Public perception.

[Ghost_Bullet]

Man there is such a variation. When I was young, all I wanted to do was be one, loved seeing bikes on the road and wanted one of my own. My grandmother introduced me to the term "temp nz'ers" she realy thought they were unsafe, My mother is neutral neither likes or dislikes, Dad used to ride for work but I have no idea of his opinion.

[Oscar]

We don't do ourselves any favours.

I know it's safe to pass the way you just did, and you know it's safe to pass like you just did (or maybes you don't care), but the people in the car sure didn't think so. Maybe you didn't need to go that close and make that much noise (felt good, though, didn't it?).

[Headbanger]

They don't, they have no interest, don't care, they don't see or perceive us. If pressed, they might think we're silly for taking our lives into our own hands as we do, but only if stopped to think about it... left to their own devices, they just don't know or care. Maybe a greater percentage does now than say a year a go, but only because it's perceived to be 'cheap transport'.

Not that I give a fuck, I don't ride bikes for other people.

Right on the money.

[Katman]

They don't, they have no interest, don't care, they don't see or perceive us.

Really?

In addition to Oscar's example I could rattle off a dozen everyday scenarios where the general public would have a very definite and unfavourable perception of us.

[Oscar]

When I drive a car, I see some right idiots on the road, on two wheels or four.
When I ride my bike I try not to be that idiot, because an idiot on a bike is a biker idiot and an idiot in a car is just a wanker.

Try and create a favourable impression with small things. For example I'm surprised at the number of drivers out there that will ease over slightly for a bike. I give these guys a cheery wave or thumbs up. I got over being staunch a long time ago...

[jrandom]

They don't, they have no interest, don't care, they don't see or perceive us. If pressed, they might think we're silly for taking our lives into our own hands as we do, but only if stopped to think about it... left to their own devices, they just don't know or care. Maybe a greater percentage does now than say a year a go, but only because it's perceived to be 'cheap transport'.

Not that I give a fuck, I don't ride bikes for other people.

+1.

Like Oscar said, car drivers are generally reasonably courteous to me on the road.

Non-motorcycling people I know generally just sort of recoil in horror at the dangerous notion of riding a two-wheeled machine (heck, they have the same reaction to pushbikes). I've never met anyone who's expressed any particular opinion of 'motorcyclists' (tm).

And, I mean, let's face it. The majority of guys who ride motorcycles are idiots; once people figure that out for themselves, I don't figure I can do much to pull the wool over their eyes.

And yes, Katman, I know your angle is that we need to guard against an anti-bike attitude amongst lawmakers, but I think that's just paranoia talking - I challenge you to show me one example of this in NZ. (Aside from the goddamn cheesecutters, which, to be honest, I don't see as an 'anti-bike' thing at all.)

[Katman]

And yes, Katman, I know your angle is that we need to guard against an anti-bike attitude amongst lawmakers, but I think that's just paranoia talking - I challenge you to show me one example of this in NZ. (Aside from the goddamn cheesecutters, which, to be honest, I don't see as an 'anti-bike' thing at all.)

Not just amongst lawmakers - amongst the general public who make up the majority of roadusers.

And an example? ACC levies spring to mind.

[alanzs]

What people think of me is none of my business.

I have no idea what people think of motorcyclists because I have never cared to ask.

I think motorcyclists should pay less tax, be paid more at work, get a discount at restaurants and movies. We should be able to use the "12 items or less" line at the market no matter how many items we are buying. We should be able to get through customs and immigration, no questions asked and that little fucking annoying beagle that everyone thinks is so cute should not have to get near us. We should also be able to retire earlier and get more of a benefit than anyone else. Let's legislate motorcycle riders as special group of people. Hell, we are certainly a marginalized minority.
Carry on...

[Maha]

Really?

In addition to Oscar's example I could rattle off a dozen everyday scenarios where the general public would have a very definite and unfavourable perception of us.

By General Public, I take you mean ''non motorbike owners''?
There is a subtle, yet obvious difference in who you refer to as General Public.
We are all General Public, including bike owners, we are no different in that respect to any other Joe.
When I use the car, my view/perception dosen't change on what I said earlier. I will look at bikes as they pass or are oncoming and think ..'' mmmmm nice'' or ''what a wank''.

[jrandom]

And an example? ACC levies spring to mind.

But what's wrong with that? We are higher risk customers, after all.

I don't expect State or AMI to charge me the same house contents insurance premiums regardless of whether I choose to live in Devonport or Mangere; why should I expect ACC to charge me the same medical and income insurance premiums regardless of whether I choose to use a car or a motorcycle?

[Katman]

What people think of me is none of my business.

I have no idea what people think of motorcyclists because I have never cared to ask.

Really?

Even that guy sitting in his car fuming about the motorcyclist that just wiped out his wing mirror thinking "just wait till the next fucker comes past - I'll run the prick off the road".

(Italics are mine - not the imaginary car driver's).

[Mully]

But what's wrong with that? We are higher risk customers, after all.

Because ACC is meant to be "No-fault" accident cover. By that definition we shouldn't be getting pinged more for riding bikes compared to driving cages.

FOCUS: I think it depends on the situation. Most cagers couldn't give a shit about us, until we pass dangerously (their opinion) or filter to the front (How dare that wanker biker go first/not sit in the queue!! Where's my gun) in which case, I think bikers are all tarred with the same brush.

[Ixion]

I do not think that I have encountered any systemic anti-biker attitude , these many years[1]. Except cops of course, but they will always be agin us, so there's no point worrying about them

But then , I guess that the public will generally perceive me as a sweet gentle elderly gentleman, which of course I am. And recognise that my gentle and inoffensive pootling is a concomitant of the need to eke out a frugal and parsimonious existence , on the smell of an oily rag. And be accordingly supportive and sympathetic.

[1] With the exception of the prat who yelled 'Bloody young idiot' at me as I nipped past him into the servo on the SRX250 . Then changed it to "bloody old fool" when I took my helmet of. He really should make up his mind

[Katman]

But what's wrong with that? We are higher risk customers, after all.

I don't expect State or AMI to charge me the same house contents insurance premiums regardless of whether I choose to live in Devonport or Mangere; why should I expect ACC to charge me the same medical and income insurance premiums regardless of whether I choose to use a car or a motorcycle?

Ok, you've got me there.

I'll go back to just talking about an anti-biker sentiment amongst the general road using public.

[Patar]

Trying to determine the mind set of the general public is like defining any group by the actions of select indiviuals, and since many people on here hate being stereotyped as 'just another stupid biker', I don't see what you intend to accomlish with this thread

I find threads like these to be a complete waste of time, as what generally happens is that 'we' believe that 'they' have a negative view of us and then 'we' feel resentment towards 'them', and some joker will take it out onto the road.
Just look at the situation with car drivers and cyclists (was a story about it on 20/20 or something a couple days ago). Cyclists are more agressive because they don't get respect on the road from some car drivers, they piss off more car drivers leading to less respect leading to more agressive cyclists.
It's a self perpetuating cycle.

/rant