Car drivers = grrr!

Gordon861

If you are riding a bike you really need to assume that any other road user is out to get you and that they are about to do something insane. As mentioned above a larger bike(500+) is often safer than a smaller bike do to it giving you more options in the event of an incident.

On the speed limit issue it is often best to go at the speed of the traffic rather than sticking to the limit. The reason most motorcycles are always trying to pass traffic is it is often safer due to the fact that nearly all the danger is limited to the area in front of you, rather than having to worry about cars trying to pass you. On motorways I will try and stick behind moving traffic in the fast lane at a safe distance (but close enough to discourage cars from using the gap), but if I end up with a massive gap in front I will often spped enough to catch up with the next car ahead. Having a car in front of you does offer you an amount of protection from behind as anything gaining on you can see the way ahead blocked from further back.

I'm one of the riders that doesn't wear reflective clothing. I'm of the opinion that if you can't see a 55w headlight coming towards you you also aren't going to see a yellow coat.

negg

The headlight is a good point. I see many motorcyclists without their headlights on and really it is a wise decision to have the light on regardless. In fact, the little bike I used to have (a Honda CBR125) doesn't even have a headlight switch. It is on all the time whether you like it or not!

johnsm

negg wrote: »

The headlight is a good point. I see many motorcyclists without their headlights on and really it is a wise decision to have the light on regardless. In fact, the little bike I used to have (a Honda CBR125) doesn't even have a headlight switch. It is on all the time whether you like it or not!

Most new bikes don't have the option to turn off your headlights. As stated above, you should always have your lights on when riding and make yourself as visible as possible.

You'll find that most bikers are very nice and courteous road users. And a lot of car drivers are the same and often move over to allow bikers to pass easily. Unfortunately this isn't always the case and some car drivers seem to forget they have mirrors at all.

John

RICK..._2

I agree with what's been said, that there are minorities in every group.

I personally would never ride a motorcycle because of the stories i've heard and read. But then again i've seen some absolute idiots riding them dangerously. BUT saying this, I probably see more idiots in cars than I do bikes.. probably just because there's more of them

There was a story i read the other week of two mates racing on their bikes doing 170+mph. overtook a car which was overtaking another, clipped it and went head on into a MPV.. Head, legs etc torn straight off. :eek:

movilogo

Instead of "Think Bike" taught to car drivers, there should be "Think Cars" ads targetted to motor cycle riders!

The way most motorcycles are driven, I think they simply don't care for their own and others' lives.

johnsm

movilogo wrote: »

Instead of "Think Bike" taught to car drivers, there should be "Think Cars" ads targetted to motor cycle riders!

The way most motorcycles are driven, I think they simply don't care for their own and others' lives.

Foolish comment. Are you even a road user?

movilogo wrote: »

The way most motorcycles are driven

Driven? Bikes are quite different to cars, you can manoeuvre much more easily and the only life really at risk is the biker. If this scares you, perhaps you shouldn't be on the road at all.

Think! Bike.

ElkyElky

johnsm wrote: »

Foolish comment. Are you even a road user?



Driven? Bikes are quite different to cars, you can manoeuvre much more easily and the only life really at risk is the biker. If this scares you, perhaps you shouldn't be on the road at all.

Think! Bike.

Good words.

I don't understand why drivers get so frustrated at bikers overtaking/filtering and stuff. If a biker crashes into your car.. the most that would happen to the driver is a bit of whiplash, atleast car drivers have the luxury of seat belts, air bags and a metal frame around them for added protection.

Where as, the biker would come off the bike, there could be a high chance of their neck or back getting broken, not to mention other bones. The biker has a much higher chance of dying than the car driver getting whiplash.

Markyt

movilogo wrote: »

The way most motorcycles are driven, I think they simply don't care for their own and others' lives.

Utter tripe. You might notice and remember the bad ones, but they are in the minority by far.

RICK..._2

People have a choice, if they decide to opt for a bike then that's the risk they're taking.

Don't get me wrong I'm always courteous to bikes, always pull over etc, but just because they're not in a car doesn't mean i'm going to think it's alright if they plow into my car because they'll be worse off??

movilogo

Foolish comment. Are you even a road user?

Yes, I am. I give wide berth to motorcycles only if I see them.

only life really at risk is the biker

That is an absolute proof of callous attitude. If a biker is get killed following people are affected:

Biker's spouse, children, parents etc.
The incident will haunt the car driver rest of his/her life
The car driver might be killed or be injured badly because of this accident.
Motorway will be closed for several hours while the police investigation going on - causing trouble to thousands of other motorists.

Highway Code says - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069854

88

Manoeuvring. You should be aware of what is behind and to the sides before manoeuvring. Look behind you; use mirrors if they are fitted. When in traffic queues look out for pedestrians crossing between vehicles and vehicles emerging from junctions or changing lanes. Position yourself so that drivers in front can see you in their mirrors. Additionally, when filtering in slow-moving traffic, take care and keep your speed low.

Where does it say it is legal to filter on motorways at speed over 100 mph? :rolleyes:

Utter tripe. You might notice and remember the bad ones, but they are in the minority by far.

Same can be said for car drivers - isn't it? The very title of this thread seems to generalise all car drivers!