Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Something's been nagging me.

Tonight, I went to see a movie with some friends (Cloverfield, it was great) and I rode with one of the guys. We parked at the mall and upon arriving, we both noticed that the scooter in the next space has been tipped over. I felt pretty bad and I was actually pretty pissed, as I'd hate to see that happen to my bike. I felt pretty bad for the rider as well, because y'know, coming out to see that your vehicle has been tipped really sucks. I'd be furious.

I watned to pick it up but my friend said "no, don't touch it, you don't want to be blamed for that" and I figured this was a good point, so I left it alone. However, I felt pretty bad that it was down. Should I have picked it up?

I don't know if insurance could bite me in the "O Ring" for that, or law enforcement, or whatever...I didn't want to get into anything, but I really wanted to pick the damn thing up. The other reason that I didn't pick it up (and I thought of this later, not at the time) was because if there was any damage, you'd want the rider to actually assess it him/herself, instead of coming out and hopping on a machine that could possibly be damaged. You always look more carefully when you know it's been down.

(I stood inside the mall waiting for the movie, hoping that I'd see someone with a helmet or something so I could relay what had happened, but I didn't catch anyone. I did see a woman with a light leather jacket, jeans, and some borwn boots or something, but I couldn't be sure if she rode ths thing.)

Has anyone been in a situation like this before? In this case, it was a scooter so I could have lifted it easily. What would you have done and why? What should I have done and what should I do next time? When I came back out after the movie was over, around midnight (it started around 10:15) the scooter was still there but it had been righted...

I can only speak for my self, I would have picked it up for the very reasons you stated, you listened to your buddy and did what you thought was right,,,or did you.

I'd have left it. If mine was dropped I'd want to know, not do an investigation.

I'd probably have left it, but notified the security there so they could do an overhead page for the owner.

mgdavis wrote:I'd probably have left it, but notified the security there so they could do an overhead page for the owner.

+1 on this.

I've had people come tell me that my bike is on it's side, and I'd rather get that news and pick the bike up myself, assess the damage, and fume about some jerkwad who knocked it over rather than come out to an upright bike that might have some damage on it. A damaged, upright bike would make me wonder just what's been going on with my bike while I've been away.

This can be a sticky issue and I agree with your confusion. I'd hate to come out and think everything is ok until one day you notice some damage and you have no idea how it arrived. I try to put myself in the other shoe and think what I would want someone to do for me. Therefore, I would most likely call security or flag them down since they usually patrol the lot, then pick the bike up and leave a note for the rider indicating what you did. The only contemplating I would do is trying to determine if I should leave a name and number for the rider to contact me so I can tell him what happened. It could turn into and accusation or suspicion that I did it. The only reason I'd hate to leave a bike down is mostly due to the gas which may spill out.

It is a tough call but don't beat yourself up over it. You did what you thought was best at the time. There is no right or wrong answer. What some may prefer to have done, others may prefer to leave it alone. One person may appreciate you lifting the bike while another may condemn you for touching it. Therefore, in many cases, it just may be best to leave it alone.

Meanie wrote:... I would most likely call security or flag them down since they usually patrol the lot, then pick the bike up and leave a note for the rider indicating what you did. The only contemplating I would do is trying to determine if I should leave a name and number for the rider to contact me so I can tell him what happened. It could turn into and accusation or suspicion that I did it. The only reason I'd hate to leave a bike down is mostly due to the gas which may spill out.

+1

Leaving a note gives the owner the proper information - I would never rely on "security" personnel to manage a situation 100% in best fashion. I would not leave my info, since I was not involved in damaging the vehicle. I would just write, "saw your ride on its side - gave it a lift - don't know how it fell".

Cheers,
Loonette

I would leave it, and contact the information desk/security guard, with the reg plate details.

UNLESS it had just been knocked over and was leaking fuel, in which case, I'd pick it up, leave a note, and find a guard/info desk

The answer seems obvious to me. Pick it up. That's neighborly and polite and courteous and considerate. Leave a note explaining what happened. Inform security also and see if they will page the owner - get a description using the make and model plus the license number.

If you want to be extra-nice, leave your contact info on the note.

I would appreciate someone doing all that if my bike got knocked over.

Don't be afraid of the owner accusing you after-the-fact or catching you while picking it up. Doing the right thing sometimes means taking those chances and going out of your way. The world is full of far too many people who fear doing the right thing, and we should all loathe to become so cowardly.

Just the other day, I passed a motorcyclist on the side of the highway. I didn't see him in time to stop and ask if he was okay. I figured he was; I think he was just stopping to call someone on his cellphone. Just in case, I went to my exit, circled all the way back, and got back on the highway so I could slow down and stop by him this time.

Turns out he was already gone. He wasn't having any bike troubles after all. Added about 5 to 7 minutes on my trip, but I had gone out of my way to do the right thing.

Everyone else should do that too.

Call security and don't touch it.

Unless someone here is a lawyer I can caution you that the law can be interpreted in mysterious ways. I know it's an "O Ring" thing to do but it's true.

I'm a really nice person and it's hard for me not to do the right thing. So I usually try to picture the other person being the worst person ever. So think of someone you despise, not someone you've met and just say "What if it was THAT persons bike".

Because it COULD be. That person could decide to accuse you anyway and next thing you know your taking 2 or 3 days off of work to go to court for something you never did. Trying to PROVE you didn't do it and how many people in the crowd do you think are going to step forward and say you DIDN'T do anything.

90% chance nobody is going to stop up because people suck or are afraid to be nice.

Do what's best for yourself cause you can't take the chance that you think someone else will.