Always in a constant state of fear now  By  Deleted (Read 5,787 times)

You have to do what you have to do. I'd either just ride more and see if you get more comfortable or put it away for a few days or weeks and then give it a try again. No need to rush into a sale.

A little fear or anticipation is good, it keeps you safe, but if your really scared at intersections maybe you need to just know that and take some time...

I was in a intersection collision on my motorcycle and it has made me a little fearful but I am not afraid to ride like your describing..

I was really anxious on my motorcycle for a while after my accident. But there are definitely changes in habits you can form that will make you safer without even knowing you are doing it. Now I ride my scooter in complete confidence that no matter what the road (or drivers) throw at me, I'm completely up to it.

It's hard to describe what exactly those changes are, just little things. I take routes that minimize left turns, some roads just feel safer than others, I try to watch other drivers head/eye movements, etc etc

Fear is a great motivator for defensive driving.
Never allow yourself to get afraid on the road. If you get afraid, SLOW DOWN, to where you can ride safely!

Fear allows you to recognize dangers on the road. As you become better at riding, your mind will start recognizing dangerous situations, possible crazy traffic movements, calculate escape routes, and provide you with the safest path to ride.
Ride safe, remember to keep distance (2 second gap minimum, 4 second gap recommended).

The more you ride, the more of this behavior will transfer from your conscious mind to your unconscious mind. (Or like other people will call it, muscle memory; though muscles don't have memory, it's your subconscious mind that takes over of repetitive actions).

But all this takes time.

My suggestion is, don't ride too long; it will tire your mind.
Keep your trips 5 to 10 minutes the most, and take breaks in between.
Do no more than 2 or 3 trips a day.
It helps you in the beginning. Like doug said, the brain needs rest from this activity, when it's new for you.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Very strange feeling since I have never before been afraid of anything D8

OH....forgot about that

Fear is a good thing to a point, it sharpens your situational awareness, But for the moment it's ruling you. And that's to be expected so soon after a mishap. It's quite normal. I agree with the others here, take some time off, when you do ride go in small steps, on roads you know well and have confidence in driving. It takes time to recover, no book here as to how much time, every one is different.

As for bikers driving without a care, I don't think so. They have already been were you are now, and have learned to master their fear, and use it to keep them safe... Take your time, be in no hurry, and allow your love for it to overcome your fear, then use your fear instead of it using you.