Riding a motorcycle !! Serious Answers Please?

Question

I had 2 family members killed on their motorcycle, by some idiot.
The guy was having a bad day. I'm afraid now, but never was until this. How do I overcome my fears??

Just a quick note, my 2 family members were driving 25 mph on a side street, the other driver was also on a side street, He hit them doing over 80mph.

Just a quick note, my 2 family members were driving 25 mph on a side street, the other driver was also on a side street, He hit them doing over 80mph. Why did he not go to jail?

Answer 1

The more you motorcycle, the more it will fade away. If the fear can go completely away, can't be said in advance.

If it was in any way to be forseen or prevented by the motorcycles themselves, then it could help to give attention to that.
Like: some people got hit from behind at stoplights and are now afraid at stoplights. For this, there's an method: keep always extra extra distance to the car in front of you and keep the traffic behind you in sight. If you think that someone can't break on time behind you, you can use the extra distance which you kept to prevent another hit.
Likewise, there could be some things when motorcycling. It depends on all contributing factors if it's possible in this case.

Answer 2

Okay.

First off, let me offer condolences on the deaths of your family members. Bikes or not, they were tragic and completely senseless. Also, the person who hit them SHOULD have been convicted of negligent vehicular manslaughter, if he was driving 80mph on a side street. This shows you that in many states, traffic laws are NOT taken seriously by the courts. As riders, and as people, we need to take issues like this to our respective state and local governments and hound them into really dropping the hammer on folks who get away with killing someone with their car.

---------------


The fear is something you need to KEEP, as a survival instinct. But you have to make it work for you, not against you.

Always scan your surroundings when on the bike. Be aware of side streets, what's in your mirrors, people turning in front of you, etc etc. The acronym used to be called SIPDE.

Scan, Interpret, Predict, Decide, Execute.

They've changed it to SEE now, don't recall what the letters stand for, but it's the same idea. Be Paranoid. They may not WANT to kill you, but each and every driver out there CAN. So assume nothing and ride defensively.

When you're on a bike, you're trading protection (the body of a car, affectionately called a 'cage') for agility. With that trade comes some SERIOUS skills you need to learn. You not only need to train your body to instinctively lean and turn and brake and accelerate the bike, but also train your mind to drop everything else and just focus on what's going on around you.

With all that said, why not take an MSF safety course?

Answer 3

I am sorry for your loss. Accidents happen. Try getting on your motorcycle and go around the block. Or take your motorcycle where there is no traffic and try riding it. Unless you get on your motorcycle soon the chances are you won't. Your family members was not the ones at fault in the accident. The more you get on your bike the more comfortable you will get. Don't give up your love of riding just be very alert to your surroundings

Answer 4

They are dangerous by design. Nothing will help when someone smashes you at 80mph.

Buy a dual sport bike. That way you can ride to some secluded off road trails and pick up the nuances of riding in difficult situations.

Answer 5

Motorcycle enthusiasts abound everywhere and have a great time - my daughter lives in Atlanta and rides one everywhere.The honest truth about it all is that people are NOT driving with the same care and speed as they did even acouple of years ago. Just realize that on a motorcycle you aren't on a level playing field with tons of speeding, darting automobiles and a collision with such will end your life at least as you have enjoyed it up to now.....if not permanently. So maybe your fear is a voice of reason and not a bad thing.

Answer 6

Rationalize. Accidents will happen. You can be killed while riding a motorcycle, a semi trailer or just by standing at the sidewalk.

Face your fears, be brave. As with anything in life, to move on you must get rid of whatever is keeping you from moving. Hop on it and go!

Answer 7

There will always be accidents on the road. Way to easy for people to get their license. Way too many idiots are allowed to drive. And bikes are more dangerous, you don't have the protection. And so many people don't respect the motorcyclist, I see alot of immaturity on bikes. But the feeling when you are on a bike cannot be matched while in a car or truck. Get on one, don't do stupid stuff. And keep you eyes out for idiots. Have fun and enjoy the open road.

Answer 8

Sometimes it takes time to heal.. and on the other hand the saying goes just jump back in the saddle. I have had close encounters, but I didn't let them scare me from riding again. I learned to keep an eye out on the other drivers and I was more alert of their behavior. Hope this helps..

Answer 9

Have faith in God. I believe we all live until the purpose God has set for our life gets lived out. Then, it's time for eternity - heaven or hell. He's in control of our lives at all times. What about free will, you may ask? Free will - to me - is like a child sitting in the backseat of a car. He or she is free to do a variety of things - look at the scenery, play games, sleep, read, watch DVDs, etc - but he or she will still wind up wherever the car stops and unloads. By the way, I have been riding a 50cc moped in Dallas, TX for some yrs now... Ride on...!

Answer 10

I am not sure what ur asking. I've been in a few accidents myself, and I know people in cars are the ones that cause most motorcycle accidents. I also know some of those cars intentionally try to run over motorcycles.

But what are you asking?