100% responsibility

[Jacko2]

I know this has been floated in different ways lately BUT.
What would happen if we all rode with the ATTITUDE that we are 100% responsible for what happens to us on our bikes?
So that fuckwit in the car that just pulled out in front of ya.
You ride in a way that stops you hitting him.
Ditto other road hazards
Could it work? would it change how you ride on the road?

Ironic that I was read this thread on Friday then had an OFF on Saturday.

I had to nurse my bike (80km) home after. Amazing what the mind does after a shot of adreneline.

Anyhoo, after another day of reflection, I have concluded that, I expose myself to this risk by choosing to ride a motorcycle. I sort of knew this already, but an 'event' does clarify ones thoughts.

At the end of the day, it wouldn't have mattered who's fault it was if I, the other guy or both of us were dead.

Because I'm not, I feel I have had another warning I should listen to.

I think if we had the 100% attitude, a few more of us may survive. Alas, we (humans) have egos. (IE: I own a bike capable of 250kph, why?)

Frosty, to answer your question I say YES.

[CookMySock]

Ironic that I was read this thread on Friday then had an OFF on Saturday.

owch, hoping ur ok bud.

I have concluded that, I expose myself to this risk by choosing to ride a motorcycle.

not exactly - take a look at the chain of events before your off - keywords "mindset, dehydration, speed, worried" etc some or all may not apply - add your own. It isn't the motorcycle that is the issue, it is the nut on the steering you see.

I sort of knew this already, but an 'event' does clarify ones thoughts.

I think you just said "I believed this would happen and now I know it was true to begin with". Be careful with what you believe, because it will come to pass whether you like it or not.

DB

[Deviant Esq]

Unfortunately money cannot buy experience and I sympathise with those who get hurt because they "did not get experience" straight off. I will admit to being lucky several/many times, but with each "lucky event" the memory banks swelled and I can now "smell" trouble from 100 metres.

*snip*

In this way, I'm quite glad that I didn't start riding bikes when I was 15 or 16, and indeed, wasn't interested in bikes at the time either. But I started driving a car at 15 and have been driving ever since, so when I did get interested in bikes and started riding after my 23rd birthday, I had already amassed a fair bit of knowledge and situational 'feel' of what some clots behind the wheel get up to. That knowledge has stood me in good stead in biking and being a learner rider... like ElCoyote I've had some close calls (most of us have), but I've always been able to avoid a car pulling out in front of me or not giving way, because I've had a feeling it might happen, saw that it did, and because I'd adjusted, had enough time / room to avoid it. Not saying that it'll never happen, but in this way, I haven't had to be 'lucky' to avoid having a crash.

[Jacko2]

owch, hoping ur ok bud.

Yeah, good thanks. A bike is replaceable, I'm not haha.......................

{not exactly - take a look at the chain of events before your off - keywords "mindset, dehydration, speed, worried" etc some or all may not apply - add your own. It isn't the motorcycle that is the issue, it is the nut on the steering you see.}

This is what I reflected on going home and the rest of that day.
On reflection, I was very surprised to be taken out as TEC. Possibly less alert.
Granted, it is the steerer, however "I" choose to ride a motorcycle and not something that has a (safety) cage around it.
(Incidentally it works both ways. If I'd been in a cage I would have killed the guy on the Quad parked in the middle of the road, as it was being on a bike I managed to 'almost' miss him)

{I think you just said "I believed this would happen and now I know it was true to begin with". Be careful with what you believe, because it will come to pass whether you like it or not.}

What I meant was, I know I expose myself to more risk by riding a bike than not. I am prepared to do that, so take responsibility for my decision.

Appreciate your feedback, I think it is good to reflect. The subject known as 'History' taught in schools, should be renamed "Lessons Learnt'.
Cheers, JACKO

DB

.........................................

[Jacko2]

Sorry, ballsed-up the quote thingy. It's all there somewhere. Dah!

[Badjelly]

Most people don't try to accept responsibility for the outcome of an event and when the chips are really down, 99% of the vocal supporters of the concept of total responsibility will do anything rather than accept that they were less than perfect and screwed up. It's always someone else's fault, and "they" should do something to stop the someone else who was at fault from ever doing it again.

And yet, again and again, you will find people on KB saying, "I had an accident and it was my fault" or "I had an accident and it was some other guy's fault, but if I'd been more careful or reacted more appropriately I might have come out better" or "I had an accident, what did I do wrong?".

[Jacko2]

And yet, again and again, you will find people on KB saying, "I had an accident and it was my fault" or "I had an accident and it was some other guy's fault, but if I'd been more careful or reacted more appropriately I might have come out better" or "I had an accident, what did I do wrong?".

Badjelly, I'm not being a smartass, but I'm getting 'mixed messages'.
Can you elaborate a bit. What in your opinion should thay do?

[Badjelly]

Badjelly, I'm not being a smartass, but I'm getting 'mixed messages'. Can you elaborate a bit. What in your opinion should they do?

I knew that title was asking for trouble. (It just reflects the fact that I'm a middle-aged Pakeha male whose avatar is a green-skinned frog and whose forum name is a witch, probably also green-skinned.)

I'm not speculating on what they should do, I was just responding to Jim2's statement (a few posts back) that people never admit responsibility, by pointing out that on KB they frequently do.

[Jacko2]

I knew that title was asking for trouble. (It just reflects the fact that I'm a middle-aged Pakeha male whose avatar is a green-skinned frog and whose forum name is a witch, probably also green-skinned.)

I'm not speculating on what they should do, I was just responding to Jim2's statement (a few posts back) that people never admit responsibility, by pointing out that on KB they frequently do.

Ahh, OK, cool.

[Nagash]

Ironic that I was read this thread on Friday then had an OFF on Saturday.

I have never seen someone as humble as you were after a bin on a bike.. even when the guy was clearly at fault.

Glad to hear you made it home alright, no hidden injuries that cropped up later?

---

I reckon the 100% responsibility mindset does keep people safer.

As Big Dog drills into people on training days, it's all about keeping as many options open as you can. So if you come round a corner into an 'Oh Shit!' moment, your have more resources to draw upon to get yourself out of it safely. Whether it being the skills to stop while fully leaned over, or wearing the correct protective gear for if you do bin.


I like to think I have a bit of this attitude, but admittedly do go riding on occasion thinking, if that guy pulls out on me (and they always do) and I crash into the back of him, i'm gonna so pissed at him. When really I could just listen to myself knowing that he IS going to pull out on me an dslow down or use the horn or swing to the right more, etc. etc.

I reckon it's a good attitude to have.. though it's not gonna happen. People just have to take it upon themselves, whether they feel it's important or not.

[Jacko2]

I have never seen someone as humble as you were after a bin on a bike.. even when the guy was clearly at fault.

Glad to hear you made it home alright, no hidden injuries that cropped up later?

---

I reckon the 100% responsibility mindset does keep people safer.

As Big Dog drills into people on training days, it's all about keeping as many options open as you can. So if you come round a corner into an 'Oh Shit!' moment, your have more resources to draw upon to get yourself out of it safely. Whether it being the skills to stop while fully leaned over, or wearing the correct protective gear for if you do bin.


I like to think I have a bit of this attitude, but admittedly do go riding on occasion thinking, if that guy pulls out on me (and they always do) and I crash into the back of him, i'm gonna so pissed at him. When really I could just listen to myself knowing that he IS going to pull out on me an dslow down or use the horn or swing to the right more, etc. etc.

I reckon it's a good attitude to have.. though it's not gonna happen. People just have to take it upon themselves, whether they feel it's important or not.

Cheers Josh, alls good thanks.
I think the old girl is really a closet naked/streetfighter all along.

A bit off topic but, yes the practise we've had with Bigdog saved my ass.
I did everything automatic, no time to think just did it.
I don't get angry very often, and the old guy was in shock. Glad I didn't kill him. Sorry for any dumb/inane attempts at humour. You guys all did and said the right things at the time. Weren't those neighbours great? I'm gonna run a bottle of wine out to each of them when I go get payment for my new helmet.

On Topic Again: Yeah I think we have to be aware of our part in things, but not to sweat on it. Obviously do as much as you can, defensive driving, skills practise etc. but don't get hung-up on it or you won't enjoy riding anymore.

Hope to see ya at practise, can't do enough.