roadcraft

Apropos of the "Safe" thread...

Was in a taxi the other day. Heading along a 2 lane each way road
with the left lane tending to have parked cars along it so we were in
the right lane.

Coming up on the left was a side street with 2 cars moving, and obviously
intending to turn left into the street I was on. A bit ahead of the
side street was a parked car.

So I think OK, here comes car #1, he will come out, and immediately
change lanes to get past the parked car, plenty of room, no problem.

here comes #2, and there's not enough time for #2 to pull out in front
of us.

Now at this point I was thinking "must slow down or stop because that
car will pull out into me otherwise".

Which was the motorcyclist talking. The taxi driver kept on going,
serene in the knowledge that the other car wouldn't barge into him.

OK, it was a taxi so the driver is going to be a bit more likely to
take right of way, but it really showed me the difference between the
motorcyclist and the car driver. I naturally assumed that I wouldn't
be seen or that the car would barge in front of me, so I was expecting
the car I was in to slow down. Expecting to be 2nd class.

Because I'm a motorcyclist, if I don't they will hit me and blame me.

I'm a motorcyclist, I have to assume I'm invisible and that even if
they see me they'll assume I will give way or assume I'm not worth
bothering about.

Gives me the shits, because every time I do give way I cement that
mindset, but every time I give way I save myself the good chance of a
visit to the hospital.

Sigh.

Zebee

"Zebee Johnstone" <zebeej RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:slrneucv4h.9nd.zebeej@gmail.com...
> Apropos of the "Safe" thread...
>
> Was in a taxi the other day. Heading along a 2 lane each way road
> with the left lane tending to have parked cars along it so we were in
> the right lane.
>
> Coming up on the left was a side street with 2 cars moving, and obviously
> intending to turn left into the street I was on. A bit ahead of the
> side street was a parked car.
>
> So I think OK, here comes car #1, he will come out, and immediately
> change lanes to get past the parked car, plenty of room, no problem.
>
> here comes #2, and there's not enough time for #2 to pull out in front
> of us.
>
> Now at this point I was thinking "must slow down or stop because that
> car will pull out into me otherwise".
>
> Which was the motorcyclist talking. The taxi driver kept on going,
> serene in the knowledge that the other car wouldn't barge into him.
>
> OK, it was a taxi so the driver is going to be a bit more likely to
> take right of way, but it really showed me the difference between the
> motorcyclist and the car driver. I naturally assumed that I wouldn't
> be seen or that the car would barge in front of me, so I was expecting
> the car I was in to slow down. Expecting to be 2nd class.
>
> Because I'm a motorcyclist, if I don't they will hit me and blame me.
>
> I'm a motorcyclist, I have to assume I'm invisible and that even if
> they see me they'll assume I will give way or assume I'm not worth
> bothering about.
>
> Gives me the shits, because every time I do give way I cement that
> mindset, but every time I give way I save myself the good chance of a
> visit to the hospital.
>
> Sigh.
>
> Zebee
>
>
>
Heh heh, I bet a portable flashing blue light might improve their vision
(even if it is illegal). makes ya wonder if it wouldnt be an idea for bikes
to have one (say yellow) as a means of cutting down on the road toll.

--
Cheers .......... Rheilly P