Riding local = safer

[Roomie]

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I enjoy speeding past an armada of pirates on my bike when they're travelling 15 km/h below the speed limit.

That's what riding around forks of the credit/belfountain is for. Passing the parades of people on their huge ill handling cruisers who think the roads belong to them and it's ok to do 15 under.

 

[mikbusa]

Yes, riding in the GTA is totally the safest area of all.

 

[19891989]

Ya so safe to ride locally....I've had more close calls within the last two weeks than this entire season combined with last season.. it's like lately people aren't looking at all when they drive even more than before...like really...when did they start handing out licenses to the blind?

 

[ZX600]

[video=youtube;z5Otla5157c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Otla5157c[/video]

 

[Roomie]

Ya so safe to ride locally....I've had more close calls within the last two weeks than this entire season combined with last season.. it's like lately people aren't looking at all when they drive even more than before...like really...when did they start handing out licenses to the blind?

Since the beginning it's just now there's more and more of them in the gta.

 

[RedDogDarren]

How do I knock some sense into this guy?

Spinning back fist. It looks cool and should surprise him with just enough sense. Smile and say hello so you catch him by surprise.

 

[TorontoBoy]

Technically your friend is correct, but only because there have been no recent studies on motorcycle traffic fatalities that even resemble the 1981 Hurt report, which is now dated and US-based. From a physics viewpoint injuries at lower speeds result in less force used, theoretically resulting in reduced injuries. There is some logic to this, but life and traffic experience trumps theory and logic.

We know different due to personal experience and empirical evidence. For further convincing come to Scarborough, where many 60kph roads I feel are very dangerous. Only a bad experience or two will convince your friend, unfortunately. Still, he does need help. If you feel you can help him and he does not ride like an idiot I would still ride with him. Accept him as he is and be there to pick out the rocks from his rash when he needs help. There is more complexity to riding strategy than the simplistic "Go slow and stay to the right".

...He also refuses to spend money on proper riding pants. He wears jeans and running shoes. When I commented on the gear, he once again said it's OK he rides slow...

A skin graft will change his mind. There is nothing else for you to do.

 

[Arkay]

Riding local around the same roads all the time would get very boring after awhile..

 

[MacDoc]

I could probably keep myself amused for a good long while ridng these locally

sort of depends on the "locality"

 

[MHY]

I am a relatvely new rider and also an older rider (50,s). This year I rode more extensively at least for me, up to Haliburton and Collingwood were my big rides. I find riding the roads in the GTA, while I agree are dangerous, it does force me to be more alert and attentive. I am looking everywhere for any hint of where a problem may occur and take appropriate action. Even with that I had some, what I consider to be, close encounters. Everytime I would think thats my fault, I missed it I was not paying proper attention, and try to learn from it. I think you may let your guard down somewhat if all you ride are empty clean roads and when you hit roads like the GTA you are mentally unprepared and run into trouble. Also, I generally ride about 5-9km above the limit, on some of those 80km limit single lane highways I had cars and motorcycles as well, passing me like I was standing still which was scary. In summary, in my opinion riding more dangerous roads like the GTA I beleive helps keep me sharp and alert, it makes me a better rider for any situation.

 

[woobie]

Get your buddy near a computer and show him some of the touring threads, or video's from Deals Gap, the BRP etc etc etc. There's so many great places to go on two wheels that staying "local" seems so very wrong.

 

[-D-]

Get your buddy near a computer and show him some of the touring threads, or video's from Deals Gap, the BRP etc etc etc. There's so many great places to go on two wheels that staying "local" seems so very wrong.

Please do NOT do that.
It is safer for all if he just rides up and down Yonge Street.

 

[sunny_pines]

Technically your friend is correct, but only because there have been no recent studies on motorcycle traffic fatalities that even resemble the 1981 Hurt report, which is now dated and US-based. From a physics viewpoint injuries at lower speeds result in less force used, theoretically resulting in reduced injuries. There is some logic to this, but life and traffic experience trumps theory and logic.

A more recent study was done in Europe: http://www.maids-study.eu

It's a very different set of roads and mentalities than what we have here, but when Americans read it, they decided it's good enough to skip making a fresh study of their own. Will have to suffice for now.

 

[Baggsy]

"Lots of riders are killed or injured by left turning cars."

Where did you get that from?

 

[Griffin]

"Lots of riders are killed or injured by left turning cars."

Where did you get that from?

C'mon Baggsy, "everyone knows" that. It can NEVER be the rider's fault when they crash.

 

[Spewgore]

I don't get any of this. Either you ride a bike or you don't. It's not a jet ski or a boat or a snowmobile. It should not be used as some sort of toy to ride on for fun. I feel the same about cars. You have a license, you can drive all vehicles within that class at any time on any road in any weather. Same goes for your bike. Besides the physical operation of the vehicle and some lane position techniques, it's just driving. People who think it's any different should not be riding. I think you'll find your buddy is a sketchy driver even in a car.

 

[MacDoc]

It should not be used as some sort of toy to ride on for fun.

hunh.....in Ontario in particular it's expensive fun and for most an expensive and unneeded toy.
If you need a vehicle you don't need a bike.

It's driven for fun and enjoyment not "practicality" ....as it's not tho my Burgman comes close.

 

[Spewgore]

Sure it's fun to ride, but to say it's blatantly for the fun is not true for many people. There are many practical reasons to ride. Simply transportation alone is reason enough. If I don't need to carry a bunch of stuff, I'm riding, no matter where I'm going. I'm not riding just to see the autumn leaves on a Sunny Sunday or out pretending I'm Rickey Racer leaning into all the turns between home and Tim Hortons. I'm riding because I enjoy it as a machine to ride.

My point is, you have a license which does not specify times of day or weather or certain roads. If you can't ride under the conditions of the license in your pocket then don't ride. Same goes for a car. I hear people talk about not being able to drive on the highways or in winter, ridiculous.

 

[Spewgore]

I guess I was trying to saying it's not a machine in the class of recreational vehicle like an ATV or whatnot. I can see how my saying "not to be used for fun" was misleading.

 

[HELLBOY]

All I've gathered from the OP's original post is that his buddy:

- wears jeans and shoes instead of riding gear below the waist
- believes that he is safer on local roads

So he has an opinion on this, and you guys are vilifying him? Not sure what the guy did wrong... at least he has a desire to be safe.

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