This is just one of the thousands

[tombogan03884]

If you read this article you will see that this kid crossed the center line and killed these two and injured two more, because he shorted himself on rest.

That was my point, the "I didn't see them" doesn't apply since he would not have seen a hunter orange 18 wheeler.

[fightingquaker13]

M58, I was merely citing information I obtained in a motorcycle safety training class I attended some 200 years ago. I live here in the shadow of Wash DC that was recently cited for having the worst drivers in the US. It is true that along with those that "do not see a motorcycle" are those that really have no business behind the wheel of a car. The Big Mac eaters, the Texters, the Makeup appliers, the Tired and the Drunk. As a biker all you can do is assume that ALL drivers fall into one of those categories, and ride as defensively as you can. Trust no one, and know that as sure as the sun rises that one day one of those schmucks will make you lay your bike down.

Amen brother. And in the District you need to factor in steel plates to cover up underground work (which get good and slippery with a bit of rain), cable car tracks in Georgetown which like to grab a front wheel, and the foul weather and preoccupied commuters (and this was BEFORE cell phones). Its not if, but when you're going to lay that bike down. I wore a full face helmet on a moped and never once got embarrassed about it. I rode ten hours a day in the summers, with the the rain and I knew what the risks were. I went down three times and my co-workers had gone down more. We all wore brain buckets, and no-one played macho about it.  Riding a bike in DC  is serious business.
FQ13

[TAB]

To be fair, thier are alot of idiots on two wheels.   that don't fallow the rules.  A local city heavily enforces the rules of the road.  I always love to drive thru it and see a cop writing a ticket for a guy on a bike.    fyi in ca you have ti fallow all of the traffic rules if you are in the street with a bike.  Things like stop signs, turn signals, pulling over if you are holding up 3 or mor cars ( big deal on hwy 1)

[tombogan03884]

To be fair, thier are alot of idiots on two wheels.   that don't fallow the rules.  A local city heavily enforces the rules of the road.  I always love to drive thru it and see a cop writing a ticket for a guy on a bike.    fyi in ca you have ti fallow all of the traffic rules if you are in the street with a bike.  Things like stop signs, turn signals, pulling over if you are holding up 3 or mor cars ( big deal on hwy 1)

Big deal on any Ca. highway.
My ex Mother in law got a ticket for going to slow on the Nimitz .
She decided to take surface roads coming back from paying the ticket in Oakland.
Got bagged for speeding.   

[TAB]

Very few hwy can you take a bike on.    for those that don't know hwy one goes from basicly mexico all the way thru canada to Ak.  It fallows the coast line for a most of it.   its very twisty, one lane for most of that.   its a great drive and I highly recomend it, just not on a bike, or with a stiff clutch.  Lol.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

Very few hwy can you take a bike on.    for those that don't know hwy one goes from basicly mexico all the way thru canada to Ak.  It fallows the coast line for a most of it.   its very twisty, one lane for most of that.   its a great drive and I highly recomend it, just not on a bike, or with a stiff clutch.  Lol.

You do realize we're talking motorcycles, not pedal bikes ?

[TAB]

I am talking about both.   

[deepwater]

M58, I was merely citing information I obtained in a motorcycle safety training class I attended some 200 years ago. I live here in the shadow of Wash DC that was recently cited for having the worst drivers in the US. It is true that along with those that "do not see a motorcycle" are those that really have no business behind the wheel of a car. The soccer moms, the Big Mac eaters, the Texters, the Makeup appliers, the Tired and the Drunk. As a biker all you can do is assume that ALL drivers fall into one of those categories, and ride as defensively as you can. Trust no one, and know that as sure as the sun rises that one day one of those schmucks will make you lay your bike down.

  forgot somethin' there...
my only means of transportation is a Motorcycle and my two flat feet. I always watch out for the 'tards that can't drive without texting, talking or whatever the heck they do in their cars (picking their noses?) I give myself stopping space and cutoff space for the pricks that just jump in. also like staying out of blind spots... make eye contact if possible. it never fails... people LIKE being stupid.

deepwater

[MikeBjerum]

  forgot somethin' there...
my only means of transportation is a Motorcycle and my two flat feet. I always watch out for the 'tards that can't drive without texting, talking or whatever the heck they do in their cars (picking their noses?) I give myself stopping space and cutoff space for the pricks that just jump in. also like staying out of blind spots... make eye contact if possible. it never fails... people LIKE being stupid.

deepwater

One of the things I do is watch for eyes in the mirrors.  Remember my accident two years ago?  I told every officer that he never looked in the mirror.  This came back to bite them both, because he had a suspended license and they claimed she was driving.  After I gave my statement to both city cops and the couple had been hauled off in the ambulance, one officer came over and asked again about "how did you know he didn't know you were there?".  Shortly after the State Trooper showed up and the three had talked one city officer left.  As I was talking to the Trooper the other officer called him back.  When the Trooper returned he asked me how sure I was that the guy was driving.  After telling him 100% and explaining why I knew, he said "that is what will help keep you alive."

People do not use turn signals anymore, but you can learn a lot by watching their body language and watching for their eyes in the mirrors!

[santahog]

DGF, if you have the worst drivers, I bet they all have Alabama tags and Blue Placards hanging from the mirrors..
I wish all drivers were as conscious of their surroundings as bikers.. Almost never, do I find a biker riding in my blind spot, or not allowing somebody room to get over for traffic entering from an on ramp..
This place (Alabama) has the worst drivers I've ever seen, in this country..
(Okay, maybe Boston.. But they're looking for an insurance claim.. They do it on purpose..)