How do shake the jitters?

[Ridercam]

A couple of weeks ago I was commuting in my car on a hectic Tuesday morning on a busy section of highway leading up a heavy used bridge here in Northern California. this lane splitter/sharer passed me at nearly 80 when the traffic was moving 50. In a few seconds I witnessed him bounce off a few cars and watching him get run over. I was the first on the sceene, called 911 and blocked traffic with my car. The situation was dire and the young man in his late 20s was bleeding out. I didn't want to remove his helmet to see his extensive injuries, couldn't give him aid or help other than a blanket to cover him as he flopped like a fish. the emergency personnel were there in 3 minutes but did not any provide life staving protocols as this young man expired in front of us. I know they see this shit all the time and know when to jump in. frankly the most heart wrenching thing for me was he had no hand to hold as he passed as his crimson blood left his body.

I have been street riding for over 30 years and 40 years on a motorbike. I have had my spills and serious accidents. this was the first time I saw a motorcycle death so clear and vivid. It was much different than arriving on the sceene after the fact as I have done numerous times in the past. I end staying off the bike for 2 weeks and the last few times I am on my wonderbike I admit I ride spooked and even a bit wary of all kinds of real or imagined situations. I have nearly always been generally a safe and sane rider. I time to time do take small calculated chances. I do love riding but I will admit I quite challenged by this event. What is a good practice or way of thinking you do to over come this?

[Major Softie]

I think the "correct" answer is going to be different for everyone. For me, I would say start out doing very small rides, and work up to longer stuff - and especially the freeway.

The vividness of that encounter will fade for you over time, so it may be in your best interests to just wait longer. You'll just have to figure that one out for yourself. The real danger you face is riding while overwhelmed with thinking about that incident rather than thinking about what you're doing. As I'm sure you're aware, it doesn't really matter what is distracting your attention while riding, what matters is not being distracted while riding. And, the whole purpose of riding is pleasure, so if this is currently making riding unpleasant for you, waiting may be the best answer.

You can bet that I wouldn't be lane-splitting after witnessing that.

[Ridercam]

Good pointers.

I have been riding around town. Today I rode 15 miles on the freeway and across the bridge at the tale end of the commute - i could feel some of the stress of riding dissipate and the familar tic tic was good. the rain grooves and grated slippery iron did grant me some noticeable rectal eclampsia. I don't think I will lane share much in the future - maybe if I am only moving in a nearly traffic and at that less than 20 mph. There are way to many distracted drivers including myself out there. I think I will remind myself for a long while to slow the hell down. Nothing is that important to risk so much for an earlier arrival granting a few extra minutes.

[Major Softie]

Was this the crash on 101 in Palo Alto?

[Ridercam]

Yes and no... It was right before the bridge. I think the biker went to Palo Alto. the news was all wrong as they where kind enough write this guy died at the hospital when in fact died in a traffic jam and onlookers.

[grant81rs]

Sorry you had to witness such a thing, just reading this hits home at just how fragile we are and how quickly things change for us in our day to day routines.

Take your time as only you will know when you are ready to ride the bike again.. I wish you well

[SteveD]

Well put Grant and MS.

Being involved like that is a trauma of its own Ridercam and you seem to be recovering a bit already.

Of course, lane splitting at 80 mph isn't the smartest thing to do. Unfortunately, the rider won't learn from his mistake. Here in Victoria, Oz, we're about to have lane splitting legalised, up to 35kph. Illegal above that. Clearly a strategy for slow moving traffic around traffic lights etc, but in reality, not a new practice at all.

[Ridercam]

Thanks for your understanding. our lives are quite fragile balanced by the love of exciting and dangerous activities we are lucky we can do. I know we can't be scared or even overly concerned when we ride. as a father to a great teenage son and with a most loving wife, I am taking this as a serious reminder to be alert and prudent within reason. I am going to continue to take small rides to build my confidence. As for commuting on the bike, those days may be over.

[Sibbo]

You're doing well after seeing such an event Ridercam! My sympathy, your jitters are well justified.

I came across a similar horror last week but after the event and thus so much less traumatic. In my case a van with a Harley shaped impact right in the front middle, cops and ambos everywhere, one rider dead, another badly damaged. This on a road I ride very regularly.

It's a warning and a good one, certainly memorable and while I'll be riding that road again and often but it's a very strange feeling..... especially as I don't know what happened. Van driver error or Harley rider error.

[Rob]

Other than witnessing a person dying, horrifically, I don't see where this incident could be anything other than vehicle-assisted suicide.

80 between lanes going 50? He must have had some Klingon blood in him. "Today is a very good day to die"...

Sorry for your mental distress, ridercam. I don't think you need equate this event with your riding style.