Don't forget to let go of the bars!

Our friend Alice Sexton, President of Women's International Motorcycle Association (WIMA) - USA, sent us a shocking clip that British TV is running: Download howclose.mpg . The PSA serves as a scary reminder of the realities of sharing the road with automobiles. This clip hits home with Alice as she recalls her accident back in 1995:

"A young girl driving a Buick pulled out from a sidestreet. Thought if she was just poking her nose out to see better I might have a chance of driving AROUND her, so I did not apply brakes (there really was no time to anyway) and went full lock on the steering stem and swerved. Unfortunately, she kept coming, but my avoidance technique at least had me hit her front wheel-well, and not the solid door. I flew 30 ft. over the hood of the car. If I had let go of the bars on impact I would have only had a few scrapes, but because I was full lock, my left hand was gripping the bar.  Essentially my hand stayed with the bike and the rest of me went flying. Shattered my wrist and both the radius and the ulna broke producing a compound fracture (see pictures). After five-hour surgery and nine months of rigorous physical therapy, I regained 90% rotation of my wrist."

Alice's PSA message: Don't forget to let go of the bars!

Comments

[Lisa]

This is so true! Last summer my bike and I parted company at about 50 mph and had I not been in full brake, holding tight to the handle, I wouldn't have ended up with such massive injuries to my arm and wrist (can we say "bionic"?). Great reminder!!!