Residential streets

[indy50]

On my way home from a taco run at 10pm last nite, I decided to take an alternate route rather than ride the main street. I took a route through some neighborhoods to enjoy the spring weather and just get a change of scenery. Long story short- Approaching 40mph an elderly woman backed her Blazer out of her driveway right in front of me. I had 2 choices: 1 smash right into the side of her truck or leave the road into some yards. I chose the latter of course. As soon as my scoot left the pavement it went down in the grass, slid across the lawn and smashed into a lawn ornament.(one of those concrete pedistals with a green shiny globe atop it) Damage was pretty severe the fairing exploded, and one of my forks bent The woman never realized I was there and drove off. I got up and picked up the bike to asses damage and a kid in a pickup stopped and asked if I was all right. I told him that other than a sore butt I was fine. He said he saw the whole incident and the blazer must have never seen me,even with leds burning under the body panels front and rear.(I put them on for better night visibility) The kid offered me and my poor scoot a ride home which I gladly accepted. After three hours of fork replacement and body parts off of my back up ride which is the same model without any modifications, I had her ready for the ride to work this morn. Ironically My scooter is now black and blue ;D My point is there are as many hazards in residential areas if not more than riding in heavy traffic,you just never know when somebody will open a car door or a dog will run out in front of you. etc. Looking back I find 2 things that were stupid on my part ! My helmet was sitting on the table at the house 2 40+mph in a 25zone. BE SAFE AND ENJOY SPRING ;D ;D

[WarrenS]

Riding in residential areas is very risky. I usually ride very slow watching for those who aren't expecting to see you. As you experienced every driveway is like a potential intersection. Then you may encounter kids or pets or someone who just doesn't like you invading their space. I am glad you survived and learned a lesson.

[griff10]

One thing to remember, you are invisible to 4 wheeler drivers. They very often never see bike riders no matter how visible you think you are. That isn't what they are looking for, they are looking for a car/truck and your bike doesn't register. Beware of "eye contact" with a driver, they often are not looking at you, they are looking around you.

Also good to remember that car drivers are intentionally trying to kill you, it's usually not true, but their actions are such that it might as well be true.

Bill H.