Us vs. Them

[MSTRS]

There's always lots of raves re cage drivers etc, but something I've thought about off & on for years is....What if every licensed driver had to spend time on a m/c first, that might improve their awareness and attitudes to bikers would be so much better. Dunno if it would ever be practical, but it is an idea worth chucking about.

[Hitcher]

Just an advanced driving skills course would do it. Some sort of competency-based assessment combined with a knowledge of the road code, general courtesy and respect and an explosive implant in the base of the skull...

[Motu]

I drive a Pajero - with 35 yrs of motorcycling under my belt I'm still an inconciderate prick who will just move into your lane cause I want to be there.

[Frankie]

it would have to be done weekly though... it will stay in their head for like 4 days at the most

[Skunk]

There's CARS on the road too! :eek: Someone should'd told me

[avgas]

thye should still make crows feet, 100's of years on and the fuckers still work good. Good for feet, hooves, 4x4 tyres, patrol tyres or fake mercedes benz hood emblems

[Yokai]

As a (good) cage driver, I wish I'd learnt to ride earlier... My awareness is MUCH better just from having to be aware on the Bike.

I have 4 driving licenses now - 2 with advanced skills courses - and rally school too which means that I know how to get my car out of trouble in sticky situations
(3 accidents - all rear-enders, none of them my fault in 17 years of driving)

But MAN we should MAKE people learn to ride motorcycles. There's a lot of sleep in people... If we made getting a full car license conditional on passing 40-50 hours on a bike, that would improve some people's awareness.

[Storm]

Crikey yes !! I must admit to having to wake myself up when in my car as it is so easy to drive and so boring I am not having to use as much concentration to keep out of trouble :eek:

[vifferman]

There's always lots of raves re cage drivers etc, but something I've thought about off & on for years is....What if every licensed driver had to spend time on a m/c first, that might improve their awareness and attitudes to bikers would be so much better. Dunno if it would ever be practical, but it is an idea worth chucking about.Hey!! What's the big idea? I've said that on here before at least once!

Go get your own clever ideas, why doncha! :Pokey:

But you forgot to add the bit about, "... and this would also weed out the really bad ones, and hopefully eliminate them from the gene pool."

[Deano]

Most people in Rome learn on a scooter/bike before getting a car, perhaps because its cheaper to run as a commuter and less traffic hassles. They apparently have a lot less accidents as well, cause drivers are always on the look out for bikes.

Perhaps "when in Rome" should be adopted here.

[MSTRS]

Hey!! What's the big idea? I've said that on here before at least once!

Go get your own clever ideas, why doncha! :Pokey:

But you forgot to add the bit about, "... and this would also weed out the really bad ones, and hopefully eliminate them from the gene pool."
I bow to your seniority, please forgive the mindless prattlings of a mere rookie. :puke: It's the gentleman-ly exchange of ideas & mutual respect shown therewith that makes this site such a joy. :killingme

[Skunk]

It's the gentleman-ly exchange of ideas & mutual respect shown therewith that makes this site such a joy.Stuff that! :kick:

[scumdog]

Take out: stereos, heaters, cell-phones and quiet engines and it MAY save the odd life. :rolleyes:

[inlinefour]

There's always lots of raves re cage drivers etc, but something I've thought about off & on for years is....What if every licensed driver had to spend time on a m/c first, that might improve their awareness and attitudes to bikers would be so much better. Dunno if it would ever be practical, but it is an idea worth chucking about.

i agree with you one hundred percent. :spudwave:

[Jackrat]

Seems rather obvious to me.
As already stated most Italians ride before they drive and it shows in their apprecation for bikes.In Italy it's still an everyday thing for grandma to jump on the scooter an duck into town.
I belive if you start on the most vunerable machine an then progress,you have to end up with more apprecation for others.
Getting ridd of F,ING cell phones in cars would be my number one wish.
If it comes to US/THEM,that doesn't exist for me because I ride/drive every type of vehicule on the roads and I see the results of stupidty on behalf of all user groups.The thing I notice most about poor drivers is their lack of awearness as to what's going on around them.No idea what's happening or going to happen,no foward planing,just drifting in a haze as if the car will do the thinking for them. :blink:

[betti]

to add my ten cents worth, the whole scooter thing is definitely improving things in Europe, and even to some extent in the UK.
I was a C.B.T.(compulsory Basic Training) bike instructor over there, and all 16 year olds wanting to ride scooters had to take that course b4 bein allowed on the road.
Its a simple one dayer, with 4 hours spent on handling exercises in an off-road area, then a minimum of two hours spent in one to one radio contact on the road with a maximum of two pupils to each instructor.
It was a great way to introduce 16 year olds to the perils of UK traffic, which makes Auckland look like a stroll in the park!.
As scoots are the only thing most UK teens can afford to buy and more importantly insure, they have to lead into life on the road on two wheels, and statistically the inprovements are bein seen as the first guys who went through the cbt are now ten years down the line, and accident rates in that age group are at there lowest ever.
So the system is workin, admittedly a lot of guys still dump two wheels as soon as they reach 17, (min car age) but at least they have the basic skills that you need on a bike to stay alive!, and are more aware of bikes when they are caged up!