There was traffic from the 410 to 401 and Islington. (Heading east) I almost got hit twice by a car today because they didnt check there blind spot. Is riding the 401 a bad idea?
401 traffic time riding a bad idea?
- Thread starter JL86
- Start date
I typically try not to ride during rush hour on the 401 (thankfully very short commute for me), but I don't think it needs to be avoided at all costs. Just got to really keep your eyes and senses up because all the idiots come out. Add traffic and aggression level goes up pretty fast.
It's a bad idea in a military Hummer.
So true. Plus, side roads move much faster even with traffic lights.
People are so distracted these days and in my opinion overall driver's skills seem to be in decline. Not sure if this is due to lax M.T.O. testing standards, cultural driving habits, distracted driving, texting etc.
Ride like people do not see you and are invisible. Be under the impression that people are not going to use their mirrors, shoulder check, or check their blind spot. Do not ride in someone else's blind spot. If you are there either speed up or slow down to get out of it. I have had people try and switch lanes into my truck. I am almost 80' long and people do not see me!
Ride like people do not see you and are invisible. Be under the impression that people are not going to use their mirrors, shoulder check, or check their blind spot. Do not ride in someone else's blind spot. If you are there either speed up or slow down to get out of it. I have had people try and switch lanes into my truck. I am almost 80' long and people do not see me!
There was alot of traffic. Like going 10km so where all packed together. Young guy driving almost hit me. 3inchs or so and I wouldve got hit. I was in the blocking position and I moved over to the other side. Like I said 3 inch away. seems like no one ever should checks anymore..
Pedagogue
Well-known member
In heavy traffic like that what are you blocking? Ride like you are invisible.
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I was on the left tire track is what I ment
SeaBreez
Well-known member
The key word here is "almost hit"... Unfortunately we sometimes have to ride in traffic, 401 included. Try to always scan for an escape route, be alert and ready for brakes, throttle or evasive maneuvers at all times. Ride Safe. You have no chance against a car, it's up to you to save your own *****. Your life depends on it.
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Pedagogue
Well-known member
I guess what I was trying to say was that sometimes "blocking position" is over rated. No sense in trying to block a car or truck as you will lose. But I'd agree 401 in rush hour can be tough.
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I try my absolute best to avoid rush hour (7AM-9AM, 4PM-7PM) unless I am in a group. Weekend mini rush hours are extremely bad, I think the drivers get more careless because it's the weekend?
I would highly suggest you avoid the 401 during rush hour for safety reasons but I'm sure some members have done it for years here and aren't dead.
I noticed this too. I honestly think it's because of the power of cell phones. I used to spend TONS of time on the computer as a kid, now all of that power is in your hands. Every time I see some dipshit swerving around, they're on a cell phone. Most people have no clue why it's dangerous until they hit something.
...and for the record, I hit something while using a cell phone years ago so I am a graduated dipshit.
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Spend as little time as possible in someones blind spot.I'm either behind or ahead of them or in the process of not being in their blind spot or beside them (PASSING).If you can't see them in their mirror they cant see you.Even if they do see you they can forget your there if you stay beside them especially over a long distance .When ever possible stay out of the pack and keep yourself in a gap with a good buffer zone.As an old biker once told me "They cant get you if you dont let them.If they do it's your own fault no matter how stupid they are"Personally I ride a little faster than traffic,stay light on the handle bars and watch their distance from the line as i pass them.When they look to change lanes they will start to move toward that side within there lane because they've turned their head in that direction.There is an subtle indication a few seconds before they make their move 90% of the time.
^^^
Good advice. Stay out of blind spots when you can. Most people do telegraph their lane changes. Sometimes, you get false alarms from wobblers who can't stay in their lane, but then those are people you want to get away from anyway.
Based on distracted driving statistics, it probably doesn't hurt to assume that nobody else on the road is paying any attention to what they're doing, unless you can actually see otherwise.
Also, if you're not comfortable going slightly fater than traffic in the left lane, then you can always stick to the right lane, but keep in mind the fact that you then have to keep your eyes peeled for people getting on and off the highway.
As for the 401/400/etc. I had a laugh the other day. Some car cut me off right as we were passing under one of those WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES! signs. Haha! That's about right for Toronto.
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green_ninja
Well-known member
it is with some older carburetor bikes
I think im just gonna try to advoid traffic hours. Saves me alot of problems. Its funny because I wasnt in his blind spot. I was right where his mirror is on the right side is. These r the times I wish i had a helm mount on.
Try to avoid the middle to right lanes, to many people merging on and off. Some idiots cut across three lanes because they forgot where their exit is or just get frustrated with traffic and decide its time to get off in a hurry, others don't know what an acceleration lane is for and can't merge onto the highway properly. Left most lane in the express is what I find safest, you wont have to worry about going fast if it's rush hour, and just ignore the idiots behind you who think they can force 2000 cars to change lanes in rush hour because it's the 'fast lane'. Once traffic eases, either ride the appropriate speed or move over...
Or just avoid it altogether, it sucks holding your clutch in constantly, cooking in the heat, getting soaked in the rain.....
Or just avoid it altogether, it sucks holding your clutch in constantly, cooking in the heat, getting soaked in the rain.....
Riding in general is a bad idea. Don't do it.
