Lady blew a stop sign and I ended up in the ER. Sick.

nocturnalAnd actually I just reread that and its your fault. Why would you bike into somebody's blind spot, or not stop to make sure the car sees you while backing out. I do that walking in parking lots. all the time that's like the first thing you learn on a motorcycle is never ride near a cars blind spot because a car will merge into you and kill you.

...I was in a bike lane, and they pulled out of a parallel parking spot like a rocketship, sideswiped me and drove off. Luckily I wasn't hurt at all and was able to mostly break my fall, but if a car had been coming behind me the situation wouldn't have been good by any means.

Even if they DID back up out of a parking space it wouldn't be my fault, because I'd have the right of way in such a situation. It's the same law as merging onto a freeway. It's the same rule as the rider below you having the right of way on a ski run. It's not my job to worry about their blind spot, it's theirs, when they are merging or backing out. Learn the traffic code or something.

I get it, you don't like me and you want to get one on me, or something, but get a clue before you assume.

DingoSeanEven if they DID back up out of a parking space it wouldn't be my fault, because I'd have the right of way in such a situation. It's the same law as merging onto a freeway. It's the same rule as the rider below you having the right of way on a ski run. It's not my job to worry about their blind spot, it's theirs, when they are merging or backing out. Learn the traffic code or something.

When your on a bike of course you need to pay attention to cars blind spots. Sure if you get hit it might not legally be your fault but your still the only one getting hurt and if you end up breaking your neck I doubt you will care who's fault it was..
That being said I'm glad you didn't get hurt and I'm not saying it was your fault this time but you need to take some responsibility to make sure accident don't happen, you can't just bike around like a moron thinking cars will always see you.

Mar-OWhen your on a bike of course you need to pay attention to cars blind spots. Sure if you get hit it might not legally be your fault but your still the only one getting hurt and if you end up breaking your neck I doubt you will care who's fault it was..
That being said I'm glad you didn't get hurt and I'm not saying it was your fault this time but you need to take some responsibility to make sure accident don't happen, you can't just bike around like a moron thinking cars will always see you.

If you're on your bike, you're not usually in a position where you're even within someone's blind spot for very long if at all. You're usually on the edge of the road, in the bike lane. The off chance is when you're on a one way street with multiple turning lanes or something unorthodox.

In this case, it wasn't even really because I was in someone's blind spot... it's because they decided to not even look in their mirror to see anyone coming, and jumped out of their parking space like they were trying to set a record.

Of course you can't bike around like a dipshit assuming cars are going to pay attention to you at all times - never has that been the serious assumption of anyone outside of that one Portlandia skit.. That's like saying you can just cross the road at any time, intersection or not, because "they'll see me". That logic is ridiculous. The problem only arises when you're doing just about everything in your power to avoid cars and continue at your pace, and a driver disregards the fact that they should use their eyes in windows other than the windshield, or pay attention to any mirror to make sure they don't wreck someone... or in the case of my first crash, obey what's likely the most fundamental of all traffic laws - stopping at a octagonal red STOP sign.

Mar-Oyou can't just bike around like a moron thinking cars will always see you.

Ding ding ding

nocturnalDing ding ding

I don't think anyone argued against that at any one time during this thread.

DingoSeanBy the way, a week ago I was hit a 2nd time

and did you say you don't wear a helmet? I'd look into one at this point, seems like drivers have it out to hit you...

a_pla5tic_bagand did you say you don't wear a helmet? I'd look into one at this point, seems like drivers have it out to hit you...

I actually was wearing a helmet. Sorta changed my mind about that once I got back on the bike and pondered it fully.

...that and I got an absolutely evil deal on a new brainbucket, so fuck it why not.

DingoSeanI don't think anyone argued against that at any one time during this thread.

Yet you keep going through stop signs when cars don't come to a full stop and are still moving assuming theyll see you and stop. Or ride behind cars with the reverse lights on who also have yet to apply the brake you are riding around like a moron. that's what you're on a bike you have to be much more vigilant and accept that people aren't going to always see you. You seem to have a really hard time accepting this fact.

nocturnalYet you keep going through stop signs when cars don't come to a full stop and are still moving assuming theyll see you and stop. Or ride behind cars with the reverse lights on who also have yet to apply the brake you are riding around like a moron. that's what you're on a bike you have to be much more vigilant and accept that people aren't going to always see you. You seem to have a really hard time accepting this fact.

LOL what are you TALKING about?

Are you actually saying that I'm running stop signs left and right, not giving a shit all the time when cars are coming? and riding behind cars with reverse lights on? When the fuck did this shit happen? I swear dude, you just make shit up.

DingoSeanLOL what are you TALKING about?

Are you actually saying that I'm running stop signs left and right, not giving a shit all the time when cars are coming? and riding behind cars with reverse lights on? When the fuck did this shit happen? I swear dude, you just make shit up.

You just said a car backed into from a parking spot. Another car blew a stop sign and hit you if you looked at the car approaching a stop sign you should have been able to see that the car wasn't slowing down at all, and therefore you should not bike in front of the car. You should wait at the stop sign make sure the car is beginning to slow down then go it doesn't matter if you have the right of way or not you're on a bike you have to be more careful. A car messes up you get killed so no its no shate the road 50/50 its called defensive riding and if you did it you did it. You could have avoided these two accidents if you keep riding the way you're riding you're going to get hit again.

nocturnalA car messes up you get killed so no its no shate the road 50/50 its called defensive riding and if you did it you did it. You could have avoided these two accidents if you keep riding the way you're riding you're going to get hit again.

this is my BIGGEST thing about cyclists/motorcyclists/pedestrians/people who drive smart cars and other tiny pieces of shit that offer zero form of protection against a collision with a larger vehicle. it DOES NOT MATTER if the law is on your side, IT DOES NOT MATTER if you are in the right. at the end of the incident, you are the one who is hurt, or in much more grim circumstances, dead.

that is what i see it coming down to on a regular basis when a cyclist is riding aggressively, or even not defensively enough, they are essentially picking a fight with the bigger stronger person, to which they will lose every time, and then crying because they picked a fight they couldnt win and they lost.

it may be other drivers jobs to ensure they follow the rules of the road and in turn, do not kill you, but it is your own fault for putting 100% blind faith in a random stranger in a multiple thousand pound machine that can quite effortlessly seriously injure you, if not simply kill you.

nocturnalYou just said a car backed into from a parking spot. Another car blew a stop sign and hit you if you looked at the car approaching a stop sign you should have been able to see that the car wasn't slowing down at all, and therefore you should not bike in front of the car. You should wait at the stop sign make sure the car is beginning to slow down then go it doesn't matter if you have the right of way or not you're on a bike you have to be more careful. A car messes up you get killed so no its no shate the road 50/50 its called defensive riding and if you did it you did it. You could have avoided these two accidents if you keep riding the way you're riding you're going to get hit again.

No. I said a car pulled out of a parallel parking spot and sideswiped me... read for once.

I had already entered the intersection when I saw the on-coming car's lights. I didn't just have the right of way, I was already IN the way. If I was in a car, I'd have been hit all the same, and if I had a passenger, they could have been injured, or who knows, even killed.

Calling it somehow my fault, that a car blew a stopsign and hit me is a fucking hilarious notion.

So there are two stop signs in my town a block apart and in clear view from each other. I was driving a company vehicle today and was coming up to the second stop sign, not fast at all being a block apart. I came to a stop and the guy behind me pulled into the oncoming lane and past me while I was stopped for the stop sign!

Probably the dumbest move pulled by a driver that I have ever seen. I wish I would have gotten his plates.

DingoSeanI had already entered the intersection when I saw the on-coming car's lights.

sounds like you were paying real close attention to your surroundings

nocturnalsounds like you were paying real close attention to your surroundings

I was. How could I not. I was on a bike at night lol. I was also accelerating quite slowly through the intersection... because I was on a bike... and probably in a 52-15 or 52-20 ratio or something (not sure what that freewheel had on it, as I chucked it for a different one when I rebuilt the wheel for that bike)

DingoSeanI was. How could I not. I was on a bike at night lol. I was also accelerating quite slowly through the intersection... because I was on a bike... and probably in a 52-15 or 52-20 ratio or something (not sure what that freewheel had on it, as I chucked it for a different one when I rebuilt the wheel for that bike)

As a motocyclist I feel you 100% thing that you have to remember is that it's hard to judge another vehicles speed so just wait. Also if you are on a cycle driving towards a person from a 1/2 mile away and they hold up a pencil and cover you, they won't be able to see you until you're already on top of them. Same goes for drivers. A window frame could block you from the driver. That's why I drive as loudly and obnoxiously as possible and wear the brightest dumb looking gear when I'm nightriding, I may seem like an asshole but at least you see me.

LonelyAs a motocyclist I feel you 100%

Yeah. I'm extremely wary of Motorcycles. I always ALWAYS give as much space as possible when I see them coming - especially splitting lanes in slow traffic (which some idiot drivers think is 'unfair' or 'illegal' which is fucking stupid)

I can't tell you how many times I've received a wave from a guy on a moto after I gave space. It's just common courtesy. Many drivers don't understand it... or just think all motorcyclists are gang members who will beat you with chains and bats, or lunatics who peel off wheelies on their crotch rockets.

...motherfuckers don't even understand. I mean, how much of a dream come true is it to bust out some sweet wheelies with a hot babe on the back of your bike while escaping some corrupt cops or something lol.

...this coming from a guy who has NEVER ridden a motorcycle in his entire life. Not once.

DingoSeanYeah. I'm extremely wary of Motorcycles. I always ALWAYS give as much space as possible when I see them coming - especially splitting lanes in slow traffic (which some idiot drivers think is 'unfair' or 'illegal' which is fucking stupid)

I can't tell you how many times I've received a wave from a guy on a moto after I gave space. It's just common courtesy. Many drivers don't understand it... or just think all motorcyclists are gang members who will beat you with chains and bats, or lunatics who peel off wheelies on their crotch rockets.

...motherfuckers don't even understand. I mean, how much of a dream come true is it to bust out some sweet wheelies with a hot babe on the back of your bike while escaping some corrupt cops or something lol.

...this coming from a guy who has NEVER ridden a motorcycle in his entire life. Not once.

Sadly a few people give us all a bad name, as it is with most things. But you should try it, it's nice to just cruise and relax on some open roads no matter what type of bike you have.

LonelySadly a few people give us all a bad name, as it is with most things. But you should try it, it's nice to just cruise and relax on some open roads no matter what type of bike you have.

Yeah, honestly, I'd love to just get some old, probably slow, 1970's or 1980's japanese bike.. like an old Honda 350 or Yamaha RD350, and just use it around town on trips to the store, or trips to work when I don't need to haul gear.

DingoSeanYeah, honestly, I'd love to just get some old, probably slow, 1970's or 1980's japanese bike.. like an old Honda 350 or Yamaha RD350, and just use it around town on trips to the store, or trips to work when I don't need to haul gear.

Yeah old bikes are sweet, I'm working on a 80 kawasaki 250 limited.