Calm down

[Floppy disk]

Like most of you, I have seen my share of near misses and lucky escapes, and I am usually a calm rider, but 2 incidents that happened yesterday (God bless the weekends) got me rattled because the problem seems to be SOME CAR DRIVERS SEEM NOT TO SEE A F***** BIG SHINY GREEN KAWAZAKI WITH A BIG FELLA ON TOP.

First, in the Penrose roundabout I stopped to give way to a car already engaged, but I felt the car behind me was too close. When I turned, I noticed there was only like 10cm between us!! I also noticed the driver (an Asian girl, no pun intended), was fully (shoulders and head) turned to her right and focused on an opportunity to engage into the roundabout. I pushed the horn to attract her attention but to no avail. So I moved to the left far enough to exit her path, and as I suspected she took off with her head still tilted to the right, and when she saw me on her left she hit the brakes and looked stunned to see me . If I did not move, it would have been an accident. But what puzzled me is: since I was riding in front of her for good 300 meters, how on earth did she manage to think I have DISAPPEARED?


Later that date, I was on lane 2 (from the left) on SH1 heading in Manukau direction, and as I was over Newmarket bridge, I noticed that the driver on lane 3 was in hot conversation with the person next to him . And as I looked in front I noticed the car in his lane was quite slow and it got me wondering what is he gonna do: Move to lane 4? Or slow down? or move into my lane? Not to be disappointed he swiftly moved into my lane without looking as his conversation was still hot . I was not in his blind side, I was next to the front of his car. Since there was a bus on my left I was alert enough to accelerate and sneak in JUST before he hits me . I then saw the confused look and the apologizing hand. What I don’t get though is: Was he driving with some sort of expectation no one is driving the road with him?

Now that I’ve spoken about it, I feel much better. So what’s up buds? How was the weekend? Mine was fine..

[redhat]

Relax and breathe. You are still living. Do as this guy does:

http://i.imgur.com/7Vjdt0m.jpg

[carburator]

well.. Id post the photos of the leftovers of the asian driven people mover that manage to wedge itself into the ass of my low loader trailer
( Its not little more so when spread with a D9 on board..) and flashing hazard lights...

and the best part... the dumb ass over took the chase ute complete with signage and flashing lights...

[clonak]

Sounds abit like the lady that just turned left at the round about blatantly seeing me as I was coming straight through on her right. Luckly I had just entered the round about and had slowed down enough to not be a major issue. The worst part of it though was the wave out the window as to say "sorry, couldnt be bothered stopping" and then proceeding to sit at <40 the whole way down the road, swerving from left to right..... Luckly I was just out to enjoy my ride so I didnt care. Too bad I got stuck behind a truck as I hit the winding roads though, but he eventually pulled over.

[McFatty1000]

No, the worst part is, I find similar things happen all the time in my car too, with the day lights on and everything.

Tunnel vision of the average driver....

[Banditbandit]

My weekend was fine - very relaxing - I never went anywhere - was a blob in front of the goggle box ... (and read a book - litel gardening)

But hey - I've had days when two different cage drivers tried to kil me on the road - the last time was within 100 yards of each other ..

[Akzle]

. . .

you're in auckland dude, how could you not be totally expecting that shit.

[SMOKEU]

Carry some old spark plugs on you within easy reach when you're riding. Throw them at the offending vehicles.

[Akzle]

Carry some old spark plugs on you within easy reach when you're riding. Throw them at the offending vehicles.

*glass.

also known as ninja rocks. it's the ceramic that does it, resonant frequency and whatnot.

a boot under the sill wakes a lot of people up...

[Dragon]

Im on a bright blue bike, I generally have a bright orange bag on my pack rack when I ride

Ive had 4 bus's indicate as they start to move they don't even look to see if im there.

Had a truck and trailer start to move and indicate when I sped up to get out of the way he saw me and moved back into his lane gave me the wave of sorry

Ummm had a guy cut in front and slam his brakes on more then one occassion

merged onto the motor way the other week and had a guy in a skyline follow me out and nearly went up my ass had to jump over into another lane without indicating (guy gave the car in front a small love tap)

had a few other near misses these days I just assume everyone is trying to kill me

Paranoia and the incentive to not be in pain keep me alive

[clonak]

Ive had 4 bus's indicate as they start to move they don't even look to see if im there.

I had busses pull out in front of me when I was driving a 6 wheel hiab delivering prenails and trusses, kinda hard to miss. They never look, and just assume tehy can just pull out. Although, I have driven a bus, not for commercial purposes, and the mirrors are pretty retarded really.

I just assume everyone is trying to kill me

They are. Watch your back.

[george formby]

It's been many years since I had to ride in big city traffic on a regular basis. Last time I rode through Auks, heading home from Paeroa, I had to stop at the services on the motorway out of dodge for a cup of tea & a lie down with a cool, damp flannel on me fored. Had just spent the last hour or so like a bloody owl in all the traffic, I was mentally shattered. I used to enjoy the buzz of riding in heavy traffic but not anymore. Use it or lose it I guess.

[Gremlin]

I can't help but wonder if you guys are not doing something to assist in being visible.

Yep, there are going to be some really random ones, but if it keeps happening, assess your riding and see if you can't do something a bit better.

[Banditbandit]

Ive had 4 bus's indicate as they start to move they don't even look to see if im there.

Wellington buses do that - I seem to remember signs that say "Please let the Bus Go First" ... I think the drivers just assume you can and will ..

Glad I don't live there any more ...

[pete376403]

oh yeah - the buses that come from Petone and "merge" (ie get the fuck outta my way) from the Petone on-ramp straight across into the outside lane. Not like they're out to get bikes, they do it to cars too.