Orange Barrel Blues

Orange Barrel Blues
You’ve finally found time for a weekend trip, and you’ve been riding mostly superhighways to save time. There has been a lot more construction than you would have liked, but you know that’s just the nature of summertime travel. You’ve noticed hundreds of those big plastic construction barrels used as warning barriers. Some have flashing lights on top. Some are placed outside the concrete barriers. But you also observe that some are placed between traffic lanes, like those between the right lane and that entry ramp, and you wonder if they are a motorcycle hazard. With several trucks entering the freeway on the entry ramp, you’re looking for an opening that will allow you to change lanes to get out of their way. But before you a can move over, the wind blast from a large truck has blown over an orange barrel, and it’s bouncing right toward you. Before you can react, the barrel slams into the front wheel and is crunched under the engine. You lose steering control, and the bike topples over in a trail of sparks and an exploding saddlebag. Fortunately, drivers behind you are able to brake in time to avoid running you over. You’re not hurt badly, thanks to your riding gear, but you’re shocked at how easily a flimsy plastic barrel can cause a bike to go down.
When approaching or riding through a construction zone, you need to be aware of hazards such as loose gravel and edge traps. But don’t forget about those big orange construction barrels. The greatest barrel hazard is when they are placed between two lanes, where larger vehicles might knock them out into your path.
Anita