Photo: Liveleak capture
I thought that this was a very good time to post such a video, at the risk of having to face yet another wave of “can’t you see how dangerous riding a motorcycle is?” from some of my non-riding fellows. Sorry to say it, but this is not a video for them, but for those who actually ride. To them, this whole thing makes a lot more sense than it makes to people who don’t ride.
Non-riding folks will only see the violence of the motorcycle crash and will think about the horrible dangers which may befall a motorcyclist in traffic. To most of them, this video is only about people getting hurt, regardless of what caused them to crash, or whether it was their own fault or not.
In the riders’ world, this slow-motion footage of a high-side crash has other powers. It is not meant to strike fear in the hearts of those watching it but to help them realize how exposed they are. The spring rides are getting more and more often, and some maybe forgot about the fact that muscle memory has become a bit rusty over winter, and instincts need a “refresh”.
Watching this professional rider highsiding is also a good reminder to check the riding gear and make sure everything is alright. I am an advocate of wearing a helmet while riding a bike and never tried to hide this, so I just have to add something. Namely, that I also hope that guys opposing helmet laws see this video and think twice about “freedom” versus brains splattered on the road.
And to quote one of my friends, I’ll add his words: “And imagine that this crash is the nice type of spill…!” Ride safe, guys!
In the riders’ world, this slow-motion footage of a high-side crash has other powers. It is not meant to strike fear in the hearts of those watching it but to help them realize how exposed they are. The spring rides are getting more and more often, and some maybe forgot about the fact that muscle memory has become a bit rusty over winter, and instincts need a “refresh”.
Watching this professional rider highsiding is also a good reminder to check the riding gear and make sure everything is alright. I am an advocate of wearing a helmet while riding a bike and never tried to hide this, so I just have to add something. Namely, that I also hope that guys opposing helmet laws see this video and think twice about “freedom” versus brains splattered on the road.
And to quote one of my friends, I’ll add his words: “And imagine that this crash is the nice type of spill…!” Ride safe, guys!
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