Dom Post, 18 June 08. A brief comment on the letters page

[Swoop]

Good reply SH.
A response letter was definately needed.

[Pussy]

Good reply SH.
A response letter was definately needed.

Yep, kudos to you, Sunhuntin.... good on you

[ManDownUnder]

I think there should be a mandatory 2 year period on a bike to increase awareness of the hazards we face not only from the motoring public, but from the sheer bloody stupidity of :

• road works not sweeping up metal off the roads
• badly designed road
• stupid and confusing bus lane laws
• etc

[sinfull]

i was riding in a singlet, and my lily white arms were brighter than any fluro, and i also had an open face helmet [albiet, black, but only from a back view]

.

What, No gloves ? I'll tell nodrog on you !

[sunhuntin]

Good reply SH.
A response letter was definately needed.

cheers all.

ok, how the hell can i take 38 words from this without messing it up!

a reply to lynne king [to the point, june 18 2008] suggesting motorcyclists and cyclists wear fluro vests and the banning of black helmets.

i have been hit once in 30,000k. my headlight was on fullbeam, as that also helps make us more visible. i was overtaking left turning cars, and was hit by a car running a stop sign on the left. i highly doubt the wearing of a fluro vest would have made any difference.
luckily, i walked away. my bike was totalled. today, i cannot kneel without getting stuck, and shaving my left leg almost leaves me in tears due to scar tissue

so, what would have prevented this from happening? fluro? maybe, if she had come from the right. White helmet? no. the car driver waiting another 10 seconds, and actually looking both ways before going? definately.

Last winter, I started finishing at 8pm, and did buy and wear a fluro. let me tell you, it made no difference to my safety. i was still tailgated, cut off nightly and nearly killed at least once a week.

in conclusion, the true answer to preventing motorcyclist and bicyclist accidents is better driver training. looking both ways.

therefore, i propose the following compulsory measure: all people who are applying for their licenses must spend at least 6 months on a motorcycle or scooter. its only when youve seen life from the helmet that you truly understand.

[Nagash]

a reply to lynne king [to the point, june 18 2008] suggesting motorcyclists and cyclists wear fluro vests and the banning of black helmets.

i have been hit once in 30,000k. my headlight was on fullbeam, as that also helps make us more visible. i was overtaking left turning cars, and was hit by a car running a stop sign on the left. i highly doubt that wearing a fluro vest would have made any difference. my bike was totalled. today, i cannot kneel without getting stuck, and shaving my left leg almost leaves me in tears due to scar tissue

so, what would have prevented this from happening? fluro? maybe, if she had come from the right. White helmet? no. the car driver waiting another 10 seconds, and actually looking both ways before going? definately.

Last winter, I started finishing at 8pm, and did buy and wear a fluro. it made no difference to my safety. i was still tailgated, cut off nightly and nearly killed at least once a week.

in conclusion, the true answer to preventing motorcyclist and bicyclist accidents is better driver training.

therefore, i propose the following compulsory measure: all people who are applying for their licenses must spend at least 6 months on a motorcycle or scooter. its only when youve seen life from the helmet that you truly understand.

---

How many words is that? (Just removed some of the jargon and things you didn't really need.)

Good letter, it's not that enoforcing high vests is a ridiculous idea, I still wouldn't be happy about it though.. it's more of the fact that it isn't the be all and end all of motorcycle accidents. It'll only prevent a small percentage, Driver training would make a huge difference.

[scracha]

"one of the main causes of accidents to motorcyclists and cyclists is lack of visibility"

I've yet to hear the coroner in CSI say "lack of visibility"

[sunhuntin]

How many words is that? (Just removed some of the jargon and things you didn't really need.)

Good letter, it's not that enoforcing high vests is a ridiculous idea, I still wouldn't be happy about it though.. it's more of the fact that it isn't the be all and end all of motorcycle accidents. It'll only prevent a small percentage, Driver training would make a huge difference.

226. getting closer! LOL.

[Sully60]

Good one SH, I imagine Lynne's letter may have had something to do with the current ACC campaign about bikes and how they just appear.

I applaud ACC for at least attempting something but as has been mentioned earlier in the thread the problem lies with education at the beginning of the time you are granted the privilege to use the for motorised transport.

If bikes (or any other form of matter) could just appear why would be using roads to get around?

[Number One]

Flouro my arse! We just appear...my arse also! Lynne whatser-arse needs to open her eyes and drive defensively.

On the note of Motorcycles 'just appearing' I have learned lately that I am safer splitting on the motorway in rush hour traffic as despite the fact that I ride with lights on full, have blardy loud pipes and ride carefully and defensively in traffic..ALL the times I have been cut off, had someone force their way into my lane alongside me and other crappy examples of car driving have all been when I have been 'legally' using the lane and not splitting.

Funny that when you are right close to them with your lights shining hard out in their side mirrors they all of a sudden see you...and from way back too!

Maybe we should just split everywhere so that Lynne and her other dozey mates will take notice of something beyond just gazing lovingly at themselves in the rearview mirror.

Yes I had some run ins with cars this morning - some people are just fuckwits!

[imdying]

Isn't 1 in 4 of our road toll deaths a pedestrian? Perhaps we should ban black fullstop clothing too?