Never Assume!!!!!

[BigpapaM109]

This is a reminder, never assume the cagers see you. I took this picture Monday afternoon at my friends house where I used to work on bikes. The rider of this bike was 24 years old and worked for NIH, with a very bright future. He was heading north bound and a 67 year old man decided to make a left right in front of him. He impacted the car at 50+ mph. Paramedics found him alive and were doing cpr, but he succumbed to his injuries and passed away in the hospital. A few hours after the accident, Mary was on her bike at a grocery store, and one of this rider's neighbors struck up a conversation and they chatted. Last night, that neighbor and the sister of the rider were at the scene planting flowers. They saw us leave my friends and caught up to us and flagged us down. We stopped and chatted with them and paid our condolences to the sister for her tragic loss. So sad to see multiple lives effected or ended over the carelessness of one driver.

http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/22...cycle-accident

Mary and I slow down at every intersection prepared to slam brakes assuming they are not seeing us. Please be careful out there and assume they don't see you.

[CMHGUY]

very sad! And you for sure gotta watch everyone and drive defensive all the time!!! 24/7 everytime out on the bike!!

[BigpapaM109]

very sad! And you for sure gotta watch everyone and drive defensive all the time!!! 24/7 everytime out on the bike!!

And don't hesitate to remind others. I immediately called my friend who has a 109 to make sure he told his 2 sons. They both have sport bikes and are very new riders. They ride great but still, they lack experience. I made him show them this picture and tell them to never assume.

[CMHGUY]

And don't hesitate to remind others. I immediately called my friend who has a 109 to make sure he told his 2 sons. They both have sport bikes and are very new riders. They ride great but still, they lack experience. I made him show them this picture and tell them to never assume.

good call!

[LOFLYR]

Sad story indeed. I always cover the brakes when I see a car approaching an intersection, seems like even when they look right at you, you still never know if it registers with them.


On a side note, very surprised that the news article listed addresses of the victim and the other driver, seems like a bad idea to me...

[PanamaJack]

Sad story indeed. I always cover the brakes when I see a car approaching an intersection, seems like even when they look right at you, you still never know if it registers with them.


On a side note, very surprised that the news article listed addresses of the victim and the other driver, seems like a bad idea to me...

my right hand and foot are always over the breaks, I hardly let them go at all, that millisecond to grab it might save you.


prayers to the family of the kid!

[Saratoga rider]

Risky business we're in. So many people on the rode that shouldn't be driving.

Odd that the cager turned left and the bike hit the passenger door.

[g9r]

#1 I think post like this are very important to keep us alert and mindful of the things that can happen in the blink of an eye. Over time it is human nature to become complacent and as bikers, we should never ever be complacent.

#2 Always, ALWAYS assume that the other vehicles, whatever they may be, DO NOT SEE YOU. That way when they don't, you are already prepared as much as can be.

#3 Ride smart

Thanks for sharing and reminding us.

[BigpapaM109]

On a side note, very surprised that the news article listed addresses of the victim and the other driver, seems like a bad idea to me...

Not the exact address, but just the block. However, they do it here all the time and your post had me sit and wonder why.

Odd that the cager turned left and the bike hit the passenger door.

Not really. It was a green light in both directions at a 4 way intersection. There is no green arrow at this intersection so when it is green, you yield to oncoming traffic.

[LOFLYR]

Not the exact address, but just the block. However, they do it here all the time and your post had me sit and wonder why.

Yeah just struck me as odd. This isn't necessarily a high profile accident, but I could see the listing of blocks to be a problem in some cases.

For example, there was an accident here where two people were walking in a crosswalk, a guy comes speeding 15mph+ over the limit through the intersection, never brakes and kills both peds. It came out later that he was completely blind in one eye and had bad vision in the other. There was a big manslaughter trial with lots of press. He got off easier than a lot of people thought he should have. I could see potential problems with the public at large having a good idea of where he lived.

[Saratoga rider]

I see. My misunderstanding. Thanks

[BigpapaM109]

Yeah just struck me as odd. This isn't necessarily a high profile accident, but I could see the listing of blocks to be a problem in some cases.

For example, there was an accident here where two people were walking in a crosswalk, a guy comes speeding 15mph+ over the limit through the intersection, never brakes and kills both peds. It came out later that he was completely blind in one eye and had bad vision in the other. There was a big manslaughter trial with lots of press. He got off easier than a lot of people thought he should have. I could see potential problems with the public at large having a good idea of where he lived.

I agree. I guess I am so used to seeing it that I never even gave it a thought.

I see. My misunderstanding. Thanks

No worries, I figured as much. I see the intersection every day where as you are just trying to picture it in your head.

[Big-B]

Harris, was this over by Larry's house? How very sad!!

[BigpapaM109]

Harris, was this over by Larry's house? How very sad!!

Yes Bernie, right at the intersection.

[Big-B]

Yes Bernie, right at the intersection.

Man that's such a shame. Not to mention it's a pretty big intersection w/ pretty good visibility. My heart goes out to the young mans family!

[BigpapaM109]

Man that's such a shame. Not to mention it's a pretty big intersection w/ pretty good visibility. My heart goes out to the young mans family!

It was heartbraking talking to the sister last night. I felt horrible watching her try to figure out what might of happened while telling us that investigators will NOT give them any info as they are still investigating it. They seem to be leaning that he was speeding. However, Larry's son's girlfriend was outside and witnessed and said he was not speeding. Sounds like the witness may have said that to help his case. Anyway, going to talk to her this afternoon when I am over there and see if she will call proper unit and give them the account of what happened.

[Big-B]

Well from your description above I would be willing to assume the cager never even saw him til it was too late if at all. there is a lot of good visibility at that intersection and yeah, you'd basically have to be blind not to. Good on you all for helping out. Hopefully Scott's g/f I witness will be able to help the case along.

[BigpapaM109]

Well from your description above I would be willing to assume the cager never even saw him til it was too late if at all. there is a lot of good visibility at that intersection and yeah, you'd basically have to be blind not to. Good on you all for helping out. Hopefully Scott's g/f I witness will be able to help the case along.

I agree. I just hope that justice is brought and they don't sweep this under the carpet as "it was just a dumb kit speeding on a bike".

[T-Bone©®™]

I agree. I just hope that justice is brought and they don't sweep this under the carpet as "it was just a dumb kit speeding on a bike".

Apparently you have to be riding in a "Presidential" motorcade to get "Involuntary Manslaughter",,, which anyone should automatically be guilty as charged when the words "I didn't see him/her/THEM" dribbles out.

and just to push the point home a little further!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMTZNggZQsI

From the vid description,
"Out for a group ride. I had never met the guy who was riding the ZX-10 before. As I was slowing down he was still going fast and said he never saw the trailer. The gopro camera is mounted to the front of my Ducati 848 Evo. He survived the crash with only a broken arm and broken leg however he was airlifted to the hospital."

[Big-B]

Apparently you have to be riding in a "Presidential" motorcade to get "Involuntary Manslaughter",,, which anyone should automatically be guilty as charged when the words "I didn't see him/her/THEM" dribbles out.

and just to push the point home a little further!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMTZNggZQsI

OMFG!!! THAT WAS HORRIBLE!!

[BigpapaM109]

Apparently you have to be riding in a "Presidential" motorcade to get "Involuntary Manslaughter",,, which anyone should automatically be guilty as charged when the words "I didn't see him/her/THEM" dribbles out.

and just to push the point home a little further!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMTZNggZQsI

I agree Steve. I just watched that video and it is hard to watch that is for sure.

[dre319]

I am sorry to hear of the young mans death. That is horrible. Then to watch that video of the ZX10, wow!

[Nemo]

My recent thinking while riding Harris is,,,,,,,,,,, I assume they ALL are trying to kill me.................Keeps my guards up pretty good.......

[HALO9]

OMG that is horrible, You are right, life changes for so many in an instant.

[BigpapaM109]

My recent thinking while riding Harris is,,,,,,,,,,, I assume they ALL are trying to kill me.................Keeps my guards up pretty good.......

Us too Rick. But, many have the attitude it will never happen to them so awareness is good.

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[ace4aday]

Only a couple of broken limbs after that? Lucky guy!

[hoze]

We have had several deaths here on Oahu of late, most due to drivers hitting motorcyclists. To make it even worse, most have fled the scene of the crime. Just last week a young lady rearended a biker and fled the scene. Witnesses chased her until she stopped. Was texting and never saw the bike. This seems to be the rule here.. Flee the scene and try and get away. Makes me sick to say the least.

We REALLY need to be careful and aware of our surroundings, both in front AND behind. I believe at least 4 or 5 accidents this year were bikes rearended.

Please be safe everyone... hoze

[Chapmandoo]

Sad story .. when I see someone turning left in front of my I hit my "Flash to pass" button a few times. I dont know how well it works but I hope it is enough to get his attention.

[Zoom]

Prayers sent to that poor young mans family, what a shame and a waste. I don't know what it is about this time of year but the accidents seem to have picked up. In the last week there have been two riders killed between here and Romney, and that usually only happens once a year at most. One guy was passing a truck on the right side and the truck was turning off to the right and he didn't notice it, and the truck ran him into a guard rail. Never pass on the right either.

[KINGZM109R]

Thanks for the wake up call Harris. Sad for the young man. I too try to stay alert with my fingers resting on the brake lever at intersections or near side roads to watch out for cagers. I also recommend practicing emergency manouvering skills often in an empty parking lot to keep things fresh.

Unrelated....Just yesterday my co worker told me he witnessed an accident where a sportbike rider rammed the side of a car while going 75mph in a residential area. Says he was just crossing the road when it happened and that the guys leg was amputated instantly and somehow he was nearly slashed in half with his guts sticking out. It sounded awful. He said he puked right there and in reading about the accident the next day come to find out the rider had a history of multiple motorcycle related violations and speeding tickets.
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