Shoot the Gap 2- Ur doing it WRONG!

WARNING! Graphic Video of a scooter accident

Accident happens near the last third of the video.

However, I think all real scooter/bike riders should watch this video and then evaluate how they ride in heavy traffic.

I previously blogged about an maneuver I liked to call, "Shoot the Gap". This is an excerpt from that blog entry:

"This is when a space opens up between the car ahead of me, and the truck next to me. This space would never allow for a car to pass through and move in front of the truck, but it allows for a bike. A "Gap" so to speak.

This takes a lot of judgement on the riders part. You have to wait and see if the car ahead of you is going to speed up and let you get away from the truck. Or are they going to continue to force you to ride in the blind spot and experience truck air turbulence.

If you see that the space does not shrink in size and that the car ahead is indeed NEVER going to speed up enough to allow you to escape the truck and stay in your lane, you can then, "Shoot the Gap".

Is this a safe maneuver? Probably not.

Is riding in a trucks blind spot safe? Probably not.

Should you slow down and wait? Think so?

This is a decision you have to make. But once you do it, and do it successfully, you will feel this frisson of exhilaration, which should prove to you that this is NOT entirely safe, yet very addicting! I speak truthfully here, you who ride know the feeling.

So please. Be VERY VERY careful when you attempt this maneuver. This cannot be done if agitated or irritated. It has to be a calm rational decision.

You have to make sure there is A LOT of space available ahead of the truck. This is incase you and the truck have to make a quick stop. You do not want the truck rolling over you!

So, am I endorsing this move. Not really.

Am I acknowledging its existence. Yes.

Should you do it? You fill in the blank ___________."

If you watch the video, you will see how the rider attempts a like-maneuver and fails.

The result was death.

Before the accident the video shows a rider weaving in and out of traffic. Obviously they have misjudged the flow of traffic and trucks and they paid with their lives.

I think this video is GREAT! Do you know WHY??

Because it reminds us to SLOW THE FRICK DOWN! and BE CAREFUL AROUND TRUCKS and HEAVY TRAFFIC!

Ride in the safest position in heavy traffic. Ride in a lane that will allow you to escape any possible situation, and endeavor to keep plenty of space around you.

Remember, acting like Joe Cool can get you killed on a scooter! And this is proof.

The CLASSIC NOOB CRASH! GOING WHERE YOU ARE LOOKING!

Enjoy the Duma$$ery of this little video. "Scooter Power!"

Now watch it again and let me break down the Duma$$ery for you.

NOOB ALERT #1:

As the first scooter comes around the corner, you can see that the guy is a total Noob. The scoot is wavering but at least he keeps it under control. Your first sign of possible trouble.

NOOB ALERT #2:

As we know, NOOBs often run in pairs. And sho nuff, here comes NOOB #2 taking the corner WIDE. Now you know there will be TROUBLE!

DUMA$$ BREAK-DOWN:

As the girl begins her turn, you can see that she is NOT looking where she SHOULD BE going.

A. It is important for scooter riders to turn their head and focus on where they are going. You can see she is turning the scooter like a car, very stiff, with no lean.

B. She is also not looking beyond her front wheel while turning. It is important that you scan ahead while riding to help you navigate properly.

C. Surprised by Yelling Scooterist, she does two things at once - she over-twists the throttle and Target Fixates.

(POINTS TO REMEMBER: In a 'PANIC" Situation. Just take your hand OFF THE THROTTLE AND SLOW DOWN!)

Okay - After she over twists the throttle she then falls into another noob mistake. TARGET FIXATION. She sees the object up ahead and panics.

From Wikipedia:

Target fixation..."in an avoidance scenario, the observer can become so fixated on the target that they will forget to take the necessary action to avoid it, thus colliding with the object.

This is a common issue for motorcyclists and mountain bikers. A motorcycle or bicycle will tend to go where the rider is looking; if the rider is overly focused on an obstacle, the cycle can collide with that object simply because of the rider's focus on it, even though the rider is ostensibly trying to avoid it."

DUMA$$ERY SUMMATION:

CRASH!

I rest my case.

HOW TO AVOID A CRASH LIKE THIS:

1. Look where you want the scooter to go. Turn your head and lean.

2. If you are startled or panic, take your hand off the throttle.

3. Focus on the area next to a Target, that is where you want to steer your scooter. This takes a bit of metal dexterity, but you can do it.