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Post by retrobarmy1 on Jan 20, 2016 16:03:27 GMT
What more can I do than wear a high visibility jacket and switch on my headlight? Riding along, approaching a junction and a car slows at the junction. He looks left, right and left again and just keeps on going!!!!! I know all about blind spots but .......... It was one of those moments when your whole body tingles and your bum cheeks nip the seat for all they are worth, as the wheels start to lock and the back end starts to squirrel and step out! Luckily, there was a driveway to escape onto, then back onto the road as he finally saw me. Phew!  |
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Post by srx600 on Jan 20, 2016 16:22:32 GMT
As long as your ok...
I guess most bikers ride Motorcycles defensively..
Never used to scare me but does a bit these days.
As most drivers do not seem think about bikes on the road.
Winter Mondays / Fridays is the worst time I find so I normally avoid these days.
Its bad enough being in a car lol.
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Post by richard on Jan 20, 2016 19:39:45 GMT
Although it is not listed in your Owner's Manual, your bike (along with many others) is fitted with a first generation Romulan cloaking device. There is an issue with these earlier models as the device will turn it self off and on without you doing anything. Mine seems to be especially active when passing schools when mums are picking up their kids. Two close misses (lol) last year, one of which almost put me into a metal railing.............
BTW don't bother looking for the button......it's cloaked!
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Post by retrobarmy1 on Jan 21, 2016 8:53:50 GMT
As long as your ok... I guess most bikers ride Motorcycles defensively.. Never used to scare me but does a bit these days. As most drivers do not seem think about bikes on the road. Winter Mondays / Fridays is the worst time I find so I normally avoid these days. Its bad enough being in a car lol. It's strange but you almost sense that they are not going to see you. I was automatically slowing as he approached the junction. If I hadn't, I may have not been typing this! As you say, riding defensively, automatically. Mike |
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Post by stevie on Jan 21, 2016 10:18:48 GMT
I commute every week on my sd, i know what you mean when you say as seasoned bikers we seem to ride with a sixth sense, and now and again we seem to be able to predict what other road users are going to do. Has anyone else experienced on the odd day i swear other road users are aiming for you, you just get over a near mishap and your stomach unties that big knot then something else happens and it continues repeatedly untill you arrive at your desination totally stressed out and a quivering wreck.
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Post by wazzbo on Jan 21, 2016 12:07:57 GMT
I get days like that stevie, I ge them nearly every day in my job as an hgv driver as well. You'd think a 44 tonne artic would be big enough to see, but some of the stunts. Some car drivers pull is unbelievable.
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Post by stevie on Jan 21, 2016 12:31:19 GMT
I find most hgv drivers are courteous to me on the bike, provided they have seen me of course, that sixth sense kicks in and something tells you they know you are there.
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Post by wazzbo on Jan 21, 2016 17:47:00 GMT
It surprising how many truckers are also bikers, and appreciate how vulnerable you are on a bike.
The fact that we drive for a
living and are on the road all day every day, means we have to cope with some seriously inept driving at times, by people that drive as a means of getting from a to b with no interest in treating it as a skill to be performed in a responsible manner.
Driving is a skill and people should realise that and treat it as such and strive to improve their skill, lives would be saved if people did.
So come on drivers, turn your phones off and concentrate on the road instead of anything but the road.
That said there are some bad truck drivers, but the vast majority of us are professional drivers and do our best to keep the roads safe for every one.:thumbup:
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Post by joner on Jan 21, 2016 20:12:55 GMT
In my other job as a retained Firefighter (crew manager). I know all about people not seeing you even in a big red lorry with flashing lights and loud sirens.
We have to develop a sixth or even seventh sense with these drivers around. They stop on hills on bends or want to race you if they notice you. I have had people pull out in front of me at junctions with a clear view and look at me as if I am in the wrong.
I agree with WAZZBO that driving is a skill, unfortunately after passing the test a lot of people loose the skill.
RANT OVER lol.
Cheers
Chris J.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2016 20:16:07 GMT
All good comments! My view is that having driving standards and a test that mean 95% of the population can pass, sets the bar too low. There are a lot of stupid people out there.....
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Post by wazzbo on Jan 21, 2016 20:20:18 GMT
Agreed Paul.
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Post by retrobarmy1 on Jan 21, 2016 20:53:24 GMT
I used to run a haulage and recovery business and even with a massive HGV recovery truck with all the high vis and flashing lights, some people still did not see me! I had one lady who tried to turn between my recovery truck and the truck behind me on a rigid bar tow! The rigid tow bar was a double 4" reinforced, illuminated bar, with reflective chevrons all the way up it. I think that it's more a case of people being off in their own world and not giving full attention to their driving - mobile phones, screaming kids, wittering passengers etc. It sometimes feels like you are driving for the other people on the road. I now drive a hearse or limo for a local funeral business and people don't see them either. We get them all in the end though!
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