R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

[MikeWhoTruong]

http://www.houston-imports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412436

http://www.motohouston.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35770

I know this is a fish forum, but as most of you know i'm a biker as well. I was with her last night...

I just wanted to get some opinions from like minded people that aren't riders or even if you are. I'm sure i'll get more unbiased views here than on the bikers forum. How do you feel about bikers, the way certain people purposly tailgate us or treat us like other cars. Or even a hit and run, should they get the same punishment as a hit and run on a caged vehicle? Or should it be a stiffer punishment.

My fellow bikers, becareful out there, this is just so very, very sad...

[CatFishLady]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

Sorry for your loss. It's a huge tragedy to see such a beautiful young woman pass away by the "hands" of someone else

I saw that around 10 people had viewed this and hadn't responded. So I'll go ahead and fill that void (I hate to see when people don't respond).

I'm working on my response while acting like I'm working. So give me a few minutes...

[CatFishLady]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

On the outside looking in (because I'm Not a biker). I can only comment on what goes on around Dallas and what I have witnessed.

IMO only:
I have witnessed bikers on one of our main highways blazing in and out of traffic, cutting cars/trucks off, doing wheelies (sp?), etc. A majority of bikers “live life on the edge” so to speak but they really don't seem to take in to consideration that they are in more danger than the vehicles they are passing. I always get petrified when I see a bike coming up behind me. I never know if he/she will do something odd that could possible cause an accident. I usually change lanes to basically get out of their way. I have never witnessed anyone in a vehicle tailgate nor do anything ‘mean’ to the fellow bikers around here. But that’s not to say it doesn’t happen.

As far as punishment for hit and runs…I believe there should be a stiff punishment for All hit and runs. I don’t think it should matter who or what was involved, the fact that one fled the scene should be a big punishment in itself. Then the accident alone should be addressed after that punishment. Basically 2 separate charges. In all other vehicle deaths, I believe the punishment should fit the crime, depending on the circumstance.
Examples:
Let’s say a pedestrian is crossing the street gets hit and killed by a vehicle. What were the circumstances? Were the pedestrian and driver abiding by the law (crosswalks and such), did the driver do this intentional, was the driver or pedestrian under the influence of any drugs, were there witnesses, etc. Depending on the answers, the punishment should fit. The answers to the questions, the pedestrian was drunk and ran out into the street and the driver didn’t have enough time to stop. Who’s at fault?

Let’s say a biker is on the highway, does some kind of nifty stunt loses control and gets hit and killed by a car. Who’s at fault?

Let’s say a vehicle is tailgating a biker, bumps the back tire cause an accident and the biker gets killed. Who’s at fault?

There are always 2 sides to the story when it comes to vehicle accidents. Irregardless if it’s a vehicle, vehicle pedestrian, vehicle bike…etc. All the facts have to be known before figuring out the punishment and blame of the individuals. I believe that all people in general should be very cautious when driving or walking on roads, highways..etc. That’s definitely something almost everyone needs to work on.

Hope this answer is what you were looking for??

Again; Very Sorry for the family, friends and your loss of this beautiful woman.  

[MikeWhoTruong]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

couldn't have said it better myself !!!

I dont know the circumstances of the accident, All I know is that the driver of the SUV fled and did not render aid. And thats enough said nomatter who is at fault or who hit who.

[CatFishLady]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

Exactly  :)

[wvgdiscus]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

I was going to make of some kind of joke, but in this mater it would not be appropriate. All I can say is if someone does a hit & run when it involves some ones life the penalty should be twice as worst as it is normally.
Not to worry about who hit who, the law does state that you ever runs is at fault no matter what.

[Coop]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

They will get a stiffer punishment for failure to render aid, if they are caught. Biker or not, there are stupid people all around us, just have to be as careful as possible and hope nothing happens.

[SCOTT]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

As a bike rider, I have some issues with the crotch rocket crowd. One of my biggest issues is presented in the deceased's picture. Far to many ride without the proper gear. No helmets, flip flops or sandals, shorts and tank tops. I think alot of that has to do with age and the imortality factor. Now don't think I am singleing them out, I'm not, there are plenty of cruiser folks who dress just as irresponsibly. Where it gets magnified with the crotch rocket crowd is that not only are they wearing all the wrong gear, but now they are going to stunt their bikes while dressed in this manner. How many times have you seen a cruiser pulling a wheelie in interstate stop and go traffic? Now, how many times have you seen a sport bike do it? How many times have you been passed by a pack of cruisers racing down the interstate, weaving in and out? Again, apply that same question to sport bikes. Granted, there are good and bad examples in every crowd. It just seems that the numbers of irresponsible riders in the sport category far outweigh the responsible ones.
I don't know any of the particulars in this case, I am just stating generalizations here as I see them. Youth, high horsepower, speed, and the imortality factor all add up to the inevitabilty of these sorts of events. As a society I really think it should be mandatory for all beggining riders to undergo formal rider training classes and graduated horsepower limits. You wouldn't put your 16 yr old behind the wheel of a dragster with only basic driving skills would you? In effect this is exactly what we are doing by allowing the novice rider to go out and buy a super bike capable of speeds in excess of 150 MPH and frequently much higher than that. Little experience, no training, huge ammounts of horsepower to weight, and poor judgement are extremely lethal.
My son, 23, just recently decided he wanted a motorcycle. I insisted that he start off on a bike that was FIT for a novice rider. My son purchased a 250cc Honda Nighthawk with the understanding that he would ride this bike for at least a year before considering an upgrade. Also included in his purchase was the agreement to attend a basic riders course to get a firm understanding of some of the many things he just doesn't know. Was I over protective in insisting on these things? I don't think so. In fact I would encourage anyone out there who knows a potential rider to do the same. Start small, get the basics, and then once you have the skills neccessary then you can advance.

[FIREFISH]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

Sorry, to hear about her death. I have seen alot of motorcycle accidents working for the Fire Dept. The end result is never good. All you riders just be as safe as you can!!! Always pay attention to your surroundings. It is that one person that is not looking out for you that will be the one to hit you!! Be SAFE!!!!!!

[MikeWhoTruong]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

once again, well put scott.

[Zulaab]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

Mike -  I am sorry about your loss, a loss of any friend no matter who it is, is always hard and never good.

As a non-biker (ever since seeing Tom Cruise biking in Top Gun I always wanted a bike, but got to scared everytime I got on a bike because I knew one of these days the pain of road and my body at speed was going to impact) I think both CFL and Scott summons up some of the biggest problems for bikers on the road today.  
A good friend of mine of many years gave up riding because the third time he was hit on the road he felt that fate was going to kill him next time, and he sold his Nighthawk 750 many years ago.  (PS The Pasadena Police Department paid for his third hit/hostpital stay, so dont think your safe when riding next to an officer of the law, everyone can miss a 375lbs person on a bike)
By his third hit, he had a child and a second one coming.  The immortal stage had left and his wife and himself decided buying a second car was better than letting him continue to ride.

Mike in closing I want to remind you that you live for yourself, you always have to consider others, but if you stop living for yourself, you are simply living for someone else.    Monica where ever you are today -RIP.  I am sorry for your loss, you had many years still to go, I know many will miss you, tears will be shed, and by riding you showed the world you lived for the minute, the now.

[CatFishLady]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

Mike in closing I want to remind you that you live for yourself, you always have to consider others, but if you stop living for yourself, you are simply living for someone else.    Monica where ever you are today -RIP.  I am sorry for your loss, you had many years still to go, I know many will miss you, tears will be shed, and by riding you showed the world you lived for the minute, the now.

That statement just gave me serious goose-bumps.  

[eklikewhoa]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

Taking a life is taking a life.

One of the many reasons why I haven't gotten a bike myself.

[Delock]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

Man, I'm sorry to hear that Mike.

"just wanted to get some opinions from like minded people that aren't riders or even if you are. I'm sure i'll get more unbiased views here than on the bikers forum. How do you feel about bikers, the way certain people purposly tailgate us or treat us like other cars. Or even a hit and run, should they get the same punishment as a hit and run on a caged vehicle? Or should it be a stiffer punishment. "


When I use to street race I rode with alot of bikers. I always had the habit of getting between them and the other vehicle (creating a buffer). I still do this now. If I see a rider on the freeway or street I would get behind them so no one would tailgate.

Hit and runs are sad! Whomever cause this shoud die!

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: R.I.P. Monica, How do you feel???

What sucks about Houston is drunkdriving.

IF your on the roads in Houston after midnight, your putting yourself in some risk.

If your on a bike, at night, at 1am that's like three strikes against you.

The people or the person that did the hit and run deserves maximum punishment.

Most lilkely they ran because they were drunk, illegal, or a criminal.  All that fn driver has to do is have a good alibi and there's no proof that he was the one driving it or whatever. I'll bet the driver was drunk.  But..who knows because no details are out, and who's to say there was not someting else going on.

I have a 7 year old, and I would be ****ting my pants everynight, if she were out past dark on a bike or a motorcycle when she was older.  This young woman died at age 24.  What a tragedy..