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

**Bob** · 16th December 2007, 00:06

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** · 16th December 2007, 00:10

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

**xwhatsit** · 16th December 2007, 00:13

Originally Posted by Bob

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** · 16th December 2007, 00:22

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

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** · 16th December 2007, 07:03

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

**Colapop** · 16th December 2007, 07:14

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

**Maha** · 16th December 2007, 07:28

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

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?

Originally Posted by Colapop

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** · 16th December 2007, 07:32

Originally Posted by Colapop

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** · 16th December 2007, 08:03

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** · 16th December 2007, 08:57

Originally Posted by maha man

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

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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:Me** · 16th December 2007, 09:26

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** · 16th December 2007, 09:49

Originally Posted by The Stranger

I always thought is was a compassion and empathy thing.

Tell someone who cares and HTFU. ?

**Motig** · 16th December 2007, 09:55

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** · 16th December 2007, 10:04

Originally Posted by Colapop

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** · 16th December 2007, 20:33

Originally Posted by Drew

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.