Had a near-miss today, and I really enjoyed it!

[jrandom]

I am not talking about low self esteem...........

Hmmm:

nor do I have a dim view of myself either...

What were you trying to say, then?

[Grahameeboy]

Hmmm:



What were you trying to say, then?

Ppffftt

That I am better than following the person etc

[jrandom]

That I am better than following the person etc

I'm not quite sure I follow your logic.

Naturally, an intelligent and empathetic approach to the offender implies that one is one 'better than' a Neanderthalic approach, but that's not what you're talking about, is it?

You're talking about ignoring the problem.

Personally, I'd be tempted to say that if one is affected by dangerous behaviour from a third party, slinking off without mentioning it to them could well be said to constitute laziness and/or cowardice, given that much potential good could accrue from appropriate communication.

[Grahameeboy]

I'm not quite sure I follow your logic.

Naturally, an intelligent and empathetic approach to the offender implies that one is one 'better than' a Neanderthalic approach, but that's not what you're talking about, is it?

You're talking about ignoring the problem.

Personally, I'd be tempted to say that if one is affected by dangerous behaviour from a third party, slinking off without mentioning it to them could well be said to constitute laziness and/or cowardice, given that much potential good could accrue from appropriate communication.

No, because I am not really affected by the behaviour and have better things to do.......we ride bikes and expect this to happen...we ride bikes that without trying make a car look like it is parked and I just don't think that we can expect all drivers to have the skills to deal with bikes or for that matter the busyniss of roads....

[jrandom]

I am not really affected by the behaviour and have better things to do.......

I think it's a shame when people succumb to NIMBYism and fail to put energy into making the world a better place.

I just don't think that we can expect all drivers to have the skills to deal with bikes or for that matter the busyniss of roads....

Like I said earlier, I obviously take a more optimistic view of human nature and capabilities than you do.

[davereid]

I have been riding bikes for a loooonnnnng time.

And I have this idea about why we don't get seen.

Ever ridden somewhere, and forgotten part of the trip ?

Mostly, when we drive, I think the conscious brain turns off, and we revert to a primitive part of the brain. Really primitive, stone age in fact.

Its a part of the brain that kept us alive when hunting, very good at spotting prey, and very good at spotting the sabre-tooth tiger !

But to do that, the brain needed to ignore things that were outside of those two groups.

So if you were prey, or you were dangerous, then your brain delt with it.

So you didn't fall in the crevasse, and you spotted the rabbit. But the rest was not important, and got ignored.

I think its why we don't always get spotted on our bikes.

When I ride my scooter, its exactly as visible as my Harley, or my Kawasaki. Yet I get cut off, ignored, and blind sided 10:1 on the scooter compared to the Harley.

Its not that I'm not seen. People look at me, and then their brain just doesn't process the information. Cos, on the scooter I'm not a threat, I'm not a sabre-tooth tiger.

The ancient brain doesn't hand the information on to the modern brain, cos the ancient brain has decided its not important.

On the Harley, I'm much more of a threat, so I get seen more often.

So....

In my opinion, Steam gets bling. While the dude in the 4WD may be pissed off about bikes, he WILL see them.

Its not to say he might make a deliberate move to hurt a biker as he is pissed off.

But I am sure bikers in general will be better off, as his ancient mind will now see bikes, just like snakes, or tigers, and at least hand the information on to the modern brain !

Thats actually why fluro vests work.

Old Brain sees bike.
Not a threat. Oops, fluro vest - might be a cop = hand data on to modern brain ... haa not a cop, but I have to give way anyway !

So ...

Become a threat. Try and avoid violence, but always challenge the idiot who cuts you off. It doesnt need to become road rage. But the more car drivers that see bikers as just a little bit scary, the better.

[Steam]

Become a threat. Try and avoid violence, but always challenge the idiot who cuts you off. It doesnt need to become road rage. But the more car drivers that see bikers as just a little bit scary, the better.

Exactly!

And yes yes, I KNOW it wasn't a good thing to do, which is why I put the "I think this makes me an asshole" at the end.
I just wanted to share how Good it felt. Still does.

[Katman]

Exactly!

And yes yes, I KNOW it wasn't a good thing to do, which is why I put the "I think this makes me an asshole" at the end.
I just wanted to share how Good it felt. Still does.

You're right - you're an arsehole. A cock as well - who doesn't give a fuck how motorcyclists are perceived or treated.

[davereid]

You're right - you're an arsehole. A cock as well - who doesn't give a fuck how Motorcyclists are perceived or treated.

No, it's not that simple. Motorcyclists are inherently vulnerable - so of course you are right when you say we don't need enemies on the road.

But mostly we don't have enemies. Very few people will deliberately endanger YOUR life, because someone else on a motorcycle was rude to them.

But, if someone else on a motorcycle was rude to them, there is a good chance that they will be spotted !

Read the thread, and try to be involved with logic, not just abuse.

[Katman]

Read the thread, and try to be involved with logic, not just abuse.

I've read the thread. The only logic in here is the fact that if it comes down to war between Motorcyclists and Car Drivers, the Motorcyclists will lose. Steam doesn't seem to give a fuck about that fact.

[Ocean1]

Its a part of the brain that kept us alive when hunting, very good at spotting prey, and very good at spotting the sabre-tooth tiger

Seems I recall results of a survey supporting a similar theme. Perception tests showed notably higher and earlier recognition of bikes with twin lights. Was suggested that such a setup looked like eyes and triggered a primitive “face recognition” routine. Plausible, it’s the first visual perception task we ever master…

[Grahameeboy]

I think it's a shame when people succumb to NIMBYism and fail to put energy into making the world a better place.

Telling bad drivers off is not the most important thing in terms of making the world a better placed....save energy for more important things.

Like I said earlier, I obviously take a more optimistic view of human nature and capabilities than you do.

Nop, I am just realistic and accepting...human nature was not designed to drive cars..

........................

[rat biker 08]

If your an asshole then im a bigger one for putting my steelecap into a car the other day for not looking when SHE moved a lane without looking. Road rage bee fuked i was pissed off os good on you.

[Thunder 8]

Having had all sorts of encounters with dickhead drivers in cars AND dickhead riders on bikes over the years i know what its like to be in that situation and you feel like flattening the driver/rider when you get that horrendous fright.
For myself i've come to the conclusion that getting into confrontations( and possibly far worse) with said dickheads is a complete waste of time and can land you in a real bad situation real fast.
A deep breath and some swearing to yoursef in your helmet will probably keep you out of trouble everytime.
Just my 10 cents worth.

[Grahameeboy]

Seems I recall results of a survey supporting a similar theme. Perception tests showed notably higher and earlier recognition of bikes with twin lights. Was suggested that such a setup looked like eyes and triggered a primitive “face recognition” routine. Plausible, it’s the first visual perception task we ever master…

True although there was a case back in UK where a lady saw 2 headlights at night time and assumed it was a car miles away so she pulled out...it was a motorbike with twin headlights