Near miss this morning (was I in the wrong)

Richard53

Horizon81 wrote: »

Take the car then. You know it's safer so why take the bike?

If we take your argument (roughly: if there are two choices, always take the safer one) to its logical conclusion, then we would all be walking everywhere. Or perhaps using the train or coach travel, as these are statistically safer than driving a car.

Take a coach then. You know it's safer so why take the car?

Self-preservation means that I concentrate far harder on two wheels than I do on four. In 42 years of driving and 41 years of riding, I have had one collision in a car and none on a bike. For me, based on actual statistics, the bike is a safer mode of transport. It might not be for you, but how I choose to get about is none of your business.

steve-L

Portly_Pig wrote: »

I understand why it annoys you when they don't indicate, but when you don't see brake lights what do you think they are going to do, drive into the back of the stationary car?

Indicating also then sends the wrong signal to approaching traffic.
(Who might also have a motorbike overtaking them)...

steve-L

MEM62 wrote: »

Unfortunately, some of replies on this thread reflect the all too common attitude that all motorcyclists do not ride responsibly and are usually in the wrong. The mere fact that bikes are able to filter is seen as irresponsible riding even when done in a safe and lawful manner.

Because it is.

If I am behind a slow car then I can also overtake in a situation where many motorcyclist might. I might end up speeding (just as many motorcyclists do but seems OK if you're on a bike overtaking)

When I go round a long bend or roundabout I can overtake the motorcycle and there is nothing they can do to stop it except physically block me. Why shouldn't I 'filter' past people using 'slow transport for bends' (like a 1100cc bike) when my car can go MUCH faster round that bend? Obviously a race tuned 1100cc bile will be able to accelerate OUT of the bend much faster....

The roundabout closest to my house is on a 50 mph stretch. I can go round it at 50mph very easily and usually have to go 360 degrees around it to return the way I came from which is no right turn (except motorcycles right turn here every day) Why don't motorbikes and slower cars have to 'pull out of my way'?

These questions are of course rhetorical since I drive a car not ride a bike. It's unacceptable to deem my cars performance a right to have others pull over.

Motorcyclists seem to think it is acceptable to act in a way that would be unacceptable for a car (even if the car could do the same manoeuvre). The irony being they have the most to lose. I don't really want a head on with a motorcycle but I predict the car will come of better than the bike, especially when the bike hits a 3l lump of engine.

MEM62

steve-L wrote: »

Because it is.

If I am behind a slow car then I can also overtake in a situation where many motorcyclist might. I might end up speeding (just as many motorcyclists do but seems OK if you're on a bike overtaking)

When I go round a long bend or roundabout I can overtake the motorcycle and there is nothing they can do to stop it except physically block me. Why shouldn't I 'filter' past people using 'slow transport for bends' (like a 1100cc bike) when my car can go MUCH faster round that bend? Obviously a race tuned 1100cc bile will be able to accelerate OUT of the bend much faster....

The roundabout closest to my house is on a 50 mph stretch. I can go round it at 50mph very easily and usually have to go 360 degrees around it to return the way I came from which is no right turn (except motorcycles right turn here every day) Why don't motorbikes and slower cars have to 'pull out of my way'?

These questions are of course rhetorical since I drive a car not ride a bike. It's unacceptable to deem my cars performance a right to have others pull over.

Motorcyclists seem to think it is acceptable to act in a way that would be unacceptable for a car (even if the car could do the same manoeuvre). The irony being they have the most to lose. I don't really want a head on with a motorcycle but I predict the car will come of better than the bike, especially when the bike hits a 3l lump of engine.

I agree with you that there are road / traffic conditions inwhich a car can overtake slower traffic in front just a easily as amotorcycle. However, motorcyclists have more opportunities to safely overtake because we require less road space and most modern machines have good acceleration.

With respect to your comments on overtaking - no vehicle, motorcycle or car, has the right to expect another to yield and allow them to pass just because they have the capability or desire to overtake and if you use the roads with that attitude you will compromise your safety and that of the other road users who are unfortunate enough to share a stretch of tarmac with you. And if you really need someone to tell you why you should not overtake on a bend (or roundabout) because you have a faster vehicle then perhaps it’s time you went back to driving school. But to clear the point up - it is because it is dangerous!! And why you would suggest that a rider would put himself at risk just to block your overtake escapes me completely. Do you really think we value our lives so cheaply?

Finally, your point referring to motorcyclist acting in away that would be unacceptable in a car; It is not a case of what is ‘acceptable’. A car and a motorcycle are completely different machines and require different skill sets to be driven / ridden on the road safely. There are things that a bike can do that a car can’t and vice versa. You cannot directly compare what is acceptable between the two as each vehicle has to be driven/ridden in the manner appropriate for that type. I don’t drive a car the same way that I ride a motorcycle. Would you compare riding a bicycle to driving an HGV? Of course not. OK, an extreme example I admit but the same theory applies. They are different animals.

Gnd

As a seasoned and qualified solo member of the IAM (and a minor professional interest!), I think the bike was very lucky. You are perfectly entitled to maneuver on your side of the road but with appropriate caution. From the evidence you were looking but the solo was progressing at a rate inappropriate to the road conditions - that is his fault especially if he had to break hard with only 5mph leighway (35 in a 40). Solos are sometimes a bit 'spirited' in their progress and form experience, "it do make you jump when a car appears in-front of you" (and smarts if you get it wrong) so his reaction (although inexcusable) is understandable; you may well have been the victim of momentary rage and not his/her understanding of your ability. Filtering is acceptable until it becomes dangerous, that is when an offense is committed and should be dealt with in the appropriate manor.

You keep looking and driving as well as you seemed to have been and do get a number so that the authorities can question an offender should you wish to pursue it; bikers be nice - a car will hurt you more than you can hurt them!!!;)

almillar

MEM62 - the biker wasn't filtering - he was overtaking. Filtering is in between stopped or slow moving queues.
I restate that of course the driver should have known the bike was there, and as you say should have used their mirror before adjusting course, but again - what would the driver have done with this new information? They still have to move out!
I'm sure the biker was pumped enough after nearly being wiped out - but it was all his own fault in my view, simply an unsafe overtake.
Horizon81 - motorbikes are excellent commuting vehicles. Look at all the wasted roadspace a car uses with one person in it. They're economical and can cut through the queues. The biker in question seems to have taken this idea too far.
There are good drivers and bad drivers, and equally there are good bikers and bad bikers. I encounter FAR more bad drivers.

Gra76

As the OP was in a moving line of vehicles and was moving over slightly to avoid hitting parked vehicles I lay the blame 100% at the feet of the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist should have checked the road ahead, seen the parked cars and realised with a little common sense that overtaking at that time was dangerous as the row of cars infront of him would have to move over to avoid the parked vehicles.

Why should the OP have to slam the brakes on to allow an impatient motorcyclist past?