As a P-Plate (it means a new rider as shown in the photo below – not my bike btw), we all (just admit it) want to crank, I mean JUST WANT TO CRANK that little throttle to its limits. Most of the stuff we learn at the driving school are of course practical but you know what they say ‘The real test happens outside the classroom’. Still a P-Plate, I was doing a food delivery and there was this pick-up truck driving in a weird pattern.
There are 3 things this pick-up truck driver did. First, he slowed down. Second, he sped up. Third, he jammed brake. Alright, I’m gonna break down how I reacted, First when he slowed down, I pressed both brakes and slowed down. Second, when he sped up, I left the bike to freewheel, no brakes no acceleration. Third, when he jammed brake, it happened…
The situation I’m currently in is that I’m moving downhill, it was raining heavily, and my visor was foggy. Guess what? When he jammed brake, I couldn’t react in time and BANG. Out of reflexes, not intentionally, I happen to close my eyes and when I opened my 2 horrid eyes, I thought I was in the hospital… but THANK GOD, my face is on the road and surprisingly my hand was still on the clutch, the bike did not stall and my leg did not get caught on the bike frame or any other part of the bike. I lifted my bike up, clicked to gear 1 and rode off. There were some broken parts of the bike and cracked headlights. The BEST PART was there was only 1 car close by and the driver who was in another lane when I picked my bike up, pointed at the bike and a thumbs up, indirectly asking if I’m alright. I smiled and gave a thumbs up too. Guess what? The truck didn’t realize what happened too so he drove off. I looked at the back of the truck and he was a P-Plate too lol. Well I think my situation was a blind mouse knocking onto another blind mouse. Literally I am invisible after I got hit but I didn’t want to do any complains so I just let him go
Wait a minute, did I say I was doing a food delivery to a customer? Holy crap I parked to the side and checked the order and it’s safe and sound, no spillage, no cracks, good as new. I went to the customers workplace and handed over the food. Then I prayed and thanked God that I am still alive. I checked myself to see if there’s any bruises or anything serious going on. Beautiful! Just a scratch on my elbow! I fell on my right shoulder and my younger sister gave me this 2 layer jacket that I wore when the accident happened.
Takeaway from this experience, please please please maintain a safe distance and slow down when approaching a vehicle ESPECIALLY when visibility is not in your favor.