The Negative Experience

We were riding through a two-lane roundabout where, if you are not taking the first exit, you normally use the inner lane. In Ireland it is common for drivers to indicate to the right while continuing around the roundabout, and that’s what we did. Before the desired exit, you then indicate left, and the traffic in the left lane usually leaves space. However, the driver’s licensing rules in Ireland seem to be handled somewhat differently from what we are used to (if you can even call it a clear system).

We wanted to take the second exit, just like the woman who, despite everything, was in the left lane. Normally she should also have left the roundabout at the second exit, just like us, but she decided otherwise at the very last moment. At that moment she made it impossible for my beloved partner to exit. Despite signaling, she blocked her lane and rammed into her.

Thinking quickly, my partner accelerated and almost managed to get past the car, but she was hit at the rear. I think that if she hadn’t tried that, at least her leg would have been hit—who knows how that would have ended. It’s a good thing she has such quick reactions!

But there is nothing worse than having to experience a situation like that. Those seconds of fear feel endless until everything finally comes to rest. At first there was still the chance that it might only be a slight touch without damage, since “only” the motorcycle had been hit. But because the contact happened while leaning, it was no longer possible to control the bike.

Fortunately—if you can call it that—she was still able to steer the motorcycle onto the grassy traffic island, which luckily was not “forested” with signs. As a result (starting with the least important), the only damage to the bike was that the left rear indicator was torn off and the gear lever was bent, aside from a few very minor scratches. The motorcycle was partly lying on my partner, and as quickly as I wanted to, I couldn’t park my bike and throw everything off me fast enough to finally help.

I don’t think it even took me half a minute to lift the bike off my darling (it’s amazing how light 175 kg can feel in a moment like that), but it seemed endless to me. It’s impossible to put into words what I felt during that short time. The main thing is: never, ever again. So never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly—he might also have a bad day!

My partner’s injuries fortunately affected “only” her left shin and left foot. She was still able to ride on as far as Tralee. We spent the evening resting and putting plenty of ice on the injured areas.

I would also like to mention that the woman who caused the accident stopped immediately and helped as much as she could. She voluntarily wrote down and left all of her details. I admit, she wouldn’t have gotten away anyway! She has since taken care of the damage without any problems.

To the driver (name not mentioned): thank you for the fairness that is unfortunately no longer a given these days!