Avoid getting rear-ended: a reminder

[dlew]

It rained here today. About an hour after it started I headed home and after leaving a familiar intersection I proceeded at a higher than normal speed to the next intersection which is always timed for me to make. It's never close though it's nearing the end of its green cycle as I pass through.

This time, however, the light changed much more quickly and I had to slow down pretty fast. Nothing major, nothing like emergency braking, but definitely a "whoa pony!"

This is how I looked from the back:

--BRAKE! flashing brake light in rapid flash to solid mode
--HYPERlites which are running light and then flashing red when braking
--LEDs in my turn signal which light up when braking
--Scotchlite behind the red lenses in my Givi case
--reflective hi-viz green/yellow vest with orange stripes and silver Scotchlite.







There is no way I wasn't seen from behind and indicating that I was braking.

I already had a foot down and I heard the sound of tires sliding against wet pavement behind me and the car stopped just a few feet behind me. The woman refused to make eye contact with me as I turned around.

I feel lucky I wasn't hit and it's really reminded me that you really increase your chance of getting hit from behind if you are 1) riding fast and may have to stop fast, 2) if you are following too closely and have to stop suddenly, 3) are not not checking your six to see what's going on.

I'm sure that if I hadn't jumped off the line so quickly she would not have followed in my lead. Nonetheless, she couldn't have been tailing me if I already had a foot down. It also makes me remember how much control I have of the flow of traffic behind me if I'm not pushing the limit. If I maintain a moderate pace the drivers behind me are forced to do the same.

I'm also reminded that not everyone has ABS and that drivers are blind.

[Jedediah]

dlew,

my worst fear is getting smacked from behind. I sometimes wonder if I spend to much time watching thw mirrors. I now find myself pulling up behind another at a stop and halting either far right or far left depending on what will provide the best escape route, 1st gear ready.

I was impressed with the turn signal/red brake lights you have on your bike. can you provide a little info? I have a Dakar/ABS. I purchased the BMW aftermarket LED brake light but find the cable is to short ("fits most bikes") and will need to splice in for a longer circut. The thing also seems to weigh a ton.

As I understand it, the ABS brakes can be rendered inoperative if the current draw from the brake light is not suffecient. Some of the super effecient LED systems available might not draw enough juice to tell the ABS system the brakes are on, such as "Brake" light?

Regards,

Jed.

[dlew]

hey there jedediah,

i usually do look in my rear view mirrors but i hadn't even had a chance to do that.

in this case i was the first person at the light so aside from pulling over to the curb there was no place for me to go. i suppose i could have done that but then it's just more merging to do with a car that takes your lane.

i bought the BRAKE! light from my BMW dealer and the jumpers can be set for bikes with ABS. i have had no problems whatsoever and i installed it myself. the one i have is very lightweight.

the turn signal LEDs have yellow LEDs for turning and then a strip of red inside for stopping. i bought them onlne at NippyNormans in the UK.

[ADVG]

I got rear-ended last week in broad-daylight. Stopped at a pedestrian crossing; driver behind me was busy sending an SMS on her mobile phone instead of looking where she was going. Got a free flying lesson that day...

[Sun Tzu]

Hey dlew.

Thanks for the reminder! It helped me realize that the last few times out I have not paid as much attention to the mirrors as I should.

-Sun

[jwrover]

Lads,

Has anyone ever had the thought that perhaps we need to re-constitute the "BAD BOY BIKER REPUTATIONS"

I know that growing up in So. Cal. one was always reluctant to cut someone off on the HWY, flip someone the Bird with out first looking who was receiving it...basically living with a little bit of good old fashioned "Lockean Law"...Why? you could get shot!

So here's my remedy to our current situation. Perhaps if we spend the next quarter of the year getting off our bikes and beating the living S. H. I. T. out of any fool, man woman, High-School kid, that came screeching up on us, or swerved into our lane, or stopped short on us because they are SMSing, texting, talking about their hair on their cell to Biffy their masus...Life might be just that little bit more enjoyable for all come next years riding season! Just think of the press..."Mad Biker rage Sweeps Country"..."If you see a motorcyclist on the roads stay clear, give them a wide birth..They are Volatile!"...I think that just might make riding a little less neurotic for us all!

What do ya' say...everyone game?

jwrover

[Pelon]

Nice reminder!

Riding around the city during the holidays SUCKS. Yesterday, I went to the mall to pick up something for She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed. On my way out, I cruised along a thoroughfare heading for the freeway. The road is two lanes in each direction, with a raised curb divider in the center. Traffic turning onto this road must turn right and cannot cross the lanes to turn left. Nor can drivers coming from the opposite direction, make left turns across your lanes. There are two controlled intersections at both ends of the road where you can make a Uturn to go the other way. It is a really poorly designed road that results in HUGE traffic backups because of the people who need to use the uturn locations to get to where they are going.

Yesterday was no different. The wait to make a u was about 5-10 minutes, and some shithead in an SUV that probably never has been off the road decides to pop the divider going the opposite way and make a left turn across my bow. I'm pretty sure she didn't see me; she was cradling her phone between her shoulder and her ear and looking in her mirror (for a cop?) when she made the turn. I wasn't going more than 25, and it didn't take too much effort to bring the bike to a complete stop. I easily avoided the SUV, but the whole time was aware of the traffic that would be coming around the turn behind me at any minute. As I slowed to a stop, I quick shifted into first, and once the [INSERT WORD HERE THAT RHYMES WITH BUNT] cleared my path, I blasted out of there to avoid getting hit from behind.

I will never understand this kind of stuff. It's ok to wait, it's ok to miss a turn. People change when they get behind the wheel, and do things they NEVER would do if they had to face their "victims" face to face.

Ride safely.

Pelon

ps Retired police officer in SD was killed yesterday on a bike. He was riding on Otay Lakes Road east of Chula Vista when a car being pursued by the Border Patrol lost control and slammed into him. At least one family is going to have a not-so-merry Xmas this year.

[dlew]

Originally Posted by ADVG

I got rear-ended last week in broad-daylight. Stopped at a pedestrian crossing; driver behind me was busy sending an SMS on her mobile phone instead of looking where she was going. Got a free flying lesson that day...

glad you are ok, advg. you're a lucky guy.

[dlew]

Originally Posted by Sun Tzu

Hey dlew.

Thanks for the reminder! It helped me realize that the last few times out I have not paid as much attention to the mirrors as I should.

-Sun

yes, same here. although i think i check my six a lot maybe i'm not doing it consistently.

[dlew]

Originally Posted by jwrover

Lads,

Has anyone ever had the thought that perhaps we need to re-constitute the "BAD BOY BIKER REPUTATIONS"

I know that growing up in So. Cal. one was always reluctant to cut someone off on the HWY, flip someone the Bird with out first looking who was receiving it...basically living with a little bit of good old fashioned "Lockean Law"...Why? you could get shot!

So here's my remedy to our current situation. Perhaps if we spend the next quarter of the year getting off our bikes and beating the living S. H. I. T. out of any fool, man woman, High-School kid, that came screeching up on us, or swerved into our lane, or stopped short on us because they are SMSing, texting, talking about their hair on their cell to Biffy their masus...Life might be just that little bit more enjoyable for all come next years riding season! Just think of the press..."Mad Biker rage Sweeps Country"..."If you see a motorcyclist on the roads stay clear, give them a wide birth..They are Volatile!"...I think that just might make riding a little less neurotic for us all!

What do ya' say...everyone game?

jwrover

i'm finding that here in new york city the crazies already have enough hostility to bikers. there are so many people with NOTHING to lose and they'll go for it. and chances are they might have a gun.

[dlew]

Originally Posted by Pelon

Nice reminder!

Riding around the city during the holidays SUCKS. Yesterday, I went to the mall to pick up something for She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed. On my way out, I cruised along a thoroughfare heading for the freeway. The road is two lanes in each direction, with a raised curb divider in the center. Traffic turning onto this road must turn right and cannot cross the lanes to turn left. Nor can drivers coming from the opposite direction, make left turns across your lanes. There are two controlled intersections at both ends of the road where you can make a Uturn to go the other way. It is a really poorly designed road that results in HUGE traffic backups because of the people who need to use the uturn locations to get to where they are going.

Yesterday was no different. The wait to make a u was about 5-10 minutes, and some shithead in an SUV that probably never has been off the road decides to pop the divider going the opposite way and make a left turn across my bow. I'm pretty sure she didn't see me; she was cradling her phone between her shoulder and her ear and looking in her mirror (for a cop?) when she made the turn. I wasn't going more than 25, and it didn't take too much effort to bring the bike to a complete stop. I easily avoided the SUV, but the whole time was aware of the traffic that would be coming around the turn behind me at any minute. As I slowed to a stop, I quick shifted into first, and once the [INSERT WORD HERE THAT RHYMES WITH BUNT] cleared my path, I blasted out of there to avoid getting hit from behind.

I will never understand this kind of stuff. It's ok to wait, it's ok to miss a turn. People change when they get behind the wheel, and do things they NEVER would do if they had to face their "victims" face to face.

Ride safely.

Pelon

ps Retired police officer in SD was killed yesterday on a bike. He was riding on Otay Lakes Road east of Chula Vista when a car being pursued by the Border Patrol lost control and slammed into him. At least one family is going to have a not-so-merry Xmas this year.

sounds like you have some good riding skills, Pelon. seems like that's what saved you twice in one incident.

as another reminder: just because you avoided one catastrophe it doesn't mean there not another one waiting to bite you in the ass. you have to maintain your vigilance.

[SIKLR250]

I also do my best to keep cars off my tail before we reach a stopping point. I've found that using the 'stop' hand signal (left hand down at a right angle) works pretty well. In most cases the driver backs off, I give a polite wave of thanks and the driver stays back. The was one of the better tips that I picked up from my MSF class a few years ago.

The high visibility vest/garment is an ESSENTIAL piece of ATG and it amazes me that most riders don't wear one (including LEOs). It's one of the most important first lines of defense IMO.

[workerant]

Originally Posted by SIKLR250

I also do my best to keep cars off my tail before we reach a stopping point. I've found that using the 'stop' hand signal (left hand down at a right angle) works pretty well.

I live in the country, so it's rare to have anyone right on my 6. When I need to slow for a turn I usually use both my turn signal and a hand signal. If someone is 1/4 mile behind me and closing fast, they'll see the arm before they see the blinker.

The road-rage level around here is virtually nil, but we have this weird phenomenon of people pulling out in front of you from sidestreets. It's like they're saying, "I stopped at the stop sign, I can go now." regardless if anyone's coming. GapRunr and I joke that we're cloaked like a Romulan warbird - obviously they can't see us if they're doing something that stupid. Riiigghhhtttt...

[dlew]

Originally Posted by workerant

I live in the country, so it's rare to have anyone right on my 6. When I need to slow for a turn I usually use both my turn signal and a hand signal. If someone is 1/4 mile behind me and closing fast, they'll see the arm before they see the blinker.

The road-rage level around here is virtually nil, but we have this weird phenomenon of people pulling out in front of you from sidestreets. It's like they're saying, "I stopped at the stop sign, I can go now." regardless if anyone's coming. GapRunr and I joke that we're cloaked like a Romulan warbird - obviously they can't see us if they're doing something that stupid. Riiigghhhtttt...

workerant,

be careful out there in the country. i think about DaleB being out there just making a left turn in the middle of nowhere and being nailed from behind.

good tip about the arm signal, SIKLR250. most of the drivers around y parts are so dumb they wouldn't even know what that means.

[jwrover]

Ok! So Road Rage won't help...

I have found however, that here in the People's Republic of Boulder, CO if I have a cell phone attached driver on my 6 that some minor swerving in the lane get's there attention.

Nothing crazy, just a little side to side motion while traveling tends to wake them up a bit. I suppose if they think you are a little unpredicatble they pay closer attention.

I also agree with the above assesment about being off center at a stop and in gear. Several times this past season I was saved by being able to slot myself forward into a space ahead of me as someone obviously not seeing me cam up from behind.

I also have major flashing and bright tail-lights that I fire up well in advance of an intersection. Getting yourself noticed is the key. However you have to do it...MAKE them see you!

Have a safe Holiday all

jwrover