Think bike

[agnes]

You have several types of bikers.

1) Your tourer, generally has a bike the size of a small country, BMW GS or the likes of. Steady paced, just enjoys riding bike.
2) God's gift, these guys are the muppets that wear shorts and t shirts on a sportsbike capable of 0-60 in under 3 seconds and with a power to weight ratio of 1000HP per ton... But don't worry, there new sun tan will save them if they come off.
3) Avid riders, experienced, cautious, in the correct gear.

I would class my self as #3, I never go anywhere without full leathers on, I filter through traffic yes, but as said above, to the car driver, it seems ridiculous and dangerous. But most of the time, we will be doing 10mph and more than in control.

If someone is not comfortable with a bike it is beyond obvious.

It's just the #2 riders that give us a bad name, very small amount are like that and generally if they turned up to a bike meet like that, they would instantly be shown the door.

ags

 

[Fr0dders]

You had a bad experience with a biker, as Mr gorgeous-transparent-blue bike guy said above, bikers have bad experiences thanks to car drivers every single day. Though that's not what I'm getting at with my post, it's the guessing what other people think attitude. Now, I have duck soup to eat.

unfortunately I've had several, including one "member" who took the humph when we call into question the intelligence of posting a video showing themselves doing 140mph on a dual carriageway.

He then proceeded to run straight to his bikers forum, called us all a bunch of "@&^ers and got lots of sympathy from his biking buddies who assured him that posting a video of himself doing 140mph means he's got the right stuff and can stand up proud amongst the biking fraternity. Its this sort of self righteous attitude, that they dont have to obey any of the rules of the road, that winds car drivers right up.

and its exactly that sort of attitude amongst bikers that car drivers dislike. Calling us all "cagers" as some kind of derogatory term doesn't help either.

Yes we should look out for innocent bikers who pulling out of junctions etc.. but some of the stuff posted in here is just the manifestation of the anti biker sentiment.

It's just the #2 riders that give us a bad name, very small amount are like that and generally if they turned up to a bike meet like that, they would instantly be shown the door.

ags

unfortunately on the A roads up to the seaside on a bank holiday weekend 90 % are type #2 ....

 

[bledd]

There are many reckless drivers and many reckless riders

 

[growse]

unfortunately I've had several, including one "member" who took the humph when we call into question the intelligence of posting a video showing themselves doing 140mph on a dual carriageway.

He then proceeded to run straight to his bikers forum, called us all a bunch of "@&^ers and got lots of sympathy from his biking buddies who assured him that posting a video of himself doing 140mph means he's got the right stuff and can stand up proud amongst the biking fraternity. Its this sort of self righteous attitude, that they dont have to obey any of the rules of the road, that winds car drivers right up.

and its exactly that sort of attitude amongst bikers that car drivers dislike. Calling us all "cagers" as some kind of derogatory term doesn't help either.

Yes we should look out for innocent bikers who pulling out of junctions etc.. but some of the stuff posted in here is just the manifestation of the anti biker sentiment.




unfortunately on the A roads up to the seaside on a bank holiday weekend 90 % are type #2 ....

'Vocal minority' is an apt term here. For every person loudly applauding someone posting a video of themselves doing 140mph down the motorway, there's many many more quietly thinking 'what an idiot'.

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

I have no isses with bikers or cyclists except when....

A) Cyclists cycle side by side down a main road - Cars squeeze past them
B) Motorbikes weave in and out of traffic - I don't see you until it is too late!

Whilst I do my best to stay aware of what is around me, I have to say over 50% of the bikes that weave past me have come from my blind spot and I have not seen them at all.

Bikers and cyclists are entitled to use the road but need to understand that:

COLLISION WITH CAR = MANGLED BODY (I consider death on impact nicer than losing both legs and an arm tbh).

I find cyclists the most dangerous as they need not have any awareness training to use the roads.

 

[duc999]

'Vocal minority' is an apt term here. For every person loudly applauding someone posting a video of themselves doing 140mph down the motorway, there's many many more quietly thinking 'what an idiot'.

I usually hang out in the bikers forum and am quite aware of who you are talking about. Its idiots like him that sour the already bad image of people who enjoy riding motorbikes.

I refuse to be called a 'biker' as that implies I am like him , which I most certainly am not.

I like to think I am corteous to all road users and there are good and bad on or in all types of vehicles.

Personally I save my need for speed for the track as I value my life and my license.

 

[duc999]

You have several types of bikers.

1) Your tourer, generally has a bike the size of a small country, BMW GS or the likes of. Steady paced, just enjoys riding bike.
2) God's gift, these guys are the muppets that wear shorts and t shirts on a sportsbike capable of 0-60 in under 3 seconds and with a power to weight ratio of 1000HP per ton... But don't worry, there new sun tan will save them if they come off.
3) Avid riders, experienced, cautious, in the correct gear.

I would class my self as #3, I never go anywhere without full leathers on, I filter through traffic yes, but as said above, to the car driver, it seems ridiculous and dangerous. But most of the time, we will be doing 10mph and more than in control.

If someone is not comfortable with a bike it is beyond obvious.

It's just the #2 riders that give us a bad name, very small amount are like that and generally if they turned up to a bike meet like that, they would instantly be shown the door.

ags

+1. I'm also a type 3 and can't abide the type 2 squids.

I couldn't care less if they injure or kill themselves its the innocents they take with them and the emergency services that have to clear up the mess.

 

[Rich1988]

Bikers dont think they have a right to get there before everyone else, they just can so they do, as a car driver I always move over and let bikes filter through and as a biker I always thank car drivers that do so.

what completely baffles me is why some car drivers deliberately move INTO your way to stop you from filtering, I had a civic driver pull out in front of at least 4 of our group and rev his engine at us because seemingly he didnt like that fact that we could filter through and he had to wait there ??

 

[duc999]

Bikers dont think they have a right to get there before everyone else, they just can so they do, as a car driver I always move over and let bikes filter through and as a biker I always thank car drivers that do so.

what completely baffles me is why some car drivers deliberately move INTO your way to stop you from filtering, I had a civic driver pull out in front of at least 4 of our group and rev his engine at us because seemingly he didnt like that fact that we could filter through and he had to wait there ??

Seen and had this done to me when on a bike many a time. Even had a truck driver do it as he leaned out of his window and laughed.

Part and parcel of using the roads , there will always be idiots on them.

 

[Mucky_Pup]

I hate the bellends who block you from filtering. Nevermind, they'll do it to the wrong type of biker sometime, and they'll end up a wing mirror missing or a nice big scratch along the side, lol.

 

[Mon]

Having steel toe capped boots helps to those who block filtering .

Don't understand car drivers that do it guess they are just jealous that they can't filter, bikes don't exactly hold up the cars so don't see the point.

As for bikers being aware think they are considering they have their lives on the line!, worst that can happen to a car is someone hits them and then its insurance time , for a biker it quite often is a visit to the hospital or morgue.

 

[Fr0dders]

Don't understand car drivers that do it

you only have to look at what happens when cars are asked to merge in turn to understand why they do it. Car drivers will happily do it to each other, let alone to bikers.

Its that British queuing mentality. That somebody "filtering" or "merging in front of them" is seen as queue jumping, and we all know that the British are obsessive about their queues like no other nation.

I've been driving down to the bottom of where you are supposed to merge in turn, and had drivers appoint themselves queue police and dive out straight in front of me, before sitting in the outside lane deliberately not moving to provoke a reaction.

 

[cdcopyman]

as whats been said , theres dangerous people everywhere , its hard to control someone elses actions , i include myself, im no angel on a bike or in a car but i know my limits within reason. I try to always acknowledge people in cars when im on my bike who notice me, when they leave space for me to filter, or leave room at lights..ect they get a thumbs up from me! Dont get me wrong i dont mind sitting in traffic now and then , but whats the point when i can , legally get ahead if it.

 

[86JR]

It's got nothing to do with who "owns the road", it's bad attitudes like yours that cause collisions in general.

No, its bikers with attitudes that because they have a machine that fits through small gaps they think they can completely ignore the highway code and that they have some kind of special right.

9/10 its always bikers crossing double whites, bikers who skip traffic lights, bikers who overtake you like some kind of banshee only to slow right down infront of you (a car cant brake like a bike) to turn off... why ?

Then they crash and they blame the car driver they just cut up...

Or they tailgate you or sit in your blindspot and wonder why you havent seen them when you brake.

 

[Lakeland]

No, its bikers with attitudes that because they have a machine that fits through small gaps they think they can completely ignore the highway code and that they have some kind of special right.

9/10 its always bikers crossing double whites, bikers who skip traffic lights, bikers who overtake you like some kind of banshee only to slow right down infront of you (a car cant brake like a bike) to turn off... why ?

Then they crash and they blame the car driver they just cut up...

Or they tailgate you or sit in your blindspot and wonder why you havent seen them when you brake.

 

[Fireskull]

No, its bikers with attitudes that because they have a machine that fits through small gaps they think they can completely ignore the highway code and that they have some kind of special right.

9/10 its always bikers crossing double whites, bikers who skip traffic lights, bikers who overtake you like some kind of banshee only to slow right down infront of you (a car cant brake like a bike) to turn off... why ?

Then they crash and they blame the car driver they just cut up...

Or they tailgate you or sit in your blindspot and wonder why you havent seen them when you brake.

Lol what a load of generlised crap

Ive never seen a biker skip lights, why would we, we are 9/10 at the front of the queue anyway.

Cars as a whole can stop better then a bike, 4 wheels over two

some bikers do cross double white lines yes but they are the same ones who have no disregard for laws regardless, same goes for the ones who sit in blind spots, never really understood why some idiots do this, I can be past a car in about a second so I see no need to sit so close endangering myself.

And please explain what part of the highway code you are talking about regarding to filtering? please dont make a fool of yourself as this has been discussed many many many many times, its legal.

 

[Merlin5]

I agree with most of what twoblacklines says, but, hey, let's not start an argument here

It's quite true that there are good and bad bike riders in the same way as there are good and bad car drivers. I'm not labelling ALL riders of bikers as jerks, that would be ridiculous. Of course there are very responsible bike riders. I know how risky it must be to ride one. My OP was simply highlighting that the governments adverts directed towards car drivers should not be limited and exclusive to them, but should also be extended to adverts directed towards bike riders too. As was said earlier, "Think Car" or something similar might be an idea. It might also help you good bike riders to reduce the bad image you get if the bad riders were warned by these messages and started to get their act together and SLOWED DOWN instead of thinking they're barry sheen.

 

[Fr0dders]

some bikers do cross double white lines yes but they are the same ones who have no disregard for laws regardless.

and unfortunately the % of bikers that ride like this is larger than the % of car drivers that drive dangerously and like an idiot.

Thats what leads to this anti biker sentiment.

At last years north york moors meet, we were driving up on the moors, stuck in a convoy behind a campervan who was taking the scenic route, very slowly.

The pack of bikers that were following showed something very interesting. You had those that sat right in your blindspot, inches on your rear 3/4 watiing for an oppertunity to overtake, usually just before lunging out and corssing solid white lines or overtaking on blind corners / crests.

And those that overtook sensibly. On that day id say they must have been maybe 20 + bikers in that pack. I could count on one hand the number that overtook sensibly.

 

[growse]

No, its bikers with attitudes that because they have a machine that fits through small gaps they think they can completely ignore the highway code and that they have some kind of special right.

9/10 its always bikers crossing double whites, bikers who skip traffic lights, bikers who overtake you like some kind of banshee only to slow right down infront of you (a car cant brake like a bike) to turn off... why ?

Then they crash and they blame the car driver they just cut up...

Or they tailgate you or sit in your blindspot and wonder why you havent seen them when you brake.

Spoken like a true lazy driver who's just looking for someone to blame for their lack of observational skills.

and unfortunately the % of bikers that ride like this is larger than the % of car drivers that drive dangerously and like an idiot.

By my experience on both 2 and 4 wheels, it really really isn't.

 

[Amp34]

No, its bikers with attitudes that because they have a machine that fits through small gaps they think they can completely ignore the highway code and that they have some kind of special right.

9/10 its always bikers crossing double whites, bikers who skip traffic lights, bikers who overtake you like some kind of banshee only to slow right down infront of you (a car cant brake like a bike) to turn off... why ?

Then they crash and they blame the car driver they just cut up...

Or they tailgate you or sit in your blindspot and wonder why you havent seen them when you brake.

Or they get to a traffic lighted cross road, wait patiently til the light goes green and set off, then almost get side swiped by a car turning right that didn't see them...

Unfortunately I was a passenger in the car and assumed the driver had seen the bike, which was quite obvious...

That sort of (almost in this case) accident is probably in the majority when more than one vehicle is involved in a bike accident.