cb360 wrote:People do it all the time in Washington and it kills me. They think that the car pool lane is their. If they are in a minivan with two kids in it and they are going 70 - they aren't moving for anyone. As a result, we all get we we are going much slower. Occasionally I will see a sign that says "keep right except to pass". But people rarely do.
No offense, but...
If the speed limit on the highway is 60, and there's a mom with two kids in the carpool lane doing 60, there is no law, or reason for her to move out of the way. The same thing goes for a motorcyclist doing the same speed. The carpool lane is not a passing lane or a "GO FAST" lane, it is a lane dedicated to those that conserve energy by carpooling and by riding bikes, (That is, if bikes are allowed in your carpool lanes.) The keep right except to pass sign, does not include those in the carpool lanes.
Tailgating, flashing your headlights, or just plain being aggressive only makes you an example of what a large part of the population already thinks of motorcyclists. For the rest our sakes, those that are aggressive, please take that into considerstion the next time you're out for a ride...
Last edited by dr_bar on Fri Aug 12, 2005 3:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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"Four wheels move the body.
Two wheels move the soul!"
Wow listening to you lot makes me feel safe, and I am supposed to live in one of the most dangerous countries in the world. We don't flip people or freak out in any way, if they do not move then we drive around or lane split until we are comfy again. Then again the bulk of our population carries a gun and road rage would likely get you shot.
I spent my therapy money an a K1200S
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R
That's kind of the point of my last post Dr. Bar. The carpool lane took away the customary left-hand passing lane and created anarchy. I think it actually creates more problems than it solves. People still naturally try to pass on the left. Also, if you are moving at the speed of traffic, why sit in the far left carpool lane? In the end, that lane's special status is actually creating more congestion than it alleviates. Carpool's are great. I applaud people who rideshare to work. I get to ride in that carpool lane as a cyclist. But the fact is that it isn't working. Somewhere close to 90% of the morning commuters are still riding single. The program was created to ease congestion and increase carpooling - it's been a miserable failure so IMHO they should give us back the passing lane. And light-flashing is not aggressive behavior - it's nothing more than an 'excuse me' on the road. People didn't used to take it as a grave insult when lights were flashed. It used to be, "Oh my goodness, I'm blocking this guy, I better move over." Now, it's, "He flashed his lights at me!" Middle finger up, lay on the horn, slam brakes. Also, we have carpool lanes on roadways with 'keep right except to pass' signs. What the hell does that mean? Whichever way is proper, it would certainly be simple to see it the other way. Not enough public education and it isn't working.
After a few weeks of riding (2) I am forced to ride into the industrial complex right next to my city's CBD. Now, getting there was fine, I didn't attempt anything complex but legal like a U-turn (went around the block -- more fun anyways) but still almost got creamed by some idiot in one of those huge trashy holiday van wannabe trucks.
You know what I mean? One of those cheaper vans where the owner has only worried about securing the big cage to the smaller cage sacrificing rear-view to the gods of the non-existant head-check.
EDIT: It's either incompetance or arrogance. Either they don't see me or they look right at me, glare and go first because they think bigger vehicle means right of way.
I try to ride my bike following the same laws that I follow when driving my cages. When riding my bike I try to give the cages plenty of time to see me in the rear mirror, most especially when I am going to over take them. When on the freeways, I don't ride the white line, I don't think that is legal. I try not entaganize them, they out wiegh me by 2 tons. If they get upset and hit you the can claim and accident. And the biker will get the worst of it all. Please ride curtiusly, for the sake of all the bikers.
1993 750 Vulcan
one seater
ear shave, pod filters
rear turn signal relocation
lowered rear 2" soft tail
converted to manuel cam chain tensioner
horn relocation
I always considered myself a defensive driver. Been a "cager" for 11 years and have a good driving record. Now, when I got the "bug" this past June for a motorcycle, I grabbed a couple of books and read all of these message boards about motorcycle before I actually got one.
Something I noticed was, my "cage-driving" got even BETTER...after knowing what's going on and being more aware. I've even gotten a few of the "peace" signs from bikers because I was patient enough to wait for one or a few to go by before I turned in front of them.
Now, having been a motorcyclist for three weeks (yeah!), I've come to the conclusion that, most of the time...it doesn't matter what you're driving in...there are going to be those people that are going to pass you no matter what or how fast you're driving/riding.
In the car, I'll go about 5 maybe 10 above the speed limit. On the bike, I'm right at the speed limit...maybe 5 over at times. It doesn't matter. I could be going 80+, and people will still pass me. Must be BIG NASCAR fans..."Must have the lead!!!" mind-set. I let them pass and just shake my head.
I do believe that there are those people out there (be it in cars OR bikes) that, when they see a sports car, or a sports bike, they are going to "race" it just to make themselves feel better. For some reason, a psychological thing happens...when someone sees a Mustang GT, Chevrolet Corvette, or Dodge Viper, suddenly their Honda Civic becomes a race car and can take it...and they NEED to over take it.
Some people just have that mindset and you're not going to change it...not by kicking their mirrors, flipping them "the bird" or sticking your tongue out. People will be people.
The most important things to remember (be it while riding or driving in your cage), watch, be aware, and be cautious! Think not only for yourself, but that other car/van/SUV/bike/semi/etc. that is starting to make your blood boil. Speed limit 55 and they're going 53? Close enough...let them be. You're going 55 and a couple of cars come flying up behind you...let them pass. More than likely, you're not going to change their mindset.
*steps off soapbox*
Okay...sorry about that. Had an "interesting" weekend with drivers and such...and I was in my cage.
There's the right of way, and the right of weight. I decided a long time ago that I'd happily yield to the giant trucks on the road around here as being in the right after the accident doesn't put me any less into the hospital.
That being said, I won't let anyone jerk me around. I can and will pass someone who is purposely messing with me (driving slower then the speed limit and speeding up when I try to pass etc etc etc). I just need to be more careful about when and how I try it.
I also have no problem with taking a longer or different route if it means I can avoid a jackass in a cage. There will always be someone who is willing to mess with you because you're on a bike, I write it off to jealousy and keep going.
On the whole cagers around here are not so much malicious as oblivious, the looks of surprise I get after honking at someone who tried to change lanes into me are more alarming then the fact they actually tried. Makes me feel safe to be out there.
*My Second Truck Story*
Last Tuesday (Oct 25) I was headed home from school. Bopping my way through downtown Edmonton. South on 101st street because it leads right into this really nice downhill through the river valley with the most corners you'll find on any road nearby, though it's far far to short. I always go the extra distance out of my way to go down 101st rather then 105th through the traffic just because the curves are worth it.
Anyways, like I said this was downtown Edmonton, by no means San Diego, New York or any other major major hub, but it is busy, there are a lot of closepacked cages and a ton of idiot pedestrians. So as is typical of my riding style I kept it about 10 under the speed limit, meaning I was doing at MOST 40km/h through stop and go traffic.
The road South has 3 lanes, one is technically a "parking lane" and the left lane fucntions as a dual purpose driving/turning lane. I was in the middle lane out in front of traffic a little ways. As I'm moving along I notice the giant black truck up ahead and to the left is starting to pull out. He made it out 1/4 of the way stopped, I saw him look back and he didn't move. The following things flashed through my mind.
1. Road is 3/4 clear
2. He stopped and looked back
3. He isn't moving
4. He saw me and is going to wait for me to pass
So I maintained speed, he waited another couple of seconds and pulled out. At this point I was close enough that I needed to take emergency action. Up on both sets of brakes, and a HEAVY horn. He stopped again when I did that and I saw him glance back. I came within 2 feet of bouncing off his bumper at that point.
Anyways he pulled forward and got back into the right to make his right turn, I cam up beside him and did what I call a stall... basically break almost to the point of stopping and maintain balance and look over to glare at him. I kept both hands on the bars at all times and I wear a fullface, so I cannot be said to have made any offensive gestures. That took maybe a second, but I got a good look at him, older guy, probably early 50's and gaining weight.
I got up to the front of my lane because it was now empty and stop at the red light. He is now three vehicles back and in the lane to my right. I rest my right hand on my right knee to maintain balance and look back at him once again making no gestures, but long enough for him to realize that it was him I was staring at. As traffic passes the two cars in front of him make their right turns and he pulls up beside me with his window rolled down. The following conversation took place.
"So what the hell is your problem?"
"You cut me off!"
"You shouldn't be going that fas..."
The light turned green at that point and deciding that not holding up traffic was more important then explaining what an idiot he had been I pulled slowly through the intersection and down through my twisties. But I found I was to aggravated to actually enjoy them.
Once again for the record I was travelling well under the speed limit, because I expect stuff like that to happen. And I'm on a bright yellow bike in a bright yellow helmet, it's not like a blend into the tarmac. And my friends wonder why I've taken up hating people in advance of meeting them....
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
I'm new to riding and I plan on getting a bike soon cause i finally got my license ... no offense to the riders, but just to give a different side...
many times bikers act like jerks too on the road and that is a big part of the reason why cagers don't show some bikers respect.
I'm from jersey and there is just SO MUCH showing off here in general, and especially with bikers . A lot of them act like they have no traffic laws to obey like cars; so if you're gonna act like you have no laws to obey, don't be surprised when cagers act the same way...
Bikers need to be responsible on the road just like cars. Now that I got my motorcycle license I see how skillful riding really is and I have a whole new respect for it.
Thank God my MSF instructors were really serious with us about riding and with the rules involved cause they showed us more of the serious responsibilty that comes along with becoming a rider; I wish more riders took some of the rules more serious too out here in Jersey! Maybe then there wouldn't be this much conflict with cagers ... or maybe there still would
"If you want to sail a big boat, you need to prepare to go into deep water."
Hey! its 21st century get with the program. Its called a CellPhone Jammer. It is size of a cellophone and look slike one does a good number on the dolts with the cellphones. Its funny to see the look on their face. But it is prohibited by federal law... But there is no way you can get caught really.
Oh by the way I also drive and take cellphone calls... Long enough to tell the person Im busy and hang up.
Yeah but the cellphone jammers range from 300-800 bucks and are really good for "procreating" with dolts that dont pay attention.
no offense to the riders, but just to give a different side...
. A lot of them act like they have no traffic laws to obey like cars; so if you're gonna act like you have no laws to obey, don't be surprised when cagers act the same way...
... or maybe there still would 
