ONE motorcyclist or pillion rider dies on the road every four days.

[Wormwood]

Haha, judging from car prices, that day will be a very long way away. But after learning to ride I realised what a scary driver I used to be. And that makes me more nervous about riding on the roads.

[crazydj]

If we can, we should get a local advert company to come up with a good advert. Then donated by us bikers. If this is being done, i don't mind donating some money. If govt not pointing into the direction for others to look out for riders, i think we need to do this.

[mild_slevin]

there's one occasion as a driver where I almost hit this RXZ rider, luckily he brake in time to avoid collision. After which I'm been very sorry about it, as a rider I'm pissed of my action. We just need to highlight, just pay more attention to us and we as riders should play our part as well. Don't ride in their blind spot (* if possible), always have this mentality that drivers didn't see us, etc...

 

About gearing up, are regular jeans good enough to protect us during the course of skidding?

Sadly, not many of us (*riders) paying attention to gear up for crash, riders in tees, bermudas and slippers makes me worry of their safety n skin.

[haoKR]

About gearing up, are regular jeans good enough to protect us during the course of skidding?

Sadly, not many of us (*riders) paying attention to gear up for crash, riders in tees, bermudas and slippers makes me worry of their safety n skin.

 

haha,no1 ever bother la.

but jeans at least beta dan nth,rite ?

[Flo_rider]

I read that article with some dismay. What sort of message is it going to send out to drivers? It's just going to reinforce their opinions that bikers are crazy and dangerous, and that if they die on the roads it's their own fault.

 

Many of my friends complain that it's scary when bikes hide in their blind spots and most claim to have had near misses. They don't seem to realise it's their responsibility to check that their blind spots are clear before changing lanes. Worst of all, they sincerely believe that the onus rests 100% on the bikers to avoid them in such scenarios (like mechwira pointed out earlier).

 

I'm not blaming anyone here. Obviously no driver would willfully get involved in an accident. But it's disturbing that many genuinely don't know that they should be looking out for motorbikes. If it's a simple matter of not knowing, surely something can be done to educate them.

 

When I first got my Class 3 license, I honestly never even turned my mind to looking out for anyone on the roads besides other cars and pedestrians at zebra crossings, not because I thought I was a superior road user or anything like that, but because nobody had ever highlighted the different kinds of hazards I could encounter. When turning at junctions, it never even occurred to me that I should look out for bikes. I would just take quick glances to make sure there were no other CARS in my way.

 

Most drivers consider driving a relatively safe affair and so aren't too meticulous about doing their safety checks. In fact, when I got my Class 3 license, my parents' main concern was that I'd scratch the car.

 

I've a good mind to write in to the Straits Times to highlight some of the points you guys have raised here, not that it will help much.... Any idea whom else we could write in to? Some government authority perhaps?

 

Sorry, I don't mean to kick up a big fuss, heh. But I was seriously disturbed when I saw that article in the papers, especially having experienced first-hand what it's like to be a driver with no knowledge of bikes.

 

Its propaganda, the article says nth else other than the dangers of riding a motorcycle, clearly to steer people away from riding bikes.

Hell it does not even bother to promote looking out for riders on the roads, as I read through the whole article.

The audience of this article is towards the many youngsters that take riding lightly, without any respect, at my poly (don't wish to name but not really impt) I saw a bunch of students "testing" their bikes (pimped neon lights and all), and even 1 riding around the carpark without a helmet at abt 7-8pm.

It's trying to employ the "scare tactic" to get them from riding, but unfortunately it doesnt work.

 

The main objective should be to promote and instill safe riding tips into these teens whom think they are "invincible" on their bikes.

[retromotoracer]

here, let me share a much more useful article. italics and bold are mine. this is a real expert study. i am only reproducing part of it, for the complete summary pls visit http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/Hurt-study-summary.htm

 

The Hurt study, published in 1981, was a ground-breaking report on the causes and effects of motorcycle accidents. Although more than 15 years old at this time, the study still offers riders insight into the statistics regarding motorcycle accidents and tips on safer riding.

 

With funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, researcher Harry Hurt (from which the study gets its common name) of the University of Southern California, investigated almost every aspect of 900 motorcycle accidents in the Los Angeles area. Additionally, Hurt and his staff analyzed 3,600 motorcycle traffic accident reports in the same geographic area.

 

Summary of Findings

 

so is there a similar study done locally? of coz not. our country is different, motorcycle fatality is mostly reckless riders fault.

 

whoa... should forward this study to the authority or the straits times with reference to their article... & see what they have to say about it.

 

I myself had two near misses!!! both involving lady drivers & both happened at a T-junction.

1)Teck Whye Ave twds Choa Chu Kang Dr (T-junction of road turning into carpark before CCK Community Club)

driver view when exiting carpark turning right & rider view when travelling were blocked by vehicles parked near the coffeeshop!!! driver should have move out slowly as to warn oncoming vehicles.

2)Bt Batok East Ave 5 twds Gombak Mrt (T-junction of Bt Batok St 52)

saw mercedes driver checking traffic from her left & move out without checking traffic from her right where i was riding!!!