I suppose I better add mine in here as well, just for learnings sake (I think that now I would have avoided all 3 of these "accidents" with having more knowledge of driving/road conditions etc, ujst daft in my youth).
#1 - December 2001 (CBT only on a 1979 Honda CB50) - Age 16. DAYTIME
Coming upto a 2 lane - roundabout, going straight ahead. took the left hand lane. started to work my way round the roundabout, dont do a shoulder check approaching the first junction (which Im not taking), then see a black Vectra beginning to overtake on the inside lane in my peripheral vision.
Thinking the car will be turning right, I find myself mistaken when it decides to leave at my first exit, going straight onto the "fast" lane of the exit, and taking me with it. No injuries, and only a broken indicator stalk (was only going about 10mph or so).
Lesson Learned. Always look around you and build a picture in your mind of whats going on. If necessary - take a junction you didnt want to to save your own arse!
#2 - 26th August 2002 (CBT Only on a 1989 Yamaha RXS100 - 2stroke) Age 17. DAYTIME
Leaving work. My work sits on a busy crossroads, and a lot of workplaces near my work let out at the same time. So I've made my way to the crossroads, and traffic is coming heavily from both directions. having only had the bike for 2 days, I think I can build the revs up and quickly shoot through at the first gap. So I keep the revs up, and when I see a gap, drop the clutch. bike come up onto one wheel - I panic, snap the throttle shut, hit a stank at the other side of the crossroads, and then pinball about the road from side to side before being tossed off into a heap (~30mph). Badly gashed knee, indicators etc damaged (Pride however, heavily damaged - This took place as my entire worplace of 300 guys was coming out of work
).
Lesson learned - Don't be an idiot. Be patient, and wait for your opportinity. (I have also since started going left at the crossroad, can still get home that way but you only need to contend with one lane of busy traffic).
#3 - 15th November 2001 (CBT Only - 1989 Yamaha RXS100)Age 17. NIGHT TIME
Friday night. I'm going round to a mates house for a catch up and some banter. only a short journey (about 3-4 miles). I decide I wont need my protective gear, my jacket/gloves/helmet are fine. Trainers and plain jeans are fine (
).
I get about a mile from my destination, and go round a sort of mini roundabout, which then leads onto a long straight. So Im going down the long straight (30mph area) and start heading down the straight. I see a car pull up to a junction ahead, but it stops, and I'm on the major road, so it should be giving way. I get closer. and then closer. speed still 30mph. It then decides to quickly pull out (presumably to get out before i get there). I realize there is not enough room for it to get out, so I move out (Into the Oncoming lane!) and speed up (!) anticipating the car to see the error and stop while i get safely around. The car decides what this situation needs is more power, not seeing I've moved out, which then subsequently plows right into the side of me (at this point 40-50mph). the bikes front wheel connects with the front wing of the car. the Bike goes from 45-0 in about 0.2 seconds and I begin flying.
First flying over the bonnet. Life turns slow motion for me about then. im then in mid air for about 1-2 seconds (felt like 10+seconds with the slow motion effect still going in the brain). Suddenly I realize. trainers and plain Jeans!!! This
IS going to hurt. and so it does. I land on the ground, right on my left knee which sends me spinning around 8-10 times up the road. I come to a stop and the pain hits. HARD. (spent a few days in hospital off the back of this. tore my patellar tendon and broke my kneecap as well as various other cuts and bruises from the waist down. upper body and head was undamaged - imagine that
)
it was also at this point, while in hospital that my mother decided I should call time on bikes, as I was now old enough to get a car.
Lesson learned - Biking gear is ALWAYS required. always ride to the conditions (1989 bike with small crappy headlight - didnt help myself be seen really). anticipate people pulling out (N.B. Drivers ARE out to kill you!)
so far, been back on bikes about 18 months now (on a "big" bike for 6-8 months) and only had one near miss - which I like to think I avoided being an off by using my head instead of panicking and driving round the issue rather than through it.