I wonder why all tell everyone else when a biker has an accident?

[Bob]

Now before the lynch mobs are organised for me, I'm genuinely curious about this, as it seems to be something that is very specific to biking forums.

Not only do we - understandibly - pass on the sad news that someone we know has had an accident (touch wood and cross fingers it doesn't happen), but if you look around bike forums, there are loads of reports of "Biker down, don't know who he is, but hope he is OK".

I am very with the last sentiment - but I just wonder why bikers in particular feel the need to tell everyone that someone they do not know has had a spill.

You don't see it on other forums (I don't suppose cooking forums have lots of "Chef burnt hand" threads for example), so why is it we all seem to feel the need to pass on news of accidents?

Anyone with insights into human nature out there? I'd just love to know why we, as a "sub-group" or "minority" feel the need to pass on this kind of thing in a way that other groups just do not seem to?

[Finn]

Probably for the same reason that people start threads like... "I wonder why all tell everyone else when a biker has an accident?"

[xwhatsit]

You don't see it on other forums (I don't suppose cooking forums have lots of "Chef burnt hand" threads for example)

No, but I'd imagine they have plenty of `Chef's head asplode in gas malfunction' threads if such a thing did happen. Part of the reason why I read these `biker gets squished by Sherman tank' threads is to learn from his mistake.

[Bob]

No, but I'd imagine they have plenty of `Chef's head asplode in gas malfunction' threads if such a thing did happen. Part of the reason why I read these `biker gets squished by Sherman tank' threads is to learn from his mistake.

Don't get too close to the tank? ;)

That said, I did find myself reading a news item of "biker hit by toilet seat" article... and being fascinated!

But it is odd - I once got a pile of flack for putting up one of those "Biker attacked by mountain lion" or something stories that always pop up once the US "biking season" (all year round as far as I am concerned) happens. But someone put their bike on the floor gets reported far and wide - and avidly read it seems.

Hence my curiosity.

[Katman]

It's so people can be rubber neckers from the comfort of their computer chair.

[Colapop]

Isn't it a case of "Biker had an accident... maybe others can learn from what happened..."?

[Maha]

Part of the reason why I read these `biker gets squished by Sherman tank' threads is to learn from his mistake.

Dont do a U turn in front of a Sherman (or any other ) Tank?


Isn't it a case of "Biker had an accident... maybe others can learn from what happened..."?

And learn what 'not' to do, as percentages go, we here very little of all 'accidents' involving bikes and even less of those that just 'fuck it up'..

[Katman]

Isn't it a case of "Biker had an accident... maybe others can learn from what happened..."?

No, I don't think it is. I think the poster of the thread gets some perverse satisfaction from being the one to "break the news". What really pisses me off is that it sets in motion a whole network of needless worry as countless people sit there thinking "Oh no, I hope it isn't.........."

[Conquiztador]

Probably same reason we tend to do the wave when passing. There is (rightly or wrongly) a perception that all bikers are a "brotherhood" and a bunch that are caring about their own. The "I stop to help any biker in trouble on a dark back road" look. The "I am a noob and need a hand" where heaps of bikers volunteer their time for free.

But I also suspect that as we all know that the next crash of our own could be only a few seconds away at any time when riding, we also feel strongly for any biker who has crashed.

We all also know too well (sadly) the implications of a crash:
Our pride is hurt.
At a minimum there is bruises and road rash, at worst life long injury.
Our riding gear is damaged.
The bike will need repair (at times expensive).
Many of us do not have heaps of money and so any replacements/repairs will be at a cost where other parts of our life will suffer.
To have to leave the bike at a crash scene while going for help can often result in a missing bike/parts.
And list goes on.

When going past a rider who has just crashed we (well most of us) think: "That could have been me, hope he is OK".

We would all also like to think that if we have a crash, all other bikers do feel the same symphaty for us.

I would even go so far as to say: If you pass a biker who has crashed and you laugh out loud and say: "Hope that hurt ya prick", then you most probably are not a biker...

So my look at it is that the reason we start a thread on here re a biker crash we did see is to. 1. Show compassion, and 2. To try and find out if all is OK.

Oh, and one more thing: I know of one more "sub group" that does the same: Truckies

[Edbear]

Dont do a U turn in front of a Sherman (or any other ) Tank?..


I didn't know Tank's real name was Sherman...:innocent:




Probably same reason we tend to do the wave when passing. There is (rightly or wrongly) a perception that all bikers are a "brotherhood" and a bunch that are caring about their own. The "I stop to help any biker in trouble on a dark back road" look. The "I am a noob and need a hand" where heaps of bikers volunteer their time for free.

But I also suspect that as we all know that the next crash of our own could be only a few seconds away at any time when riding, we also feel strongly for any biker who has crashed.

Oh, and one more thing: I know of one more "sub group" that does the same: Truckies


Sounds about right. And interesting about the Truckers. I would suspect that there are several groups that do the same including Police, SAS, etc.?

[The Stranger]

I always thought is was a compassion and empathy thing.
Don't you tend to feel it more knowing what it can mean?

[Big Dave]

I always thought is was a compassion and empathy thing.


Tell someone who cares and HTFU. ?

[Motig]

Sort of agree Bob. I've often wondered if it would be better to have a seperate forum for the really bad news of a biker death/bad crash. But some of the minor dings can be quite funny and they could stay in general perhaps.

[Drew]

Isn't it a case of "Biker had an accident... maybe others can learn from what happened..."?

Crap, paticularly around this place, it almost invariably turns into a discussion of what the guy or girl did wrong, how they've been seen doing stupid stuff on other ocasions, and general bitching.

I think it's a border line morbid fascination of what a lot of people consider will happen to us all at some point.

Crashing is not garanteed, the chances do NOT increase with every start of the bike, and the falling over of others is not directly related to us all.

Rant over.

[ynot slow]

Crap, paticularly around this place, it almost invariably turns into a discussion of what the guy or girl did wrong, how they've been seen doing stupid stuff on other ocasions, and general bitching.

I think it's a border line morbid fascination of what a lot of people consider will happen to us all at some point.

Crashing is not garanteed, the chances do NOT increase with every start of the bike, and the falling over of others is not directly related to us all.

Rant over.

Same reason people watch motorsports,accidents happen,then we can pretend to be so much better riders for not doing what they did.

[Ixion]

My brother may be a total obnoxious prick, and an arsehole, but he's my brother and if something happens to him I care and want to know. Blood is thicker than water, but grease is thicker than both.

[Grub]

The same happens in aviation, in fact they formalise it at govt agency level.

All accidents teach something. They teach us how easy it is to get hit or how easy it is to fall off. They teach us that great riders can fall and that reminds us thae we ourselves are not as immortal as we think we are. The manner of falling off is of interest, from it we learn. The place of falling off is important as we ride there every day and now know what might happen.

etc etc Drew etc

[sunhuntin]

on kb, and in new zealand, chances are, if a biker has an off, then theres someone on here who knows someone who knows the guy who came off.

its interesting reading about motorbike accidents on trademe... the number of female members there who come in saying they have someone riding that way. i know the one involving the camper had a member on there ALL day panicing, because her husband and his riding buddies were not answering their phones. the whole day was spent reassuring her, telling her that cell reception isnt the best etc etc.

im betting new zealand chefs dont have a close knit forum "kitchenchef.co.nz/forums" to post about kitchen accidents. plus most kitchen accidents dont result in serious injury or death.

[EnzoYug]

on kb, and in new zealand, chances are, if a biker has an off, then theres someone on here who knows someone who knows the guy who came off....

... plus most kitchen accidents dont result in serious injury or death.

Seeing a biker go down, you know they're someone to somebody - and when going down riding might be the last thing you do, it's always serious.

I went down on SH16 a few years back and word of mouth meant I had umpteen messages on my cellphone (when it was working again) all saying "holy shit are you alright?"

The day when people stop caring / seeing a bike accident as serious news is the day we've lost that great 'kiwi' sense about us.

[James Deuce]

Morbid fascination and relief that it wasn't them.

The most recent threads have been seeking affirmation of motorcycling as a "no-fault crash sport", a "dangerous" activity in which all responsibility for the motorcyclist's health & safety is in the hands of others.

Motorcycling is about as dangerous as knitting. In fact, I reckon more Old Ladies (and not a few old men in some countries) die whilst they are stitching and perling than motorcyclists die whilst motorcycling.

The "biker down" threads are always tedious and filled with nervous dread and anticipation, and very seldom have any discussion based in fact contained therein. They are nothing but ill-founded malicious gossip.

[Ixion]

I hardly think malicious is an appropriate term

The same expressions of concern and interest are expressed if a biker is sick or injured for non crash reasons. There have been many such threads. Which shows that it is not some sort of morbid crash fascination.

[James Deuce]

I respectfully disagree and I firmly believe that all discussion should be squashed until the rider is clearly identified, the damage to bike and person clearly identified, and the OK has been received from family, not friends, to even present condolences or get well messages.

They may not be malicious in intent, but I have had to deal with the aftermath of an unthinking post declaring someone dead when they weren't. One of KB's "shining" moments. They are malicious in deed.

[sunhuntin]

the internet makes the world a much smaller place. anyone remember the shooting in lower ontario a while back? something like 4 people killed on the farm, that was suspected to be gang related?
i met a friend on the net, went over the canada to meet her, and then met one of the 4 shot. i was shocked when i realised i knew one of them.
same goes for bike accidents over there... one guy is currently in ICU after a tyre blowout that nearly killed him and his partner... many of the boys from the forum im on have travelled to visit him in hospital, despite never meeting them before, and others are sending cards.
that same group also often posts new articles involving bikes, many from new zealand. the most recent few have been from my area. many of the articles dont even make the newspapers here.

[ManDownUnder]

Probably for the same reason that people start threads like... "I wonder why all tell everyone else when a biker has an accident?"

Can I ask why you ask - or do I start a separate thread?

[tri boy]

I see the "accident/biker down" threads as a reminder/jolt/wakeup post, that helps to remind me that annoying/frustrating/painful/tragic things can happen in this lifestyle choice that I have.
I have some sympathy/concern, and sometimes annoyance and frustration about different types of situations that are posted. But never morbid curiosity. Thats just wrong.:nono:
Yep, I fell off the scrambler weekend just gone. No big deal, and quite funny,(after I had a little sulk about it).
People post things for different reasons I guess.:mellow:

[Tank]

I didn't know Tank's real name was Sherman...:innocent:



I was trying to keep that secret.

[judecatmad]

And interesting about the Truckers. I would suspect that there are several groups that do the same including Police, SAS, etc.?

Used to do a lights flash to other Minis when I drove one of those (in the UK). No idea why, but we all seemed to do it!

[crashe]

After my accident, when I was allowed home that night from the hospital all drugged up on morphine.
I turned on my computer to find a thread all about it on Trade Me.....
People who had driven past me all sprawled out on the road and wondered if I was ok...
They didnt know me at all...... but they cared.

I was able to tell them that I was alive.


Mind you the road that I had the accident on was a busy road, so many took a bit longer to get home that evening.

[Pwalo]

I think it's because we all take a secret enjoyment about how dangerous riding is.

Oh, and our seemingly inate fascination in others misfortunes.

[Winston001]

I think it's because we all take a secret enjoyment about how dangerous riding is.

Oh, and our seemingly innate fascination in others misfortunes.

I agree, both reasons play a part.

The essence of the matter is that motorcyclists are slightly apart from the rest of society and indeed people treat us that way. There is still a bit of the "rebel","1%er" about bikers despite wearing suits and ties in normal life.

There is a brother/sisterhood among bikers and we are concerned when any of our number is hurt. It harks back to clannish and tribal links in the dim past.

[puddy]

Probably for the same reason that people start threads like... "I wonder why all tell everyone else when a biker has an accident?"

Don't worry about Finn.....he's still smarting about the scary fag thread!

[Slingshot]

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