Modern Vespa

Hello all, for those who were in bad riding crashes (not your fault, someone running you over), how did you get your mind to override the risk. I know the obvious advise, take your time and start riding in roads with little traffic etc. but my question is more mental. How to get your mind to override/overcoming the risk of another accident over the pleasure of riding. I am sorry to say that I have little faith in our fellow distracted drivers. I miss riding but the risk is paramount in my mind over the joy of riding. Given my question, I suspect I am not ready to ride in traffic yet...

First off, just know that how you feel is totally understandable!

I don't know if it's just because I have ADHD and scooters are something I tend to hyperfocus on, or what. But after my worst accident, I was itching to ride as soon as I felt up to it and could get another bike. Mind you, that didn't stop the anxiety for a while when I finally did start riding again. I had to pace myself, and some days I just flinched a bit too much and realized I wasn't as ready as I thought I was. And that was ok.

I guess my only advice would be to apply the common physical advice--the taking it slow, easing yourself into higher traffic environments, etc.--and apply it to the mental aspect as well. Some people are very good at mentally pushing themselves to do things, and some aren't. We all have our different limits, even inside our heads. Try not to worry about how long it takes you to deal with any one particular aspect of riding again, including the lead-up to actually doing it. We all have to decide how much of that risk we're willing to accept, and that level may change over time or with different circumstances.

It's also perfectly fine if you ultimately decide you don't want to ride again, or you want to drastically reduce how much you do ride. Not everyone gets back in the saddle, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's not a failing. It's just a decision, and you always have the option of changing your mind later on.

I think a lot of the physical recommendations do go towards mental state as well. But, there are some other things to try.

As far as my interested yet amateur research goes, the brain doesn't really know the difference between experience in real time and extremely vivid memories or even imaginations. The difficulty is making the memories detailed enough.

Right after a bad event, you keep remembering it in your head which to your brain is almost like it happening again. Also, you have the recency effect which is where, all things being equal, we are more influenced by recent events than by ones more remote in time.

So two things you can do to reduce the impact of the incident in your mind (in your subconscious risk assessment) are 1.)try to divert yourself from thinking about the accident, and 2.) try to actively remember good riding experiences in as much detail as possible.

On issue 1 - just saying don't think about it is counterproductive. But when you notice yourself thinking about it stop and say to yourself something like "that's over now and I am still here" or whatever words calm the adrenalin for you.

On issue two - really any detail you can remember from a good ride, where you went, the quality of light, the sounds you heard, the smells you smell, the feel of your butt on the seat, the throttle in your hand, the way you put your foot on the ground when you come to a stop, and most importantly the emotions that a nice scooter ride evoked in you.

As your mind 'experiences' more of the positive aspects more frequently, and less of the negative aspects less frequently, your subconscious risk assessment should return to normal. Your amygdala will start taking a back seat to your conscious reasoning about risk.

This always sounded like so much b.s. to me, but reading the studies there is definitely something to the 'lizard-brain vs. human-brain', amygdala - prefrontal-cortex distinction in what motivates our behavior.

So, my two cents? (remember- interested amateur)
Go daydream about your best rides ever.

Partially, my answer is that I don't ride in dense traffic any more. I ride in some light traffic during off periods and on carefully selected routes. My favorite rides are on rural byways and lightly traveled rural highways. I relax and enjoy the ambiance of the countryside and the scooter on those rides. And no, I have little trust in cage drivers doing the right thing or even being halfway alert. The fewer around, the better.

+ 1

You will know when you are ready.

Might try riding very early in the morning. Traffic is light, drunks are off the road, your well lit scooter is more evident in subdued lighting.
Ride somewhere with much much less traffic. Go scouting in your car. Find best pavement, light traffic, etc.
I do not ride mid day any longer.
O.S.

Thank you for the thoughtful advice in your replies. I spent a good part of the afternoon at the Piaggio/Vespa dealer (it was fun to see everyone again). The bikes were tempting but I think for now I am over riding, especially in traffic. The risk is too great for me...

Thanks again

The risk isn't any greater for you - your perception of the risk may well be greater.

I'd get a trailer, and take the scooter somewhere way out in the countryside. Then enjoy riding some twisties etc. Eventually you can ride out to the countryside, and back again. Later on you'll feel comfy just nipping down to the shops for supplies.

If you used to commute by scooter- leave that until last. That said, commute traffic is often the safest to be in, statistically.

I got on as soon as I was able. I do remember that I was hyper aware which you need to be anyway. Go for it!