Bikers-it's your fault you crash
Discussion
Looks like I've upset Paige Mitchell at the Slower Speeds initiative. She's written to the Grauniad, and thinks that us bikers only have crashes because we're speeding. Nothing to do with the fact we're not in a steel cage with airbags then???
Mark MacArthur-Christie of the Association of British Drivers (Letters, August 27) asks why nearly 100 more people died on our roads in 2003 than in 1998 and then blames a misguided emphasis on speed limits and speed limit enforcement. According to official statistics, 87 more people were killed on our roads in 2003 than in 1998, an increase of 2.54%. In that period road deaths have fallen
for all categories of road users except two - car occupants and motorcyclists. Deaths of car occupants increased by 4% while those of
motorcyclists and their passengers increased by 40%; 195 more motorcyclists died in 2003 than in 1998.
On the accepted measure of exposure miles driven, motorcyclists ar30 times more likely to be killed than car occupants. Why? The annual
report on speeding, Vehicle Speeds in Great Britain, shows that motorcyclists are the most dedicated speeders, on all classes of road.
The only problem with the emphasis on speed limits is that, so far, motorcyclists can too easily evade enforcement. And, of course, many
of our limits are too high to encourage appropriate speed choice.
Paige Mitchell
The Slower Speeds Initiative
Mark MacArthur-Christie of the Association of British Drivers (Letters, August 27) asks why nearly 100 more people died on our roads in 2003 than in 1998 and then blames a misguided emphasis on speed limits and speed limit enforcement. According to official statistics, 87 more people were killed on our roads in 2003 than in 1998, an increase of 2.54%. In that period road deaths have fallen
for all categories of road users except two - car occupants and motorcyclists. Deaths of car occupants increased by 4% while those of
motorcyclists and their passengers increased by 40%; 195 more motorcyclists died in 2003 than in 1998.
On the accepted measure of exposure miles driven, motorcyclists ar30 times more likely to be killed than car occupants. Why? The annual
report on speeding, Vehicle Speeds in Great Britain, shows that motorcyclists are the most dedicated speeders, on all classes of road.
The only problem with the emphasis on speed limits is that, so far, motorcyclists can too easily evade enforcement. And, of course, many
of our limits are too high to encourage appropriate speed choice.
Paige Mitchell
The Slower Speeds Initiative
She's absolutely right. If I was doing 0mph I can guarantee that I wouldn't crash. Wouldn't stop somebody else from crashing in to me though, which, funnily enough, is what causes approximately 65 per cent of motorcycle accidents according to Government transport advisor Robert Gifford.
Mon Ami Mate said:
She's absolutely right. If I was doing 0mph I can guarantee that I wouldn't crash.
I thought so as well . . . until the front slipped on built-up leaves and slime in the gutter outside my house while I was sat on the bike
I stepped off as it went down and heard the almighty CRACK as the fairing split! I felt very stupid.
Is that the same Robert Gifford who said that there's no point training bikers 'cos they just crash faster? The same Robert Gifford who is chairman of the Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety?
I wish someone had told me before I spent a lot of time and money on getting trained... what a waste of time, eh? Could just have hopped on the GS with no training at all and been safer.
I wish someone had told me before I spent a lot of time and money on getting trained... what a waste of time, eh? Could just have hopped on the GS with no training at all and been safer.
Whoozit said:
She's absolutely right. If I was doing 0mph I can guarantee that I wouldn't crash.
I thought so as well . . . until the front slipped on built-up leaves and slime in the gutter outside my house while I was sat on the bike
I stepped off as it went down and heard the almighty CRACK as the fairing split! I felt very stupid.
The following happened in a rented student house (well the back garden actually)
So there I was with rear wheel spinning in the mud, splattering the rear of the house with Mud when suddenly I hit the path and wheelie towards the open back gate (so far all this was planned).
When the back gate closes in the wind and I smash through it at about 15 mph but with throttle still fully open.
If only there had been a speed camera !!!
the slower speeds initiative eh.
Are there any groups called the- dont walk out in the road without looking initiative? or the..
Look right before you turn left at T-Junction initiative?
how about the..
streighten out the roundabout by all means but only if there isnt a vehicle next to you initiative.
or how about the
learn what to do when your wheels lock initiative.
learn not to take your foot off the brakes when ABS come in on you for the first time initiative.
understand the difference between understeer and oversteer and practice what to do initiatve.
ill syop there
Are there any groups called the- dont walk out in the road without looking initiative? or the..
Look right before you turn left at T-Junction initiative?
how about the..
streighten out the roundabout by all means but only if there isnt a vehicle next to you initiative.
or how about the
learn what to do when your wheels lock initiative.
learn not to take your foot off the brakes when ABS come in on you for the first time initiative.
understand the difference between understeer and oversteer and practice what to do initiatve.
ill syop there
MMC said:
Is that the same Robert Gifford who said that there's no point training bikers 'cos they just crash faster? The same Robert Gifford who is chairman of the Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety?
I wish someone had told me before I spent a lot of time and money on getting trained... what a waste of time, eh? Could just have hopped on the GS with no training at all and been safer.
It is. And you have mail...
Well I rekon they should make all new car drivers learn their roadcraft on a motorcycle
I have become far better car driver since I passed bike test I am far more aware of the dangers that are out there in a car you feel safe yes so you tend not to take too much note of whats goin on around you eg farmers active in field, horses, crossroad signs etc
Get all learners on bikes
I have become far better car driver since I passed bike test I am far more aware of the dangers that are out there in a car you feel safe yes so you tend not to take too much note of whats goin on around you eg farmers active in field, horses, crossroad signs etc
Get all learners on bikes
Whoozit said:
She's absolutely right. If I was doing 0mph I can guarantee that I wouldn't crash.
I thought so as well . . . until the front slipped on built-up leaves and slime in the gutter outside my house while I was sat on the bike
I stepped off as it went down and heard the almighty CRACK as the fairing split! I felt very stupid.
I stopped at the give way line of a T-junction where the major road was on a gradient and to match this the minor road was distinctly not horizontal across its width... foot went down, ground wasn't there, slowly and calmly toppled over. I too felt very stupid!
Incorrigible said:
Until someone passes a law that you're not allowed to pass comment on something until you pull your head out of your arse, look around, and actually get first hand experience of the real problem, w*nkers like this will always get air time
Amen.
>> Edited by barry sheene on Wednesday 1st September 19:36
Incorrigible said:
Don't get worked up about it
Until someone passes a law that you're not allowed to pass comment on something until you pull your head out of your arse, look around, and actually get first hand experience of the real problem, w*nkers like this will always get air time
cs
Get down off the fence any time you like mate, say what you really think
Steve.
Slower Speeds Initiative? is this the sort of organisation that promotes a man with a red flag to walk before all motor carriages? do me a favour and don't post such tat here or someone may inadvertantly say something offensive, and I have no wish to upset our kind web host Petrol Ted.
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