Lessons in safety today

[jmazza]

I've learned a lot of tips here from reading member stories of either wrecks or near-misses. They've definitely helped me as I learn to be a safe rider.

Today I had a few near misses. Some were avoided because I was practicing really safe riding. One was avoided because I made a quick move that overcame a really dumb one I was in the process of making.

The first two had to do with avoiding someone changing lanes into me by making sure I was riding in their mirrors. A friend of mine had recently told me that it seemed I wasn't paying enough attention to staying out of people's blind spots and today that advice paid off. I was traveling on a three lane road with heavy traffic on each side. Cars were all angling for the current fastest lane but instead of playing the same game I concentrated on making sure I was riding in people's mirrors- I made sure I could see their faces in their side mirror. Twice the people I was watching did that move where the driver gives a quick glance and starts to veer to the next lane for a sudden lane change. Each time, the driver immediately saw me and veered back into his own lane. Had I been riding a bit farther forward, they would have changed lanes right into me, and with traffic on both sides I would have been in a tight spot.

So, always ride in people's mirrors!!

It wasn't ten minutes after those good, solid, safe riding decisions that I did something incredibly stupid and found the front of someone's car about a foot from my side.

I was riding down another road and the light ahead turned red just before I got there. I made a quick stop and then started to make a right turn before the traffic to my left had a chance to go on their green light. Simply because I didn't want to wait, of course.

Well, I was safely (though not smartly) ahead of the traffic to my left but I didn't see the car on my right that was making a U-Turn at the left turn signal just as I was turning right. We had three lanes and I was turning into mine but she was making a wide U-Turn so she could get over to the right as soon as possible- and was turning into my same lane. By the time I actually started paying attention the front of her car was at my left side so close that I could have reached out with my foot and put it right on her hood (and I wouldn't have even had to fully extend my leg). Thankfully we were both going very slow and I didn't reach for the brakes. I realized my best move was to speed up and get out of her (right of) way. So I did that and avoided a wreck. But boy was I DUMB. I'll not be trying to get ahead like that again.

Hope these little stories help someone else to pay more attention in an area where maybe you've been forgetting.

[Bethers]

Thanks, Joe - for reminding us - we have to always be watching and practicing defensive driving.

I'm glad that you were today - and that when you did make a mistake, you didn't stop looking - so you still were able to avoid what could have been a bad accident. So glad it wasn't.

[jmazza]

Thanks, Joe - for reminding us - we have to always be watching and practicing defensive driving.

I'm glad that you were today - and that when you did make a mistake, you didn't stop looking - so you still were able to avoid what could have been a bad accident. So glad it wasn't.

Yeah the upside to my dumb move is that I feel like I made the right split-second decision (throttle instead of brakes) to get out of it. But still a dumb move!!

[afriendofcheese]

Yup, staying out of blind spots is VERY important..I say this not as an experienced scooterist but as an experienced driver. I can't even begin to think of how many times I've almost been bumped into by some careless driver who doesn't bother to check their blind spots. And that's while in a vehicle at least twice the size and length of a scooter. We're not that visible..drive defensively people!

[littleao]

Hoppsan

[ericalm]

This looks like a good place to post a link like this.

http://www.msf-usa.org/scooterschool.cfm

Yep—the MSF Basic Rider Course is offered just about everywhere (the scooter course is not) and is helpful to all kinds of riders.

Really, there are potential incidents all around you every time you ride. I've stopped keeping track of the times someone in an SUV has tried to pull in my lane. So, yeah, staying out of blind spots is one good habit, but many drivers don't bother checking their mirrors at all for something as small as a scooter. So make sure you also have an escape route—space in the lane, or next to you, or a turn lane or shoulder. Cars are always trying to occupy the same space as you. Which just sucks.

[jmazza]

Cars are always trying to occupy the same space as you. Which just sucks.

Amen to that. It gets better tonight. Just got back from the drugstore where I parked right in front in a space with no cars on either side.

I always park a little diagonally and pretty far back in the space so my top case is seen even between cars. That way it's less likely that a car will be zipping in and think the space is open.

There were open spaces all around me- I was the only one in the whole row and still a car pulls right up to the back of my scooter as if he's trying to get in my space AS I'm right there taking my helmet off!

I just stared at him in amazement as he backed up, pulled into the space next to me and scraped the car's little under body shield on the parking block.

Moron.

Maybe it's a good thing I'm headed out of town tomorrow and won't be on the scooter for a week...

[louie]

drivers, a favorite subject .
they're the bain of use all.

[Roose Hurro]

Actually, I've been on the other end of the equation... the cage driver, with a motorcycle riding my blindspot. Signal a lane change, start to move over, then... ZING! ...excellent peripheral vision, coupled with mirror useage (and the motorcyclists horn, sometimes), ends up saving me from making some freeway sausage. This was mainly a problem when I had my '69 'Stang, what with its huge blindspot behind the C-pillar. I've also had cars pull this trick, so I'm not picking on two-wheelers. You'd think people would notice the blinkers, though, and understand what they mean....


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[Liz C]

Funny you should ask!

After returning the week-overdue “Best of SNL” video I got back to the bike, helmeted and gloved up, called home to say I was on my way, and promptly dropped poor Buddy against the cement wall that I had thoughtfully employed to protect him from last evening’s gusty winds. (There was a little down-slope in play there, and I forget you know that he weighs more than a couple pounds.) Knocked the right mirror loopy so that it had a kinda pinwheel thing goin’ on.

By now it was pretty much full dark, still some home-going traffic, and there I was, bracing against those wind gusts coming in across Commencement Bay (yes, Phil, riding with a windshield IS like trying to ride your bicycle with a sheet of plywood on the handlebars), and worried about the floppy mirror and, I admit it, distracted. So no wonder the guy at the intersection who wanted to turn left while I wanted to go straight was getting a little exasperated with me. ( “I’m going, no I’m not, wait, now, no, yes.. ahh maybe not”) Finally I just waved him across. I apologize to that driver and to scooterists everywhere.

A bit further on, worried about the distraction to other drivers of headlights in my now whirling disco ball of a mirror, my inner calculator's going, “I can use just the left mirror, I could stop. Yeah that’s the ticket. I should stop and…wait I could tighten it if … do I have a wrench or pliers…? What about that little toolkit under the seat…? I wonder…? No, it’s too dark to see what I’m doing, I’ll lose a nut or a washer so I’d better not – oopsie that light’s still red!" I pulled over at the Dairy Queen and removed the dang thing entirely, by hand easily enough once I realized the nut goes the reverse of righty-tighty, left-loosey, interrupted only by a guy, oblivious to my plight, asking for directions to Wendy’s.

Yes I made it home. Mirror’s secure again. Topcase and front fender also show only minor reminders of the cement wall. Lessons learned: mind the slope, pay attention, carry a wrench, and SNL’s not that funny, really.

[jmazza]

Ha ha Liz

I had the same thing happen with my mirror the first week I had my Buddy. I had just adjusted it and not tightened it enough and it was flopping around like crazy the whole ride home.

I went through the same things you did- should I stop, should I just get home, etc.

Funny story; glad it didn't cause you huge problems!!!

[BlueMark]

Making sure you aren't in someone's blind spot is good, but don't assume they see you - remember at all times that you are invisible.

[HipCat]

Yeah, I've had my mirror spin like Linda Blair's head in the Exorcist. I finally bought an extra wrench, and I keep it in the open glovebox area.

[illnoise]

I like Rover Eric's advice on Modern Vespa a few months ago:

"Ride like every single person on the road is retarded and/or trying to kill you."

My only problem with that advice is that it doesn't mention animals and inanimate objects.

Bb.

[gt1000]

Lessons learned: mind the slope, pay attention, carry a wrench, and SNL’s not that funny, really.

I think we have the makings of a thread that could develop some real staying power here. One person began with some personal riding experiences and now others are chiming in with their thoughts on safe riding. If we all contribute some tips (even if they've appeared many times in other threads) we'll have a nice, single thread on riding tips. And it already has a good title!

Mentioning the problems with a slope, I thought I'd throw out another common problem that riders on slopes can experience. Let's say your Buddy is parked at the top of a sloping driveway that slopes down to the street. When you ride off, that low point where the driveway meets the street is a dropped bike waiting to happen, especially if you're too short to flat foot your bike at a full stop. If you can just barely flatfoot your bike on level ground, you're going to be reaching if you're at the base of a hill. Nothing is more embarrassing than coasting to a downhill stop, putting down your foot and just tipping over.

[illnoise]

Nothing is more embarrassing than coasting to a downhill stop, putting down your foot and just tipping over.

Yeah I've been riding for 12 years in Chicago, which is flat as all-get-out, and I was totally unprepared for riding in Seattle, at Amerivespa I almost dropped my loaner bike a couple times trying to park on hills (like near the fishmarket) and shifting gears on steep hills was mostly new to me. So I guess the point there is that there are always new situations being thrown at you, never take anything for granted.

Or: The more you learn, the more you realize how much more you still have to learn.

Bb.

[BlueMark]

Obviously I have some opinions based on painful experience.

Being aware of your surroundings and what other drivers are doing is essential - you are the only one looking out for your safety.

Riding as if everyone is out to kill you may be a little too paranoid to be useful, but definitely assume you are invisible. I was struck by a truck after the driver looked directly at me without seeing me - lugnut rule.

Probably the best mod for your scooter is something - anything - that makes you more noticeable to cagers. The first thing I'd do with a new scooter is to install a headlight modulator. And I'm thinking helmets should have some of the new high intensity flashing LEDs built in. I reckon I've been a bicyclist for nearly 40 years, I've learned a lot about being invisible, I know one roadie who put a pinwheel on a swingarm behind his bike seat - it would stick out about 1.5 feet on the left. Cagers would laugh at him, but they would see him and steer around him. That wouldn't be much use for scooters and motorcycles, our danger usually comes from those in front or beside us - well, might be useful for slower 50cc folk on surface roads. But the key is do something, anything, that makes people pay attention to you rather than to subconsciously dismiss you as no threat and therefore invisible.

"Loud Pipes Save Lives" ... I doubt it ... but a loud horn is a good idea.

Dress for the crash, not for the ride. Wear your gear every single time. Saved my life.

-Mark

[HipCat]

Be careful at gas stations. Two times that I've come closest to being hit were by SUVs at a gas station. The BP on the corner consistently has the lowest gas prices, so there is usually a line to get gas.

In one case I was off the scoot pumping gas into it. An SUV decided that the pump was available, and started to whip into it in reverse! Luckily I had the presence of mind to reach over and honk.

Another time I was still on the scoot and getting ready to park when an SUV started to reverse into the pump area. In that case I had to quickly dart to the right and then give them what-for.

[lou76]

...we have to always be watching and practicing defensive driving.....

aggresive defensiveness... i try to never be waiting to see what a driver is going to do... i will try to improve my situation and give myself more options, if at all possible... my overall riding philosophy is that i am the prey, and everyone else are predators... so i kind of ride like a chased mouse...

[jmazza]

...we have to always be watching and practicing defensive driving.....

aggresive defensiveness... i try to never be waiting to see what a driver is going to do... i will try to improve my situation and give myself more options, if at all possible... my overall riding philosophy is that i am the prey, and everyone else are predators... so i kind of ride like a chased mouse...

I like this term... aggressive defensiveness. It's true; I think that sometimes "defensive driving" can turn into too much waiting and being too reactive instead of proactive and only being reactive can get you killed.

I've always thought this way about my cage driving too.

[Bethers]

I sure agree about the agressive defensiveness.

We always have to be proactive.

You'll laugh - I have 2 means of transportation - my scooter - and my 22' Class C RV. There are times I swear that people don't see me in the RV. Since I've had it, I'm more aware of just how people see only what they want to see- and I do go out believing no one sees me on the scooter - so it's up to me to dress colorfully and do that "agressive defensive" driving.

And a reminder to all of us on scoots - those rv's and trucks out there really can't stop as fast - so don't cut them off or follow too close - even by mistake. I've changed lanes more than once in my rv when a bike has pulled in front of me with less space than I know I could stop. I don't give cars the same leeway - but always do with scooters/bikes - probably because I ride one.

[Eddy Merckx]

Glad to hear you okay, and its always good to get the reminder that no matter who, how, or when, complacency can bite you in the backside....

What never seems to not stun me is that when humans drive cars (to include we scooterists) we humans will just do the dumbest stuff, and do it with so little reguard to others on the road, cars trucks two wheeler etc, etc, what I don't fully get is why all humans IQ's drop so precipitously when we drive cars....its like the line in the movie Repo Man "the more you drive the dumber you get" .

Why do humans act so poorly when we drive cars ??????????????????

[littleao]

Hoppsan

[jmazza]

Why do humans act so poorly when we drive cars ??????????????????

Because we pay the engineers great sums of money to make them so safe, safe for the occupants that is.

That is totally true in my opinion. When I told my friends I was getting a scooter I discovered that a very common thought process is to buy a car that will keep ME safe in the wreck... nothing wrong with wanting to be safe except where it puts others in more danger.

I don't know if I read it here or elsewhere but someone was recently talking about how all the airbags in the corner pillars of cars are decreasing sight lines and increasing blind spots and making them actually less safe to drive. I'm in a rental car all week with these airbags and the blind spots are definitely bigger.

[louie]

...I'm more aware of just how people see only what they want to see- ...

that's just it, we see what we expect to see. the brain can only interpret what it knows. since no one teaches or tests drivers to see bikes the untrained brain doesn't register that one little light as a scooter coming at them 10 feet away instead they might see it as a car a block away. that is unless you have experience, such as hitting almost hitting or ride one yourself.
one of our instructors suggested that if all drivers were required to answer a question on this subject it would decrease these types of accidents significantly. they've known this since the hurt report of the 70's. dmv just doesn't seem to be our supporters.

[Roose Hurro]

Way back in 2002, I used to work for an RV repair station as a parts runner. Drove those big C Class RVs... well, I actually thought of it more as a piloting job, like being in the cockpit of a low-flying Jumbo Jet, floating along, careful not to dip my "wings" too far. Thank goodness for those newfangled rear-view cameras!


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[Eddy Merckx]

Why do humans act so poorly when we drive cars ??????????????????

Because we pay the engineers great sums of money to make them so safe, safe for the occupants that is.

On a side note: I like RV people, they're usually pretty layback, both in their driving technique and their attitude towards life in general.

What I mostly mean is why....knowing what they do is so inconsiderate and potentially murderous, that people just do not care for the most part what they do while driving cars (four wheelers) and are purposefully creating the environment to kill some-ones son, daughter mom, dad, etc.....
Whats with that ?????????????? whats the problem with our brains / psychology on this ?????????????????????

While having full knowlege why do humans act so poorly while driving cars ??????????????????

[Valgal20]

Well, I know some guys- wont say who they are- but they drive giant trucks like they are kings of the road, they dont wear seatbelts, dont signal to change lanes, and uses the size of their trucks to push their way though traffic. They are the type of people I would fear on the road- using their vehicles as a battering rams. The people who are the most likely to kill a scooterist are the ones who dont care for their actions on the road, Especially people in lifted trucks and SUVs. They seem to think they are entitled to drive as they please because they have the bigger and more expensive vehicle. I dont know what the percentage of Lifted Trucks/SUVs eslewhere is- but there are a LOT here in Phoenix/mesa, Im worried. All I can do is hope that Im seen, and pretend I am, as they see me, Invisible.
PS- How are you suppose to park on a slope?

[Liz C]

A perfect day, until...

Gorgeous day in the pacific nw. Navigated city streets and country roads and highways, errands, the office, my son's rugby game, avoiding spring potholes and odd moves by cars, exchanging many a low wave with harleys and other bikes and scooters. Then, alas, five miles from arriving back home I decided to turn around to backtrack a block and try a different route. No other vehicles on the road, still of course I used the turn indicator, left the roadway, noticed too late the change of grade and, oh yes moving from sunshine into the shadow of an underpass... and good heavens there's a low spot.. and off I go, "kaboom!" Well, kaboom wasn't really what I said.

The lady who called 911 has a husband who rides a harley and the lady who gave me a pillow for my head (nobody wanted me to sit up) was nice and the boss of the paramedics decided that since I had rolled at least once after I hit the ground, they would immobilize my neck so I got collared up and taped down and transported to the hospital as a precaution -- which they might have called post-non-caution because if I had exercised better judgment maybe it would have been a less eventful day.

Meahwhile poor husband and son, having missed my phone message saying I was okay, heard from the attending patrolman that I was being transported to a hospital many miles from where I did in fact go, and that the extent of my injuries was unknown. So that sort of sucked.

After many increasingly painful hours in the ER and xRay we all went home, except Buddy who, I was told, was being taken to the Sumner PD impound. Poor Buddy; he's all alone out there somewhere since it's Sunday and I can't raise anybody at the PD to tell me how to retrieve him. The extent of his injuries is not known.

Seriuosly, watch for shadows. This could have been avoided.

[Sharon]

Glad all of you are OK after your mishaps. I've been riding for 2 years now and have always been aware of my surroundings, trying to always ride expecting the unexpected. Now after reading about so many near misses & accidents I'm starting to get fearful. I don't want to ruin my riding fun by being afrid of those crazies on the road.

[Bethers]

Liz,
I'm so glad to hear you are home and safe and I hope Buddy will be able to join you home soon.

Sharon,
While there are lots of crazies out there - as Liz's incident portrays (and the first one in this series) many of our incidents are under our own control. So, don't become scared, just become even more aware.

And if any of you haven't taken the MSF course - DO IT.

[Sharon]

Thanks for the encouragement. I've actually injured myself twice, both because of my stupidity. The first, I wasn't even in motion but dropped my scooter & brke my elbow. The second was in the MSF class going around those *!?*! cones....fractured my foot in 3 places. This was on a motorcycle (which I do not believe scooterists should HAVE to ride). I completed 2 of the 3 days of class but had to drop out due to my foot. Yes, I learned some safety things but also learned NO MOTORCYCLE for me.

[jmazza]

Liz-

Glad you're ok! And I hope your Buddy will be too. That had to be a tough experience, not the least of it knowing that your family didn't know your condition. I've thought about that aspect too- riding and how we approach our own safety affects many more people than ourselves, doesn't it!

There's a thread around here called "who's crashed" and it asks for you to list facts about road condition, gear, etc... might be useful to others if you post your experience there.

Sharon- Sounds like you know well the decisions to be made regarding riding since you've already been doing it a while. Before I got my Buddy a couple months ago, I had a point where all the posts I was reading here and elsewhere freaked me out. I thought for sure I'd get in a wreck my first week. But then I realized that everyone here, and on all the other boards, and everyone that I see in the streets around here rides all the time without incident and I would just have to educate myself to be a good rider, be aware, and gear up. I'm only a few months into it so I'm certainly not speaking from any kind of authority but I feel confident that I'm becoming better and more aware every day.

I did my first group ride today, only a few miles really but in some decently heavy traffic and a small rainshower. That was interesting- not only paying attention to everything I normally pay attention to but also the leader in front of me (I was in the second position reserved for newbs!). I felt like I spent too much time focused on her, just trusting her decisions, and not enough watching of everything else. Every day a new thing to learn!

Thanks for posting these stories and comments everyone.

[Liz C]

Thanks, you guys. Good to hear the support.

One thing the ER nurse told me is that paramedics will look for the name "ICE" in your contacts (In Case of Emergency) if you're not capabe of calling or of telling them whom to call.

[jmazza]

Thanks, you guys. Good to hear the support.

One thing the ER nurse told me is that paramedics will look for the name "ICE" in your contacts (In Case of Emergency) if you're not capabe of calling or of telling them whom to call.

I've heard a lot about that too... don't have any contacts in my phone with that, though. Probably should.

Depending on the condition of your Buddy, any idea how long you'll be out of commission, Liz? I'm guessing since you know the cause of your accident you do want to keep riding?

[PasadenaSue]

Liz C -

Sorry to hear about your ordeal, but glad that you are in good shape. I hope your Buddy faired as well. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I guess it's time to pony up the money for the advanced motorcycle course. (I wonder if they'll let me take it on my Buddy?) I know that I have developed some bad habits over the years...

Regards -

PasadenaSue

[kazoo]

You might think this irrelevant but I wear a dog tag that contains contacts and instructions.

[buddyboop]

I have them listed in my phone and my new phone has an in case of emergency contact that can't be erased and you just put in however many you have.

[Liz C]

If Buddy's okay and I'm not to sore we'll ride home tomorrow with hubby following close behind. Unless I get freaked out.

I do intend, the Lord willing, to keep riding.

[Tazio]

Liz: Sorry to hear about your accident. Those things happen so fast when you least expect them. I went down trying to miss a stop sign runner.

My SI needed a new top handle bar cover and headlight. I glued the lower handle bar cover together so I can ride while I wait for a new one. The other scrapes are just battle scars. I have my scars also as a reminder to always be ready for the unexpected.

I was extremely nervous when I started riding again. That's normal and probably good. Just take it easy and start out with slower shorter rides until your confidence starts coming back.

Sharon: Sorry to hear about your MSF class accident. After recovering from the above incident I used my Buddy for the last session and it was so easy I felt like I was cheating.

[ysofisonly50?]

Don't sweat the small stuff. Life is too short. Live your life. No fear. Just do it. Yesterday's gone, tomorrow's ain't here, what matters is now. No retreat, no surrender.
Hehe.. hope you guys don't mind the preachin.. just bein positive.

[Sharon]

Tazio: I'd love to finish the c ourse on my Buddy but here in VA it is not allowed....motorcycles only. Is'nt that the pits!

[redcass]

Tazio: I'd love to finish the c ourse on my Buddy but here in VA it is not allowed....motorcycles only

BOO!!!

[Keys]

Don't sweat the small stuff. Life is too short. Live your life. No fear. Just do it. Yesterday's gone, tomorrow's ain't here, what matters is now. No retreat, no surrender.
Hehe.. hope you guys don't mind the preachin.. just bein positive.

Sounds like a Kris Kristofferson song...

--Keys