If you are a car driver, what do you think about motorcyclists/bikers?

Answer 1

I drive convertibles these days, as I still like the feeling of the sun on my face and the wind in what is left of my hair. As I have aged though, I have become less willing to pick bugs from my teeth, cinders from my posterior when (not if) I go down. I also like having the option of putting the top up when it starts to rain, or to have heat and air conditioning when I please. Still, when I was young and foolish I rode bikes all of the time, and having the immortality of youth, I was blissfully unconcerned of the associated dangers.

All that said, I have come to view bikers as being terribly inconsiderate, but not for the usual reasons. Yes, many dart in and out of traffic, drive between lanes, have little or no muffling of their deafening exhausts and the like, but that is not what bothers me really--well maybe the exhaust, when I cannot hear my stereo, but that's a small and temporary inconvenience.

No, what makes them inconsiderate in the extreme, and what made me inconsiderate when I was riding, was this: When I rode, even with a helmet and leathers, and not riding like a lunatic, I was putting myself at risk. It's a free country, I was fond of saying, when people would ask, and of course it is to some extent. However, all the while I was excercising my free will I was placing those car and truck drivers at some considerable risk as well, though at the time I did not think much about it.

I was always one sand strewn turn, or wet manhole cover, or unexpected blowout away from sliding into them and probably being maimed for life or killed. When accidents happen in cars, for the most part you walk away--not always, but more often than not. When they happen on bikes your odds of being severely hurt or killed go up dramtically.

Yes, the biker is free to asssume that risk in our society it seems. But in retrospect, I wonder how fair it was of me to force others to assume the risk that, maybe through no fault of their own, I might be killed or maimed by their car, just because I wanted to exercise my freedom to ride.

You may say all risk assumption is relative. Every time we choose to step outside, to drive anything, to fly, to smoke, etc., we assume risks, and that is true. All I am saying here is that when I rode a bike I was electing to dramactically increase my personal vulernability and to place a substantial potential psychological burden on some ill-timed passerby whose car or truck might happen to be the thing that I slid under should the unexpected happen--my fault, his/her fault or nobody's fault--it would not really matter. On reflection I have come to feel that I was terribly inconsiderate to have placed others in that position--a position where a small mistake on their part is no longer a cause for calling their insurance company, or getting a ticket, but for maiming or killing someone. To me it is much the same as elevating the penalties for jaywalking to life imprisonment.

There is an old saying I quite like, that if you think about it applies here to some degree: "Little boys they throw rocks at frogs in jest, but the frogs they die in earnest."

Answer 2

I have both so I'm a bit biased. Motorcyclists are mostly cautious drivers because of their environment. Personally, I'm allergic to pain so I ride 100% defensively. Even when I first started riding at 13, I had no desire to take unnecessary risks and have always enjoyed motorcycling without any accidents or injuries after 40 years on two wheels.

Answer 3

Except for a few cars (such as my Miata), two wheels are more fun than four, but alot of car & truck drivers don;t watch out for bikers. Some cyclists think "share the road" means it's okay to hold up traffic as they drive 15mph in the middle of the lane -- dumb,dumb, dumb...

Answer 4

I don't think anything, but I am aware of their presence, and treat them respectfully, just like anyone else on the road. Although, I do stay further back from a motorcyle thatn I do a car, especially at a light, because ithink it is nerve wracking to have a car right up your *** if you are out in the open like that, not to mention, if someone were to fall off, I would want time to stop my car.

Answer 5

AlphaFemale is why I carry a big stick when I ride, I get 15 pts if I leave a dent in a car targeting me.

We share the road like any other vehicle, and the ones who drive with reckless abandon bring the responsible ones a bad name.

Answer 6

i dont mind them and i always let them pass however i find that most uk motorcyclists are very ignorant and dont, for example, say thanks when you let them pass. When I was in France driving, the bikers there have so much more manners and always thank you by sticking a leg out when you let them past. A thank you costs nothing.

Answer 7

Well, I think they are taking a bigger risk by choosing bikes over cars. When I was growing up here in Newport, I happened to have many friends who were into bikes. They were absolutely insane. They all crashed several times. Nowadays we are all more mellow. We talk about how the pain of crashing can change your outlook on life.

Answer 8

i am a car driver and a motorcycle rider, i have the highest respect for the car as well as the bike, they will kill you if you do not respect the danger in them and observe all rules of the road as well as just being courteous to other motorist including bikers

Answer 9

I think they deserve the same respect as anyone else on the road, except when they are doing wheelies down the interstate and other stupid crap. Then they deserve to go to jail! Not only are their lives in danger, so are the hundreds of other people on the road. And ladies, please stop wearing those ultra-short skirts while you are riding on a bike with your man. I have yet to see a bare *** that looks half decent and I have to explain to my kids why that grown lady is wearing a skirt that could fit my 5 year old. Respect yourself!

Answer 10

I got the decease out of my system before I was 18. I think motorcyclist are very stupid to drive on the highways of America. I think it should be required for them to sign an organ donor document before they can get a license. Because that's what they are organ donors.

Answer 11

I don't mind them - I would have bought a bike myself...if my brother hadn't had a bad accident on one.

The ones who keep their headlight on and wear jackets with at least one bright colour on are the best - as at worst they can be practically invisible to car drivers on roads through wooded areas - and open roads it isn't much better!
I always look at least twice on each junction, and a third time as I'm pulling away - that's saved me having a collision with one bike at least.

Otherwise, yeah, they're good. Except for when they weave through traffic jams - then I get envious!! XD