Arrogant motorcyclists

pinkshoes

The other day I pulled out of a junction, then 2 seconds later a motorcyclist (that I had indeed seen) overtakes then pulls in front of me, sticking his fingers up several times. Very rude.

The distance from the junction to where I saw him means that if he was doing the speed limit, I would have at least 10 seconds to accelerate to 60mph before he reached the junction (and thus a bit more time as I would have travelled quite a distance in this time too...). My car is easily capable of this.

(and yes, I am a physics geek and very good at judging distances!)

So basically, for him to have caught me so quickly, he had to be doing over 100mph.

I have no objection to motorcyclists doing such speeds (I'm quite sure my DH does over 150mph sometimes...), but is it up to the motorcyclist to accept they will have to slow down when a car pulls out (due to their own excessive speed), or should car drivers have to think "oh, here comes an arrogant [Removed] on a motorbike who thinks it's his right to ride at whatever speed (s)he likes, so I'll have to assume they're doing over 100mph and wait..."

Just to point out I am certainly not anti motorbikes, and most motorcyclists are polite and don't ride like [Removed], but if you're doing way over the speed limit, surely you need to take some responsibility??

(rant over)

Robisere

I was once a biker (many years ago) and I live not far from Cadwell Park. If I am at a junction and see a bike coming towards me, I know two things: * He will be at my location faster than I think. ** He will not want be following me for long. So I let him go. It is a fact that speed cameras cannot catch bikes, and riders know that, so they can risk higher speeds. But is that less deplorable than your OH doing 150 MPH, or were you joking? I sincerely hope so!

Having said that, I do have a funny (?) story about one "arrogant [Removed]" of a biker who shot out of a junction in front of me as I was driving a main road. He got the full benefit of my horn and lights, then started to waggle his rear wheel, intended as an insult I suppose. However, it blew up in his face when he hit a pothole he did not see, due to looking for a reaction from me. He came to grief, his bike and himself slid along the gravel. Both were damaged, he had severe gravel rash, the bike badly dented and scratched. I stopped, put on the hazard flashers and went to his aid. He was bleeding slowly from the gravel, due to wearing only a light jacket and jeans. I phoned for an ambulance and he was crying. Yes - crying. Police and a Paramedic arrived, then I learned that he was only 15 and riding his brother's bike, no license of course.

He was suitably punished I believe, what his brother did is not known but I know what my big bro would have done to me in that situation! His injuries were only superficial, but having parted company with my own bike some years ago on a patch of loose gravel, I know he will be picking the stuff out of his leg and arm for some years!

Sometimes justice is natural ...

lisyloo

I'm a biker and I'd say no-way should he (or she) be doing anything like 100mph near a junction.
How does that give him/her any time to react?

When you see this kind of thing you have to think Darwin awards.
It's a shame because some of us are not like that.
Thanks for not being judgmental about bikers. A lot of people would be and understandably so.

Buellguy

I'm a biker and I'd say no-way should he (or she) be doing anything like 100mph near a junction.
How does that give him/her any time to react?

When you see this kind of thing you have to think Darwin awards.
It's a shame because MOST of us are not like that.
Thanks for not being judgmental about bikers. A lot of people would be and understandably so.


Sorted that for you


I always work on the one that every other b*&^%r on the road is out to kill me and go from there but I do agree with you lisyloo, especially near a junction where the whole SMIDSY comes into play (speaks from VERY painful experience)

pinkshoes

Afraid I wasn't joking about the 150mph... (I always dread knocks on the door when he's out on his bike...)

Am also from near Cadwell Park originally, so often went to watch the racing.

Love motorbikes, hate the arrogant riders that ruin the reputation of bikers.

hollydays

The word biker isn't a badge of honour- there are idiots everywhere.

forgotmyname

Bit of both sides of the fence here. You saw them coming so should have judged their speed before pulling out.

I was on the A5 in a 50mph limit. Spotted a bike coming up fairly quickly. Just before he overtook me he pulled a wheelie.
Overtaking a car on one wheel is stupid. What made it worse was the white chevron markings. There was so much debris in that area he was risking his life big time.

I wouldnt drive in that area if you lay my family in front of the car.

Azari

forgotmyname wrote: »

You saw them coming so should have judged their speed before pulling out.

I'm surprised a driver would say that. It's impossible to judge the speed of a vehicle with any accuracy when it is approaching at such an oblique angle. (At least until it is so close that you would not pull out anyway.)

The most sensible thing to do is assume they are doing 20mph over the speed limit. The roads would grind to a halt if everyone allowed for an oncoming vehicle doing 100 mph.

aileth

forgotmyname wrote: »

Bit of both sides of the fence here. You saw them coming so should have judged their speed before pulling out.

I don't know around your area, but around here cars/bikes actually accelerate if they see you waiting at a junction so you don't get in front of them. You check, judge their speed, have more than enough time, and when you've completed your manoeuvre you find them crammed up your jacksy flashing their lights.

I've had this a lot when I've moved into middle/outside lane to overtake on the motorway, mirrors, indicate, plenty of space, move, someone up your backside because they didn't want you in front of them.

The think bike campaign is great and all, but a lot of bikers need to think car as well. I barely have any issues with bikes, except on a dual carriageway near us, where they duck and dive out of both lanes of traffic with inches to spare. One misjudgment and you're a pancake.

kaya

So you saw the bike and decided to pull out knowing that he could have been exceeding the speed limit ( like your other half does) and your actions could have caused trouble, but it's his fault for going to fast and not your fault for exhibiting poor judgement ? Sounds like you are the one suffering arrogance by expecting him to slow down for you despite your "insider knowledge" about speeding motorbikes

verityboo

pinkshoes wrote: »

The other day I pulled out of a junction, then 2 seconds later a motorcyclist (that I had indeed seen) overtakes then pulls in front of me, sticking his fingers up several times. Very rude.

The distance from the junction to where I saw him means that if he was doing the speed limit, I would have at least 10 seconds to accelerate to 60mph before he reached the junction

(rant over)

If he did in 2 seconds a distance which would take 10 sec at 60 mph then he must have been doing 300mph :rotfl:

It doesn't quite add up?