Is it safe out there?

[stunna]

I've been itching to get back on two wheels :ride. The wind in your face, adrenaline pumping through your veins...well, you get my point. I've been in my fair share of cage accidents, and a few on a moto. But I can't imagine how many more close calls there are due to distracted drivers...

So for those of you still brave enough to suit up every day and ride, is it safe out there?

 

[ScottRNelson]

It depends on where you ride. I don't feel super safe in heavy traffic, but on country roads it's great.

 

[louemc]

I've been itching to get back on two wheels :ride. The wind in your face, adrenaline pumping through your veins...well, you get my point. I've been in my fair share of cage accidents, and a few on a moto. But I can't imagine how many more close calls there are due to distracted drivers...

So for those of you still brave enough to suit up every day and ride, is it safe out there?

Safe is totally dependent on the rider. The rider has to look at every indicator of what would be a signal of distraction or just plain No Brain (the lights are on, but no one is home), driving.

Mind the gap, look at the path of the wheels, look in the rear view mirrors, see the drivers head movement, if possible eye movement.

Is a load being carried, is it secure... Things like that.

Didn't see a location, what area you live in... But would recommend schooling.

 

[stunna]

Safe is totally dependent on the rider. The rider has to look at every indicator of what would be a signal of distraction or just plain No Brain (the lights are on, but no one is home), driving.

Mind the gap, look at the path of the wheels, look in the rear view mirrors, see the drivers head movement, if possible eye movement.

Is a load being carried, is it secure... Things like that.

Didn't see a location, what area you live in... But would recommend schooling.

I 100% agree with you Lou. I rode for over 10 years and took every offensive and defensive strategy while riding. But lately, I see a lot more drivers on their phones, etc. Maybe it's just me, but seems like there has been an upswing in MVAs. Especially in the Bay Area.

Just wondering if the moto community feels the same way.

 

[rsrider]

If you ride as the conditions dictate, it's fairly safe. You can't anticipate or prepare for every contingency, but that's just life in general. People will still do dumb shit every day, and I don't think I've been on ride in a long time that I didn't have to compensate, however minutely, so that I didn't have a "situation". But I can choose when and where I ride and that makes it a lot easier in avoiding problems. Honestly, I soon as I get into population the shit goes south immediately. Hell is other people.

 

[stunna]

If you ride as the conditions dictate, it's fairly safe. You can't anticipate or prepare for every contingency, but that's just life in general. People will still do dumb shit every day, and I don't think I've been on ride in a long time that I didn't have to compensate, however minutely, so that I didn't have a "situation". But I can choose when and where I ride and that makes it a lot easier in avoiding problems. Honestly, I soon as I get into population the shit goes south immediately. Hell is other people.

+1

 

[Strigoi]

For me, I don't feel safe with all of the idiots on the road which is part of the reason I'm selling my bikes now (I've never had a major incident either because of a car). I'm also just not that into riding any more and am looking to buy a fun car that will live in the garage. If I do that, I won't have space in there for the bikes.

 

[stunna]

For me, I don't feel safe with all of the idiots on the road which is part of the reason I'm selling my bikes now (I've never had a major incident either because of a car). I'm also just not that into riding any more and am looking to buy a fun car that will live in the garage. If I do that, I won't have space in there for the bikes.

How much do you want for your DRZ? :teeth

 

[orbframe]

Keep your head on a swivel, stay alert, ride safe for conditions/your bike/your skill....

Stay alert! Don't be stupid.

It's dangerous but we can work to minimize the risks.

 

[Strigoi]

How much do you want for your DRZ? :teeth

PM sent

 

[NSR500]

I'd say it's more dangerous now than even ten years ago.

Just the other day at a stop light at full stop, I see a driver just take off. That triggered 3 cars immediately behind him to also blow the red.
Keep in mind there's cross traffic flowing, but the fucking brainless drivers were on auto pilot.

 

[Aware]

If you don't feel safe, don't do it. A nervous biker is a sad biker.

It is a dangerous mode of transport and we are very vulnerable. I never ever criticise someone who wants to ride but won't because of the perceived dangers.

Per other comment, the country roads in California are largely empty and safe compared to commuter traffic. Choose your battles.

If you really really want to ride and conquer your fear, the only solution is to damned well ride and conquer your fear. But it requires that you hone your roadcraft too. Training is essential.

Ride with experienced friends who have minimal interest in being speed demons and have them talk to you about how they observe the road and other drivers.

Study road craft. It's an alien concept to most American riders, but super valuable if you want to stay alive. Read this book, I'll happily helped you with translation for some strange British language


https://www.amazon.com/Roadcraft-Drivers-Handbook-Philip-Coyne/dp/0117021687

 

[louemc]

I wouldn't expect anyone else to agree with me on this,
(but I'd be pleased to hear from anyone that does agree)

I'm safer on my bike, than in a car.

My bike will have clear space, where a car won't.
I can relocate myself quicker on my bike, than in my car.

That allows for avoiding contact.

People won't see what is happening on the road, to people In cars, unless they have access to the CHP monthly magazine that has the whole center section filled with pictures of the most grizzly accident scenes in California for the month.

Body parts scattered around on the ground. Dead bodies hanging out of windows or openings in the car, that happened in the collision.

 

[flying_hun]

 

[Hooli]

^^^:laughing

 

[kiwi_outdoors]

It depends on how long the ride and the route (in addition to all the regular factors). Its never safe, we can only decide the degree of unsafe in making our riding choices.

 

[DataDan]

In 2014 the Bay Area had about the same number of injury motorcycle crashes as in 2000. But the riding population had grown considerably with 50% more registered motorcycles. In the intervening years, annual injury crashes mostly bounced around in a narrow range, though they jumped higher in 2007 and dropped when the recession began in 2009.

So it's generally safer now than in the past. But for some riders it's never very safe.

 

[Karbon]

If riding was safe it probably wouldn't be worth doing.

 

[WWWobble]

I've tried my best, every day of my life, no matter what foolish things I'm doing, to stay alive. So far it has worked. But I'm told, eventually we fail. Therefore...

Life is not a risk. The outcome is certain.

 

[GPzPop]

I wouldn't expect anyone else to agree with me on this,
(but I'd be pleased to hear from anyone that does agree)

I'm safer on my bike, than in a car.

My bike will have clear space, where a car won't.
I can relocate myself quicker on my bike, than in my car.

That allows for avoiding contact.

yes, for hazards seen and identified, a moto rider is pro active in avoidance, but a driver of a car is usually reactive.

for hazards that might get you from the blind side, no matter how alert you are, riders rely on luck

f-yeah its dangerous!!