Motorcycle

Radial Engine Powered Motorcycle

Car and Bike on the Road - Double Standards?

How true is this occurrence? I personally experienced this and agreed with the comic. Some other comments and discussions:

MR A
"Solution: the Idaho Stop law. (Bicycles treat Stop signs as Yield; red lights as Stop signs)"

MR B
"I've been commuting to work by bike in Washington DC for nearly 11 years. And I've been hit several times by cars... however, I haven't been hit in the last 5 years.

Why?

Because I follow the Idaho Stop law. Well, in rush hour I just wait for the light like a good citizen. But the point is, cars hate waiting for bicyclists. I was hit several times because of cars who couldn't bear to wait for me ( even though I'm on the right, hugging the right, doing what I should do ) so they pass dangerously close, or do something else stupid and I get injured, and they drive off.

At some point I realized that judiciously running lights got me far enough ahead that I didn't have this problem, and I haven't been hit since. It also has prevented right hooks!

I'm not going to pretend it's moral. I'm not going to high horse. I'm just giving my experience: I haven't been hit by a car in five years.

And yes, no matter what, whenever there's traffic I wait for the red light to change."

MR C
"At some point I realized that judiciously running lights got me far enough ahead that I didn't have this problem

This. The Idaho stop law is the way to go.

Here's the thing: Many, probably most, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians break "minor" traffic laws all the time. Many cars speed or fail to come to a complete stop at stop signs. Many bikes stop-and-go at red lights. Many pedestrians jaywalk or cross against the light.

These are rational and largely well intentioned people who are balancing (sometimes incorrectly) safety, efficiency and respect for the rules of the road. Whether safe, legal or appropriate, these are at least arguably rational decisions since many otherwise rational people seem do it, but the decisions about which laws to obey and which to "bend" are different for different modes of transport. These differences seem to be at the heart of much of the friction expressed in the OP and similar debates.

Motorists pick and choose which laws to obey all the time, typically for their own convenience (speeding, rolling "stops", etc.). The Idaho stop law approach is both convenient and safer for cyclists. But it's more convenient for motorists too: in most urban traffic cars do not have a higher average speed than bikes, but they accelerate and decelerate faster. It's this constant pass-then-get-passed cycle that seems to piss motorists off. The Idaho stop law puts enough distance between bikes and motor vehicles that this is less of a problem."

MR D
"The majority of car drivers are also cyclists, and thus understand how vulnerable a cyclist can feel. "Strict Liability", supported in law in the Netherlands, leads to driver's insurance being deemed to be responsible in a collision between a car and a cyclist. This makes car drivers very wary of bicycles. Finally, towns have been designed with limited access by cars and limited (decreasing over time) car parking. The resulting heavy traffic and very limited car parking makes car use unattractive in towns.

These factors together far outweigh the negative factors of wet and windy weather, strong headwinds due to the flat terrain, and frequent bicycle thefts. Nearly a third of all journeys made in the Netherlands are made by bicycle. Even the over 65 age group make nearly a quarter of their journeys by bicycle. Within some cities, over half of all journeys are made by bicycle."

Source: Reddit.com

MIROS 1st Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test [Pictures and Videos]

1. On 13 January 2010, with vision to appear as a world leader in road safety research, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) has started doing its own outdoor crash test at its headquarters compound. Even without proper laboratories or equipment, MIROS, an agency under the Transport Ministry has done its first crash test at a slip road next to its office.

2. Motorcyclists constitute 49% of the road user population and the biggest contribution towards road users’ death (about 50%) annually in Malaysia. Thus, it is a common sense that MIROS started its 1st crash test with motorcycle. It is a year of action for MIROS.

NEXT: Perodua Alza vs. Trailer Rear-end (Febuary 25th 2010)

MIROS Official 1st Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test Video


MIROS 1st Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.1 Video


MIROS 1st Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.2 Video


During and After Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.1
The 1st test objective is to test efficiency of Hit Air motorcyclist airbag during side impact collision between motorcycle and car (commonly occurred at the junction). The helmet used by the dummy was properly secured. The speed of motorcycle was clocked at 29 km/h.

The dummy passed Mr. Khairil, who is the project manager for this 1st motorcycle crash test.

Two crash analysts from CRU unit; Mr. Zarir and Mr. Rahmat were collecting the data.

Prof Farhan, Director General of MIROS, Prof Wong, Director of VSB, and Dato Suret, Director General of JKJR watched the dummy after the collision.


The airbag jacket was being taken out from the dummy.




Preparation and Before Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.1
2 hours before the crash, the staffs were busy trying out the motorcycle track with real human body.


Mr. Syazwan and Mr. Ridzuan were discussing menu for launch haha...

Prof Wong and project leader, Puan Farah, one minute before the launching.

Post-grad students from UPM were discussing about their software.





Mr. Aqbal and Mr. Yahaya, two MIROS engineers aka research officers were analyzing the high speed camera software.

Mr. Khairil was giving the photographer a sexy pose 5-minutes before the crash test.



During and After Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.2
The 2nd test objective is to test efficiency of another motorcyclist airbag during side impact collision between motorcycle and car (commonly occurred at the junction). At this time, the helmet used by the dummy was improperly secured. The speed of motorcycle was clocked at 27 km/h.







Preparation and Before Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.2




Please use following links to download the video:
Official MIROS 1st Motorcycle Crash Test
MIROS 1st Motorcycle Crash Test No. 1
MIROS 1st Motorcycle Crash Test No. 2

Some more photos and news: CBT News

Chinese Man Throws Bicycle at Thieves

1. Snatching or ‘ragut’ is a unforgiving crime, which most of the time, the occurrence involves severe casualties to the victims. Since the incident occur on the road, I think this is part of road safety too. Am I right?

2. The videos, which entitled, "Chinese Man Throws Bicycle at Thieves on Scooter", show how a heroic China man arrested the snatchers by only using his bike. In my opinion, this noble action is commendable and worth emulating.

Resource: Melayu Kini

Nails on the Road

1. The photo shows a number of nails collected using a magnet by a Penang bridge worker. The 5cm-to-7cm-nails were believed were thrown on the road by inconsiderate people who want to make a fortune by blown up tyres.

2. You might wonder how they make a fortune right. Well, whenever a tyre blown up, they will come, pretend to be a kind guy, and fix it with overpriced fees. Very cruel kind of people. Do they ever think that they might cause a fatal accident? Very very stupid. I hate it!

Via

Crazy Creative Motorcycle Designs

1. "Crazy" people is everywhere. Thanks to them that motorcycle appearance has moved towards new era of creative design. Enjoy the photos!







Resource

Dangerous Motorcycle Practice

1. This kind of dangerous practice when riding a motorcycle can be hazardous not to the rider himself but also to other road users. This photo has been taken at Jalan Senai Lama, Johor. Please be considerate when using the road because you are not the only one use the road. Am I right?

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Cactus Man! Ouch!

1. These are pretty interesting set of photos on the consequence of riding at the middle of the desert. Accident could happen anywhere and thus, everybody must be careful. As long as the elements of vehicle and road exist, and you are in the motion, you must not neglect your safety. On these photos, a guy rode an ATV lost control and flew to the road side which full with cactus.





Resource

Disco Ball Helmet: The Safest Helmet on Earth. Heh.

1. Malaysia will be soon banning the half-shell helmet and this decision alone has angered most of bikers and riders in Malaysia, at least to the teen and youth group. Well, they are actually love style in everything they do without thinking the consequence.

2. Today, accidentally while surfing the internet, I found this unique and good looking helmet. The designer of the helmet got the idea from a disco, somewhere in Paris. So, I found out this helmet is actually can be the alternative to those half-shell helmets among Malaysian bikers. Not only it is full-shell, the helmet also provided great reflective light and without doubt, will increase the visibility of the motorcylist at the night. It looks very stylo too.

3. The bad news is this only my recommendation. The helmet is still not yet in the market, or even in the hand of SIRIM. Lots of things need to be researched and analyzed before the government can approve this kind of helmet in the market. Till then, please don't use half-shell helmet okay? Thanks. :D

Malaysia Half-Shell (Kura Kura) Helmets Ban in January 2009

PUTRAJAYA: Half-shell helmets may soon be taken off shelves in motorcycle accessories shops. "They are now seen on roads because there is still a loophole in the Motorcycles (safety helmets) Rules 1973 which does not define a standard helmet," said Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh.

He said the department was in the midst of amending the law to prohibit the sale, distribution and use of the helmets, and it could come into effect as early as January, next year. "The half-shell helmets are illegal and have never been approved by Sirim." But how come they are so many sold in the market now. Something is fishy.

He also said that the department was working out details on enforcement and whether its officers would be able to go from shop to shop to confiscate the helmets. Although Suret was unsure of how the helmets entered the Malaysian market, he reckoned they could be smuggled from neighbouring countries. Really?

He also said that the department had been organising road shows for the past one year to get motorcyclists to exchange the half-shells for an open-face helmet for free. "Malaysians are generally gullible. The helmets have been illegal all the while, but if they are sold in shops, they will still buy them," he said. Well, I could say that people is usually treasure more things that hard to get.

The fashionable half-shell helmets are distinctive by its bowl shape and is a favourite among superbikers for its comfort and light weight. It is, on average, cheaper than the standard open-face helmet. The price of a half-shell helmet starts from RM20, depending on the brand.

However, the helmets tend to flip up with strong winds or when riding the motorcycle at high speeds due to lack of support behind the head. "Wearing a half-shell helmet is as safe as not wearing any helmet at all," said Suret.

According to a local helmet manufacturer, the helmets are still rampantly sold in small towns where enforcement is lax. "Although it is not sold in the open or out on display, some dealers still stock them."

According to a study conducted by the department, 80 per cent of fatalities involving motorcyclists were due to serious head injuries from not wearing helmets properly or wearing helmets not up to safety standards. This includes the half-shell helmet. It is true, I agree with this.

A Small Kid Ride A Motorcycle?

1. The world is indeed of in the edge of turmoil, where a new type of slavery is just appearing the gate. I'm shocked while receiving these pictures of a kid gave a ride to an adult on motorcycle! Where is our human right? where is the safety precaution? where is the children supporter groups? Why this kind of hazard could be allowed on road? But the funny thing is even a kid know how to wear a helmet, how about you? Do you wear a helmet while riding the motorcycle?

2. Last time, there is a funny guy who ride a motorcycle using his feet while his hand playing a cellphone. Don't trust me? Look it HERE. Now we have a kid ride a Honda GL motorcycle and both story is sharing a common background. I just realize that people who involve in the stories are from Indonesia. Kewhh at least not Malaysia eh or even your country.

3. Back to the story, instead of the kid's riding the bike slowly, he ride fast and dangerously. Guess what? you might be wondering how a small kid can ride the motorcycle while his feet cant touch the ground. Look carefully at the pictures. The adult's feet from his back (probably his father) is controlling the brake and motor gear. So meaning the kid was just controlling the throttle. I asked you, is it safe or not? Anything could be happening. Prevention is better than cure. Don't you agree?