I've seen a lot of bad stuff over the years, and (as a life long biker) the incidents and images that impacted at the time, and now are most readily recalled are those where no blame could be attributed to the rider, or an indiscretion or minor lack of judgement resulted in a life changing injury to a motorcyclist, which in a car would have been a "Prang" discussed over a pint. One such incident was a (rush hour) RTA car v motorbike, of all places in the queue of traffic embarking onto The (Thames)Woolwich Ferry, the young sports bike rider braked so reflexively hard actually "Stoppied" and received full force to his spine.
The motorist was jumping the queue, the thud I actually felt, it was all at low speed, and the images are burnt into my brain from the CCTV I viewed many times at the site. The last event I nearly witnessed, I literally was the first bike on scene, smoke in the air wheels still spinning close. I had my hands full and was wondering what the group of people were doing in the hedgerow 30 metres up the road? This turned out to be his female pillion passenger, who survived him, but sadly lost her unborn baby. Rider not to blame. Most of the fatal or serious motorcycle accidents I was involved in often involved a lone rider who ran out of talent, and killed himself with little inconvenience to anyone, other than his Mum. My view is probably biased, but I have never liked the bad press motorcyclist have had over many years now, which has gelled into the public psyche, and unfortunately many Policemen who have grown up in this culture have now ascended on promotion to a "Policy Maker". Historically using sledgehammer to crack a nut strategies, and targeting a group of society, which would cause questions to be asked in The House, if say, owners of sports cars were treated equally. However, I'm pleased to see the Think Bike campaigns, and rider education, Bike Safe et al, but those most at risk are still in denial, and that little fat Twat (yeah you) who did my 80 year old Father in law on his trike for 36 in a 30! Other than insult you I'm lost for words. Except, maybe Use your power wisely Young-bloods and Old Plods and Old Tossers take a newbie under your wing, and show him how to have fun and make progress, SAFELY (watch out for that fat Twat of course). Fly the flag proudly for those who ride, don't be a Dick, lets try to change attitudes before the Eurocrats castrate us with motorcycle legislation, and young men will have to find other ways to kill themselves (and fat Twat get an erection). Speed (doesn't always) kill.
