Those arent statistics, they are figures i made up to illustrate a point:
That regular bike riders tend to ride more sensibly than the weekend warriors with a death wish and a sports bike
wouldn't you agree ?
I know what you were doing, I was just being facetious.
I agree that the less skilled/regular bikers can cause more issues than seasoned ones - however, irrespective of whether they are right or wrong, bikes are far more vulnerable so I tend to let them behave like pillocks - though similarly to Will Gill - if someone filters or tonks down a road dangerously if I have the opportunity, I will wave my hand to tell him to slow it down. Sometimes they pull up to have words and I just tell them straight, most of them seem to give me the "fair enough" treatment, some do, however, think "whatever" and carry on.
The only incidents I've ever had in 13 years of driving was when on my bike - a car pulling out in front of me to pull onto the oncoming road way when the oncoming road was blocked - so he ended up just blocking the road, whilst pulling out 5m in front of me, needless to say I didn't stand much of a chance (and I wasn't speeding). 100% no fault claim, but bike was Cat C'ed
Other situation, I filtered past gently, then 1/2 a mile later I indicate "left" and start to pull into a side street and a car who took exception to me came in on the INSIDE of my bike whilst I was turning left - knocked me off my bike. He could have killed me. Amazingly he stopped when he realised what he had done - started begging me not to call the police and whipped out £100 and pleaded with me. I gave him the biggest dressing down I think I have ever given anyone in my life - I was livid, scared, but also close to having murderous intent and owing to my less than diminutive state I think he changed his mind on being arsey with me. I told him, begged him, and preached to him, NEVER to behave like that with a biker again. I took his £100, didn't call the police. The damage was just an indicator and a scratch to the fairing fortunately. I know I should have called the police for his protection and my satisfaction, but there you go.
Like Flukester, I've been nearly knocked off on so many occaisions with people looking but not seeing - and it really spoils the pleasure of riding. People get a bee in their bonnet about ALL Bikers, rather than remember that we are more vulnerable, and just to shrug it off, some decide to really make a song and dance about proving a point - frankly that's dangerous.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't think this should give carte blanche to all bikers to behave like muppets, and certainly the ones who do take silly risks, and filter too quickly, and weave in and out too fast do deserve the lambasting they get - however, the ones who do filter and do accelerate quickly don't necessarily do so in a dangerous manner. Bikes accelerate fast, that's why we love 'em, they exhilerating, take a bit of skill to handle, and offer a lot of fun for little money. Just like any petrolhead that loves a fast sporty car, who likes to open it up a little - just appreciate bikes like to do it to. I'm sure that often it's more out of shock / fear or lack of understanding that people react so badly to bikes because a lot just don't notice them and don't appreciate how fast they are.
In essence, irrepsective of what you ride/drive there will be morons who think they own the road. Then there's the majority of us who know that we don't but enjoy a bit of spirited riding/driving.
