First crash

**Matariki** · 1st June 2011, 13:49

Two weeks ago I had my first collision with another vehicle on the road. I ended up in hospital with a major fracture on my left tibia and minor fractures to my ankle. It happened in Masterton outside of Pak n' save at 7pm on Tuesday. I had just finished up Boxing training for the night and I was on my way to Featherston to do Muay Thai. I don't know what I did wrong, I had my head lights on and I was driving at the right legal speed. I was hit by a mobility van which failed to give way on the intersection. I saw it but I didn't have enough time to react. The police reckoned that I had less than a second to brace myself and they said what happened wasn't my fault. I was conscious throughout the event. I felt so powerless lying there on the concrete, fortunately my bike is ok. But now I'm having second thoughts about riding and I'm afraid to even travel in a car, intersections have been freaking me out since I came home from the hospital. My mother doesn't want me riding out at dusk or night ever again, Masterton is too dangerous for motorcyclists because people don't look.

Once I heal up I'm going to be attending every defensive driving course in the area, buy heavier motorcycle armour and ride in groups until I build up the confidence to ride alone again. I love riding, but I don't want my parents to freak out and I don't want to die or lose a limb riding. I know its a risk that I take on every time, that we all take on, but aren't I'm allowed to enjoy myself and share the road like every other motorist?

**riffer** · 1st June 2011, 13:54

Originally Posted by Hotkebab

Masterton is too dangerous for motorcyclists because people don't look.

News flash girl. People don't look full stop. The mistake you made was assuming they did.

If this is the one thing you take out of this accident you will already be a better rider than 50% of people out there.

Heal well.

There are plenty of people who can help you with getting your mojo back. Just ask.

**sil3nt** · 1st June 2011, 13:55

All this could have been avoided if you had just stuck to muay thai

and not done that stupid boxing crap

Take your time getting back into riding its far too early to be making any decisions on whether you will ride again or not

**Matariki** · 1st June 2011, 13:57

Originally Posted by sil3nt

All this could have been avoided if you had just stuck to muay thai

and not done that stupid boxing crap

Take your time getting back into riding its far too early to be making any decisions on whether you will ride again or not

I love that stupid boxing crap.

Yes, I understand its a bit early to decide but either way I need to conquer any fears that I might have about riding before they get the better of me.

**riffer** · 1st June 2011, 13:57

Oh, and my mother tried to stop me riding because it's dangerous after my Dad went straight over a VW Beetle on The Terrace when it failed to give way.

31 years later she's still going on...

I'm still here. And I'm still riding. People apply their own rules to things and it's natural for a mother to worry about her children. But there's many more dangerous things to do than ride a motorcycle. In fact, it may just help you to become a very very good motorist.

**Ronin** · 1st June 2011, 14:12

Got ya PM and will reply properly there but don't be to hard on your self. SMIDYS (sorry mate I didn't see ya) happen to everyone and until you get your spidey sense tuned in they are more of a danger. All ways ride as if the car you can see is going to pull out in front of you.

**Matariki** · 1st June 2011, 14:20

Originally Posted by Ronin

Got ya PM and will reply properly there but don't be to hard on your self. SMIDYS (sorry mate I didn't see ya) happen to everyone and until you get your spidey sense tuned in they are more of a danger. All ways ride as if the car you can see is going to pull out in front of you.

Most definitley. I should of been doing that at the time, I'll know for the future.

**The Baron** · 1st June 2011, 14:23

Dam - not good to read. (A bit close to home)

Glad to hear you are on the mend. Get well soon.

**Brian d marge** · 1st June 2011, 14:32

Welcome to the club, Crashing hurts dont it .... you dont want to be doing that again!!

the feelings you have are normal ,,, Do the defensive course ( they are good fun!!!)

get back on the bike , and let us know in 20 years time !

Stephen

**ducatilover** · 1st June 2011, 14:36

I second what Ronin said.

Heal well and keep it nice and safe

**oneofsix** · 1st June 2011, 14:42

Originally Posted by Brian d'marge

Welcome to the club, Crashing hurts dont it .... you dont want to be doing that again!!

the feelings you have are normal ,,, Do the defensive course ( they are good fun!!!)

get back on the bike , and let us know in 20 years time !

Stephen

what he said, plus what others have seen about being invisible. There some good books and vids out there as well to supplement the practical, entertainment whilst you heal. Riding in the Zone comes with a DVD and some practical carpark practice scenarios.

**willytheekid** · 1st June 2011, 15:39

Originally Posted by Hotkebab

....My mother doesn't want me riding out at dusk or night ever again, Masterton is too dangerous for motorcyclists because people don't look.

Once I heal up I'm going to be attending every defensive driving course in the area, buy heavier motorcycle gear.... :

So sorry to hear about your crash HotKebab...never fun to drop a bike.
But don't let it get to you, learn from it and move on to lifes next challenge

Your mom & dad are always going to worry about you no matter what you do...thats part of there "job", assure them your ok and keep them informed about the steps you are taking to keep safe.(+1 for rider training, and +1 again for heavy gear

)
The bellow quote from riffer is VERY good advice, always!..ALWAYS!! treat other road users as if they are out to kill you...& you are invisible!...expect them to do dumb and dangerous things around you....because if you plan for the worst....you'll come out the best

Truly hope the body feels better soon and mind follows just as quick.

(We expect to see a ride report from you soon eh

)

ATGATT---all the gear all the time

Originally Posted by riffer

News flash girl. People don't look full stop. The mistake you made was assuming they did.

If this is the one thing you take out of this accident you will already be a better rider than 50% of people out there.

Heal well.

There are plenty of people who can help you with getting your mojo back. Just ask.

+1 ... well said riffer, REP is in the mail

**Crasherfromwayback** · 1st June 2011, 15:46

Sorry to hear about your nasty accident. Take your time to heal well, then try to ease yourself back into it. All accidents are bad, but they're not as bad if you learn from them!

**jaffaonajappa** · 1st June 2011, 16:31

Originally Posted by Hotkebab

Once I heal up I'm going to be attending every defensive driving course in the area, buy heavier motorcycle armour and ride in groups until I build up the confidence to ride alone again. I love riding, but I don't want my parents to freak out and I don't want to die or lose a limb riding. I know its a risk that I take on every time, that we all take on, but aren't I'm allowed to enjoy myself and share the road like every other motorist?

Well spoken - good decision..........if you follow through with this idea, you should have a lot of safe but FUN biking times ahead of you.