A defensive mentality while riding

[Lee Davis]

I started thinking about accidents and close calls, and it occurs to me that there might be some great recollections (and some bad ones) out there. A number of times I have had a close call while riding a motorcycle and am thankful that I have never been in a serious accident. It sure has made me a better rider (and driver, for that matter), and realize that freak things can happen when you least expect them. The closest call was when I was riding my BSA single in the city. Light traffic, I was in the right lane of a 3 lane (each way) street, and a big bread van was in the far left. Without warning he did a hard right turn into the shopping center lot, crossing right across my path. 2 choices: slow or speed up. I dropped a gear and gave it full throttle and as I put the wheels right up against the curb, leaning to the left and watching my rear by twisting my head hard. I saw his bumper as it struck and removed my taillight, and I shot out past him. I'm sure it surprised the hell out of him! To this day (43 years later), I ride with a watchful eye on ALL the traffic and adjust myself in the flow to remain isolated, well, as best I can. City driving is the worst, of course, and I have gotten to the point where I just don't ride up to Albuquerque any more, unless I am going through to some other place.

[riceburner]

It may sound glib, but 'Expect the Unexpected' will stand you in good stead.

I'll constantly analyse what other road users appear to be doing, and constantly update my 'escape-plan' to avoid them, whatever they may do - eg in London it's perfectly possible for a black taxi to suddenly and with no warning perform a U-turn to pick up a fare (or drop one off) - hence - whenever I'm near a taxi I'll give it a wide berth.

A lot of it is experience though - you can consciously think about it - but until you develop that sixth sense and learn to trust your instincts you'll always be more vulnerable.

[peels]

timely post. I am ALWAYS expecting drivers to do their worst...stresses me out, but better to be prepared.

just today, i had my first really scary "life flashes before me" moments.

I pulled into our work parking lot, as I do daily. Only, our lot is usually partially empty. Not now, though, we are swamped, and cars were to the end. I pull in veer left to go to end, and a car COME FLYING out of second to last lane of lot, vision blocked by huge minivan. It was a well known coworker, who is also first responder, he had just received a fire call and was en route... I stop 1 ft from his drivers side headlight. full abs action. FREAKED ME OUT! But I expect those things, so reaction time can be quicker...

[BoxerSteve]

Parking lots are one of the most dangerous places to be.

In almost 30 years of riding I've never had an accident other than a few minor tipovers. Knock on wood.

It is amazing how many people are on the road with no clue how to drive. Here in the US, they will give a drivers license to just about anyone: 8 to 80, blind, crippled, or crazy. It matters not if they know how to drive.

When I ride, I am completely invisible to the legions of brain-dead cagers surrounding me. And each and every one of them, even though they can't see me, are doing their best to squash me like a bug. I imagine the stupidest possible move the cagers around me could make, so I am not surprised when they do.

But sometimes they still surprise me. Being surprised on a motorcycle is not a good thing.

I strive to stay as far away as possible from other motorists. And when possible I never ever ride next to another vehicle, they will likely change lanes without looking, right into you. When at a stoplight I leave room in front for emergency avoidance maneuvers and watch mirrors like a hawk for idiots who aren't going to stop.

One also has to watch other motorcyclists - often they also are morons. I don't trust them any more than cagers. In fact I don't trust anyone, not even myself sometimes.

[diveraymaine]

I installed a headlight modulation kit and a flashing rear light bar on my R1150R. I was recently stopped by a town policeman who questioned the legality of the headlight modulator, saying it was annoying to have coming at him. I showed him the documentation showing that the kit was legal, then I said "but you saw me didn't you and he agreed that it caught his attention.

Best investments I made after a good helmet and a good mesh jacket (yellow).

[frkn_toaster]

I installed a headlight modulation kit and a flashing rear light bar on my R1150R. I was recently stopped by a town policeman who questioned the legality of the headlight modulator, saying it was annoying to have coming at him. I showed him the documentation showing that the kit was legal, then I said "but you saw me didn't you and he agreed that it caught his attention.

Best investments I made after a good helmet and a good mesh jacket (yellow).

Same thing happened to me in Everett, WA (blocks from my house. I was so surprised – thought for sure it was legal. Looked it up when I got home and printed the federal regulation that overrules all state laws to the contrary – now I keep it in my tankbag just in case. I swear that headlight modulation is the only thing that keeps me visible, commuting in Seattle amongst the Land Rovers that can't see that low, especially considering how quiet the bike is. Get a lot more close calls with big trucks when I forget to flip it on.

[riceburner]

Just remember that no matter how much flashing your lights are doing - if the other person isnt' looking they still won't see you.

I've heard several tales directly from the officers involved of being in emergency vehicles attending an emergency with blue and red flashing lights, sirens and horns blaring.... and drivers will STILL pull out on them as if they haven't seen them.

[curtis]

I strive to stay as far away as possible from other motorists.

It would be hard to argue against that, especially considering my motorcycling experience(at least on the streets) is measured in months rather than years, however I do have an example that at least is worth consideration. It makes me feel that when in a group of cars on a multi-lane 'city' road, a motorcycle might be less likely to have a left turning moron coming from the opposite direction cause an accident.
Recently I was traveling straight down Peachtree Street, the main drag though intown Atlanta, which is my route to work when riding in, as I try to avoid the perimeter. I was the first in line at a light in my lane, one lane on either side of me. Light turns green, I pull away from the pack. Up ahead, an oncoming SUV was in the divider lane signaling left turn, I backed off the throttle anticipating the moronic move which did indeed occur. She turned, I applied full brakes and narrowly avoided a T-bone. It was a heart racing moment for sure, and left me quite frazzled. My belief is that she focused on the pack of cars 200ft behind me, determined she had time to make it, and never saw me in the foreground. So had I not pulled away from the group, I likely wouldn't have been in the situation.
Perhaps the dangers of being surrounded by cages outweighs any benefit that might exist in regards to oncoming, left turning morons, I am not sure.....

[riceburner]

I strive to stay as far away as possible from other motorists.

It would be hard to argue against that, especially considering my motorcycling experience(at least on the streets) is measured in months rather than years, however I do have an example that at least is worth consideration. It makes me feel that when in a group of cars on a multi-lane 'city' road, a motorcycle might be less likely to have a left turning moron coming from the opposite direction cause an accident.
Recently I was traveling straight down Peachtree Street, the main drag though intown Atlanta, which is my route to work when riding in, as I try to avoid the perimeter. I was the first in line at a light in my lane, one lane on either side of me. Light turns green, I pull away from the pack. Up ahead, an oncoming SUV was in the divider lane signaling left turn, I backed off the throttle anticipating the moronic move which did indeed occur. She turned, I applied full brakes and narrowly avoided a T-bone. It was a heart racing moment for sure, and left me quite frazzled. My belief is that she focused on the pack of cars 200ft behind me, determined she had time to make it, and never saw me in the foreground. So had I not pulled away from the group, I likely wouldn't have been in the situation.
Perhaps the dangers of being surrounded by cages outweighs any benefit that might exist in regards to oncoming, left turning morons, I am not sure.....

A salutary point - in a situation when turning against a flow of oncoming traffic, drivers tend to be looking for GAPS - NOT vehicles. So - they're not actually looking for an oncoming car/bike/semi-trailer - they're looking for the gap in between - bikes are often lost in these gaps due to being smaller and less of a solid shape for the eye to recognise

[Jed]

I worked as a seakayaking guide for a bunch of years. The credo was that a good guide has the training and gear to handle any emergency but a great guide knows how to avoid the hazard and prevent the emergency in the first place.

I also avoid being close to other vehicles in order to deny them the opportunity to hit or otherwise affect my ride. I do not wear high-vis, nor use head-light or tail-light mods. For the most part motorcyclists are invisible to other motorists. I try to use this invisibility to my advantage (just as we do as sea kayakers). If I'm not in a spot where they can hit me, then I'm safe. But as long as I expect them to do "the right thing", I'm at their mercy. I'll use other vehicles for "protection" knowing that no car wants to run into an on coming truck or car. Cars and trucks define the traffic flow. If I can't find a safe way to ride among them, then I'll take another road or ride some other time. My rights to have access to some road never comes into play. I choose to ride in places and ways that will allow me to enjoy our sport for many years.

Ultimately I think the key is to ride smarter than other motorists. It's a lot like playing chess. You want to be several moves ahead of your opponent. It's more than being defensive, although that's where I started. But now it's more like playing "Frogger" where the smallest mis-step can be a problem and every more is planned and executed with precision. I do not claim to be an expert, but anything less then expert riding is a failure for me.

cheers,

[riceburner]

I worked as a seakayaking guide for a bunch of years. The credo was that a good guide has the training and gear to handle any emergency but a great guide knows how to avoid the hazard and prevent the emergency in the first place.

I also avoid being close to other vehicles in order to deny them the opportunity to hit or otherwise affect my ride. I do not wear high-vis, nor use head-light or tail-light mods. For the most part motorcyclists are invisible to other motorists. I try to use this invisibility to my advantage (just as we do as sea kayakers). If I'm not in a spot where they can hit me, then I'm safe. But as long as I expect them to do "the right thing", I'm at their mercy. I'll use other vehicles for "protection" knowing that no car wants to run into an on coming truck or car. Cars and trucks define the traffic flow. If I can't find a safe way to ride among them, then I'll take another road or ride some other time. My rights to have access to some road never comes into play. I choose to ride in places and ways that will allow me to enjoy our sport for many years.

Ultimately I think the key is to ride smarter than other motorists. It's a lot like playing chess. You want to be several moves ahead of your opponent. It's more than being defensive, although that's where I started. But now it's more like playing "Frogger" where the smallest mis-step can be a problem and every more is planned and executed with precision. I do not claim to be an expert, but anything less then expert riding is a failure for me.

cheers,

All good stuff!!