Text 22497, 63 rader
Skriven 2011-09-29 21:23:02 av BOB KLAHN (1:135/382)
     Kommentar till en text av ROBERT BASHE
Ärende: Guest Editorial
=======================
 ...

BK>> Motor Scooters are more dangerous IMO. They are less stable.

 RB> True, because of the smaller wheels. They have less
 RB> stability. However, they are also slower and at least here
 RB> in Germany, are mainly used for city traffic rather than
 RB> highways. The main advantage is that they're easy to ride
 RB> for people with short legs and small muscles (like me).

 Now that part I never thought about.

 ...

BK>> A motor cycle is as safe as a bicycle at the same speed, only the
BK>> cycle is capable of much more speed.

 RB> And much faster acceleration. A "typical" motorcycle
 RB> accident here goed like this: the car in front is slow, the
 RB> cycle wants to pass, makes a signal and opens up the gas.
 RB> The cycle shoots ahead with the same kind of acceleration
 RB> you'd get from a Ferrari at full gas - and at the same
 RB> time, the car in front suddenly turns left (often without a
 RB> signal) and the cycle slams into the driver's side
 RB> broadside.

 Or, often, the car driver just runs a red light and doesn't even
 notice the motorcycle who has the right of way.

 RB> Another "typical" scenario is when a car and a cycle
 RB> approach a crossing from opposite directions and the car
 RB> (generally without a signal) turns left in front of the
 RB> cycle, which proceeds to slam into the passenger side of
 RB> the car. The car driver usually claims he/she "didn't see"
 RB> the cycle, although these are legally required to drive
 RB> with lights on even in the daytime in Germany.

 A fellow I used to work with had that happen. Same excuse.

 RB> The "typical" bicycle accident happens when a car parks on
 RB> the side of the road and a bicycle path stretches along the
 RB> road to the right of the car. Then someone whips open the
 RB> passenger door without looking back and a bicycle coming
 RB> along the path slams into the opened door, usually injuring
 RB> the bicycle rider, sometimes severely.

 Now that one is new to me.

 ...

 RB> My experience is that it's generally careless, inattentive
 RB> car drivers rather then "motorcycle rowdies" who cause such
 RB> accidents. Most people driving cars are simply "trained" to
 RB> pay attention to other cars, and don't really "see"
 RB> anything else.

 My experience also.

BOB KLAHN bob.klahn@sev.org   http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn

... "all the world's economists, laid end-to-end, could not reach a conclusion"
--- Via Silver Xpress V4.5/P [Reg]
 * Origin: Since 1991 And Were Still Here! DOCSPLACE.TZO.COM (1:123/140)