[video] My ride home from work.....

[laserblazer]

You have crazy golf.... I'm jealous.

 

It's not ours. It's across the road from our place in Portugal and not used in the winter (well not for golf!)

[synaesthesia]

Ah well, never mind. "Our place in Portugal" is enough to make up for lack of Crazy Golf

[GrumbleDook]

As for bikers not killing people, they do. Pedestrians and Cyclists, cars having to swerve to avoid bikers taking risks, other bikers who are egged on to take more risks.

 

I'm not saying bikers are the only people in this situation ... so are cyclists ... and car drivers ... and white van man.

 

I still stick by some simple rules involving of taking care of *everyone* on the road. Don't take any risks, even calculated ones, unless you really have to (to avoid accidents, etc). Getting to your destination at all is more important that getting to the destination fast. You don't own the road, we all do. There will always be idiots on the road ... don't let them force you to change your careful driving / riding style. Drive / Ride defensively ... every vehicle or person on the road is capable of creating an accident / incident ... be aware of this and take care.

 

It is not rocket science ... it involves the idea of personal responsibility for others and just because some people on the road don't care about others it doesn't mean you should lower your standards.

 

And yes ... I know this comes across as 'holier than though' and I am not saying that I perfectly stick to it all the time (we are all human ... well ... nearly all of us) but is it such a bad attitude to take?

[synaesthesia]

Use of the public highways regardless of the vehicles/footwear involved is pretty much a free-for-all these days, so care is certainly needed at all points. Some things are more dangerous than others, like biking as there's more speed, more agility and more openness (no tin lid). Doesn't mean it's a reason to be a plank though!

 

Grinds me though about cycling on pavements - I often think I'm alone when thinking they are FAR safer on pavements than on roads. It's outright truth, casualties on pavements vs on road is far, far, far lower, even taking into consideration some roads have cycle paths and pavements are entirely dissallowed.

People in general (pedestrians) often have Gods Gift for wandering around thoughtlessly. The amount of times I've shouted at people at zebra crossings to try reading the highway code because they've clearly never heard of it or the rules therein is just daft

 

Bring on hover-cars and/or teleportation. At least then we only have scotty to blame for scrambling our molecules in transit.

[Haptic]

Your answer about "getting a grip" is an all too an easy answer to give.

The roads are not playgrounds for your personal lunacy.

 

You think? You should have seen the answer I really wanted to give.

Eldergeek ladies and gentlemen: Case and point.

 

Joe

[GrumbleDook]

You think? You should have seen the answer I really wanted to give.

Eldergeek ladies and gentlemen: Case and point.

 

Joe

 

Whatever you may think theeldergeek has some valid points, and the whole attitude of "that's how lots of other people do it" that some folk on the roads have just makes the problem worse. Whilst some may have an issue with either his or Mattx's way of expressing things, I do agree with that the lax attitude by many road users is still way too dangerous. If you feel that theeldergeek is getting personal (as some stuff tends to get in these heated threads) then take it to a Mod or admin. To come out and say "Case and point" as if that justifies any feelings towards him or others who express a wish for safer roads and how lax and dangerous use of the roads ... sorry mate ... it belittles any argument that you could further make.

[SYNACK]

Hey, don't pick on all of us car drivers. I drive a car (been meaning to get a bike too) and am impressed with the camera for that kind of money. Edited May 29, 2011 by SYNACK

[CESIL]

@GrumbleDook thank you, you said what I was trying to say much more lucidly than I managed to.

 

@synaesthesia I am intrigued as to what pedestrians do to enrage you so much...round here there seems to be more of a problem with road users (motorized or not and 2 or more wheels) virtually ignoring crossings...they either do not stop to let people cross or they try to chop their heels off by not waiting for them to cross...

 

@CPLTD I am afraid I would say that a driver who is

hesitant or nervous whislt in control of a vehicle

would not qualify as 'safe' in my book, rather they are as dangerous as an overly confident one...and if the two meet each other then there is great potential for nastiness to ensue.

 

Finally, if any of my comments/opinions were taken by anyone as personal attacks then I apologize unreservedly, they were not meant that way.

[synaesthesia]

Cesil: the point is that *people* in general are dangerous items, whether they're on foot, 2, 3 or 4 wheels. Pedestrians don't annoy me any more than anything else, after all I am one for a large majority of the time. People who don't watch where they are going, people who have some strange belief that a zebra crossing gives them right of way etc are just a few. Like I said in an earlier post, cyclists in Cambridge are easily some of the worst users of the public highways I've ever seen - putting lives at risk well other than their own.

 

Whatever you do these days, care MUST be taken. As said, it's a free for all out there.

[Andrew_C]

I've always like the idea of riding a motorbike. I may look into it. What's the rough startup cost these days?

 

Interested to know myself!

With all the Mat bashing (some of which he duly deserved) this question hasn't been answered. I'll see what I can do.

 

Theory test - £31 Click for practice tests. 46 and 50 out of 50 with no reading up

Compulsory Basic Training CBT - I paid £95

Direct Access, Module 1&2 tests - £350 (again, my trainer's price based on how pleased he was with my 25 year old riding yesterday

Helmet - £40-100 basic to £££HOW MUCH!!??

Gloves - sort of £30 again

Leathers - £21 (ebay for the win!) New fabric stuff would be in the order £200+

Boots - Dunno yet, shopping Tuesday. May stick to my Dockies for a bit.

Bike - I'm amazed at the choice of second hand bikes in the 500-750 size range that can be bought for £1-3k.

 

I'm floundering about with all the new bike types. FZ thisis and thats... Any recommendations? I'd like:-

Touring/commuting - summer / fair weather mainly

Hard luggage friendly if not fitted

500-750ish

Not too forward leaning posture

Faired? Probably

Maybe a bit out of the ordinary - Trident? BMW? Suzuki Hayabusa - No thanks!

[Andrew_C]

people who have some strange belief that a zebra crossing gives them right of way

Umm... It does. Once they step onto it, they DO have right of way. Sect 195 Highway code, and Law referred to.

Oh, and I'm totally with you on Cambridge!

[GrumbleDook]

Umm... It does. Once they step onto it, they DO have right of way. Sect 195 Highway code, and Law referred to.

 

But until they *DO* step on it then they don't have any right of way unless it is supported by other signals. However, it is a hazard and all vehicles should slow down when approaching to the point that should a pedestrian (or cyclist pushing their bicycle ... but that is another story) step into the road then the vehicle can stop in a safe manner. The suggested action is to give way to any such hazard, but it is not a requirement. However, should a pedestrian (or other person crossing the zebra crossing) be struck by a vehicle it is up to the person in control of the vehicle to show they took appropriate action to avoid the hazard (and so begins discussions about why certain witnesses will be regarded as having more weight in such cases, innocent until proven guilty and then fraudelent crimes of self-inflicting injuries by running in front of vehicles ...)

[Haptic]

it belittles any argument that you could further make.

 

Nice touch Tone, sadly you're missing the point. Mine wasn't an argument, unlike others I have an opinion that I can apply without the need for trolling/petty arguments.

 

My point was merely that those reading into this thread as if bestowed with the authority and holiness of the Pope's personal chauffeur should as I said...get a grip/potting shed/head height mirror to speak in a patronising tone to (save yourselves the carpal tunnel)

[synaesthesia]

I took an "awareness perception course" circa 9 years ago after causing a particularly nasty accident near Kettering where I t-boned someone at 60mph.

I got bonus points on an exercise to watch a video and point out the hazards, simply by pointing out that everything is a hazard or an accident waiting to happen.

 

And re the zebra crossing comments : yes indeed, they only have right of way once they step onto the road, which is exactly the same if they're not at a zebra crossing. The crossing is just a visual marker. It annoys me how few people seem to be unaware of that as they wander straight over, phone clamped to one ear and staring at their mate on the other side of the road.

[Haptic]

near Kettering .

 

Great shout, the 'Khetto' is home to some of the most infuriating lemming-esque pedestrians known to man. Even with zebra crossings and traffic lights every 10 yards they'd much sooner swagger across busy roads. Its a wonder Jeremy Kyle has any audience members left.

[GrumbleDook]

I was in the first batch to take the written test and for it to be used as part of passing your test (previous civilian tests were not used as the wrong papers were sent out). We didn't have a hazard perception test then so once we had passed the practical we then spent 2 weeks of driver training to take us to advanced level. Vocalising every single hazard, justifying your every decision, then discussing what you would do to take out other vehicles is an eye opener. If people have never taken a hazard perception test (done 2 volountarily in recent years) then I would say it is a must.

 

Things will still go wrong ... people will still hit into one another ... and sometimes there is no fault which can be put on one side or another. A blown out tyre, a patch of oil, a collapsed culvert ... awareness of possible hazards can and does make your reaction to these more likely to reduce the chances of serious injury or worse. Most people look at speed restrictions purely as a way of stopping collisions ... as mentioned on other similar threads, it is also designed to reduce how badly things can go.

 

Let's not forget, though, that confidence is a significant factor in how well people react to hazards. There is no denying that Mattx has confidence, as do many bikers / drivers / cyclists / etc ... but there is such a thing as too much confidence ... and that is also dangerous.

[GrumbleDook]

Great shout, the 'Khetto' is home to some of the most infuriating lemming-esque pedestrians known to man. Even with zebra crossings and traffic lights every 10 yards they'd much sooner swagger across busy roads. Its a wonder Jeremy Kyle has any audience members left.

 

The new bus stops are a flaming nightmare. I avoid going anywhere near it now after having buses pull out with no signalling, pedestrians running across the road and cars braking suddenly as they don't know where they can drive anymore. A pain in the neck when trying to pick up a Chinese from Lee Garden on a friday night.

[CESIL]

Theory test - £31 Click for practice tests. 46 and 50 out of 50 with no reading up

 

I just tried these but I am not going to tell you my scores in case I am accused of being holier than thou or offered a job driving the Pope

[Simcfc73]

Think Bike, Think Biker..... I love them goals on the road.. .12 bikers killed in the past 2 years.

[mattx]

There is no denying that Mattx has confidence

 

There is no point in being a biker if you don't. I understand where the limits are of my bike and riding skills are which is important - I've been doing it for almost 25 years now.

 

I say to any of you who don't like my style of riding - NOT MY PROBLEM. Go and be a Monaco steward, you will fit in perfectly there......

[Guest Guest]

I just tried these but I am not going to tell you my scores in case I am accused of being holier than thou or offered a job driving the Pope

 

Why so many questions about what you should do in case of an accident? How about quizzing people on driving, then maybe they won't have to know what to do in an accident. There was 2 questions on road markings and not one on road signs!

 

 

My mates just passed his test and OMG it must be nigh on impossible to fail;

He hit a kerb when doing his manoeuvre - hitting the kerb was a major when I did mine, plus you did more than one manoeuvre.

He didn't actually stop on his emergency stop - again major.

When asked to "stop in a safe place" he stopped infront of a HGV which was waiting to pull out - don't know if that was a major or a minor when I did my test but oh dear.

He stalled twice...

There's a couple more but I can't for the life of me remember what he said.

 

Please someone tell me that he just got the most lenient examiner in history and this isn't the bar for everyone now.

[synaesthesia]

. Go and be a Monaco steward, you will fit in perfectly there......

 

 

Can I be the first to say

 

HERE HERE!

DITTO!

etc!

 

Monaco, the only F1 circuit on the calendar that bans racing. It should not be allowed on the F1 calendar, it's not a viable track, it's dangerous and it's pointless. Apart from the money.

[laserblazer]

Whilst I admire your riding ability Matt, the only thing I would say is that during the last MotoGP race in France, Pedrosa and Simoncelli collided. It was probably Simoncelli's fault but Pedrosa got the broken collar bone. If the accident had been between Pedrosa on his Honda and Hamilton in his McLaren, then Pedrosa probably wouldn't have walked away from it. It's the same on the North Circular GP. It might be the other guy's fault but the biker usually loses.

[mattx]

Whilst I admire your riding ability Matt, the only thing I would say is that during the last MotoGP race in France, Pedrosa and Simoncelli collided. It was probably Simoncelli's fault but Pedrosa got the broken collar bone. If the accident had been between Pedrosa on his Honda and Hamilton in his McLaren, then Pedrosa probably wouldn't have walked away from it. It's the same on the North Circular GP. It might be the other guy's fault but the biker usually loses.

 

It depends on how fast Pedrosa came to a sudden stop - You could be going at 180mph on a bike, come off, slide / roll and not hit anything and walk away. You could also be doing 60mph, come off and then hit a tree 2 1 second after coming off and be killed instantly.

But putting all those points to one side, any bike / car combination is never good for anyone !!

[laserblazer]

But putting all those points to one side, any bike / car combination is never good for anyone

 

That's the problem. Racers have some incredible protection and can come off at 100mph or more, slide into the gravel and be unhurt. But they aren't then taken out by a juggernaut. There's just too much unfair competition on UK roads for my liking.