Motorbikers: do you ever experience open and deliberate hostility from automobile drivers?

Question

I've been told that there are many people out on the roads who deliberately try to run motorcycles off the road, tailgate motorcycles, etc. Is this true?

Answer 1

Not usually. I think most of my experience with drivers is that they just don't know how to drive. It's not necessairly from hostility.

It's absolutely amazing that there aren't more accidents. When you work in a repair shop and see the condition of some people's cars that they're driving on the road, you wonder why they haven't exploded yet.
Whether it be brakes, tires, wheel bearings, suspension parts or some other safety feature, many cars are unsafe.
Then you have these idiots that think they're cool by modifying their car. They make the tires stick out past the fender and put tires that are way too small on the rims. Not only does it look like crap, but it throws the scrub radius completely off while placing too much stress on the tires and steering knuckles. If you see one of those death traps, stay away from them. It's only a matter of time before one of their wheels falls off.

It's also amazing because about 50% of the people on the road don't belong on the road.

So, either your car is unsafe or you're a bad driver. That leaves a small percentage of people who are safely driving on the public roads.

Sure, you have your occasional road raging jerk, but I worry about the soccer mom who is oblivious to what she's doing way more than I worry about the jerk.

Answer 2

Sometimes I get the jerks camping in the left lane on the cell phone that somehow get offended that ANYONE has the nerve to go around them. I've had a few decide to tailgate me, and my usual response is to put more traffic between us if possible.

If that's not possible, I turn around and "shoo" them away or visibly take my hand off the throttle (potentially dangerous, I know) and let the engine slow me down. They usually get the hint.

Mostly, though, I don't have problems with tailgaters or hostile drivers. 95% of the people I avoid are the ones that forgot what their mirrors are for and "slide" into me without looking. Not really any open hostility, though.

Answer 3

In 50k miles on an MC in LA, San Diego and San Francisco, I've encountered exactly two deliberately hostile people (strangely, both in SD). One of the guys irritated me enough that I followed for a ways and he pulled over at a gas station so I stopped too, to have a word. He jumped out and grabbed his lug nut wrench out of the trunk (what was he thinking?). I took a step toward him so he wouldn't get any leverage on it, and he ran cowering back to his car. Turns out he was having some monster fight with his wife (also in the car) with his 3 year old in the back seat. Probably headed for a divorce in a couple of months. I almost felt bad for him, though I did ask him to be a little more considerate on the road, please (people are downright shocked if you're polite and reasonable in this sort of situation).

Typically I find (like others) that people are friendly, distracted and unaware, or fearful of me. Occasionally someone won't want to let me go by splitting lanes, but hey, nothing says they have to let you by (and usually the wait is short).

I've also logged about 750k miles in autos, and I've lost count of the deliberately hostile people I've encountered. I'm betting that you run into many fewer of them per mile on the bike (but the possible consequences are much more dire).

So while you will find that everyone is anxious to tell you about someone they know that was in a motorcycle accident (funny no one is anxious to tell you about a car accident when they find out you drive!)... Are there a lot of people specifically out to get you on the bike? No... quite the opposite I'd say... but you might want to ride with a little paranoia anyway!

Keep the rubber side down.

Andrew

Answer 4

I worked as a despatch rider in the UK for 5 years, covering over 500,000 miles in that time. Car drivers will often block bikes from filtering as they don't like the idea of someone making progress while they are stuck in traffic. They also don't seem to know what mirrors and indicators are for and often use the old Smidsy (sorry mate I didn't see you) excuse. The only benefit bikers get from this is that they become much more attentive when riding and are usually able to spot potential trouble before it comes.

Answer 5

Sure, anyone who spends any time on public roads is subject to box jockey morons who can't see past the end of their own bumper. They're talking on the cell phone, playing with the DVD player, arguing with the kids...anything but paying attention to you. So when you honk, flip the bird, or zoom around them they get all bent out of shape. Luckily, just about any motorcycle on the road can get out of a bad situation pretty quick either by slowing down or speeding way up...temporarily at least. You'll leave trouble far behind you or find a safe place to pull off.

Answer 6

Never on a bike. I drive about 50k miles a year in my company car and personal car combined. I would say I experience this once or twice a year. Most of the offenders are truckers.
No offense to truck drivers, but there are ******* in every walk of life.

Answer 7

Once in a great while, There will be some game playing ******.I've been riding a very long time and I've got ways to deal with them.It is really the people who don't see you that are the most dangerous.

Answer 8

I had what looked like a crackhead chick try to run me (and wife) down on the expressway. I've had the local cops tailgate me at night with their brights on.
In my state we have a concealed weapon carry permit and many of my friends ride armed. I just use the finger and the throttle.

Answer 9

Sometimes during Events like Daytona or Mrytle Beach bike weeks. The drivers seem to get pissed at the bikers, because there are so many of them. I have had a few that have been agressive, until they get a good look at me then they back up.

Answer 10

Had some tailgaters and some people who just didn't see me and cut me off but nobody dared to delibrately run me off the road or play games...I guess they know better than to fool with me. I will play back but I won't play nice.