Some of these look quite nasty

[Switch]

Still a depressing video

[Juud]

Slowing down gives you more time to react and other people more time to see you. It's not the definitive answer to avoiding crashes but it sure as hell helps.

[ceebie13]

There really is no point in continually blaming other road users. We have to be more vigilant, more sensible, more defensive, more alert, more courteous, more patient, and less friggin' stupid! Ride like a twat on public roads and not only do you re-inforce the public opinion of bikers as dangerous hooligans, but you are also asking for trouble. No one is invincible. We all make mistakes...some due to a lack of concentration and some due to sheer stupidity... usually in the belief that "it won't happen to me" or "look at me, I'm a tough biker...get out of my way you stupid cager". Perhaps when we start to consider our actions as well as those of others, we may start to reduce the carnage as shown in the video that started this thread.

[Dave Lobster]

There really is no point in continually blaming other road users. We have to be more vigilant, more sensible, more defensive, more alert, more courteous, more patient, and less friggin' stupid!

Are you judging all by your own actions?

Being courteous and patient doesn't make people look properly. It doesn't make them concentrate on what's going on outside their car, instead of the crying children in the back seat. It doesn't turn their radio down for them so they can hear what's going on. It doesn't adjust their mirrors so they (at least) point in the right direction. It wont remind them to do use their indicators.

There really is no point in continually blaming other road users.

EVERY SINGLE time I have been knocked off of my bike, it has been someone else's fault. I'll continue to blame other road users, right up until the point that I cause myself to crash into one of them.
In fact.. every time I've hit something else while on the road, it has been someone else's fault. Be it pedestrians walking out into the road, or a car pulling across my path.

Perhaps when we start to consider our actions as well as those of others, we may start to reduce the carnage as shown in the video that started this thread.

Are you suggesting that everyone with a bike rides round at 10kph, just in case one of the nice car drivers decides they want to turn right in front of us. If we're going that slowly, we'll have time to stop. And the car will be off on its merry way, without causing carnage.

What we really need is for people in cars to PAY AFUCKINGTENTION to what they're doing.

[ceebie13]

What we really need is for people in cars to PAY AFUCKINGTENTION to what they're doing.

I agree with you there, Dave. But until they do surely we can help ourselves. No I'm not advocating we all ride around like nanas. ( I for one don't) What I'm suggesting is that there are (some...well quite a few actually) bikers out there who ride like idiots and think they own the road and are "superior" in some way to car drivers. Perhaps we as bikers need to PAY FUCKINGTENTION, to these absent minded cagers.

What I was also trying to suggest is that some of us as bikers don't even pay attention to our own actions. Adrenilin, thrill, and belief in ourselves makes us, on occasion, take risks. Why? The video showed examples of stupidity from all concerned.

The tone of your reply suggests you are intolerant and/or sceptical of anyone who drives a car. Is this possibly as a result of all the accidents you have been involved in? As a matter of interest, just how many is that?

Look, don't get me wrong, I do understand that car drivers can be cocooned in their own safe little environment, oblivious to what's going on around them, but at the same time, many riders don't exactly help themselves do they?

[Dave Lobster]

The tone of your reply suggests you are intolerant and/or sceptical of anyone who drives a car. Is this possibly as a result of all the accidents you have been involved in? As a matter of interest, just how many is that?

Not at all. I drive a car most of the time. My road bike is still in bits at the moment.
In the last ten years I've only had minor hits when on a bike. Since I started, I've had two write offs - both caused by cars.
When in a car, I've had about half a dozen 'incidents' with people stepping in the road and assuming I'll stop for them.

What I was also trying to suggest is that some of us as bikers don't even pay attention to our own actions. Adrenilin, thrill, and belief in ourselves makes us, on occasion, take risks. Why? The video showed examples of stupidity from all concerned.

A minority. Same as all minorities. There's always 10% that are visible, and assholes. Be it gays/blacks/bikers/dog owners. Whichever.
For every one you see being an asshole, there's nine you don't even see.

[ceebie13]

Glad I cant see my asshole... not a pretty sight ...I imagine.