Arrogant SOBs

**The Joka** · 14th May 2008, 08:38

Just thought that I would point out something to everyone that commutes down the N.W. and Southern Motorway!

YOU ARE ARROGANT!

Due to a series of unfortunate circumstances I found myself in the flatmates car stuck on the motorway during rush hour last night.

Being the nice guy I am!

I started moving over and giving bikes more room to get past.. Expecting to see a hand gesture of thanks, if not everytime from one or two of the riders.

More and more bikes came and I continued moving over further and further for them.

NOT ONE SINGLE THANKS - must have been 10+ bikes!

I got to the point I wanted to move over into your way, so just imagine how people that dont ride every other day to work feel!

A simple hand gesture would earn a lot more respect from the few drivers that do see us and get out of the way, you dont even have to take your hand off the handlebars.

As you have just gone past move your hand to a more upright position in a wave movement!

Surely the more cars we have moving out of way the better, would be nice not to piss them off!

**ManDownUnder** · 14th May 2008, 08:43

I know what you're saying, and agree but to say everyone on the NW is arrogant is a tad hypocritical - not to mention a circular reference...?

Back to the intended post - agreed. I say thanks to those I notice pulling over for me but suspect a combination of tunnel vision, concentration and riding into the sun (or after dusk) limits my abilities to see those that pull over.

I say this because I've been pulled over by our very own NodMan a couple of times and have no idea where he was sitting, despite him confirming he was plainly visible under an overpass or similar.

**Katman** · 14th May 2008, 08:45

I agree to a point but lane splitting on a motorway is not the place to be lessening the control you have over your bike by waving every time a car driver moves over.

But I, for one, am sick and tired of constantly hearing on here the term "fucking cagers". It's an attitude that we need to loose in order to make the road a safer place for us all.

**Usarka** · 14th May 2008, 08:47

fucking cagers

**timorang** · 14th May 2008, 08:48

Good post.

Wherever possible if a driver makes a deliberate move to accommodate me or make room I will wave and/or toot. I also provide a wave to the car in the front of the queue that I have pushed in front of. The latter is not always appreciated but I also ensure I do not then impede their subsequent progress (an excuse to drag from the lights). On the open road most bikers seem to acknowledge if you make room, why does this not happen in the commuting traffic?

Suck in the attitude and acknowledge other road users. Courtesy can be contagious - try it.

**Guided_monkey** · 14th May 2008, 08:49

I agree with Katman. I transit the NW morning and evening. I end up filtering most up until Lincoln Rd where then traffic suddenly opens up.

Putting my hand up in recognition would be nice but is not good whilst filtering.

**ghost** · 14th May 2008, 08:50

Dude, I move over and let bikes have a wide berth to get passed, i get a few waves from people, thats cool, but if you had to wave to all people who pulled over and gave you room, you wouldnt need the motorway to get to work cos you would be flapping about 5 meters of the ground.......cool, flying bikes....

**Katman** · 14th May 2008, 08:52

Originally Posted by Guided_monkey

I agree with Katman.

People aren't going to like you now.

**vifferman** · 14th May 2008, 08:57

I actually agree with Katman too (the bit about not lessening control/concentration while lanesplitting). I don't lanesplit very often, but it takes a lot of concentration. If you're kind enough to move over, well, just bask in the warm fuzzies of knowing you've helped a fellow biker out. If you were hoping for more than that, too bad. You'll get over it. And maybe someone will extend the same courtesy to you when you're lanesplitting.

**Mikkel** · 14th May 2008, 09:17

I would like to acknowledge each and every driver who goes out of his/her way to make traffic flow more efficiently - be it moving over so I can squeeze by on my bike or just not holding other people up... (the nap at the green lights, running the orange lights preventing people from turning right, etc.)

That said, it can be quite hard to distinguish between people who are actively moving over to give you room and those who just keep 'as far left as is safe' as they are supposed to. And as Katman said, taking your hands of the handlebars is not often prudent in heavy traffic.

On the other hand - unless people go out of their way to block you off there should be more than adequate space anyway.

**Metalor** · 14th May 2008, 09:32

I tend to wave to people if they move over to give me a bit more space... then once I get home I have a big masty about how thoughtful that person was! Really gets me off...

**slick** · 14th May 2008, 09:39

The other thing worth remembering is if you regularly commute on the same route at the same time you are probably going to be passing the same people every day. It can pay in the long term to acknowledge someone if they make an effort to get out the way.

**nodrog:Me** · 14th May 2008, 09:45

is this a waving thread?

**Big Dave** · 14th May 2008, 09:46

Originally Posted by Katman

But I, for one, am sick and tired of constantly hearing on here the term "fucking cagers". It's an attitude that we need to loose in order to make the road a safer place for us all.

Me too - I think it's a stupid term - I'll just say 'f*cking pricks in cars' from now on.