How close to a whole different message?

[AD345]

2 inches I reckon.

Coming back from the Bikeoi today, about 20 or so K south of Levin there was a group of bikes, maybe 5 or 6 in a loose stagger covering maybe 6 seconds.

I was at the back just cruising along in the right hand channel, there was a sprotsbike ahead, same channel, a DR650 in the left channel (only one with Hi-viz on) and a couple ahead of him split left/right.

There was a white ute heading in the opposite direction stopped trying to make a right turn across our lane (uh oh I hear ya say). Now the roads out of Wgtn are pretty crap and they were fairly clogged. Anyone turning across them this afternoon was in for a bit of a wait.

Anyways...like I said, 6 seconds from first to last of our little ad-hoc group. Fits two bikes go past then there was a half second or so gap to the DR650 followed by teh sprotsbike in the right channel.

You guessed it - dickhead in ute pulls across after the first 2 bikes go past. Now Im thinking he is looking at the sprotsbike and figuring that he (the ute) could get far enough across for the sprotsbike to weave around the back - maybe.

Didn't even SEE the guy of the DR650 with his hi-viz, headlight on, being perfectly reasonable and law-abiding.

I could see the DR hit the front...

maybe the drivers door (justice!)...

huh - maybe the tray...

holy shit! - he got past!

Back wheel bucking and bouncing, front suspension hard down, sprotsbike wheeling off into the other lane to avoid fall-out.........

she was all action watching from the back.

My hat goes off to the guy on the DR, inches in it.

I hope the ute driver burns in hell

Thats how close we were to a whole different headline tonight.


whew

[p.dath]

Maybe we should report these incidents to the Police. Oh that's right, they don't do anything.

[Pedrostt500]

Maybe we should report these incidents to the Police. Oh that's right, they don't do anything.

They Did a Great job for us today, with out the coppers it would have been absolute carnage.

And if some one knows the DR rider, buy him a Beer.

[red mermaid]

Maybe we should report these incidents to the Police. Oh that's right, they don't do anything.

Wrong, you make a complaint, give your story, and the other driver will be found and spoken to.

Here it gets interesting with him usually abusing the cop, asking why isn't he catching real crooks, etc and denys all knowledge or makes up a story about the other person.

This goes back to person who complains, who says forget, I cant be bothered.

[Kennif]

Maybe we should report these incidents to the Police. Oh that's right, they don't do anything.

Whatever your personal experiences may have been (fair enough I respect that) the cops were great today. I was marshalling at Papakowhai and all we got from the cops was "good on you guys" and "you're doing a great job" etc. They did a great job and helped make sure we were safe. Good to see that they overcame their initial concerns and had cops on bikes helping out with the bikoi.
Yah!!! It was great. Well done everyone.

[swbarnett]

And then there was the cop car at full speed filtering half an inch past my mirror, half over the double yellow line and just as close to traffic on the other side (witnessed by my other half behind me).

The idiot had their lights flashing but no siren. I had no idea they were there.

[Dirty Heathen]

After driving for 15 years and only riding a road bike for all of 5 days I realized something pretty quickly...

I know most accidents with right turning vehicles are caused by people so called "not seeing the bike" but I tell you what a lot of people see you and just don't a give a shit and pull out I have had it happen so many times in the last 5 days now I would not say to any point where I have had to hit brakes hard but have had to gas off and touch the brakes.

You know damm well if you where in a cage there is no way they would have pulled out.
I had a guy last night at a roundabout no other traffic just us he watched me come all way around to the right side then just looks at me and pulls out almost like saying fuk you lol.

I don't know what wrong with these people I sure was hell don't do it in my car I have never not seen a bike either and pulled out.

I live in a small town it does get busy at times but nothing like Auckland so there no reason to have to drive like that and take risk.

they need to start looking at educating some of these people instead of just drink driving ads how about some hard hitting bike ads like the ones in the UK.

Preventing accidents is a much better option that worrying about trying to get more money to fix people up.

[StoneY]

Maybe we should report these incidents to the Police. Oh that's right, they don't do anything.

Except the lights, the escort, permission to use the stadium, a green waves down both highways, no tickets, lenient, let the guy who did a burnout in molesworth off with a warning (yeah no TV cameras thank god)

Report em! You may be surprised
The plod was 100% pro biker right from the day I called them dude.....and have been very biker tolerant in welly for weeks


Ask the Kapiti organisers too, no shit the boys in blue bent over backwards to support us in and out of welly, I for one appreciate it

Good to hear the bikes missed the ute, and yes may that ute driver burn in hell

[FROSTY]

And then there was the cop car at full speed filtering half an inch past my mirror, half over the double yellow line and just as close to traffic on the other side (witnessed by my other half behind me).

The idiot had their lights flashing but no siren. I had no idea they were there.
SORRY DUDE but I feel that in that situation you are at fault. Cop car with disco's on might just mean hes off to the donut shop but more likely he's heading to an emergency. You should have been aware enough to pull over and give him room. Not being aware of whats going on around you is what we constantly accuse car drivers of
Sorry if i seem harsh but that is something that really tears my shorts.
Actually I'll rephrase--would you react in the same way if it was St Johnsor a fire truck??

[davereid]

The plod was 100% pro biker right from the day I called them dude.....and have been very biker tolerant in welly for weeks


Ask the Kapiti organisers too, no shit the boys in blue bent over backwards to support us in and out of welly, I for one appreciate it

Good to hear the bikes missed the ute, and yes may that ute driver burn in hell

Yeah, the cops here in Levin were great. For both the Ulysses and Bikeoi, they provided cops to help us get onto SH1.

They get a big thumbs up from me, err normally I'm on the other side of the ticket book and not so keen...

[wingrider]

Except the lights, the escort, permission to use the stadium, a green waves down both highways, no tickets, lenient, let the guy who did a burnout in molesworth off with a warning (yeah no TV cameras thank god)

Report em! You may be surprised
The plod was 100% pro biker right from the day I called them dude.....and have been very biker tolerant in welly for weeks


Ask the Kapiti organisers too, no shit the boys in blue bent over backwards to support us in and out of welly, I for one appreciate it

Good to hear the bikes missed the ute, and yes may that ute driver burn in hell

As one of the Kapiti organisers, I can tell you that the Plod went to greater lengths than the norm to accommodate us. Most of the guys seconded to the protest are current or past riders and more importantly were vocal not only in their support of our protest but were very openly expressing their disgust with National Policy and the effects it was having on them in their official capacity.

On arrival at papakowhai it was apparent that their numbers needed to be increased dramatically. I was privy to a conversation with Peter Baird who was havin a panic attack and was arranging cops to be pulled off normal duties to assist.

The officer duly tasked by Peter to coordinate the event has stated that in 35 years of Policing he has never seen anything like it.
MORE IMPORTANTLY.
He has stated that without the fantastic behaviour we showed to all other road users this could have ended in carnage. No other event has been so well organised with our team getting almost everyone 100% following the rules.

Ask any cop who is attending an incident under "Lights Only" and they will tell you that the most observant motorist is a biker. If you can see them and are able to get out of their way Great. If you see them at the last minute then stay put and let them avoid you.

Perhaps if we didnt come to their attention as much, by the actions of a few, then we would have a much more sympathetic ear with our complaints against the cagers who constantly try to take us out.
Just my 2c worth

[CookMySock]

Yeah I reckon it was statisically infeasible to get that many bikes into the city and out again without an incident. It just shows what can be done when people put the effort in.

Steve

[Mully]

A
I don't know what wrong with these people I sure was hell don't do it in my car I have never not seen a bike either and pulled out.


Welcome to road riding.

IMHO, it's a subconsious look through you - you aren't as big as they are, so they don't perceive you as a danger to them (and in fairness, you probably aren't).

A truck however, would fuck them up, and so they see them.

It's caused by a laughable driver licencing system which wouldn't tax the abilities of a mildly retarded chimp before letting said chimp out on the road with a tonne and a half of steel and only a basic idea of how to handle it.

[Subike]

Bikers and police have for many many years had a basic respect for each other that is not found anywhere else IMO.
The more mature riders will remember well the clash of the gangs in the 70's & 80's, there were two sides..
The blue gang in thier fortified club rooms and the black gang with their loud bikes,
There was a lot of aggression generated, but both sides also had a lot of good times as well, conflicts were not always the fault of the bikies.
When ever the Bikes went on tour, they always had shadow patrols following them, one of the most coverted police jobs of the time. A paid holiday with no limits. The bikers, they knew, mostly would behave on the road as a group, the shadow patrol knew they would have a good time themselves when the bikers struck camp.
Now, where are the young coppers who did those shadow patrols today??
Some are senior officers now, and understand us bikers, they also know its best for all to cut us a bit of slack every now and again.
Also what happened to some of those Bikies?
Some grew out of the gang sceen, some died some still run with the gangs.
Quite a few are here in this forum, are often some of our more knowlageable riders.
IMO the police will be there to help us lot untill told not too, so lets give them back some respect, just as some of them do respect us.

[Bald Eagle]

Bikers and police have for many many years had a basic respect for each other
.....
Now, where are the young coppers who did those shadow patrols today??
.

You'd be surprised. :msn-wink:

[CookMySock]

A truck however, would fuck them up, and so they see them.That is the solution right there. Ride like you are going to fuck them up.

Somehow, people can read the minds of others on the road, and have a good idea who to pull out in front of, and who not to. Enter the angry biker cornering with his knee out, headlight on fullbeam, crackling noisy exhaust, moving obviously quickly, and unconciously project his line on the road toward me and OOPS he's aiming right for my drivers' door. Soooo do I pull out? I think not - don't want to die today. Angry biker cornering with knee out etc etc, is actually mild-mannered father of four, who knows how to alert people to his presence on the road, and just wants to stay alive.

Steve

[Mully]

That is the solution right there. Ride like you are going to fuck them up.

Somehow, people can read the minds of others on the road, and have a good idea who to pull out in front of, and who not to. Enter the angry biker cornering with his knee out, headlight on fullbeam, crackling noisy exhaust, moving obviously quickly, and unconciously project his line on the road toward me and OOPS he's aiming right for my drivers' door. Soooo do I pull out? I think not - don't want to die today. Angry biker cornering with knee out etc etc, is actually mild-mannered father of four, who knows how to alert people to his presence on the road, and just wants to stay alive.

Steve

Nice idea, but I don't want to be fucked up though.

Joe Motorist, in his steel safety bubble, playing with the stereo control or yelling at the kids (can't text anymore) simply wont see a bike because it's smaller than him. How many times have you had a driver look at you (thinking you made eye contact) and still pull in front of you? Happens to me on a regular basis. At least once a week.

I don't want to rely on Joe Motorist to see me to rely on my safety. I take the position that no-one on the road has seen me, and ride prepared to take evasive action myself.

Plus if they are turning right across my lane, I would hit the passenger's door, further moving the perception that they'll get fucked up further away from their mind.

[swbarnett]

SORRY DUDE but I feel that in that situation you are at fault. Cop car with disco's on might just mean hes off to the donut shop but more likely he's heading to an emergency. You should have been aware enough to pull over and give him room. Not being aware of whats going on around you is what we constantly accuse car drivers of
Sorry if i seem harsh but that is something that really tears my shorts.
Actually I'll rephrase--would you react in the same way if it was St Johnsor a fire truck??
YES!

If a St. John or fire truck had done the same I'd be just as annoyed. My wife was behind me at the time (separate bike) and she was worried.

Any vehicle driving recklessly deserves a repremand - no matter the reason. What made the cop's driving reckless was that they had their lights on but no siren.

My issue is not that they took a risk to get to a potentially life and death situation. I expect this. My issue is that they did not do everything that was reasonable to alert me to their prescence.

[modboy]

Yep I generally take the attitude that no one sees me. I've approached intersections where the chimp in the cage has looked straight at me, clearly they have "seen" me and still pulled out. But because I have two fingers covering the brake and I ease off the throttle, the selfish ignorant idiot avoids wearing me all over the duco.

I think the psychology has already been covered here. You are smaller, but also there seems to be this inability of many motorists to judge depth and speed. Also it's just this generally impatient attitude of many motorists that if they can take the opportunity with minimal risk to themselves to reduce their commute time by 3/100ths of a second, they will take it.

Another form of retardation, or perhaps it's a growing social movement is this behaviour whereby the vehicle driving spastic begins a lane change or turning movement only to indicate a second or so after the movement has begun. I mean, what is the fucking point.

I wouldn't by any means say that I'm an excellent or faultless rider, or driver - but like most here, I have NEVER not seen a bike or for that matter a cyclist. Evidenced further by a dumb cow in an SUV who reversed over my stationary Vespa a few years back - then had the audacity to tell me I had parked it illegally because she couldn't see it. Needless to say my insurance company waived my excess and pursued her for all costs. I did indicate to her at the time that it was lucky it was just my scooter and not her toddler.

On the issue of the cops - I agree with most here - they were bloody excellent. Tolerant and friendly. Good on them, definately improved my opinion of them.

[swbarnett]

Another form of retardation, or perhaps it's a growing social movement is this behaviour whereby the vehicle driving spastic begins a lane change or turning movement only to indicate a second or so after the movement has begun. I mean, what is the fucking point?
I think a lot of drivers think of an indicator as telling other traffic about what they're doing rather than what they intend to do. Just poor education really.