Wire or Concrete

[merlin]

As someone who both drives and rides I prefer the soft, soothing effect that concrete has on my skin, over having limbs and appendeges sheared off by wire rope barriers. Wire is a cost saving measure pure and simple.

Actually on second thoughts I think they should install pillows along all guard rails instead...surely old recycled pillows are cheaper than both, oh, and trampolines under large drop offs.

[colossus]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

Motorcyclist 'fears' with wire-rope systems are generally unfounded. This group represents typically 2.2% of total registrations and perhaps comprise a generous maximum 10% of all travel.

People with rare genetic deformities, various cancers ect. make up 1% of the population - perhaps we should just kill them instead of paying for hospitals; people in a wheelchair make up 2% of the population - stuff all those wheelchair ramps ect. I mean 2%! we should just get rid of 'em .

Keepleft your attitude on this issue blows...so much for being a "motorists advocate", more like "car advocate" or more likely "personal agenda advocate"..... :

[4Vman]

Maybe if they kept the things upright more often there wouldnt be a need to worry would there....

P.S Before people flame me im a bike rider too.

[colossus]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Maybe if they kept the things upright more often there wouldnt be a need to worry would there....

P.S Before people flame me im a bike rider too.

Yeah I do agree, but as you would know s$%t does happen.

I don't ride anymore but I think those wire things are a disgrace.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by colossus

Yeah I do agree, but as you would know s$%t does happen.

I don't ride anymore but I think those wire things are a disgrace.

True... Ive lost a few close friends to bike incidents, sadly all were as a result of acts of stupidity, i miss them greatly, but there's a sence of anger there too, they didnt need to take the risks they did, and put people through so much pain and devestation...
In these particular cases barriers werent involved.

[xbgs351]

At Targa Tasmania this year, there was a 60's Corvette that broke a shock absorber and skidded head on into a wire barrier. The damage to the car was scary. As the car was rather low the two cables lifted over the engine and cut right through the body of the car all the way to the passenger compartment. The only thing that stopped the wires was the roll cage. If the car did not have a roll cage, the driver would have been decapitated and so may have the navigator.

[xbgs351]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

No barrier system is failsafe. Motorcyclist 'fears' with wire-rope systems are generally unfounded. This group represents typically 2.2% of total registrations and perhaps comprise a generous maximum 10% of all travel.

This group comprised of 14% of Victorian road fatalities in 2006.

[MAGPIE]

Originally Posted by merlin

Wire is a cost saving measure pure and simple.

Not wrong there !

[Iphido]

Motorcycles are dangerous. I would say there has not been a significant reduction in mb fatalities for a long time. They have no safety devices.

But regardless, I would like to see a shrub in front of the wire barriers.

- Looks better. Natural, clean
- Helps absorb sound (tyre and exhaust)
- Perhaps with the assistance of another motorbike barrier just behind the shrubbery could provide safety net to motor bike victims, err I mean riders.
- Also provides a first barrier for sleeply drivers who drift off the road..
- Gives some space for emergency vehicals, emergency crash avoidance, road upgrades etc.

[Vdouw]

The wire is designed for cars. As there are more cars on the road than bikes. So here we have economic reasons for the wire. You have to analyse everything with all new things you implement in a business and the Gov is no different. They have seen that the wire will save this percentage of lives. This percentage is obviously high enough that the economic factor works the best. You have to remember that when they decide to use this product they have road tested many other and have analysed to information. Normaly private business does all this for them and then gives the gov the options they have come up with.

Now remember that Concrete and the metal Guard rails are still in use. Wire has been implemented as to where they use it. It is the best product over all. Now how many bikes do you see going down a major highway to in suburbia. Thats why you mainly see Wire on highways. and concrete and metal every where else. **** wire is better than a tree or a house or another vechile. Either way you do dumb stuff, don't watch the road and forget that every driver around you is an IDIOT you are going to have accident and you will suffer. This is from my first hand experiances with all the accidents i have had. Which were all in an 18 month period.

Oh and another thing DEATH is always a hard thing to handle. No matter how they die. I too have lost mates, visted mates in hospi after their bike accidents and have narrowly avoided death my self with my car accidents