With respect to the fallen riders posts | GTAMotorcycle.com

With respect to the fallen riders posts

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nobbie48

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Innisfil hit and run

https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/image-released-of-vehicle-believed-to-be-involved-in-innisfil-hit-and-run-1.5974871 Black ford escape veers into oncoming lane, motorcyclist forced into ditch to avoid collision and is seriously injured. Police need public's help to identify driver.
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I had a better outcome when the same thing happened to me on #5 sideroad. I was able to take to the shoulder without incident.

In this case the rider was less fortunate.

Was there contact between the car and bike? If not what charges could be laid as it would technically be a single vehicle crash.

Some minor charge of careless driving would be thrown at the driver.
 
As we don’t know whether the Escape for doing a pass of another car or maliciously trying to run the car off the road…or just simple texting and driving I don’t think there’s much to charge the driver with that would stick.

It’s a very unfortunate incident and scares me to realize that we are inches from death separated by an imaginary line.
 
I'm not sure whether the law uses the phrase hit and run literally, or if it applies even when no contact was made.

It's also possible the car made a slight swerve to avoid a pothote or roadkill or something, and didn't actually leave their lane, but the rider still got spooked and swerved into the ditch (not suggesting that happened here, just that it's one possibility). Without witnesses or camera evidence, it's a he-said she-said and I doubt the driver can be charged unless they say something incriminating. It's a good idea to install a dash cam on your bike.
 
I recall we lost one of our prominent GTAM members many years ago in a similar situation where I think the driver either nodded off or was looking at their phone. This is something I watch out for but really have no way to defend against.

I've had cars come at me in my lane (when either riding or driving) too many times to count when they cross the center line to pass bicyclists. Yes, they need to leave 1m clearance, but that doesn't mean you ignore what's coming at you in the oncoming lane!!!
 
Relax said:
I recall we lost one of our prominent GTAM members many years ago in a similar situation where I think the driver either nodded off or was looking at their phone. This is something I watch out for but really have no way to defend against.

I've had cars come at me in my lane (when either riding or driving) too many times to count when they cross the center line to pass bicyclists. Yes, they need to leave 1m clearance, but that doesn't mean you ignore what's coming at you in the oncoming lane!!!
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Drivers not looking far enough ahead is the biggest fail I see on the GTA roads.

Never fails to amaze me how oblivious the average person is. “Oh **** I need to brake and swerve to the shoulder.” What the 1km of brake lights that started in every lane ahead of you 20seconds ago wasn’t a clue of things to come????
 
Relax said:
I recall we lost one of our prominent GTAM members many years ago in a similar situation where I think the driver either nodded off or was looking at their phone. This is something I watch out for but really have no way to defend against.
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Were you thinking of Liz or someone else? Her sticker is on the front of my toolbox. A constant reminder of how close we are to the other side even if we try to do everything we can to survive.
 
It's amazing how much BS bad driving you see while on the bike. But when I am in my car not as much. Any country roads I do no ride as close to the yellow line like some riders do. Because people can't drive friggin straight, never mind see you. I constantly see drives swerving into the oncoming lanes. Also small consecutive hills where a vehicle cannot be seen looking ahead, when I crest a hill I move over slightly. I've also see cars come over on the opposite side, again too close to centre.

As for the topic in question sounds like both very unfortunate circumstances probably by the driver, maybe being impatient and thinking they could pass, the rider having to react to this and road conditions not allowing a safe exit.

It's too bad we can't get more details on these situations as it would be helpful. Also too bad our laws don't protect us enough and send a message to drivers this kind of behaviour has serious consequences.
 
Relax said:
I've had cars come at me in my lane (when either riding or driving) too many times to count when they cross the center line to pass bicyclists. Yes, they need to leave 1m clearance, but that doesn't mean you ignore what's coming at you in the oncoming lane!!!
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Exactly, other lanes passing cyclists are the worse, pass when it's safe to do so, not just because you think you have the right of way.
 
GreyGhost said:
Were you thinking of Liz or someone else? Her sticker is on the front of my toolbox. A constant reminder of how close we are to the other side even if we try to do everything we can to survive.
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That one shook me hard.
She was a good rider, a safety advocate and knew what she was doing.
It’s easy to brush off a collision that involves someone riding like an idiot or running from the cops, but this one hit different.
All I could think was ‘if this happened to her, this could happen to anyone.’
I took about a month off of riding and seriously contemplated giving up street riding altogether.
 
sburns said:
Exactly, other lanes passing cyclists are the worse, pass when it's safe to do so, not just because you think you have the right of way.
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People seem to have a natural tendency to have all three vehicles coincide.
They will speed up or slow down to make it happen, subconsciously.
I try to keep this in mind when I pass bicycles.
 
Dwelling on what ifs is a dangerous slippery slope mentally as risks are everywhere not just from riding.
Only you can weigh the risks for you but I do know your skills get rusty real fast.
Yeah - you don't lose the ability to ride...you do lose the ability to ride safely as much is reflexive and muscle memory.
My biggest concern has always been being hit from behind and I still leave an exit and distance...not so easy for you in the GTA mess.

Cairns region drivers are pretty decent in sticking to lanes etc and there is excellent bicycle lanes that are available for motorcycle filtering.
Part of it is cops are hard nosed on ANY speeding and cameras are common. $269 for 14 over and 3 points.
 
MacDoc said:
Dwelling on what ifs is a dangerous slippery slope mentally as risks are everywhere not just from riding.
Only you can weigh the risks for you but I do know your skills get rusty real fast.
Yeah - you don't lose the ability to ride...you do lose the ability to ride safely as much is reflexive and muscle memory.
My biggest concern has always been being hit from behind and I still leave an exit and distance...not so easy for you in the GTA mess.
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In heavy traffic, I try to pick someone behind me that seems to pay attention and leave some space (bonus points if they are heavy). I'll change lanes or work my way through the field to find someone that seems worthy.
 
GreyGhost said:
In heavy traffic, I try to pick someone behind me that seems to pay attention and leave some space (bonus points if they are heavy). I'll change lanes or work my way through the field to find someone that seems worthy.
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Sometimes a blocker works very well. Especially through intersections. I don't mind following someone who drives at a decent speed more then being followed by an idiot.
 
sburns said:
Sometimes a blocker works very well. Especially through intersections. I don't mind following someone who drives at a decent speed more then being followed by an idiot.
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When I go toward intersections I actually speed up to be closer to a blocker and ride fairly close behind them...close enough that the left / right turners wouldn't have time to do their turn b/w me and the blocker.
 
mimico_polak said:
When I go toward intersections I actually speed up to be closer to a blocker and ride fairly close behind them...close enough that the left / right turners wouldn't have time to do their turn b/w me and the blocker.
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You haven't had someone stop suddenly for a green light yet, I'll bet.
 
Baggsy said:
You haven't had someone stop suddenly for a green light yet, I'll bet.
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If I'm doing that, I am offset a lot. If they stop, I have room beside them (which then leaves me open to the left-turner assuming I can't get stopped by the front of the car but if I can't get stopped in a few car lengths, I have made many mistakes.
 
Baggsy said:
You haven't had someone stop suddenly for a green light yet, I'll bet.
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Oh I have, but I stay off to the side so I can go around them in a worst case scenario. And I'm not riding their bumper, just close enough to not give someone space / time to do the maneuver. Maybe I'm not explaining it correctly.
 
Baggsy said:
You haven't had someone stop suddenly for a green light yet, I'll bet.
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Does this happen to you guys. Say you roll up on stale red so it's gonna changed soon. There are 2-3 cars waiting, so you gear down, and creep up behind the last car slowly so you don't have to put you foot down, turns green...they don't move for 2 secs, cars ahead gone...
happens enough to me....(hate that chit)
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