.
John Q Citizen doesn't see us too many times.
I have buried too many of my brothers & sisters!
And my mother will be glad when I outgrow it!!!


This message was edited Sep 24, 2003 3:06 AM

I lost a very good friend about 15 years ago. The man who hit Toms Harley ran a 4 way stop sign because he said he thought cars had the right of way over bikes. Stupid people. I rode with a group for several years and it was always a challenge to dodge the idiots on the road. The only time we didn't worry about getting run over was when
300 of us rode to Toms funeral. True story.

My MIL goes riding every year with her honda club. She got in a wreck a couple of years ago and is still feeling it. She got pushed into some sand on the side of the road and her mc spun out of control. She lived but still has to go to physical therapy. She is back up and riding. DH worries about her alot though. Thinks one day he is going to get THAT phone call one day. (knocking on wood so it doesn't happen)

Everybody seems to be so aggressive today. Speeding up just to get to the red light faster syndrome. A couple of months ago, we nearly got into an accident 4 times in one day in our little Saturn, as well as holding our breath watching near misses when this idiotic driver in a truck, sped and cut into lanes in front of ppl, he never bothered signalling or waiting for enough space. Just pushed his truck in whenever he felt like it. He changed lanes every few cars. Unfortunately, he was driving in the same direction we were. If I had a cell phone I would've called the police. Now looking back, its funny haha that no matter how hard he tried to get ahead, we all got to the red light at the same time. DH had even slowed down to give the jerk a wide berth.

Waiting for Karma to bite certain ppl in the A** -J

Something that makes my blood boil, is some young (be it age or intellect)driver do stupid, dangerous things in traffic. I always think if they make a car driver mad, the next MC that driver sees & wants to get even with, might be me!
When bikes come up between cars @ a lite, I just want to open my door to knock them off their bikes & then read them the riot act!!!!
:~)

GOLDDOG - Your are absolutely right when you say "What's the hurry?"

Many people along the highways appear to think that it is imperative to be the lead vehicle, and sometimes they have to slow down with the other vehicles that they have just passed to wait for the same stop sign.

"What's the hurry?"

I am old enough to remember when former President ford lowered the speed limit to 55 MPH in his "Whip Inflation
Now" program. I guess Big Oil whipped that program.

Think of all the lives that would be spared and all the energy that would be saved if we were to relax, drive more moderately,and maintain assured distance.

I wonder, too, if our present "mission" in the middle east might not be quite so imperative.

BIRD

I totally agree, BIRD! If people could just show each other a little common courtesy while on the road (and off, for that matter), it seems we would all be better off and the world would be a better place for us all. What can be so important that people are willing to risk their lives, their family’s lives and other people’s lives just to get “there” in such a hurry? Everyone is rushing these days….it seems we have forgotten how to relax, take out time, enjoy life and smell the flowers. Maybe THAT’S why I love gardening so much....
I also agree with your feelings about big oil and the Middle East. I wonder what it is going to take, and what the cost will be, before the lesson is learned?

Talk about blocking---I just flashed on the night the hospital called me 15 years ago. It was 1 am : The babies & I were sleeping & my husband was late home from work. They calmed me down immediately and said he was okay, but I woke our 2 yr old & baby & went down to the hospital. A drunk driver had hit hubby's motorcyle and left. Bill managed to keep the bike up long enough to get his legs out. He was left in the middle of the highway with 2 broken ribs & his elbow bone showing through. No other wounds & the bike was badly damages. We sold the bike & never bought another.