biker down - a2 this morning

Proof really that all riders would benefit from IAM / BikeSafe training.

Originally Posted by RizlaSV

Now I also agree that there are very occasional exceptions to this rule, but that hard lesson meant I now look in my mirrors and hold the bike in gear in similar situations.

Sadly, this doesn't always work.

Originally Posted by mpaton2005

Proof really that all riders would benefit from IAM / BikeSafe training.

you really are having a muppet day arent you?

while it will help your skills, it doesnt help those of us who have been taken out by idiots that no amount of advanced training would have meant we avoided.

you say it like its a guarantee when it isnt. and that concerns me when people post on here and think all it takes to become a riding god and have no accidents is the IAM/bikesafe.

benefit yes by cutting down the risk, but for those like me that do the high mileage, the time I spend in traffic and riding still increased my risk because as much as IAM/bikesafe or any other training will help my anticipation, the fact is at the end of the day the only thing on the road youre in control of is you.

you cant stop a panel van flooring across a lane of traffic and into you or do anything about it when he does. you cant ride anticipating every car will have its passenger door or driver door opened or a van at a junction will floor across oncoming traffic and take you out.

the thing that concerns me about rizlasv's post is that it seems the police are advocating riding into oncoming traffic. youre waiting at a roundabout because somethings there or coming, you generally dont have a place to go if someones about to ram you from behind except out in front of said oncoming traffic.

bet those coppers would be blaming you if you got sideswiped because you pulled out in front of someone rather than get rammed from behind.

Originally Posted by lynw

At the end of the day the only thing on the road you're in control of is you.

Good point, well made.

Lynw wrote:

while it will help your skills, it doesnt help those of us who have been taken out by idiots that no amount of advanced training would have meant we avoided.

you say it like its a guarantee when it isnt.

A very powerfull and valid observation.

But of course Captain Sensible...oops...Mpaton...even does life savers when riding up his own driveway! ....After all one just never knows,does one?

Originally Posted by mpaton2005

Proof really that all riders would benefit from IAM /
BikeSafe training.

[cut the drivel]

Your points are all irrelevant. The simple fact of the matter is all riders could benefit from IAM/Bikesafe training, regardless of whether you are going to get taken out by a falling lamppost which was cut down by a mis-firing laser from a diamond shaping factory or not.

There is absolutely no guarantee of immortality whatever you are doing.

Regards
Martin

didnt somebody get knocked off at the start of this thread?

i think he's healed, sued, got a new bike and is enjoying the fine spring weather we're having....

hope everything heals well. good luck sorting things out

There's nothing like good debate, Keith.

well mpaton2005, judging by your new avatar even you have a sense of humour

Originally Posted by Nitzer

well mpaton2005, judging by your new avatar even you have a sense of humour

Actually he certainly does, thats the car badge