STREET SMART

[gohjohan]

Thanks guys for creating this thread... I've been riding quite hazardly for the week ... needed this to scare me back to safety... Please include me for any outing as well on safety management. I'll be glad to attend

 

Same here. I'm watching this thread. Hope to join in soon 'cos I'm more free now

[Pplater]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=juQEHEYTws8

What road rash could look like...

 

I was lucky to walk away with only a bruised ego and slightly limping leg from my last self skid. My jeans tore and my rain coat tore as well (kns.. new rain coat wore for the first time), but since there was no impact injuries, i walked away without any road rash at all.

 

I'm thankful i did not have to suffer worse injuries for my mistakes on the road, because i heeded sensible advice on riding attire advocated by fellow forumers most of the time. It could have been worse. Perhaps the vid clip could have been me. I'm lucky its not.

 

Almost all riders have to go through their fair share of self-skids/accidents. There isn't anyone i know who haven't suffered from bike injuries before, although there is a certain rider i know who endlessly maintains a zero street riding accident record for more than 10 years

 

For lesser mortals like me, the right gear minimises the amount of road rash and suffering, and increases my chances of learning from my mistakes

 

Dress for the crash, not for the ride.

[Pplater]

Street Smart Tip of the Day-Reading through this thread again after some time is a good idea

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85788

 

 

As we gain more and more road experience, and as the days pass by, sometimes our road habits change, or we may let our guard down. Reading through Street Smart again is a good idea. As i progress through my learning phases as a rider, i find that reading through it offers new perspectives that i previously didn't see and still find it a good check against my current habits. If you are occasionally surfing, its a good idea to read a page or two whenever u surf the net. Save this link above under your "favourite" page

[Spectrum]

http://www.asiaone.com/a1media/motoring/10Oct07/images/express.jpg

 

http://www.asiaone.com/a1media/motoring/10Oct07/images/junctions.jpg

 

6 Danger Zones Identified

 

As Posted By Traffic Police...

 

Looking at the zones posted...

It is no surprise that they are dangerous.

 

Don't just look out for these Zones...

But....

 

ALL zones along the Highway where there are Exits & Entrances...

And Potential places for someone to thru into our lanes...

 

U Hit your brakes to avoid them..

Skid & Fall!

And left to the mercy of the car behind.

Have a Good Look out!

Predict what the Cars Around U gonna do..

 

Give your self Plenty of Space.

In Front - So u don't have to E Brake

And

Behind - If u fall... The vehicle behind can avoid U.

 

 

AS FOR THE JUNCTIONS HOTSPOTS

 

The Vehicle Turning Right Is the Biggest Killer of Bikes!

Flash Them, Horn Them... Let Them know U are Coming...

And

If all that Don't Work...

Prepare to Slow down & Let them Pass!

 

AND You'll Live to ride Another Day!

[Wayang]

i'm sure dis has probably been mentioned b4 but i feel its gd to remind ourselves from time to time..

 

always try to think ahead when ridin.. look at the behavior of the car ahead n ard u.. it wil hint at wat they r goin to do next.. thinkin ahead wil greatly minimise reaction time and reduce the risk of gettin into an accident..

[Pplater]

An experience to share..

 

Just went for a petrol run with a friend just now. Passing through the traffic light (green in my favour), me in lane 3 keeping left to turn off and makan with friend. Car filtering left into our way did not stop. Me braked to a stop just right after traffic light as the car cut into my path and accelerated slowly. It was either that or a collision. It was the first time the situation called for braking to a complete stop after a green light for someone to filter out slowly. Checked with my friend behind me later, it was green light in our favour and as I noticed, cars in lane 1 and 2 were cruising through. Slow speed into junction probably helped, and being ready to stop when the other party did not definitely reduced chances of collision.

[Pplater]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/StreetSmart108MM_resize.jpg

 

:thumb:

[endlessloop]

An experience to share..

 

Just went for a petrol run with a friend just now... It was the first time the situation called for braking to a complete stop after a green light for someone to filter out slowly. Checked with my friend behind me later, it was green light in our favour and as I noticed, cars in lane 1 and 2 were cruising through. Slow speed into junction probably helped, and being ready to stop when the other party did not definitely reduced chances of collision.

 

 

Every harrowing close shave escaped, every could-be accident avoided, you have earned an extra stripe as testimont to your motorcycling proficiency.

 

 

Keep on learning and building up your motorcycling road safety skill!

[AR2 Performance]

Street Smart Tip of the Day-Reading through this thread again after some time is a good idea

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85788

 

 

As we gain more and more road experience, and as the days pass by, sometimes our road habits change, or we may let our guard down. Reading through Street Smart again is a good idea. As i progress through my learning phases as a rider, i find that reading through it offers new perspectives that i previously didn't see and still find it a good check against my current habits. If you are occasionally surfing, its a good idea to read a page or two whenever u surf the net. Save this link above under your "favourite" page

 

Moral of the video?

 

IMHO, never ride beside a vehicle & shoulder that has a chance to turn left. Same principle as squeezing beside a car (left side) in a left filter or left turn.

 

In fact, after years of heavy traffic to work, overtaking by riding ont he white lines momentarily between 2 cars that are side-by-side, is even safer than 1 car with its left or right side empty. The reason is there is a window of opportunity for the driver to switch lanes as compare to the former.

[RYANS]

hmmm... im thinkin of going for defensive riding @ SSDC.. i guess i should after reading this thread.. ^^

 

good day

[xiaobanz]

Ya you should go for defensive riding. I find that course very good.

[Mr Zh4n]

Hi guys, I would like to share with you an accident that occured to me yesterday night at around 7.30pm. I was travelling along Tampanies Rd and coming up to the Junction that intersects Hougang Ave 3. I was riding alone thankfully, with full face helmet, gloves, a thick non-riding jacket and jeans.

 

As I was approaching the junction at about 40km/h, I was on the third lane from the left (4 lane road). Ref to Diagram shown below (Pardon the amatuer drawing):

 

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/zhang747/Accident.jpg

 

there was a JB rider who was squeezing though cars 90 degrees towards my path (In between front and rear car bumpers). He did not see me and inched his front wheel out. Little did he know I came right at him and collided into his front wheel, which sent me flying over the handlebars and slding on my belly till my head went underneath a car. I got up straight away and checked myself - everything was working fine but there was pain somewhere. I told the car driver that his car was fine and told him to move off. I was furious but I calmed myself down. When I saw my bike it was on it's side together with the JB bike, leaking Engine oil all over the road.

 

The other rider was fine and escaped relatively unharmed and we first pushed his bike to the side followed by mine. Of course after the a little bit of swearing here and scolding him there I straight away dailed 999 because there was an injured party- me. Amazingly I only suffered abraisons on my knees and the right elbow. I must thank the cool wheather for encouraging me to wear that jacket and gloves or I do feel I would have had to follow that ambulance.

 

In all 3 years of my riding this is the first time I had a more serious accident. I still do feel very very lucky and thank whoever is looking down on me up from above, preventing a car from running over me.

 

Please fellow bikers, wear your gear or lose your skin. I am lucky to have lost just some. As for the rest of the story, it's all just money issues. I am just glad I am safe and sound. As for the other rider, I do feel this is a mistake he will not forget.

[ausa]

God Bless You.

[endlessloop]

Mr Zh4n, thanks for sharing your experience which will benefit other riders

 

I'm glad for you that you managed to walk away from an accident that could have had more serious consequences. I will pray for your speedy recovery, a safe and enjoyable riding career

[endlessloop]

It's time of the year again: Raining season.

 

Boys and girls: Don't save. Don't be niao.

Go change your tyres if the tyre grooves are getting shallow--the tyre grooves are necessary to channel water out from under your tyre when you travel over water. Otherwise, you will aqua-plane and your bike will skid over wet surfaces.

 

Go change your tyres even if the grooves are there but your tyres are old (1.5 yrs or more). The rubber would have hardened and it looses its gripping capabilities. So when you ride over dry surfaces and brake hard, or lean over, the tyre might give way.

 

 

Go get yourself and always bring along, a set of complete rain gear--if you don't have wet weather caapability, when it rains or going to rain, you will ride faster to avoid the rain and it increases your risk exposure.

 

If you already have rain gear, but it is leaking somewhere, go change it--rain gear don't last forever. I have owned many sets over a decade and they start to leak 1-2 years from wear and tear. Same reason as above.

 

Brake pads. If they are thinning or also been not changed after a long time, go change them.

 

All these small little items might be a bit painful to your pocket when you change them, but they are so little compared to A. If your bike crash and the cost of repair B. You may be permanently damaged or crippled if you crash.

These items have to be changed sooner or later. Do it now. No point regretting later.

[Spectrum]

Hi guys, I would like to share with you an accident that occured to me yesterday night at around 7.30pm. I was travelling along Tampanies Rd and coming up to the Junction that intersects Hougang Ave 3. I was riding alone thankfully, with full face helmet, gloves, a thick non-riding jacket and jeans.

 

As I was approaching the junction at about 40km/h, I was on the third lane from the left (4 lane road). Ref to Diagram shown below (Pardon the amatuer drawing):

 

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/zhang747/Accident.jpg

 

Hi Zh4n,

 

Glad u got by with slight injuries & thks for sharing.

 

Advantage for riders:

 

We are perch higher than most traffic.

Make gd use of the height.

Good Scanning will prevent collision with bikes squeezing between cars.

Similarly, we should want to stop to check when we squeeze across lanes.

Like what the JB bike was doing.

 

Yellow Box:

 

Witness a similar incident of sort when a bike over taking on the right of

two lanes of jam traffic.

Kind of like what u were doing.

 

As he approaches a yellow box.. a car shot out.

He was slow.. but being slow didn't prevent him from crashing into the blue car.

Unfortunately.. the bus keeping clear of the yellow box

Obstructed his view...

 

He would really have to stop & see if there were any traffic to avoid the collision.

Tedious but that's what it takes to be safe.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/YellowBox01.jpg

[Mr Zh4n]

Hi guys, I would like to share with you an accident that occured to me yesterday night at around 7.30pm. I was travelling along Tampanies Rd and coming up to the Junction that intersects Hougang Ave 3. I was riding alone thankfully, with full face helmet, gloves, a thick non-riding jacket and jeans.

 

As I was approaching the junction at about 40km/h, I was on the third lane from the left (4 lane road). Ref to Diagram shown below (Pardon the amatuer drawing):

 

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/zhang747/Accident.jpg

 

Hi Zh4n,

 

Glad u got by with slight injuries & thks for sharing.

 

Advantage for riders:

 

We are perch higher than most traffic.

Make gd use of the height.

Good Scanning will prevent collision with bikes squeezing between cars.

Similarly, we should want to stop to check when we squeeze across lanes.

Like what the JB bike was doing.

 

Yellow Box:

 

Witness a similar incident of sort when a bike over taking on the right of

two lanes of jam traffic.

Kind of like what u were doing.

 

As he approaches a yellow box.. a car shot out.

Too fast to stop.. he crashes into the car.

Unfortunately.. there was a bus keeping clear of the yellow box.

His view was obstructed...

It was a dead corner.

 

To avoid the collision... he would had to stop to check

before proceeding.

 

Yup Spectrum. A few seconds of patience can save you a lifetime of misery. Thnaks endlessloop! Anyway guys ride safe, Take care and watch out!

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Fireworks05.jpg

 

STREET SMART WISHES ALL READERS A HAPPY & SAFE 2008

 

There will be Much celebration tonight...

And the one behind the wheel may had one too many...

 

The Most Dangerous Time of the Day

is when party time is over & they are all heading home.

They may not do the what's normal... stop at red...

And they have a very faint vision of bikes..

 

Have a Happy New Year!

[Pplater]

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x215/czh2002sg/untitled.jpg

 

Are you a high sensation or low sensation seeker?

 

A well studied temperament is that of sensation seeking: the pursuit of novelty, often in high-stimulation situations, such as sky-diving, fast driving, or drug and alcohol use, or ocupations, such as working in a hospital emergency room. High sensation seekers are more likely to send flaming e-mails, to surf (versus play golf), and to listen to punk music. High sensation seekers view a given situation as less risky than do low sensation seekers. A study of personality predictors of driving accidents found that those drivers who had had car accidents or traffic violations were more likely that those who didn't to be thrill seekers and risk takers. Sensation seeking is associated with lower levels of the chemical monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) in the blood. MAO-B helps break down neurotransmitters for storage, affecting the amounts of those neurotransmitters that are available, at least in males.

 

Reference: Kosslyn, Stephen M. , "Psychology in Context" Pearson Education, Inc. 2006, 499

 

According to this paragraph, it would seem that those of us with lesser MAO-B are more likely to get angry otr, and MAO-B levels may increase with age (mellowing). We may be more of a high sensation seeker than we would like to admit, but peer influence, experience and education can tamper and control the effects of our temperament on our driving/riding attitude.

[Pplater]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/2007/200705.gif

 

Wishing All A Happy New Year 2007!

 

 

To all a Safe & Enjoyable Year 2007!

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Fireworks05.jpg

 

STREET SMART WISHES ALL READERS A HAPPY & SAFE 2008

 

There will be Much celebration tonight...

And the one behind the wheel may had one too many...

 

The Most Dangerous Time of the Day

is when party time is over & they are all heading home.

They may not do the what's normal... stop at red...

And they have a very faint vision of bikes..

 

Have a Happy New Year!

 

Many years on, Spectrum and Endlessloop and many riders who took up riding while i was still crawling are still devoting their time and energy to promoting safety. I'm humbled and deeply impressed by their devotion...

 

Reviewing past lessons and looking at my old silly posts, looking at some posts by riders who passed on and their words of wisdom before their passing, I'm reminded of my vulnerability.

 

May 08 be a pleasant year of riding to you, and may your new year resolutions come true.

[fireshamie]

 

Are you a high sensation or low sensation seeker?

 

A well studied temperament is that of sensation seeking: the pursuit of novelty, often in high-stimulation situations, such as sky-diving, fast driving, or drug and alcohol use, or ocupations, such as working in a hospital emergency room. High sensation seekers are more likely to send flaming e-mails, to surf (versus play golf), and to listen to punk music. High sensation seekers view a given situation as less risky than do low sensation seekers. A study of personality predictors of driving accidents found that those drivers who had had car accidents or traffic violations were more likely that those who didn't to be thrill seekers and risk takers. Sensation seeking is associated with lower levels of the chemical monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) in the blood. MAO-B helps break down neurotransmitters for storage, affecting the amounts of those neurotransmitters that are available, at least in males.

 

Reference: Kosslyn, Stephen M. , "Psychology in Context" Pearson Education, Inc. 2006, 499

 

According to this paragraph, it would seem that those of us with more MAO-B are more likely to get angry otr, and MAO-B levels may decrease with age (mellowing). We may be more of a high sensation seeker than we would like to admit, but peer influence, experience and education can tamper and control the effects of our temperament on our driving/riding attitude.

 

guess i'm more of a high sensation personality, off the road..on the road wise, i have yet to discover..but lookin at my dad's otr personality, i have a good idea of mine..that high sensation personality otr is budding in me, but i intend to not let it rip out..if i could..heehs..safety will still come first..

[vtec88]

nice information

;-)

[Mark Ng]

refer the reason below.

[endlessloop]

Stargate was very kind to send me a PM to bring attention to a recent incident where a Singapore motorcyclist passed away while joining a group of Singapore riders to have supper in Johor after filling up petrol over at 2nd link, because the rider was new to riding to Malaysia road.

 

I would like to invite suggestions and contributors.

 

1. What would you advise to newbies riding in Malaysia road?

 

2. What would you advise to newbies doing convoy rides the first time in Malaysia road?

[contrarian]

Straits Times Jan 28, 2008

Death on two wheels

 

Many young lives were claimed last year as the death toll for motorcyclists remained disproportionately high

 

By Teh Joo Lin

 

LAST year, two motorcyclists or pillion riders died every week.

 

A total of 103 motorcyclists and their pillions never made it home alive last year, a toll that numbered one more than in 2006. This indicates that the roads have become no less dangerous for those who ride on two-wheelers.

 

Almost half of the 219 motorists who died on the roads last year were on motorbikes or scooters.

 

Considering that motorcycles make up only 18 per cent of the vehicles here, a disproportionate number of motorcyclists lost their lives.

 

And barely a month into this year, five more known deaths have occurred.

 

Bike fatalities remain a concern, said the Traffic Police at last week's briefing on the road traffic situation.

 

A police analysis of the numbers shed light on some patterns.

 

Those who had died were young. Nearly half, or 21 out of 46, of those who had died in the first half of last year were aged 24 or under, the Traffic Police told The Straits Times.

 

Twelve of the other deaths were of people aged 40 or older, with the remainder aged in between.

 

Nursing student Siti Hajjar Yaakub was among those who had died last year. She suffered head injuries after being flung from the skidding motorcycle on which she was riding pillion. She was 19.

 

The accident that claimed her life took place along the Tampines Expressway last October. It left her 22-year-old boyfriend screaming her name, but she was already dead.

 

Three months on, her eldest sister Seri Kartini Yaakub said that the family is still trying to come to terms with the loss.

 

The young age of those who had perished in motorcycle accidents last year revealed a potent mix of risk factors.

 

Such riders tend to speed, take risks and have a sense of invincibility. They also lack riding experience.

 

Dr Brian Yeo, a consultant psychiatrist at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, identified young men as being most at risk. He said: 'For them, bike riding is not just a mode of transport from Point A to Point B. It's also an outward show of prowess among their friends, who also ride.'

 

In order to show off, these youth make illegal - and dangerous - modifications to their bikes. They install lights in unapproved colours or even mask them.

 

The Land Transport Authority has noted that those who ride illegally modified machines tend to be between 18 and 30.

 

The Traffic Police studied fatal bike accidents over a three-month period last year to pinpoint their causes and identify ways of bringing the grim numbers down.

 

It found that road tragedies bore the mark of errant bikers and drivers who did not:

 

Stay in proper control;

 

Keep a proper look-out for other vehicles;

 

Heed traffic signals;

 

Keep a proper distance from the vehicle in front;

 

Overtake safely.

 

A Traffic Police task force has been set up to save these riders from themselves and other careless road users.

 

Working on the principle that one life lost is one too many, the task force has identified bike accident hotspots and erected roadside warning signs along the Pan-Island Expressway, Singapore's deadliest expressway for motorcyclists.

 

The task force has also forged links with motorcycle clubs to deliver talks at the Institute of Technical Education, the polytechnics and military camps.

 

Traffic Police commander Ng Guat Ting said it all boiled down to motorists looking out for one another: 'The roads are getting busier, so motorists should exercise care, caution and consideration at all times.'

 

Assistant Commissioner Ng, a mother of two, described accidents as 'lose-lose situations'. She said: 'When someone dies, it's not just a death. It can be the loss of someone's only child or breadwinner.'

 

[email protected]

 

 

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY TRACY SUA & CAROLYN QUEK