WTF is wrong with Auckland car drivers?

[Tubbsy]

Ok, today....I have had 2 narrow misses with cars. The first one non-bike related. Walking across a road after waiting for the green light for me to go. This c0ck comes barreling around the corner, even though he's supposed to wait till pedestrians are safely across (I wasn't dawdling), I look up, he's actually looking at me in his 4x4, I had to actually jump out of the way as the car passed by fast, and less than a foot from me. Reflexively I slammed my hand into the passenger door hard enough that there's no way he couldn't hear and probably made a dent, as far as he knows he hit me right? He didn't even slow down or stop.

Fast forward, I'm riding home from work on Aucklands waterfront....doing between 50-60km/h in line with traffic, some knob is sitting on my tail almost looking like he wants to pass for about 1km, even though there's nowhere for him to go in front of me, and let me stress...I was NOT riding like a grandma, nor did I have indicators on, nor was I doing anything that should piss him off, but I do have an L plate on, which means traffic should at least be considerate. Next thing, he's sped up and is pretending he's gonna ram me, suddenly he slows right down, flashing headlights at me and turns off.

I wish these pr1cks would have the balls to actually stop, I'd love to show them they are just as vulnerable as me without a couple tons of metal around them.

Anybody else have experiences like this? I'm betting just about everyone.

[White trash]

Sorry. It's the fact that they can sense you ride a Hyosung. You're going to have to live with it till you grow into a big boy and get a Suzuki.

And then they'll try and kill you for that.......

[skidMark]

Only 2 near misses in a day...

Fuck you must be doing something right...

And ditch the L plate.... to many cocks like to pick on learners.

[mattian]

welcome to the world of riding a motorcycle in Auckland city. Get used to it buddy, its going to happen to you frequently. The way you learn to deal with it will determine whether you stick with it, or decide its not for you.
The story of you crossing the road as a paedestrian reminds me of this time the exact same thing happened to me, only, I didnt hit the car, I just gave him the finger and he stops, jumps out flashing his id and introducing himself and a police officer. He was a plain clothes detective! I told him, I thought he was trying to run me over in his car and he jumps back in and takes off again. Damn, I wish I got his badge number now.

[awayatc]

....yeah.....
best thing to do when on ya bike with somebody to close behind you is keep chosing position on road right in front of driver behind you.
keep eye on mirror and keep blocking his view... This usualy makes them fall back a bit.
If that fails:
Use throttle and pass vehicle in front..
or slow down/brake and let him pass...
Probably not your L plate, is just the way it is, and you just have to get used to deal with pricks on the road...

Don't get wound up to easy.....all about staying alive my friend.....
The throttle is your friend....

[Tubbsy]

He he he....yeh yeh yeh....I ride a Hyosung.....goes like a dream though (touch wood).

Really hope I dented the door of that knob earlier though....that would have been a hit and run considering he didn't stop.

[FJRider]

Perhaps you'ld better increase your life - insurance...

[skidMark]

Perhaps you'ld better increase your life - insurance...

Yeah whats all ya details man i wanna take out life insurance on you!

[samgab]

I think of riding a motorcycle in terms of a knight riding a horse in battle. Weaving and dodging the cars, bumps, greasy patches, metal plates, roadworks, trucks, busses, paint, oil, faulty lights, red light runners, drivers who have never heard of indicators, lane jumpers, holes in the road, and whatnot turns every trip to or from work into a big adventure, and a challenge in staying alive. Get to work with the adrenaline going each time!
And I haven't died yet... Much.

[Mom]

Ok, today....I have had 2 narrow misses with cars.
Anybody else have experiences like this? I'm betting just about everyone.

The prick that about mowed you down on the PedX needs to go and get his glasses prescription changed, take care on those things. My advice is actually eyeball the driver before you step out, that way you can be sure they have seen you (hopefully, maybe, fingers crossed) a bit like riding a motorbike really.

....yeah.....
best thing to do when on ya bike with somebody to close behind you is keep chosing position on road right in front of driver behind you.
keep eye on mirror and keep blocking his view... This usualy makes them fall back a bit.
Don't get wound up to easy.....all about staying alive my friend.....
The throttle is your friend....

This is good advice! I know it is difficult when you are a new rider to have confidence in situations like that. The fact you are new actually makes you feel like it is worse than it is. I am not saying that L platers are not harrassed/tailgated etc because there is testimony here that it does happen. It just feels worse when you are fresh to the road anyway.

Move in your lane mate. Own your bit of road. Let them know you are infront of them. Dont listen to shit about your bike either mate, we all had to start somewhere.

[MaxCannon]

I think a mandatory part of the driving test should be to show people a photo of the white diamond symbol painted on the road and ask them what it's for.
If they don't know that it's put in front of pedestrian crossing to warn you the crossing is there then they should fail the test immediately.

I cross the pedestrain crossing on Campbell road 4 times a day when I take the dog for a run around cornwall park (there and back in the morning and evening).

The number of times drivers have come sailing over the crossing while I'm staring them down standingo on the road is shocking.
Half the time I think the poor bastards that do stop are going to end up with the fuckwit behind embeded in the boot - still on the phone / looking out the window /doing a crossword etc

As for when I'm on the bike the best I advise I have for anyone is always assume other drivers are going to do the stupidest thing possible.
Being on a bike means you have to think not only for yourself but for all the other people on the road at the same time.

[rosie631]

This is not just an auckland problem. Bad here in Christchurch too. Think when you get on a bike you become invisible to some cagers. Just have to ride defensively and never assume they have seen you.

[beyond]

Well... the only way to survive as a rider in Auckland, is to assume that everyone is out to get you.
You are the red flag to the bull.
You are the bullseye to the dart.
You are the ant to the boy with the magnifying glass.
You are the blowfly to the wing puller.
You are the chicken to Inghams.
You are the kernel to Sanitarium cornflakes...
The Iraqi terrorist to an American sniper....
The rat to the cheese in the trap..
The pimple on the arsehole of the world...

AND as White Trash pointed out... until you get a Suzuki, it's only going to get worse.





Hang in there buddy.

[FJRider]

Yeah whats all ya details man i wanna take out life insurance on you!

Pm me with the details the insurance company needs, and I will reply with same. Being under 25... can you afford the premiums... ???

You BOTH live in a BIG and BUSY city, full of dickheads and wankers, and moan online about the problems...

[dwnundabkr]

[QUOTE=beyond;1968455]Well... the only way to survive as a rider in .

AND as White Trash pointed out... until you get a Suzuki, it's only going to get worse.


Hey Beyond this should read, and when you get a suzuki it will get worse nearly as bad as a honda