The Dude
abides
So I was out for a ride today, enjoying the mild weather, when all of a sudden it hit me. I wonder how bad it would be to have an earthquake occur while riding? When I got home, I tried to look online. Surely somebody has to have recorded such an event... but to my surprise, nothing good on YouTube. With Japan being such a high-tech society, I expect we might get some good Tokyo traffic cam footage once they get through the immediate aftermath. The quake happened around 1500 local time, so I'm sure somebody was out on a scooter or motorcycle.
So, what would happen? Would you go down, or would it be possible to maintain your balance? At first, I thought any lateral movement from the quake would take a bike down quick. The more I thought about it though, the more possible it seemed. Your rear wheel spinning should help to keep you upright, and forward movement would minimize the lateral forces, right? I'm thinking the wheels might keep rolling as the ground moved side-to-side. What do you think? Anybody ever been through a big one on a bike?
So, what would happen? Would you go down, or would it be possible to maintain your balance? At first, I thought any lateral movement from the quake would take a bike down quick. The more I thought about it though, the more possible it seemed. Your rear wheel spinning should help to keep you upright, and forward movement would minimize the lateral forces, right? I'm thinking the wheels might keep rolling as the ground moved side-to-side. What do you think? Anybody ever been through a big one on a bike?