Read the April Issue of "Friction Zone" and saw a comment from a reader (Rand Nathan, San Francisco, CA) that I want to share just a small quote from his overall response. I thought wow, this guy nailed it.

I know that this has been talked about before and most on this forum will think, " I know this already."

I am posting this for everyone who is getting ready to jump back into the the saddle after winter break or those who are new to the riding esperience. And a wake up call again to those of us that have heard it a million and one times and have riden for years.

Without waiting any longer, here is just a sample of what he wrote.

"I believe that every crash involving a motorcycle is the fault of the motorcyclist, including those in which the bike is rear ended when stopped."There is a whole lot of truth to that!

He goes on and writes

"I believe that every user of every roadway does not have a destination, is not traveling anywhere. Everyone else on the road is there for one purpose and one purpose only - to kill me." Taken the above comment and add it to this comment makes a very good picture of what we must be thinking and looking out for everyday on the road.


Everyone! Be safe out there!!!!!!
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I'm not following... If I'm sitting at a light and get rear ended by a car, how is that my fault? I'm clearly missing something... If he's insinuating that you should be alert enough to pull away when you see the car coming up, that's just stupid.

 

Yes, and I think what he is saying is, we have the choice to wear gear that is colorful enough, with flashing lights on then enough to be seen. And to top it all off what I really really really believe he is saying is, no matter what, we are the ones that have to watch out for these situations in all circumstances! The other drives are not going to be looking out for us period! And by accepting this fact, we will be more dilligant out there on the road.


In other words, we need to get our heads out of our a$$es when we ride!

 

My fault if I'm stopped, the car behind me is stopped, and the next car slams into the car behind me which slams into me. I don't get it. That scenario is one of my worst fears cuz there ain't an f'n thing that you can do to avoid it. No amount of concentration or skill will save your ***.

 

I agree that this situation doesn't paint a pretty picture. But if we keep it in mind that we need to be constantly on watch for situations like this somehow, someway we might be able to avoid this.

 

so it was my fault that the guy hit the bike I was on? Even tho he never looked and pulled out and hit us. WTF???

 

"I believe that every crash involving a motorcycle is the fault of the motorcyclist, including those in which the bike is rear ended when stopped."


Sorry, I'm not onboard with that, either, and I don't know WTF the guy who wrote that was thinking...I've been rear ended...I've been t-boned...and, NO it was NOT my fault, and there was absolutely NOTHING I could have done to keep it from happening!

 

Bottom line is that anything is risky, and riding a motorcycle is even more so because of the lack of rider protection (not protected with side panels, airbags, etc.)..

The main thing is to always be on the defense when riding, and realize that everyone out there on the road is out to kill you.

Some like myself have ridden many hundreds of thousands of miles on bikes and never had an accident, but I still know that someone could take me out at any moment. Riding a bike is a gamble, just like everything else in life.

Only so much you can do to protect yourself when riding a bike, and when you number is up, well, your number is up.

If it gets to the point where a person is so concerned about their safety that riding is no longer enjoyable, they need to sell whatever they are riding and reduce their stress level.

I've always lived 'on the edge', and have the scars and wounds to prove it, but I wouldn't want to live any other way.

As the saying goes; "The man who is constantly in fear is everyday condemned"..

Lot of truth to that....

Just my opinion....

 

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Everyone! Be safe out there!!!!!! Thanks Yellowtang! I will say the same to all. While I am perty sure that if you are rear-ended that it would not be your fault in most states period!There is one other thing I do to be more visible and that is when I am stopped I will usually keep my brake light on for those to see behind me. It's so easy while stopped to put feet down without using your brake--which most of you all know. Just one more thing to consider--I'm sure you all of you know this but I did'nt see it mentioned--my .2 cents.