Effing Ouch!

[C-Kwik]

Glad you are OK. I'd like some of the people out here in AZ to take a look at your pics. Maybe it would wake them up to how much protective gear can do for you. Out here, they ride with no helmets, cut off shorts, tank tops and flip flops on the freeways.

totally. Once I get the claim taken care of, I'm gonna call the MSF course I attended and donate it as an example of why to get protective gear for their students to see. Wish I kept my helmet from a dirt bike spill a couple of years ago. That one cracked my helmet. My chest protector took a good bit of impact as well, but that's still usable. so i'm all for using these pics as an example of why to wear gear.

[Bubba1]

PA allows motorcycles to use the HOV lanes too, BTW.

Really? That's amusing. That seems to be contrary to the definition of HOV (High Occupancy Vehicles).

[krimsonviper]

Glad to see we haven't lost a NICO member to stupid people!

I spoke to soon, we're all a victim of Nala's.

No seriously, glad you're alright.

[MinisterofDOOM]

PA allows motorcycles to use the HOV lanes too, BTW.

Really? That's amusing. That seems to be contrary to the definition of HOV (High Occupancy Vehicles).

HOV lanes have morphed into Tree Hugger Lanes in many places. PZEV and ULEV cars get to use them with only a single occupant in many areas. In other areas, like Salt Lake City, the HOV lanes get so little use that they actually sell passes allowing ANYONE to use the HOV lane with only the driver in the car. Motorcycles are just one of many types of vehicle that get special dispensation to use the HOV lane.

[Otto.]

In other areas, like Salt Lake City, the HOV lanes get so little use that they actually sell passes allowing ANYONE to use the HOV lane with only the driver in the car.

I want to see an H1 Alpha rolling down the HOV lane with only one guy in it. That would be hilarious.

[szh]

Yikes. Glad to see you survived this ... could have been a lot worse.

Z

[szh]

I didn't know motorcycles were allowed in carpool lanes, are they?

Yes, in California, they are ...

Z

[dangeris]

Glad to see you're OK. I use to ride on the street until some idiot pulled out in front of me trying to beat traffic and 10' isn't much breaking distance when you're only going 35mph. Now I ride on the track where everyone is going the same direction, speed and skill level ( ride in experts group) and I don't have to worry about granny or punks not seeing me or gravel or animals.

[PoorManQ45]

I'm just looking at the helmet and that scares me.

Without it there would have been brain matter outside the skull

[C-Kwik]

HOV lanes have morphed into Tree Hugger Lanes in many places. PZEV and ULEV cars get to use them with only a single occupant in many areas. In other areas, like Salt Lake City, the HOV lanes get so little use that they actually sell passes allowing ANYONE to use the HOV lane with only the driver in the car. Motorcycles are just one of many types of vehicle that get special dispensation to use the HOV lane.

I think the intent of HOV lanes have always been to save gas. Several people in one car means less cars on the road for the same trip, thus, less gas consumed. So M/C's and high efficiency cars can fall in line with the original intent. I will concede though that the hybrids and electrics offered use of such lanes have more to do with reducing the environmental impact of the use of fuel rathger than the fuel savings alone.

[MinisterofDOOM]

HOV lanes have morphed into Tree Hugger Lanes in many places. PZEV and ULEV cars get to use them with only a single occupant in many areas. In other areas, like Salt Lake City, the HOV lanes get so little use that they actually sell passes allowing ANYONE to use the HOV lane with only the driver in the car. Motorcycles are just one of many types of vehicle that get special dispensation to use the HOV lane.

I think the intent of HOV lanes have always been to save gas. Several people in one car means less cars on the road for the same trip, thus, less gas consumed. So M/C's and high efficiency cars can fall in line with the original intent. I will concede though that the hybrids and electrics offered use of such lanes have more to do with reducing the environmental impact of the use of fuel rathger than the fuel savings alone.

Yeah, that's what I was getting at.

The cynic in me believes that hybrids and alternative fuel ULEVs are given HOV usage rights to help make them more appealing purchases, while the emissions/fuel savings are a convenient cover.

[Rex]

Glad to hear you're okay. As other have said, anytime you can walk away from ANY motorcycle accident you're lucky. Now you created a lot of that luck yourself by wearing the right gear, it's a great idea to offer the pics, etc to MSF to help people "see" the importance of proper gear.

As for HOV, they initial goal behind HOV lanes was (at least) 2 fold - lower emissions and decrease the "volume" of traffic. And arguably motorcycles do both.

According to this NHTSA link, all states allow motorcycles to use HOV lanes. It also discusses lane splitting.

[Jesda]

I really want to get a small scooter but have absolutely no trust in the inattentive drivers here. They're careless and slow, which is arguably worse than aggressive.

Good to see all your gear doing its job. That's encouraging.

[PoorManQ45]

You could get a Ruckus. Apparently you can ride them on alot of sidewalks... And they look awesome!

[C-Kwik]

Just a quick update. Went into the orthopedist yesterday as instructed by the ER. He took a couple of additional x-rays to determine how much movement there was and a shot from a different angle showed the collarbone was broken twice. Recommended surgery to make sure it heals straight. The Dillema was my health insurance expires July 1st. The Orthopedist is a family friend I've known since we were both young so he was able to squeeze me in yesterday afternoon. IIRC, I have a metal plate and screws holding it all together now and it hurts like hell now (likely from the surgery itself). But I don't feel anything moving anymore and I have slightly better mobility overall. I can type with 2 hands already. It hurts more now than it did before the surgery just sitting still. But doesn't het much worse when moving around.

[TOMMY VERCETTI]

Glad you're alright. BTW? After this happen are you still going to ride a motorcycle.

[C-Kwik]

I don't plan to stop riding. Not sure how soon I'll get back on though. It would be tough to go through another incident like this during the semester.

[C-Kwik]

Yeah, that's what I was getting at.

The cynic in me believes that hybrids and alternative fuel ULEVs are given HOV usage rights to help make them more appealing purchases, while the emissions/fuel savings are a convenient cover.

Like the real issue at hand, they go hand in hand. It could certainly be interpreted either way, and I'm sure there are elements from both sides that got such a policy instituted.

[Bubba1]

Just a quick update. Went into the orthopedist yesterday as instructed by the ER. He took a couple of additional x-rays to determine how much movement there was and a shot from a different angle showed the collarbone was broken twice. Recommended surgery to make sure it heals straight. The Dillema was my health insurance expires July 1st. The Orthopedist is a family friend I've known since we were both young so he was able to squeeze me in yesterday afternoon. IIRC, I have a metal plate and screws holding it all together now and it hurts like hell now (likely from the surgery itself). But I don't feel anything moving anymore and I have slightly better mobility overall. I can type with 2 hands already. It hurts more now than it did before the surgery just sitting still. But doesn't het much worse when moving around.

Wow. I certainly hope the plate and screws are temporary, and that the pain will be short term. But if the plate/screws are permanent, I guess it would be kinda cool settng off metal detectors.

I'm glad to hear you're planning to continue to ride .