It's Always Your Fault

[Flugtechnik]

I just finished this article Wes wrote on RideApart and thought it needed sharing.

http://rideapart.com/2013/10/10-things-ive-learned-10-motorcycle-crashes/

The most insightful point to me was #5:

5. It’s Always Your Fault, No Matter What
Here’s the thing about riding a bike: you’re taking your life into your own hands. There’s no steel safety cage, no airbags, no crumple zone, its just you and your wits against the world. If you ask me, that’s what makes riding so great, but it also means you need to make a fundamental shift in your thinking. It doesn’t matter what it says on the police report or the insurance papers or that the teenage chick was texting her boyfriend when she hit you; all that matters is she hit you. And you could have prevented it, you needed to, it’s your life, not hers.

So go out there and actively take your own life into your own hands. No excuses. Someone hit you from behind at a stop light? Why weren’t you flashing your brake lights? Why didn’t you slow down early to bring them to a controlled stop? Why were you stopped in the lane and not on the margin?

Car turn left in front of you? Why didn’t you see it coming? Why couldn’t you brake harder? Why weren’t you more visible?

You have the tools to ride safely, it’s up to you to use them. No one else is going to do it for you.

So true.

Stay safe my friends.

 

[Maritime]

Yep, as pissed as I get when some douche almost kills me.....the key word is almost, after I stop swearing I realize I prevented being killed, they weren't looking out for me. The only time I get really scared is if something almost happens and I didn't see it, then I know I wasn't being aware enough, and get more aware immediately.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Good Stuff, right there.

 

[Hoofhearted]

50 odd years ago when I started riding my Dad told to ride like no one sees you. In the top three pieces of advice he gave me.

 

[ILoveThumpers]

...ride like no one sees you...

^^ So much this.

-Deek

 

[Bozz]

Indeed. It's in your hands, so make sure you're up to the task.

Food for thought...

 

[SONICJK]

10. It’s Not Worth It
As you might know, or might surmise from the above, injuring yourself stinks. You really don’t want to do it. The toll — financially, psychologically, on your relationships and to your work — is more than you’ll ever know, until you’ve done it. So don’t do it. You don’t need to be the fastest guy on that group ride or get where you’re going precisely on time. Nor do you need to be the coolest looking guy at the party or save cab fare on the way home. Motorcycling is always going to be dangerous, it’s always going to be risky, but it’s a lot more enjoyable when you’re overcoming that danger and managing those risks than it is when you’re laying in a hospital bed.

I like this one.

 

[haircuttergirl]

10. It’s Not Worth It
As you might know, or might surmise from the above, injuring yourself stinks. You really don’t want to do it. The toll — financially, psychologically, on your relationships and to your work — is more than you’ll ever know, until you’ve done it. So don’t do it. You don’t need to be the fastest guy on that group ride or get where you’re going precisely on time. Nor do you need to be the coolest looking guy at the party or save cab fare on the way home. Motorcycling is always going to be dangerous, it’s always going to be risky, but it’s a lot more enjoyable when you’re overcoming that danger and managing those risks than it is when you’re laying in a hospital bed.

I like this one.

+1