A Sobering article for NSC Bikers and Motorists

[Stat Brother]

I would say it's 90% car driver's fault and 10% the biker's. The biker should have slowed down, not just for the junction but because he can see a car there waiting to turn. But that wouldn't have avoided the accident since the driver didn't see him at all (not saw him but thought he had time to cross because he misjudged biker's speed).

I do hope that if I'm in that position I will have the chance to jump so that I go over the car not into it. I'll break lots of bones when I land and lose some skin and more sliding down the road but avoiding the 97 to 0 mph in 0.1 secs will probably save my life. Other bikers may agree or disagree but either way it's worth thinking about in advance, especially you younger bikers.

Some of the comments on here about speed are a bit dumb. 97 mph is too fast in that particular circumstance as I said but not fast overall. Germany with similar road standards, traffic levels and driver standards has long stretches of un-restricted dual carriageway and imposing limits isn't even on the agenda. I've done 150mph+ on English roads when safe to do so hundreds of times without even a 'near miss' in 25 years of riding. It's not speed that dangerous, it's inappropriate use of speed that heightens risk. I think this 'speed kills' nonsense is just evidence of not thinking seriously about the issue.

Yeah but we're not in Germany, dumb-ass.

I'm sure on unrestricted roads Germans drive as if they are on unrestricted roads, knowing christ knows what could be bearing down on them at warp factor 10.

How can it be 'safe' to do 150+ mph on English roads.
That's a completely ridiculous and incredible selfish statement.

Of course speed kills, it might only be a vehicle at 20 mph but it can still kill someone.
Having that little respect for yourself and others just so you can have a bragging competition with your friends, beggars belief.

 

[foul old ron]

A few people seem to think he was riding one handed, he wasn't. He takes his left hand off the bars to flip down his visor at the start of his ride and again to thank the driver of the car he overtakes for giving him room to pass. Pretty standard procedure.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Wow. I would say it's never safe to do 150mph on a public road. The stopping distance for a motorcycle at that speed is about 350 metres. That's three and half times the length of the Wembley pitch. Insane. If people want to ride at that speed then for the sake of me and my two kids I wish they would go and do 'track days' and not do it on the road space that we share.

I agree that speed it itself doesn't kill - it tends to be the sudden stop. Over the years I've poured the shattered bodies of countless motorcyclists into bodybags. And you really do pour deceased motorcyclists into bodybags. Their riding leathers tend to keep all the bits inside but when you pick them up it's like handling a carrier bag full of blancmange.

Quite. It might be an even better deterrent to show images of the aftermath of such incidents - but that wouldn't be palatable. At 97mph even riding leathers do not act like a carrier bag. Worse still many bikers do not even wear full leathers so would have no meaningful protection at a fraction of that speed - let alone for a high speed impact against a solid object. The rider ought to bear in mind that it isn't a pleasant task should a loved one or close friend be asked to identify their 'remains'.

My comments aren't intended to demonise bikers, merely to reinforce the message to ride safely and treat other road users as muppets.

 

[Bold Seagull]

I've done 150mph+ on English roads when safe to do so hundreds of times without even a 'near miss' in 25 years of riding. It's not speed that dangerous, it's inappropriate use of speed that heightens risk. I think this 'speed kills' nonsense is just evidence of not thinking seriously about the issue.

You are probably word for word what that guy would say had he been alive today, all be it 22 years of safe riding instead of 25 years. The majority of accidents are through excess speed - that is a statistical fact. The more speed, the less reaction time, the longer the stopping distances. That is simple physics.

 

[Brighton TID]

He was indeed convicted of careless driving, and investigators asserted he would have had 7 seconds to have seen him. Nonetheless, the critical failure wouldn't have been critical or even a collision had the motorcyclist been doing the speed limit, or approaching with caution. I think this is the whole point of releasing the video. Should have gone to specsavers/should have obeyed the speed limit cost him his life.

Should all motorbikes be fitted with compulsory beaming orange headlights? Something as simple as this would ensure they are seen.

 

[dangull]

Was the guy killed instantly ? that would be the only crumb of comfort for his family.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Should all motorbikes be fitted with compulsory beaming orange headlights? Something as simple as this would ensure they are seen.

Speed limiters, to 85mph would save a lot more.

 

[Brighton TID]

Speed limiters, to 85mph would save a lot more.

Not sure it would have saved this poor chap. However, if the driver saw the headlights instead of leather camouflaged by the horizon then maybe.

 

[Plake]

I'm a biker of >20 years doing thousands of miles per year and I'm pleased I watched that, although it was tough to see.

The poor guy was riding way too fast for the road and didn't anticipate the obvious danger. I would say it's largely his fault for riding recklessly. Bikers are generally a pragmatic bunch who know and accept the risks and I'm certain if he had somehow survived the crash he'd be happy to say he'd called his approach to that junction badly wrong.

The bike was modern, would automatically have had it's dipped headlights on and the myopic car driver must certainly share some of the blame for it too.

The other thing I take from this thread is that nipper is a c**t.

 

[Premiership Dream]

I am a extremely experienced rider on both track and road and as much as the accident is sad because of the end result, I include myself in this if bikers or I choose to ride at these speeds then we only have ourselves to blame, as car drivers driving at slower speeds will not have the reactions we have nor be alert as they travelling slower so their responses are apparent to their driving speeds...... I get fed up with bikers that blame cars for everything when most of us know we ride like idiots, hence why I only ride on the track these days, I came off last year at 120mph at Donnington and repaired the bike and was back out racing within the hour!!!!

 

[The_Viper]

98mph.

Disgusting speed, nobody deserves to die in that way, but seriously such a stupid decision.

How did he die? Impact on landing? Looks like he just hit the car front first causing a catapult effect, would that cause death?

The real victim is the car driver, gotta live with that forever.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Yeah, and he could have easily killed others if that's how he rides. 97 mph. The road is a safer place without him.

As a motorcyclist by choice, and an industry professional, I have the say that the blame lies fairly and squarely with the biker. Too fast, too casual, and happens far too often. The people left behind are those who have to live with the consequences, his family and very importantly the driver. My sympathies lie with them.

On the other hand, there are people who seem to revel in being accusatory, holier than thou, and 'I am a considerably better rowd user than yow'.

You rightly point out that the biker was riding like an idiot, fair point, but carried on to repeat not once, twice but three times at least. You also state that the world is a better place without the biker _ Well done you, really, well done. I bet the parents really appreciate their efforts to enlighten road users and improve road safety have had such a positive effect.

Your dislike of bikers shines through, what, have they got bigger balls than you? They do reckless things while you push your hoe around your allotment in Cornwall? They actually get out and push themselves to AN edge, whilst you sit waiting for the phone to ring for a bit of work?

The biker paid the ultimate price, his parents try to help others to avoid a repeat, all you can do is mock. Shame on you.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Should all motorbikes be fitted with compulsory beaming orange headlights? Something as simple as this would ensure they are seen.

We used to be the guys with headlights on in daylight. A friends father once said to me,' You guys just have your light on to draw attention to yourselves', no shit Sherlock!

Unfortunately the EU has taken our visibility advantage away, all cars now have running lights. Thanks for nothing Brussels!

 

[Brighton TID]

Speed limiters, to 85mph would save a lot more.

We used to be the guys with headlights on in daylight. A friends father once said to me,' You guys just have your light on to draw attention to yourselves', no shit Sherlock!

Unfortunately the EU has taken our visibility advantage away, all cars now have running lights. Thanks for nothing Brussels!

Make the lights a different colour. Orange? You always see blue lights also

 

[Plake]

As a motorcyclist by choice, and an industry professional, I have the say that the blame lies fairly and squarely with the biker. Too fast, too casual, and happens far too often. The people left behind are those who have to live with the consequences, his family and very importantly the driver. My sympathies lie with them.

On the other hand, there are people who seem to revel in being accusatory, holier than thou, and 'I am a considerably better rowd user than yow'.

You rightly point out that the biker was riding like an idiot, fair point, but carried on to repeat not once, twice but three times at least. You also state that the world is a better place without the biker _ Well done you, really, well done. I bet the parents really appreciate their efforts to enlighten road users and improve road safety have had such a positive effect.

Your dislike of bikers shines through, what, have they got bigger balls than you? They do reckless things while you push your hoe around your allotment in Cornwall? They actually get out and push themselves to AN edge, whilst you sit waiting for the phone to ring for a bit of work?

The biker paid the ultimate price, his parents try to help others to avoid a repeat, all you can do is mock. Shame on you.

Good post this

 

[Plake]

Make the lights a different colour. Orange? You always see blue lights also

I think rapidly flashing white led's might be the answer, in daytime at least.

 

[beorhthelm]

Unfortunately the EU has taken our visibility advantage away, all cars now have running lights. Thanks for nothing Brussels!

what a bizzare thing to say, cars having their lights on doesnt make a bike with lights on any less visible.

 

[Premiership Dream]

what a bizzare thing to say, cars having their lights on doesnt make a bike with lights on any less visible.

I think what the guy is say is that years ago it was only bikes that had their lights on during the day, so if u saw a light on a vehicle u knew it was a bike even if u could make it out because of the distance

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

what a bizzare thing to say, cars having their lights on doesnt make a bike with lights on any less visible.

Does on a motorway in the rear view mirror,especially in the dark,bike can easily be lost,not for those that look properly though,so perhaps you have a point,still one has to cater for all levels of ability out there.....

 

[Bry Nylon]

My comment below...

Wow. I would say it's never safe to do 150mph on a public road. The stopping distance for a motorcycle at that speed is about 350 metres. That's three and half times the length of the Wembley pitch. Insane. If people want to ride at that speed then for the sake of me and my two kids I wish they would go and do 'track days' and not do it on the road space that we share.

I agree that speed it itself doesn't kill - it tends to be the sudden stop. Over the years I've poured the shattered bodies of countless motorcyclists into bodybags. And you really do pour deceased motorcyclists into bodybags. Their riding leathers tend to keep all the bits inside but when you pick them up it's like handling a carrier bag full of blancmange.

...received a Thumbs Down from the person who posted...

I've done 150mph+ on English roads when safe to do so hundreds of times

For me, that tends to vindicate my view.