Welcome to the forum LondonLad.

Where you from?

A distinction should be made between not being at fault and not being able to do anything to prevent an accident.
Unfortunately as the most vulnerable and most difficult to see on the roads, the onus is on us keep ourselves safe. The reason it's our responsibility isn't because of traffic laws, it's because no matter who's fault it is, we're still the ones who will be most likely to suffer in the event of an accident.

I agree.

I also belive that aswell as not being at fault, i could not have prevented the accidents.

That's not something I can comment on, not having been there, but I believe it to be the case that the vast majority of the common types of accidents are preventable with appropriate hazard perception.

i'm in north london - i'm a paramedic so used to seeing the negative side of biking - but am also jealous of my work mates turning up on their bikes smiling away, while i'm already ****ed off with having sat in my car for an hour to get to work.

You already know the answer to your question then so ride carefully.Welcome to the site BTW.
Where do you work,as a bike should cut down your commute or at least make it more pleasant.

...don't forget to take a break when you start losing concentration or get tired.

[quote="LondonLad"]i'm in north london - i'm a paramedic so used to seeing the negative side of biking - but am also jealous of my work mates turning up on their bikes smiling away, while i'm already p*ssed off with having sat in my car for an hour to get to work.[/quote

If your a paramedic and get your bike licence, let them know. Try and get police class 1 training, as it is aparently "the best of the best". They might even let you ride a pan!

Dan

Most people that know me on here would say that I am a serial crasher. However I have been riding legally since I was 16. I'm now 38, and in this time I have had 6 accidents.

Of those 6 accidents 5 of them were in the past three years.

Of those 5 three of them was my fault. Riding without taking in consideration road conditions.

I had my first accident after nearly 10 years riding. My fault.

Some times it's sods law and there is nothing you can do to avoid an accident, however, how serious that accident is can depend a whole lot on yourself.

Is biking dangerous, yeah it is, but you can minimise the dangers by riding appropriately. By this I don't mean riding slow. I mean riding to your abilities and the road conditions.

That's my tuppence worth anyway.

Have fun and ride sensibly and within your means. Riding in London, extra care needed. Like watching out for those buses that decide to cross junctions when the lights are red :roll: . Or doctors on call who pull out of a side road because they were flashed by traffic coming from the opposite direction :roll: . Or Volvo drivers pulling out when they think they have checked if the road is clear. :roll:

Depends on the person riding the bike. Remember the throttle works both ways, you are in control, no-one else.

Accidents do happen. But provided you ride as safe and sensible as you can, you can reduce the chances of it happening to you.

I came off once at 110mph - ive learnt from my mistakes - went back to the crash site and talked myself through it, what i was doing, and walked the approach to the crash, ive not come off since. TOUCH WOOD.

Just enjoy the sport you have induldged in.

LIVE TO RIDE; RIDE TO LIVE.

GYKD.