Cager Indifference

[backrevin]

Since returning to motocycling 6 months ago I have read many posts about cager indifference to motorcyclists on this forum. I had never experienced an issue until today when a cager executed a left turn from a side road in front of me. Given the advice from this site I ride with the main beam on...always during the day, I have a white helmet and wear a reflective yellow and orange sash vest against a black Joe Rocket jacket - I resemble an Outer Banks Lighthouse! Below in italics are tips I picked up from this site that I am convinced helped me avoid a collision today. To share with other newbies & returnees..

...always expect the unexpected, ride defensively..I did and covered the brake and eased off the throttle ever so slightly when I saw the cager stopped with indicator blinking for a left turn...

...don't trust eye contact, they are looking through you...I swear the guy made eye contact when he was starting to pull out in front of me he slowed and stopped then kept going by which time I had dropped about 25-30 mph from my original speed of 35 mph...

...even when you think cagers will yield, think again ... after stopping midway across my lane and with no oncoming traffic I could have moved past him to his left...I didn't which is just as well as he continued to execute his turn and sped off without so much as an apolgetic wave (not that I expected one)...

I can't wait to ride again tomorrow, with the benefit of another day of learning behind me...

[camthepyro]

Good thing you avoided that accident! The thinking process you described above is important. I am just now starting to enjoy riding again after my accident. I've gained most of my confidence back, so I can have fun riding, without constantly being scared some cager is going to make another dumb "O Ring" move. But, I learned enough from the accident to hopefully keep me safe.

[Mintbread]

I wear a black helmet with tinted visor, a black leather jacket, black and white camo draggin jeans and black boots.
I no longer care whether people can see me or not as I have proven time and again that no matter what you wear you will not be seen by cagers.
I rely solely on my ability to stay out of harms way instead of hoping that they will be paying attention.

[CORSCO]

Good advice, backrevin.
I always ride with two fingers on the clutch lever, one finger on the front brake and right foot hovering above the rear brake lever.
Everyday I take the same rode on my test rides and everyday someone pulls out in front of me from the apartment complexes on this road.
On Wednesday of last week, a woman on a cell phone was driving in my lane to turn left into the complex.
I have often wondered if I should change my route but realize I know where the danger spots are too well.
Be safe, everyone.

[Dragonhawk]

I have 2 rules for motorcycling that are wise to follow at all times:

RULE #1 - You are 1000% invisible and no one ever, ever, ever, ever sees you. Ever. No matter what. Even if they look right at you, they never, never, never know you are there. Never.

RULE #2 - If they do see you, they are out to kill you.



I know it sounds like a joke. But, honestly, I ride with those 2 rules in mind all the time. Keep in mind that the true "blind spot" on a car is actually 360 degrees....

[camthepyro]

Yep, i agree with DragonHawk, always assume they don't see you, because there's a pretty good chance they don't. I ALWAYS give cars the right away, even if it should be mine, the only time i'll take it is if I actually see the guy wave for me specifically to go.

[backrevin]

II no longer care whether people can see me or not as I have proven time and again that no matter what you wear you will not be seen by cagers. I rely solely on my ability to stay out of harms way instead of hoping that they will be paying attention.

...you may be right, but what is the downside to wearing hi vis kit? I agree what you wear is not a basis to drop your guard but if wearing hi vis gear saves one occasion where you do not have to demonstrate accident avoidance skill I will take it.

I am just now starting to enjoy riding again after my accident.

Good for you cam..not sure how I would react under the same circumstances and I am sure all the naysayers I am surrounded by would emerge from the woodwork and be a real downer...hope I never find out.

[KarateChick]

Yup - some don't see you and they don't care to see you. Others see you and want to play "beat the bike" no matter what, whether it's blowing by you or jumping in front of you or squealing their tires beside you at the traffic lights. Eh...go ahead, buncha jerks. Next time, I hope you DON'T see the nice cop stopped at the intersection too. The final bunch sees you and is really scared that somehow, you are going to flop over sideways either in front of them or beside them and they give you lots of room, managing to block off all the other cars too....they're the best bunch

[Mintbread]

...you may be right, but what is the downside to wearing hi vis kit?

Looking like a grade-A moron for starters.

I agree what you wear is not a basis to drop your guard but if wearing hi vis gear saves one occasion where you do not have to demonstrate accident avoidance skill I will take it.

As a postman I wear a nice white helmet and a reflective vest and if it is raining, a flourescent yellow suit. I see on a daily basis that this gear simply does not work. I am not going to know if somebody notices my bright gear and choses not to run me over, but I do notice that I am just as safe wearing a black ensemble as I am a ridiculous yellow one based on the amount of times people have pulled out on me or otherwise failed to acknowledge my existence on the road.

[jstark47]

I 100% agree with Dragonhawk. Every day, I see a new variation of cager indifference, lack of skill, malice, or just plain, out-and-out, "Darwin Awards" grade stupidity. I swear if there were mandatory annual re-licensing exams, half the cagers would flunk.

We're totally on our own out there, boys and girls. Our survival is by our wits and skill. Anything else is good luck - nice to get, but don't depend on it.