The biggest killer of motorcyclists

6561 Views 76 Replies 32 Participants Last post by hogcowboy, 1 mo ago

Fast_Jimmy

Discussion Starter · Mar 9, 2022 (Edited)

To summarize. The three deaths below in Lincoln Nebraska were caused by left turning drivers violating motorcyclist right of way. The 1981 Hurt report had cited this as the most common cause of the most common type of motorcycle accident, collision with another vehicle. It seems that little has changed.

Bottom line: We talk a lot about driving defensively, but if you don't have a plan for surviving potential left turning drivers at an intersection or a vehicle planning to turn left off the roadway into your path other than hoping for the best, you're running a terrible risk of becoming a statistic. This MUST be an active safety action by the cyclist, it CANNOT be left to chance.

My own solution has always been to

Slow down- Reduce speed to the point where you can survive an impact.
Try to make eye contact with the driver- then proceed with extreme caution at a speed that gives you time to respond or reduces the consequences of a crash.
Cover the Brakes- and have a plan

Curious to hear how others manage this high-risk situation.

Lincoln man charged with motor vehicle homicide for crash that killed motorcyclist | Crime and Courts | journalstar.com

Lincoln teen pleads no contest in crash that killed motorcycle rider | Crime and Courts | journalstar.com

Lincoln teen charged with motor vehicle homicide for crash with motorcyclist near UNL campus | Crime and Courts | journalstar.com

Reference: The Hurt Report, 1981
Article source: The Hurt Study Summary - webBikeWorld

Approximately three-fourths of these motorcycle accidents involved collision with another vehicle, which was most usually a passenger automobile
In the multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents.
Deliberate hostile action by a motorist against a motorcycle rider is a rare accident cause. The most frequent accident configuration is the motorcycle proceeding straight then the automobile makes a left turn in front of the oncoming motorcycle.

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Misti

· #47 · 7 mo ago

Agree with what a lot of people have said here about slowing down and expecting that the driver can't see you. Being visually ready, looking far enough ahead but also with enough vision around you to have an escape plan. Also brushing up on your emergency quick turning techniques in case you need to make a sudden avoidance and being on top of you emergency braking techniques so you can slow down enough in an emergency situation is important as well. How many of you practice these skills regularly? What are your methods for refreshing emergency riding skills?

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Misti

· #49 · 7 mo ago

bweighmaster said:
Riding MX , Singletrack , Trails , Sharpens all aspects of riding ..., Riding older highway routes where traffic is sparse is great also ..., There you can practice without the Crazies to distract , or run you over ....,

Those are all great training methods

I'm a big fan of all riding disciplines and try and ride a little bit of everything, enduro, MX, mini bikes, track etc. I'm even hoping to try ice racing this year! What about specific parking lot drills or exercises? Do any of you ever refresh your emergency braking techniques in an empty parking lot or do cone drills, steering or slow speed drills?

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Misti

· #52 · 7 mo ago

pdcomm said:
None of that fancy stuff .
My buddy and I would play soccer / kickball while riding our 500 Kawasakis on the empty streets in early mornings .
More tight turns and sudden stops and hurried getting out of the ways than you can imagine .

That sounds amazing!! That would cover all sorts of riding skills and techniques and be a super fun way to practice

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