Nice end to the day!!

[spaceprobe]

So I have just finished the late shift at the hospice, some very sick people and one death to deal with. I am glad when 9 pm comes around so I can get home, the rain as stopped so it should be a nice 6 mile ride. I go along the main road that leads behind Brighton station, its a steep hill that goes under the railway bridge. I notice the traffic is stopped and turning around,I go down the outside and see a wrecked scooter and a guy laying in the road. It must have just happened and there are some people standing around not sure what to do. The guys is in his mid 30's its a big wheeled scoot with L plates on. He must have scraped along the road because his helmet is a mess. I quickly do some triage, no neck or upper body injury so I take his helmet off. He is wearing a biker jacket and gloves so all well there. However he is in regular trousers that have offered no protection and his left knee is a complete mess. I get him comfortable whilst we wait for the ambulance and take the opportunity to remind that not wearing proper gear is not clever (yes I know kick a man whilst he is down etc). He tells me he has steel toed work shoes on, also not clever and a good way to lose toes or part of a foot. He tells me he braked using just the front and the bike just went over, he says that what they taught him on his CBT. I get his battered scoot up onto the pavement, he says a friend will come and get it, I hope so its a rough part of town. Leaving him in the care of the ambulance crew I head for home. Whilst I had been busy some bird had covered my seat in poo , which I then got all all over my trousers Day off tomorrow thank goodness, time for bed, night all, do ride safely.

[masterchop]

jeez sounds a total mare but all due respect to you for helping him.

front brake only???? what

[Steve_D]

Probability is that he wouldn't have gone down if scooter ad been equipped with ABS.

[rintintin]

Well done Rob!

Whilst I had been busy some bird had covered my seat in poo

As you say....a rough part of town

[johnp]

Well done to you for taking time to help the rider, but why was he taught to use front brake only.

[spaceprobe]

all very odd but I put him right. His lasts words to me was that he should give up, I said just learn to ride correctly and wear proper gear, however I don't think his scoot will have survived the night if it was not picked up.

[poldark]

The front brake only is common on motorbikes, though still wrong, I'm guessing he did his CBT on a manual?

[Bluebottle]

A shit day for you but you gave help and comfort to this guy and the people at work. Very worthwile Well done.

As for the rider, what people are taught and what they hear aren't always the same thing and we don't know if he knows his front lever from his rear, turned the bars too far etc but if what he says is right the CBT trainer needs sacking/closing down and they owe him a wad of cash and a new bike. If other people on the course back him he should persue it

[MrGrumpy]

. He tells me he has steel toed work shoes on, also not clever and a good way to lose toes or part of a foot.

Can you explain why that should be???

[spaceprobe]

. He tells me he has steel toed work shoes on, also not clever and a good way to lose toes or part of a foot.

Can you explain why that should be???

You will not find (or should not) motorcycle boots with steel toe caps the reason being that in some accidents where the foot is crushed or twisted the steel can cut into the toes or foot causing real damage. Also in bad accidents which I hope none of you will ever have we always cut off the boots etc to avoid further injury and pain something that is very difficult to do with steel toe caps. There is no substitute for the correct gear, had my friend last night been wearing motorcycle trousers with knee protectors he would have dusted himself down and gone home. Sadly he will now be laid up for weeks with the possibility of future problems given how difficult knee injuries are to fix.