I don't know how many of you have heard this before

[storysunfolding]

I told my uncle yesterday about my riding a motorcycle. He gave me the spiel on how motorcycles are dangerous and that there's nothing you can do about that but reduce the ways you can be hurt. In the end there's nothing you can do to make riding a motorcycle less dangerous (CEO of an Insurance company btw). Then he told me what I'm sure you've all heard

"Ride like you're invisible and no one can see you. "

Then "Scratch that. Ride like everyone can see you... and they all want to kill you"

I got a good laugh out of it.

[Sev]

I do.

[Mustang]

This brings up an interesting point, people who don't ride giving those that do advice.

Obviously your Uncle being in the Insurance biz is an exception, but I'm amazed when non-riders always tell me I have to be careful when riding.

I tell them "So juggling pins on fire, with my eyes closed when riding my bike isn't a good thing?"

What do people think we do when we're riding?

[Randy]

I kinda agree with both points though... I really like the second part.

[JustJames]

That what I've been told "Ride where everyone can see you" and "Think like everyone wanna kill you" .

I trend to ride aggressively on FWY so that other cagers and at least notice of my present. I try to use eyes contact which is I'm not so good at with ppl in the car next to me. I swerve like riding on the moon when cagers tailgating me. But I don't and will not do wheelie or other stupid stunt just to call attention from cagers

[scan]

I treat all cages as unpredictable. I pass someone like they are going to come over when I get next to them. I approach an intersection like the cars are going to run the red light or ignore the stop sign. Cars in driveways about to pull out - they don't see me.

So I scan for a possible problem. I evaluate if I need an exit strategy (like any of the above). And I execute my safest line, or preparation for stopping.

I've almost been hit dozens of times. I've almost been creamed in an intersection. I've almost had guys run into me without signalling they were coming to my lane. Almost, but I prepared. 100% of the time you can't be sure you'll be safe, but I think most of the time you can. Even though most mistakes are the fault of cage drivers, you can mostly avoid them with awareness of the unpredictable nature of - phone calling, make-up putting on, news paper reading, lunch eating automobile drivers.

So yeah, ride like they can't see ya - and be aware they just might try to kill ya. For me it is part of the fun. I like problem solving and running through the "what ifs".

[snwbrdr]

I never really knew how easy it was to be invisible till i got on my bike. But i've decided that most cages just arent trained to see my bike. Just last night on my ride home for work im coming home on the same road i ride everyday. its two lanes each direction with a turn lane in the middle. during the day it gets busy, but im coming home around 1130 and there is not another car in sight. As i near a BP gas station i see a car starting away from the pump, as i near i get that feeling that tells me he will pull out in front of me........SO HE DOES!!!!! Not another car in sight! He pulls up. Stops. Looks. Pulls out in front of me. he is headed my direction so as i pass i give the one fingered wave and continue on my way. what really pisses me off is the street is lighted! my bike has a working and pretty bright headlight, but he still didnt see me.

[CNF2002]

Good advice. I ride like I'm invincible and will jump ramp any car that gets in front of me. Now I know better.

[jstark47]

"Ride like you're invisible and no one can see you. "

Then "Scratch that. Ride like everyone can see you... and they all want to kill you"

I split the difference. I expect I'm invisible to 50% of cagers. The other 50% who can see me are assassins.

My expectations are usually met.

[Sev]

Oh, my, God. I just got Scan's name, that's awsome!

One of the things I've been in the habit of doing is whenever a pacer meets up with me, you all know what a pacer is, the idiot who wants to go exactly the same speed as you and basically pace you along the freeway even though you're trying to pass them or they should be passing you. Anyways, what I do when I meet them is:
1) speed up just a little so they can see my rear end (and turn signals)
2) signal like I'm going to change into their lane
3) move to the side of the lane away from them
4) swerve back towards the part of my lane that's close to them


Now, I'm in enough control to totally stay in my lane, but what they see is a bike swerving towards them, and coming up suddenly. They slow down real fast after that.