cross country trip on an electric bike ended by cager

[triangleforge]

Reading the story gave me scary flashbacks to the last time I rode my first bike -- 120 miles on a Buell Blast on I-70 in rural Maryland. At night, in a torrential downpour. I probably checked my mirrors every 2.3 seconds or so.

I really admire his sense of adventure, his sense of whimsy, and that he started something without any certainty of success. It's gut wrenching to think that a driver's moment of inattention put an end to this adventure. I wish him a speedy recovery, and more adventures to come.

[erkishhorde]

the guy said he didn't want to ride on the interstate and was trying to avoid it. that was a section that he felt he had to take.

sucks that his fears were realized.

Agreed. It always sucks when a gamble doesn't pan out and it's worse when it's got such grave consequences.

[sbrguy]

So if I ignore my bald tires and get a blowout and wreck, it's not my fault?

its not an "accident" then is it if you ignore it? its your fault then.

we'll use the term "mechanical failure" broadly as in either the classical sense that was in good working condition but for no reason other than manufacturers defect broke.

the bald tire is not an accident as you mentioned, so it is your fault.

now if your tire blew out bc its bald and you kill someone that is not an accident its your fault.  however if your tire blows out and its still good and mounted correctly and you kill someone then that "might" be an accident if you did nothing else wrong.

[jim_0068]

They teach you in the MSF that you should be riding 5-8mph FASTER than whatever the current traffic is doing REGARDLESS of whatever the speed limit is to be safe. If the speed limit on the highway is 55 but yet 80% of the drivers are traveling at 65 and you plan to not only ride in the "slow lane" you better have a bike that not only can do 75 but can do 75 EASILY to allow for some emergency acceleration.

[mikeb]

While I agree it was no "accident" as all collisions are the result of a series of events.  I can't assess blame as the article simply didn't give enough information.  

My take on it is the rig she was passing partially obscured him because it was tailgating him.  Small bike, obscured by big rig, dark time of day.  Make sense.  Article said she was doing 68 mph.  That is not fast at all on today's roads.

Don't get me wrong.  It was her responsibility to check for a vehicle before she got back in that lane.  Just that since the article didn't given enough information I can't assess blame. 

[KnightofNi]

They teach you in the MSF that you should be riding 5-8mph FASTER than whatever the current traffic is doing REGARDLESS of whatever the speed limit is to be safe. If the speed limit on the highway is 55 but yet 80% of the drivers are traveling at 65 and you plan to not only ride in the "slow lane" you better have a bike that not only can do 75 but can do 75 EASILY to allow for some emergency acceleration.

I don't recall being taught to go faster than traffic unless it was to get away from a certain situation.

[mstevens]

I thought it said he was going 60 mph?

Nope, it doesn't give his speed. It does say his best range was at 45mph, so I think there's a pretty good chance he was closer to that than the 68mph at which he was rear-ended.

They teach you in the MSF that you should be riding 5-8mph FASTER than whatever the current traffic is doing REGARDLESS of whatever the speed limit is to be safe.

Not in my class, they didn't. The emphasis when it came to speed was to obey posted limits. I seriously doubt MSF's administration would condone actively telling riders to exceed the speed limit  even if that might improve safety.

I don't think it's fair to blame this guy for getting rear-ended. When I'm driving my car, it's my responsibility not to rear-end anyone, including idiots.

However, my 150cc Vespa LX150 is supposed to go faster than his electric bike and there is no way in hell I'd ever consider going on an interstate for even a tiny rural stretch. I'm not particularly comfortable taking it for service on roads with posted speed limits of 50mph because we all know people will be driving 65 and that gives me no room to accelerate at all.

[LowThudd]

They teach you in the MSF that you should be riding 5-8mph FASTER than whatever the current traffic is doing REGARDLESS of whatever the speed limit is to be safe. If the speed limit on the highway is 55 but yet 80% of the drivers are traveling at 65 and you plan to not only ride in the "slow lane" you better have a bike that not only can do 75 but can do 75 EASILY to allow for some emergency acceleration.

Not in my class either.

[jim_0068]

In my class and similar ones friends have taken at least in Chicago they recommend to go 5-8mph faster than what the other traffic is going regardless of what the limit is to reduce your chances of an accident do to riding too slow. I have many friends who are police officers too and they give bikes up to a 10mph leeway in most cases at least around here.

[Scotzman]

In my class and similar ones friends have taken at least in Chicago they recommend to go 5-8mph faster than what the other traffic is going regardless of what the limit is to reduce your chances of an accident do to riding too slow. I have many friends who are police officers too and they give bikes up to a 10mph leeway in most cases at least around here.

???I have to agree with the others, especially after flipping through MSF's books and not seeing anything about it.
I can believe that law enforcement might allow wiggle room though, but that can be said about cars as well.

[Howie]

I wouldn't expect to find speeding encouraged in MSF curriculum since this would be in conflict with the law. This does not mean individual instructors may give advice above and beyond what is in the curriculum.  Driving or riding at or below the speed limit on may highways is downright scary.

[cyrus buelton]

I never saw it mentioned in the article he had ever ridden a motorcycle before.


that in itself is foolish to:

a. purchase an electric bike that only goes 68mph
b. ride it across the country
c. be on an interstate.


No further comments from me. I think his idea was a bit foolish, but still did not deserve what happened.

[Raux]

a. purchase an electric bike that only goes 68mph   -  only interstates have speeds higher
b. ride it across the country   -   people ride bikes across country all the time
c. be on an interstate.  -   this one is tough. only in the states is this a real issue

]

[LowThudd]

a. purchase an electric bike that only goes 68mph   -  only interstates have speeds higher
b. ride it across the country   -   people ride bikes across country all the time
c. be on an interstate.  -   this one is tough. only in the states is this a real issue

]

The I5 is an interstate and the limit is 70 most of the way. Mostly big rigs and vacationers on it, and the occasional bike or sport car going 100+mph. That is a rough ride even in car. I've done it. No place for new riders. I wouldn't even think of it with my limited experience on a bike. Still no justifacation for the accident though.

[DesmoReynoso]

Say what you say, great article with excellent writting.... Damn shame about the accident! I was very inspired and looking forward to seeing him reach his goal.

As far as 80% of the posts, even in the article the author posts quotes and excerpts from the guys online blog where he clearly is aware of the dangers and risks he is taking not only from the roadtrip but also from his choice of transportation vehicle.

Yet he still went for it not only as a personal challenge/adventure but also as a statement  of his beliefs and convictions and this to me is the essence of his journey,it's terrible uncle Murphy had to pull his usuals and it ended up like that, but like many have said this could have also happened in any other type of vehicle perhaps his condition would be better granted but the end result would have been the same (not completing his goal).

Best wishes and blessing for him and his family.