Motorcycle accident statistics - well worth a read!

Originally Posted by Tommy H

So you'll be supporting the new euro legislation that will force every biker to wear full sleeved hi-viz jackets then? It's all in the name safety of course (!)

I wouldn't mind them as long as you would be required by law to wash them every couple of weeks so they keep their effectiveness . I don't admire myself while I'm riding and I couldn't give a rat's **** what others think of my fashion. If they make the 5% of the drivers spot me more easily, that's 5% less risk of me getting in trouble.

Interestingly I read the report a couple of years back together with watching pretty much every bike crash movie available on youtube. I was just starting biking and I wanted to learn more about the causes of bike accidents. I never look at them from the "who's fault it was" perspective as there is nothing you can do about the other driver / rider / horse / light pole / pot hole etc. Instead I used the information to analyse what the rider could he have done to avoid the situation in the first place.

I did learned a fair bit from the report so overall I think is a good read if you have the time and the subject concerns you. Coupled with other things, it pushed me to pursue further training and keeps me motivated to improve my skills and safety on the road both as a rider and driver.

To summarise the nice read;

Motorcyclists main points to observe to avoid accidents;

-Appropriate speed for conditions
-Not overtaking near a junction
-Slower speed for corner

The first and third are kinda the same thing really but still, ride within your limits can sum most of this, along with dont be stupid with the junction one! id add; when filtering try not to go more than 10mph more than the traffic around you, that way you have more reaction time.

Cars main points to avoid taking riders out;

-Foreground to distance check
-Check mirrors and blind spots

So to summarise, look for bikers!

Keep safe all!

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

So to summarise,
CARS: look for bikers!
BIKERS: look for cars!

Slight adjustment

Originally Posted by maxinc

Slight adjustment

Well yea, but only 25% of accidents can be down to cars being dicks so its not really accurate.

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

To summarise the nice read;

-Not overtaking near a junction

Keep safe all!

Still suprises me how on occasion when I'll tuck into traffic flow on approach to a right turn junction or when filtering and spot a vehicle indicating, that other bikes just come right past me and the vehicle in question. Yes maybe the other vehicle would be at fault in the event of an accident but why take the risk... it'll still hurt like feck regardless of fault.

Originally Posted by Owenski

Still suprises me how on occasion when I'll tuck into traffic flow on approach to a right turn junction or when filtering and spot a vehicle indicating, that other bikes just come right past me and the vehicle in question. Yes maybe the other vehicle would be at fault in the event of an accident but why take the risk... it'll still hurt like feck regardless of fault.

Or worse, but yes, its a lot of risk, not many (probably including me tbh) would check their mirrors for people overtaking when turning right! Sigh.

[Bibio]

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

-Slower speed for corner

no no no all wrong. speed up for corners and slow down for straights

Well, yea the corners are the fun bits... its strictly from a safety perspective

Originally Posted by Bibio

no no no all wrong. speed up for corners and slow down for straights

Lol i speed up for corners even in my van

amendment: ride like no one can see you!

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