US Bikers....

[Lucky_Lou]

Not a good advert ............. you cannot pin all the fault on the car.
Lou
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RzMTvgx3R5I

[clonmore1]

I thought the general rule and good common sense is always ensure you can stop in the distance you can see, the lead rider would have been in serious trouble if a car had been travelling in the opposite direct.
And, what if an occupant of the car opened one of the doors as the bike struggled to get past still on two wheels?

The last time I checked, nearly 8/10 bike accidents in the UK are rider error...

[MichaelSydney]

You can not pin ANY fault on the car driver, just as you could not blame a cow or child in the road. The "are you #### stupid" question can only apply to the lead rider.

Answer in the affirmative !

[marcmax]

No Question in my mind. The lead rider was riding beyond the available conditions. Any accident that may have happened would have to be attributed to rider error.

[k_enn]

You can not pin ANY fault on the car driver, just as you could not blame a cow or child in the road. <snip>

I have to differ on the car's fault.  What the F is it doing stopping in the middle of road when there is sufficient area for it to pull off the side?  I am not saying the rider is blameless, but the car is partly responsible.  Around here, if you are stupid enough to stop (or come to a near stop) in the middle of a traveling lane for no reason on a road where people travel at speed, you can expect to get rear-ended pretty quick.    

k_enn

[MichaelSydney]

I agree K..enn, in that the driver was an idiot if he deliberately stopped in that location. On the other hand it may have been a break down or some emergency, who knows.

I meant that if there had been a collision then surely the rider can only blame themselves, as they would if the obstacle had been livestock, a fallen tree or whatever.  100%

We all ride with a degree of risk, hopefully reasonable well managed. We know that if things go pear shaped whilst going a little quicker than might be considered prudent, then that is what we, as the rider, signed on for.

[Ed Miller]

I meant that if there had been a collision then surely the rider can only blame themselves, as they would if the obstacle had been livestock, a fallen tree or whatever.  100%

I agree.  Many people seem to believe they have a right to a clear, empty road in front of them.  They are wrong.  It's just not always going to be that way.