Nearly taken out by Action

miz said :

I agree about the head check – I am simply saying that for self-preservation, motorcyclists should not assume the driver in front will do this, particularly when the motorist in front has ‘not seen’ the motorcyclist for several kms.

So how recently was it that you nearly ran over someone?

qbngeek said :

miz said :

Could I add another tip for motorcyclists: please don’t cruise along in the blind spot of the car in front. They cannot actually see you there.

Try turning your head and checking the blind spot without the mirrors. Thats how I was taught and it is something that is monitored in the NSW test and you can get failed for not doing it enough. It has worked for me for 15 years and I always manage to spot cars and motorbikes in the mirror blind spots.

When I was doing the stay upright course to get my bike L’s, we were hammered with the concept that if you are on a bike and cannot see the face of the motorist in their side/rear view mirror, then the motorist cannot see you. They really pushed this point hard. If you get hit by said motorist because you did not put yourself where you can be seen by people around you, then it is your own fault for having sh!t roadcraft skills.

I agree about the head check – I am simply saying that for self-preservation, motorcyclists should not assume the driver in front will do this, particularly when the motorist in front has ‘not seen’ the motorcyclist for several kms.

Yes, the head-check, which is drilled into every motorcyclist as a key survival technique is ignored by 87%* of motorists. Hell, 46% * don’t even use their blinkers.

* all statistics used in this post are made up.

miz said :

Could I add another tip for motorcyclists: please don’t cruise along in the blind spot of the car in front. They cannot actually see you there.

Try turning your head and checking the blind spot without the mirrors. Thats how I was taught and it is something that is monitored in the NSW test and you can get failed for not doing it enough. It has worked for me for 15 years and I always manage to spot cars and motorbikes in the mirror blind spots.

No one’s perfect. Glad you came out intact. Good defensive driving on your part.

Some good advice in the original article.

I got stuck a few weeks ago in Fyshwick when an Action bus decided to queue across a busy intersection instead of giving way. I understand that driving a bus in traffic must be difficult, but the rules are there for a reason.

Another thing to remember for riders is that you’re probably a bit safer if you don’t ride down between lanes of queued up traffic to get to the front of the lights at an intersection.

The other week I saw a bike on Northbourne ave swerve from the right lane to the far left lane without indicating and narrowly avoiding 2 buses.

So it’s not always Action at fault when it comes to some motorcyclists.

Pork Hunt said :

On a slightly related note. Are there any plans by ACT Gov to mimic the new lane filtering laws for motorcycles in NSW which will come into force on July 1st?

I saw a police post on another site along the lines of ‘watch this space’

TAMSMediaRoom said :

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. If you would like to make a report so that we can investigate the incident please visit the ACTION website customer service page http://www.action.act.gov.au/About_ACTION/customer_service or call ACTION on 13 17 10. Thanks.

Thank you. Also a word to bus riders too, if you see something odd from the inside, you’ve got your regulars so you’ll have some idea who’s who (and in rare cases some motion sickness… but having said that, most drivers are alright, and a few are wonderful, so hello smooth friendly drivers out there!).