How do people stay alive on scooters?

**Maha** · 17th April 2009, 15:15

Originally Posted by Parabola

Possibly this hostility towards scooters is because they're the favoured transport of teenagers, who are quite often inconsiderate drivers with no concept of their own mortality. I live in Wellington and rode a scooter for years, but never encountered scooter-rage. Here in wellington the majority of scooter riders seem to be uni students or businessmen and hipsters on Vespas; possibly they have a better 'image' here.

Teenages/Male Hair Dressers/Posties/un-cool Punks/Dicks in Suits/Dicks not in Suits/Pizza Delivery people (bless em') and Government runners.

**MisterD** · 17th April 2009, 15:42

Originally Posted by Maha

un-cool Punks

By a process of illumination, that must be me...who are you, the fashion police?

**mattian** · 17th April 2009, 15:49

dude, if you want to stay alive on a scooter or bike you never! ride level with the cab of a truck in the next lane....... its just common sense. You're lucky he saw you at all. either get in front, or sit behind where he can see you in his mirrors. If I was driving a truck around all day I would get pissed off with people hiding in my blind spots. try to stay alive.

**Flatcap** · 30th April 2009, 08:46

Originally Posted by Maha

Teenages/Male Hair Dressers/Posties/un-cool Punks/Dicks in Suits/Dicks not in Suits/Pizza Delivery people (bless em') and Government runners.

I'm more of an "un-cool Dick not in suit"....

**kunoichi** · 30th April 2009, 09:39

I might be wrong, but don't people percieve motorbike riders alot more intimidating than scooter riders? I'm the first ever motorbike rider in an arab family, and the first thing my mum thought of was that i was now and forever gang affiliated. Even if people know that bikers are not necessarily gang affiliated, bikes definatly tend to radiate the 'don't mess with me' type of message. Scooters are, for me anyways, ridiculous and wimpy, and i can't help but scoff at every scooter i see, especially if they'r reving the shit out of it. It's like a house cat trying to roar!

Anyways, point is, since people may percieve these two riders in these ways, it makes sense that on a scooter u'd be more abused than on a bike. Plus scooter riders tend to be alot more cocky than bikers, especially in their way of reckless riding. Even with my L plate on, and i commute from albany to city on almost a daily basis, people i find are considerate and although some can be bastards, i just give them a fair warning by flashing my lights at them. If they don't ease off, i kick their door in while i ride past.

Is it possible to get a scooter rider's opinion on this matter? because frankly, i'm amazed that there isn't more focus on scooter accidents than bike accidents since more people are riding scooters and they seem to be far more reckless and inconsiderate on the roads. Especially riding around in jandals and shorts!!

**Flatcap** · 30th April 2009, 10:03

Originally Posted by kunoichi

Is it possible to get a scooter rider's opinion on this matter? because frankly, i'm amazed that there isn't more focus on scooter accidents than bike accidents since more people are riding scooters and they seem to be far more reckless and inconsiderate on the roads. Especially riding around in jandals and shorts!!

Jandals and shorts are compulsory attire

I wouldn't wear a helmet if I could get away with it, just my tweed hat on backwards

**kunoichi** · 30th April 2009, 10:07

Originally Posted by Flatcap

Jandals and shorts are compulsory attire

I wouldn't wear a helmet if I could get away with it, just my tweed hat on backwards

lol. I find it hilarious how people put up their hands to volunteer to have their brains smeared on the road.

I'v had my first crash, and i, for one, and glad i had my gear. And if my partner didn't have his gear on for his crash, i would dragged him out of his grave by his ear and make him wish he were dead!

**Flatcap** · 30th April 2009, 10:16

Originally Posted by kunoichi

lol. I find it hilarious how people put up their hands to volunteer to have their brains smeared on the road.

I'v had my first crash, and i, for one, and glad i had my gear. And if my partner didn't have his gear on for his crash, i would dragged him out of his grave by his ear and make him wish he were dead!

If you take that safety logic a bit further, a cager might say motorcyclists in general are volunteering to have their brains smeared on the road.

Who's definition of "safe" should be applied?

**MisterD** · 30th April 2009, 10:22

Originally Posted by kunoichi

lol. I find it hilarious how people put up their hands to volunteer to have their brains smeared on the road.

I'v had my first crash,

Ah well there you go, I'm still waiting for mine...I find it hilarious how many people put their hand up to fall off by riding outside their skill levels and reaction times...

**Flatcap** · 30th April 2009, 10:24

Originally Posted by MisterD

Ah well there you go, I'm still waiting for mine...I find it hilarious how many people put their hand up to fall off by riding outside their skill levels and reaction times...

...and you should have both hands on the handle bars....

**MisterD** · 30th April 2009, 10:26

Originally Posted by Flatcap

...and you should have both hands on the handle bars....

Yeah, but how would I txt otherwise?

**Flatcap** · 30th April 2009, 10:28

Originally Posted by MisterD

Yeah, but how would I txt otherwise?

You can only do that in between puffs on your cigarette

**MisterD** · 30th April 2009, 10:41

Originally Posted by Flatcap

You can only do that in between puffs on your cigarette

Smoking's easy - it's rolling up that's the hard part.

**UberRhys** · 30th April 2009, 10:42

Originally Posted by Flatcap

You can only do that in between puffs on your cigarette

Is that when your at the lights and let go of your unsecured excessive load, 'indian' styles' and it all goes to shite and falls off at an intersection?