Public perception.

[alanzs]

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 show the prick".

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

When I say what "people" think of me is none of my business, I mean that I don't/won't/can't live my life worrying, or caring, about what "people" think of me. Imagine living your life worrying about what "people" thought of you. What a horrible life it would be. There would never be any satisfaction or contentment. Should I stop riding because "people" think the "people" that ride motorcycles are bad? Should I change my skin colour because "people" think I am too tan? I shudder at the thought.

Riding motorcycles is dangerous. When I ride I accept that responsibility. Riding in traffic is certainly not for the faint of heart, especially splitting lanes, which I consider a fairly advanced riding technique.

Road rage (as I infer from your example) happens in many ways and is, unfortunately part of the danger of riding on the street. I believe Nietzsche said "Hell is other people."

In a perfect world, it would be great if those driving cars would be diligent and aware enough to see me and not try to intentionally harm me as I am riding and/or splitting lanes. This isn't a perfect world, so I ride accordingly.

I do applaud your efforts in trying to enhance the "status" of motorcycle riders, if that's what you are attempting.

[Katman]

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

Funny that you should be taking this thread in exactly the opposite way to which it is intended.

[alanzs]

I find threads like these to be a complete waste of time,

Remember, this is the "rant and rave" section of the board.

[Owl]

How do the general public perceive motorcyclists?

How do you think the general public perceive motorcyclists?

[Mom]

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.

Do it.......

[jrandom]

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.

Not at all. The 'no fault' part means that they pay out even if you fuck yourself up in an entirely culpable and/or intentional manner, and that if you fuck someone else up, ACC will not chase you to cover their costs.

It has nothing at all to do with being not charged a higher premium if you're a higher risk.

[Mom]

Not at all. The 'no fault' part means that they pay out even if you fuck yourself up in an entirely culpable and/or intentional manner, and that if you fuck someone else up, ACC will not chase you to cover their costs.

It has nothing at all to do with being not charged a higher premium if you're a higher risk.

Though that does not apply to the poor old employer, be deemed to be high risk and you sure do pay for it!

[Ixion]

But I am not a higher risk. I am a lower risk, being a sweet gentle old man and all. So I should get a lower premium.

And, if we assume that I represent the public perception of motorcycling, then we all should get a lower premium. 'S logic, see.

[devnull]

This seems pretty accurate


Janet: Gosh, that's the third motorcycle that's passed us.
They sure do take their lives in their hands,
what with the weather and all.
Brad: Yes, life's pretty cheap to that type.

[Mully]

ACC will not chase you to cover their costs.

But they do. They want the nasty motorcyclists to cover their own costs, and disregard the injury costs incurred either because of cagers or by cagers on little 50cc scooters with no gear, hence the spanking at rego time.

[Katman]

But I am not a higher risk. I am a lower risk, being a sweet gentle old man and all. So I should get a lower premium.

And, if we assume that I represent the public perception of motorcycling, then we all should get a lower premium. 'S logic, see.

Yeah, you're right actually. I can't recall claiming anything from ACC from a motorcycling incident for over 20 years.

Hey Dan, I'm reinstating my ACC levy comment.

[eelracing]

I tend to think that the perception is one of envy,afterall Harley Davidson (bikes & gear)have thrived and have been the No1 seller for years now.

[FJRider]

They have the idea that motorcycling is an expensive way of sitting in a draft... they're not really wrong...

[carver]

a nice bunch of polite law abiding bunch

[Mom]

So where is your dozen examples then? Come on, I may even be able to help you with a couple.