The two people I've known killed on motorcycles were both sitting at stoplights and were plowed into from behind. This generally won't happen on a bicycle. Maybe my observation isn't the most common way people die on motorcycles but I suspect it's one of the most common. Never the less, I'm basically paranoid if I'm on a bicycle and sharing the road with motor vehicles.
Tesla FSD and Robotaxi will eventually lead to the road environment becoming safer for cyclists. Though it may be a decade or more after FSD becomes mainstream before the threat of inattentive human-driven automobiles is significantly reduced from the equation.
At least a half dozen friends have died on roads due to collisions with automobiles while on motorcycles and bicycles,. These all after having counseled them, specifically, on the risk exposure they seemed not to be evaluating while riding. The most recent was a couple of months ago. Each was gut-wrenching for me, as the offered perspective was that of someone who stopped counting the dirt/street motorcycles I've owned when the count got past fifty, three decades ago. And, as someone who made their full-time living for two years teaching both the basic and advanced rider courses.
The basic course is required in most states for riders to pass the multi-day training before being issued a motorcycle license.
The ratio of mass between that of cars and bikes, speed differences (shortening reaction time) between autos and bicycles, visibility (both seeing and being seen), and going into the environment with a misguided presumption of having "right of way" and it somehow protecting them, were all factors that led to their demise. Some of them preferred arguing their denial, over accepting how increasing their situational awareness might benefit them.
The growing inattentiveness of automobile drivers makes for an increasingly risky environment for two-wheeled vehicles and their occupants to share the road as safely as it could otherwise be for them.
Elon has been and will continue to be focused on preserving human life, from the individual level through to the species level. This desire to produce only products with the least risk to human life is an example of his first principles thinking being applied to preserving the light of consciousness.
As for me, I now only ride an E-mountain bike to get my two-wheeled fix and still experience the occasional issue with an inattentive tree moving into my path of travel while it was texting.
(while four motorcycles gather dust in the garage till I clean them up and sell them)
electrek.co
