Most of those who drive cars are alert and courteous. You have to work with those guys and encourage that behavior.
Most of those who drive cars are alert and courteous. You have to work with those guys and encourage that behavior.
Big problem I'm seeing is teenage kids behind the wheel texting and talking on the phone. I have reversed the old slug bug game as I played as a kid and now have my daughter 8yrs old counting and yelling motorcycle every time we see one.
Since installing the bright white driving lights I bought last year from Value accessories I haven't had one car turn in front of me or pull out in front of me. Like was happening before the lights were installed. I had 4 close calls before the lights were there. I am a day rider and don't do much of anything at night and that was the reason I put them on. I leave them on all the time and definitely have notice a change in the drivers I have approached with them running. Has anyone else seen a change since installing these lights? I am really impressed with them for sure. Worth every cent I paid for them.
I figure that when a cager does something decent for me, it is probably another biker in his car. We do drive 4 wheels once in a while. And yes, I thank them.
Albuquerque, NM
Sure, the ones I can tell didn't see me at first but then stop while I go by. I give them a nod and a wave hoping it will be positive reinforcement for them. Maybe it will help them to become more observant of motorcyclists.
Thanks for this thread.
I think about that all the time ... do I wave and acknowledge cagers for doing what they are supposed to, or do I just go on as if I were in a car?
Since reading this thread, I am going to start waving, especially at those who wait longer than they normally would just to make sure I am safe. I estimate that 95% of drivers are courteous and respectful of motorcycles, and want us to be safe.
Here's a dilemma - a bike offers opportunities to squeeze in and through certain traffic situations that cars cannot. Often, I will NOT take advantage of this ... because instead of being seen as a positive (relieving some traffic volume), those are seen as dick moves. An example would be using the shoulder to scoot around a long line of cars waiting at a red light without a green arrow, to not have to wait for those turning left on a two-way green.
Former Ride:
2013 F6B Standard, black; sold 7/2019
Latest Addition:
2016 Gold Wing Level 3, red; SCT transmission stuck in manual mode
2019 Miles:
7,900 as of 10/6
As I see it most of us are at a disadvantage when riding our bikes. We are not surrounded by metal that can protect us in an accident.
We have also been conditioned by stereotypes from biker movies and reckless crotch rocket riders breaking speed limit laws and other things. This view translates to the rest of bike riders whether deserved or not.
Europeans enjoy the sharing of the road because it is a way of life over there. Not so here in the USA.
So, when I have a chance to signal a "thank you" for stopping or allowing a lane change I make sure I do the nod or the hand wave.