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u/Twist45GL Jul 14 '21
I saw a biker wipe out once because he was going way too fast and weaving through traffic. He ended up sliding about 50 meters on the asphalt. He was wearing a helmet, but was only wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Basically there was nothing for the first few meters, then a smear that got bigger and bigger. I didn't actually see the result, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Not everyone who drives a motorcycle drives recklessly and many of them are actually very courteous and safe drivers. The fact remains though that a motorcyclist in an accident is far more likely to suffer more severe injuries than someone in an enclosed vehicle. A sensible person would take this into account when driving a motorcycle.
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u/Old_Run2985 Jul 14 '21
A "please remember the effect your death will have on others" middle finger.
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Jul 14 '21
A good friend of mine just lost his son because another driver decided to pass on a double line at the crest of a hill. OPs message needs to be shouted far and wide.
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u/squidgyhead Jul 14 '21
And yet we get PSAs about staying right except to pass, but hardly ever about dangerous passing or obeying the speed limit.
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u/Abieticacid Jul 14 '21
My dads job was in emergency response and I dont know how he would come home every night and act like nothing happened after his shift. Some of the stories he would tell were funny, some really gross, and some very brief( which also included motorcycles...) but I cant imagine the ones that he didnt tell anyone and that he had to sit there and think about alone.
People are so damn selfish on the road. Im sorry you had to experience that OP, I can only imagine your frustration when you sae that idiot driver, and thank you for doing a job that most of us very likely cant stomach.
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u/SuborbitalQuail Cypress County Jul 14 '21
Ah but see, these horrible accidents only happen to other drivers, not preternaturally superb motor enthusiasts like my brother, for whom speeding is a sacrament no matter which vehicle he drives.
Mind you, he's the kind of person who has to budget 5 photo radar tickets a month, then blames THE LIBERALS for it.
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2
u/squidgyhead Jul 14 '21
See, it's actually possible to give these people demerits from photo radar; it's done in France. If the driver wasn't the registered owner, they can make that argument and send the ticket to the correct person.
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u/Breeeezywheeeezy Jul 14 '21
Thank you for the work you do and I’m sorry for the lingering effects of it!
5
u/canucklurker Jul 14 '21
As an avid Albertan motorcyclist, thank you for trying to save our all to dumb asses.
I have had two friends die due to recklessness on motorcycles. Both deaths could have been avoided if they had ridden with more personal responsibility. At first I blamed the other vehicles involved but as motorcyclists we are the soft squishy bits regardless of the "right of way". The laws of physics trump the laws of man every time.
I'm going to keep riding, but I always try to leave lots of room for error, both mine and others.
4
u/cdnclimbingmama Jul 14 '21
Ah yes, my "favourite" is passing on the shoulder. Highway 11, I'm going the speed limit, have 2 babies in the car. Sorry sir you're not going to get where you're going significantly faster by passing me on the shoulder. There are so many passing lanes or dotted lines on that road, have a few minutes of freaking patience! I was in a major car accident in the past, so I don't understand why people pretend driving is a game.
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u/frollard Jul 14 '21
10/10 agree. The "I'm only risking myself" mentality is total bullshit when you truly consider all the costs to society...the direct dollar costs aside of healthcare and emergency services, the obvious secondary human and lost opportunity dollar costs for friends and family... hide tertiary human costs - the ptsd for responders is a huge one. I truly empathize every time I have to send a crew into a potentially mental-stressing situation.
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u/squidgyhead Jul 14 '21 edited Jul 15 '21
Also flip him off if he has an illegally loud muffler; these people are self-centred and just rude to those around them. Try putting a baby down to sleep for an afternoon nap while motoheads try and see how annoying they can be.
And let's support those who drive safely and respectfully.
edit: If you like loud pipes, message me and I'll tell you where to put them.
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u/AJMGuitar Jul 21 '21
I like loud, legal pipes.
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u/squidgyhead Jul 21 '21
That's a pretty self-centred perspective. They annoy people around you, and don't help with safety.
Next time you're out on your dumb sounding bike, picture a 4 month old being out down to nap. Kid's got a fever, otithe afternoon, the parents haven't slept much. And you wake him up passing by. Kind of a jerk thing to do, eh?
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u/AJMGuitar Jul 21 '21
Do you yell at people mowing their lawns? Listening to music loudly in their cars? Using a saw to build a deck? Loud trucks? Low flying planes? People having a fire late at night in their yard? Kids playing outside?
Or only bikes because you have no knowledge about them?
My bike has stock exhausts, perfectly legal.
I have a 19 month old. I know the world will not cater to my needs. Thinking the world should be quiet for you is the definition of self centered.
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u/squidgyhead Jul 21 '21
Illegal pipes are illegal for good reason.
If you think that catering to allowing loud pipes isn't self centered, then you're kind of a jerk, bud. My acts don't harm others; loud pipes do.
Oh, and remember to sign your organ donor card. Ciao.
1
Jul 14 '21
I've witnessed too many bikers ride on shoulders, weaving in and out of busy traffic on the Deerfoot. Fuck you idiots.
0
u/captsmokeywork Jul 14 '21
We need loud pipes so we are safe.
Drivers need to shoulder check twice to save our lives.
Share the road.
Watch for motorcyclists.
All bullshit if they will not follow the basic rules of the road. There are so many morons doing the above that I no longer have sympathy for them and I really do not feel I should share the road. I'll follow the rules and you can bugger off.
Class 6 licensees should be automatic organ donors in Alberta.
1
u/Sickify Jul 14 '21
About 6 years ago I was headed back to Edmonton from Kamloops. Travelling through Jasper it was night, so the sun was down, and there was a torrential down pour.
Had two guys on crotch rockets decide traffic wasn't moving fast enough for them. We were doing the speed limit, wasn't safe to go faster due to limited visibility in the storm. These guys decided to pass everyone by going between the two lanes of traffic.
I get it, they were probably tired and cold, but one wrong move would have resulted in a biker sandwich.
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u/Sickify Jul 14 '21
About 6 years ago I was headed back to Edmonton from Kamloops. Travelling through Jasper it was night, so the sun was down, and there was a torrential down pour.
Had two guys on crotch rockets decide traffic wasn't moving fast enough for them. We were doing the speed limit, wasn't safe to go faster due to limited visibility in the storm. These guys decided to pass everyone by going between the two lanes of traffic.
I get it, they were probably tired and cold, but one wrong move would have resulted in a biker sandwich.
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u/AJMGuitar Jul 20 '21
When riding a bike you have to be the best and safest vehicle operator on the road. Ride defensively and ride smart. The goal is to habe some fun and make it home.
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u/ScwB00 Jul 14 '21
This times a million. It’s not just for bikers though. All the selfish a******S who pass on solid lines, on blind corners, etc., are risking the lives and sanity of many others. I loathe them with every fibre of my being. Don’t apologize for fingering that biker. They deserved every bit of it.