After reading various posts and threads about that cages are trying to take out bikers (whether on purpose of not) I thought best to raise a few points...
All vechicles have blind spots, and if you stay in that blind spot for too long then the driver will probably think you have turned off somewhere alone the line. Rule of thumb if you can see the driver in his rear veiw mirror he cansee you, butit also doesn't mean he has seen you.
Always ride with you head light on, (geta brighter bulb if need be)
Some people will disagree here but its better to ride on the inner wheel track of a the lane. This allows space for manouvering if you haven't been seen at an intersector or driveway.
Remember some intersections and driveways if the have a vechile parked on the street make it a blind intersection, and the cage needs to creep forward to see... this can look like they haven't seen you... (there are many intersections like this in Dunedin)
Slow down, don't act like a hoon in urban areas, you have so much unpredictability give your self time to react to any witha safe distance. Remember thefaster you go the more stopping distance you need and the slower your reaction time appears.
You may think its safe to line split, or ride the white line, but this act a lot of cage drivers don't like it and are uncomfortable with... remember you are not the only one using the road... though at times we wish we were. You have tothink of their capabilities and times of reaction etc, not just how confident you are.
If you expect cage drivers to give you some respect... how about giving them some it works both ways.
After reading that cages are trying to take out bikers (whether on purpose of not) I thought best to raise a few points...
All vechicles have blind spots, and if you stay in that blind spot for too long then the driver will probably think you have turned off somewhere alone the line. Rule of thumb if you can see the driver in his rear veiw mirror he can see you, but it also doesn't mean he has seen you. Also remember trucks and trailer units have very large blind spots...
Always ride with your head light on, (get a brighter bulb if need be)
Some people will disagree here but its better to ride on the inner wheel track of a lane closer to the white line. This allows space for manouvering if you haven't been seen at an intersector or driveway. Try not to ride in the centreof the lane, there is usually more oil and crud here from leaking vehicles.
Remember some intersections and driveways if they have a vechile parked on the street make it a blind intersection, and the cage needs to creep forward to see... this can look like they haven't seen you... (there are many intersections and driveways like this in Dunedin) watch out for this, slow down to allow for any sudden movements.
Slow down, don't act like a hoon in urban areas, you have so much unpredictability give your self time to react to any, with a safe distance. Remember the faster you go the more stopping distance you need and the slower your reaction time appears.
You may think its safe to line split (even I do at times), or ride the white line, but this act a lot of cage drivers don't like and are uncomfortable with... remember you are not the only one using the road... though at times we wish we were. You have tothink of their capabilities and times of reaction etc, not just how confident you are.
If there were two bikes at an intersection each in there own lane and a cage lane split in between them... hmmm scary... the bike may or may not be quicker of the mark... easy enuff to stall or too much power and fish tail the rear damaging both cars and the bike... think it could never happen, well think again I have seen it happen the bike hit a patchof oil on the road and it was all over.
If you expect cage drivers to give you some respect... (this is for thehoons amoungs us) how about giving them some it works both ways. Don't act like a hoon, 99% of people just think you are an idiot, ie wheelies first off do that on the track, remember a cage needs more time to stop, and if you loose control of the wheelie ie do the big tank slap you not only put you life at risk, but every one else around you including the following and oncoming traffic. The bike can go anywhere from here, the following cage may need to serve (maybe in to oncoming traffic or the lamp post) to many possibilities tothink about... It gives the rest of us a bad name that we have been trying to get rid of over the years. ie; If you get a cage driver giving you some to over take, give him a wave to say thanx, try not do any foolish manouvers (overtaking etc) that forces the cage to give more room than they should need to or give the cage driver a fright blah blah blah
Respect the road rules, they are there for a reason enuff said
If you get a tail gater just let him pass, don't provoke if he doesn't pass, slow down till he does..
If you see a cage do something idiotic and dangerous, get the car make and model, and plate number, and report it... then come here and winge about it...
Think ahead, watch out, not just the car ahead of you, but also 5 ahead know whathe is up to too, know your surroundings, know whats behind you, whats beside you, when changing lanes, indicate, check mirrors, and a quick glance over your should... bikes have a blind spot too... know the road conditions, watch out for potholes and manhole covers.
At the end of the day you have to think twice as fast, and out smart the buggers... think ahead ride as if every other bugger on the road is out to get you including other bikers.
I would rather get where I am going five minutes later and in one piece than not actually make it.
http://www.rideforever.co.nz
Ride safe and keep rubber side down...
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Originally Posted by Drum
and now I just let it slide and say to myself well I'm still here so can't be that bad... and i doing what I like doing riding 
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