5000 miles and two years in, First Accident Story

[ajcadoo]

Riding since Feb 2012, with 5000 miles under my belt. Yesterday was my first accident.

Lane splitting west on Washington through Culver City, CA during morning rush hour after my 35 mile commute. Just two blocks away from work. When all of a sudden, as I am coasting between the two lanes of dead stopped traffic at 20MPH, I notice an Infiniti eeking its way through a small gap of cars in the left lane, trying to turn left from opposing traffic. Its path perpendicular to mine.

I brake hard, lock the front wheel, skidding, front end drops out, skid a foot or two to a stop, nearly damaging the BMW SUV on my right as the bike drops.

Right leg somewhat pinned, but easily comes out. Get up without much pain other than a skinned right ankle, deployed the kickstand, and tried to pickup the bike using the back on the seat, squat technique. Too heavy. Business man gets out of car to help. Bike up.

Other witnesses get out of car to check up on me. Felt unusually happy that cagers were so nice; LA rush hour cagers no less.

Bike won't start. Shift to neutral. Push to the side. Infiniti driver apologizes. BMW SUV driver assures me there was no damage to his car without the friendly, "Are you OK?"



As you can see in the photo above, the road is two lanes on each side with random, small center turn lanes between large tree planter medians. Could the overgrown trees contributed to both of our lack of visibility? It is a distinct possibility.

Damage report: Right blinker sheered off. Probably glueable. Need new bulb.
Scratches on right fairings, decals, brake lever and a massive crack on the left fairing! Seems as though the force was transferred to the left side of the bike somehow. Steering felt very slightly off center but it could be my brain playing tricks.

Gear report: was wearing leather/textile overpants and some motorcycle boots. Definitely saved my leg from burn or deeper damage. Still useable.

Bike report: Got the bike started after some throttling during startup. The gas tank tipped on the side probably flooded the engine. Just needed more oxygen.

Who's fault: Nobody's. Conditions made it so we both could not see each other. Gaps between dead stopped traffic can be VERY deceiving. A car 5 feet wide can fit into a 6 foot gap and I couldnt see that gap until it was too late.

I guess you could say my fault since I was splitting lanes, which is dangerous by itself, but I still consider it to be nobody's faults except the conditions.

What I learned: Use the rear brake. I didn't use any engine braking or rear brake to stop. It was 100% front brake. I am now consistently covering my rear brake at all times, something that a 6' 2" guy has trouble doing on these 250s.

[menikmati]

Good to see your analysis and that you were left uninjured.

I thought you would've had a lot more miles within the past 2 years.

[jefe305]

I'm 6 feet 125 pounds (I know super skinny) and I can lift my bike up pretty easily I found that lifting it up with an underhand dead lift technique is easier than the squat technique.
What kind of boots were you wearing? because since my last accident where I broke my ankle I'm looking for boots with the best ankle protection.

[rasta]

Sorry to hear about your accident . For what it's worth, 5k miles in 2 years isn't really that much at all.

You sure it wasn't anybody's fault?

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html

1) Travel at a speed that is no more than 10 MPH faster than other traffic – danger increases at higher speed differentials.

I understand the situation, cars turning in the middle of tons of traffic can be VERY hard to see. That said, if you followed the CHP Guidelines for lane splitting, I think this accident would have been avoided. Much easier to emergency brake w/o locking up when you're traveling at 10 mph versus 20

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

............I brake hard, lock the front wheel, skidding, front end drops out, skid a foot or two to a stop............

Practice this during your next 5K miles:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=114555

It is great that you are well and that the bike is repairable,

[csmith12]

Glad your ok.

[ez12a]

glad to hear you're OK.

I see this same thing coming back home during rush hour. If i'm lane splitting in that situation i definitely slow down and also blip my horn a few times to let the driver know i'm coming through and have the right of way.

Had you collided with the infiniti they would be at fault. What he was doing is illegal despite drivers stopping and letting him through for the very reason you nearly hit him. Either peds, bicycle, or a lane splitting cycle could still be coming through.

[Klondike1020]

Learning experience ...
and you took some knowledge from it

[Han Solo 1]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

Riding since Feb 2012, with 5000 miles under my belt. Yesterday was my first accident.

Lane splitting

This is where I stopped reading. Let me guess, some guy pulled out in your path and you crashed or braked too hard and crashed?

Reason why I never lane split. Yes, it's a hassle having to wait along with everyone else, but at least I won't get my head split open.

Judging by the fact you're posting your experience, I'm sure you are ok/almost ok. Glad to hear you're alive.

[DEFY]

Good to hear your not injured badly. Also good to hear that you found this to be a learning experience. Time to fix what needs done and jump right back on.

[alex.s]

congratulations, welcome to the club.

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

This is where I stopped reading. Let me guess, some guy pulled out in your path and you crashed or braked too hard and crashed?

Reason why I never lane split. Yes, it's a hassle having to wait along with everyone else, but at least I won't get my head split open.

Judging by the fact you're posting your experience, I'm sure you are ok/almost ok. Glad to hear you're alive.

People say the same **** about motorcycling in general. It's all about doing it responsibly and mitigating the risks. I've easily done a many times more miles than that with plenty of lane splitting in the crazy Bay Area traffic and never crashed. I don't even recall many close calls simply because I ride in a way that leaves enough room to deal with "unexpected" drivers without needing emergency maneuvers.

Hell, I've been lane splitting in my commute almost daily without even a horn or working high beams for 3 or 4 months now and found that I haven't needed them at all to keep me safe. In the few instances where I found myself wanting to use the horn, it would've solely been to make me feel better after the fact and wouldn't have changed the situation because I would have already dealt with it in the way I was riding.

[Han Solo 1]

Originally Posted by tfkrocks

People say the same **** about motorcycling in general. It's all about doing it responsibly and mitigating the risks. I've easily done a many times more miles than that with plenty of lane splitting in the crazy Bay Area traffic and never crashed. I don't even recall many close calls simply because I ride in a way that leaves enough room to deal with "unexpected" drivers without needing emergency maneuvers.

Hell, I've been lane splitting in my commute almost daily without even a horn or working high beams for 3 or 4 months now and found that I haven't needed them at all to keep me safe. In the few instances where I found myself wanting to use the horn, it would've solely been to make me feel better after the fact and wouldn't have changed the situation because I would have already dealt with it in the way I was riding.

If I'm such as ass, tell me I'm wrong about my assumption. If a car in the way or hard braking was not to blame, then I'm an idiot. If it was, I simply called it.

Thousands lane split without incident. Doesn't mean it's safe. Thousands of people also meet up for screws with complete strangers based off Craigslist ads, too, but that doesn't mean it's safe either.

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

If I'm such as ass, tell me I'm wrong about my assumption. If a car in the way or hard braking was not to blame, then I'm an idiot. If it was, I simply called it.

Thousands lane split without incident. Doesn't mean it's safe. Thousands of people also meet up for screws with complete strangers based off Craigslist ads, too, but that doesn't mean it's safe either.

I'm saying that riding differently could have prevented it altogether, ie. predicting the possibility of a car pushing into an opening or riding slower so that regular braking would have been enough. Riders already need to be extra vigilant in predicting motorist actions on the road. Lane-splitting just requires an even higher level of vigilance.

Tons of people ride motorcycles without dying and that doesn't make it safe either, yet most stay out of trouble with good riding habits. The same applies to lane-splitting. If it's not for you, that's fine, but there's no need to knock it for those who do lane-split.

[ez12a]

has OP taken MSF? they cover 20 to 0 emergency brake situations and test on it too.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by menikmati

Good to see your analysis and that you were left uninjured.

I thought you would've had a lot more miles within the past 2 years.

Before this 70 mile commute, my commutes were 5 miles round trip. I also have a car that I use about 40% of the time too.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by jefe305

I'm 6 feet 125 pounds (I know super skinny) and I can lift my bike up pretty easily I found that lifting it up with an underhand dead lift technique is easier than the squat technique.
What kind of boots were you wearing? because since my last accident where I broke my ankle I'm looking for boots with the best ankle protection.

I think I was weak since I was so shaken up.

Alpinestars Fastlane Shoes

Love em! Comfortable. Wear them all day, 13+ hours and feel fantastic.

I don't know if they could have protected me in a more major accident, but they definitely helped for this accident.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by rasta

Sorry to hear about your accident . For what it's worth, 5k miles in 2 years isn't really that much at all.

You sure it wasn't anybody's fault?

http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html



I understand the situation, cars turning in the middle of tons of traffic can be VERY hard to see. That said, if you followed the CHP Guidelines for lane splitting, I think this accident would have been avoided. Much easier to emergency brake w/o locking up when you're traveling at 10 mph versus 20

Very good point. 20MPH is a guess based on how far I skid. It was a decent skid distance, at least a car length. I wasn't looking at the speedo though of course.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Practice this during your next 5K miles:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=114555

It is great that you are well and that the bike is repairable,

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out!

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by ez12a

glad to hear you're OK.

I see this same thing coming back home during rush hour. If i'm lane splitting in that situation i definitely slow down and also blip my horn a few times to let the driver know i'm coming through and have the right of way.

Had you collided with the infiniti they would be at fault. What he was doing is illegal despite drivers stopping and letting him through for the very reason you nearly hit him. Either peds, bicycle, or a lane splitting cycle could still be coming through.

Had the Infiniti not done that, he would have sat there all morning. The cars were lined up for at least a half mile. But this is good to know. Makes sense.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

This is where I stopped reading. Let me guess, some guy pulled out in your path and you crashed or braked too hard and crashed?

Reason why I never lane split. Yes, it's a hassle having to wait along with everyone else, but at least I won't get my head split open.

Judging by the fact you're posting your experience, I'm sure you are ok/almost ok. Glad to hear you're alive.

Link to original page on YouTube.

I'd rather have control of avoiding hazards in front of me than potentially becoming rear ended while waiting at a signal.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by ez12a

has OP taken MSF? they cover 20 to 0 emergency brake situations and test on it too.

Yes. But just the beginners course. I utilized both brakes during MSF which I didnt do in this real world scenario. Plus I panicked and grabbed that front brake way too hard and fast.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out!

You are welcome

[80MPHdownhill]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

Thousands lane split without incident. Doesn't mean it's safe. Thousands of people also meet up for screws with complete strangers based off Craigslist ads, too, but that doesn't mean it's safe either.

Agreed!

Thousands also ride motorcycles, too, but that doesn't mean it's safe either.

Lane splitting, per se, is not unsafe. Done in a sensible way, there's no doubt it can make motorcycling safer. There's no question about that.

Done incorrectly or irresponsibly, though, yeah, it is unsafe.

[rasta]

If people didn't do things because they were unsafe, nobody would skydive, hunt, downhill ski, water ski, start fires, or ride horses. But people do all of those things quite frequently. There are certain things that are inherently dangerous, but they all have specific guidelines in place to minimize the danger.

Here are the Cliff Notes to the CHP Lane Splitting Guidelines:

1. Travel at a speed that is no more than 10 MPH faster than other traffic.
   
2. It is not advisable to lane split when traffic flow is at 30 mph or faster.
   
3. Typically, it is safer to split between the #1 and #2 lanes than between other lanes.
   
4. Consider the total environment in which you are splitting, including the width of the lanes, size of surrounding vehicles, as well as roadway, weather, and lighting conditions.
   
5. Be alert and anticipate possible movements by other road users.

Although tons of accidents occur when motorcyclists lane split, I'd bet the overwhelming majority of them happen because the rider didn't follow one or more of these guidelines.

In this case it seems like the OP followed just 2 of them. IMO, he failed to follow numbers 1, 4, and 5, with the latter 2 being the most critical. OP was splitting through bumper-to-bumper traffic...down a city street. I don't work there, but looking at the map, even I can tell that street probably has tons of potential left turners. Also, if OP would have split at 10 mph, he likely would have been able to brake in time. It takes 36 ft. to stop from a speed of 20 mph, but only 13 ft. to stop from 10 mph.

Hope you didn't find this too harsh @ajcadoo, I just wanted you to keep those guidelines in mind next time you lane split. You're doing yourself a disservice by being so sure nobody was at fault.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

1)This is where I stopped reading. Let me guess, some guy pulled out in your path and you crashed or braked too hard and crashed?

2)Reason why I never lane split. Yes, it's a hassle having to wait along with everyone else, but at least I won't get my head split open.

Judging by the fact you're posting your experience, I'm sure you are ok/almost ok. Glad to hear you're alive.

1) This is where I shot you down

2) That's where the choice is between will I split & risk running into the back/side of something or will I sit & risk being the meat in a truck sandwich. your call

OP: 5k in 2 years is not a lot of mileage, get some more miles under your belt, adjust your speed to the conditions, practise your hard stops & cover the horn when splitting.

Some proper bike boots (not shoes) would be worth the investment too, you got away lucky with only a skinned ankle if the bike pinned it.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by rasta

If people didn't do things because they were unsafe, nobody would skydive, hunt, downhill ski, water ski, start fires, or ride horses. But people do all of those things quite frequently. There are certain things that are inherently dangerous, but they all have specific guidelines in place to minimize the danger.

Here are the Cliff Notes to the CHP Lane Splitting Guidelines:

1. Travel at a speed that is no more than 10 MPH faster than other traffic.
   
2. It is not advisable to lane split when traffic flow is at 30 mph or faster.
   
3. Typically, it is safer to split between the #1 and #2 lanes than between other lanes.
   
4. Consider the total environment in which you are splitting, including the width of the lanes, size of surrounding vehicles, as well as roadway, weather, and lighting conditions.
   
5. Be alert and anticipate possible movements by other road users.

Although tons of accidents occur when motorcyclists lane split, I'd bet the overwhelming majority of them happen because the rider didn't follow one or more of these guidelines.

In this case it seems like the OP followed just 2 of them. IMO, he failed to follow numbers 1, 4, and 5, with the latter 2 being the most critical. OP was splitting through bumper-to-bumper traffic...down a city street. I don't work there, but looking at the map, even I can tell that street probably has tons of potential left turners. Also, if OP would have split at 10 mph, he likely would have been able to brake in time. It takes 36 ft. to stop from a speed of 20 mph, but only 13 ft. to stop from 10 mph.

Hope you didn't find this too harsh @ajcadoo, I just wanted you to keep those guidelines in mind next time you lane split. You're doing yourself a disservice by being so sure nobody was at fault.

I respect your opinion but the conditions of the situation caused the accident. And with your stat of 36feet to stop at 20MPH, I know I was much slower. I skid about a car length. <15 feet. I was probably around the 15MPH range, still a little fast, I acknowledge, but no where near 20MPH. Again, the 20MPH number was a vague estimate that completely came off the top of my head based on what I assume I usually split at. To be honest, I NEVER look at my speedo when splitting, for obvious reasons.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

1) This is where I shot you down

2) That's where the choice is between will I split & risk running into the back/side of something or will I sit & risk being the meat in a truck sandwich. your call

OP: 5k in 2 years is not a lot of mileage, get some more miles under your belt, adjust your speed to the conditions, practise your hard stops & cover the horn when splitting.

Some proper bike boots (not shoes) would be worth the investment too, you got away lucky with only a skinned ankle if the bike pinned it.

Is the horn an effective splitting tool? It's not very loud, and usually cagers can't hear it until you are directly next to the driver's window or in front of the car. Plus, my Two Bros exhaust is LOUD. My horn is nearly ineffective with the exhaust.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

Is the horn an effective splitting tool? It's not very loud, and usually cagers can't hear it until you are directly next to the driver's window or in front of the car. Plus, my Two Bros exhaust is LOUD. My horn is nearly ineffective with the exhaust.

Pipe projects most sound backwards, horn projects it forwards.

You've a wall of cars on each side funnelling the pipe's noise backwards & the horn's noise forwards, you are moving forwards so the pipe isn't really heard far ahead.

It's a useful last resort when you're hard on the brakes, the natural reaction is to stop if you're doing something & you get a beep.

That may be the difference between you slamming into it & you braking hard but still going through where that cage would have been.

If some is blaring music they may not hear it, but that's life.

[rasta]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

I respect your opinion but the conditions of the situation caused the accident.

If that makes you feel better, then go ahead and keep believing it

[cbinker]

that is not a freeway, should not be lane splitting. too many intersections.

[Han Solo 1]

Originally Posted by 80MPHdownhill

Agreed!

Thousands also ride motorcycles, too, but that doesn't mean it's safe either.

Lane splitting, per se, is not unsafe. Done in a sensible way, there's no doubt it can make motorcycling safer. There's no question about that.

Done incorrectly or irresponsibly, though, yeah, it is unsafe.

I think this post is the most balanced and sensible so far on the subject.

[250rr]

Notice: Thread Highjack: I so wish Oregon would get its head out of its and make lane splitting legal.

You may continue. Thank you for your patience.

[Han Solo 1]

How can I upvote or downvote a post?

[NevadaWolf]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

How can I upvote or downvote a post?

Relevant thread: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=134492

[Han Solo 1]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

How can I upvote or downvote a post?

Whoever downvoted this post is a bastard.

[csmith12]

First rule about fight club is we never talk about fight club.

[Han Solo 1]

Originally Posted by Han Solo 1

Whoever downvoted this post is a bastard.

lol

You guys suck

[Han Solo 1]

stop it dammit. bastards