why dont cages respect motorcycles?

Question

why do people driving in cars have no respect for motorcyles on the road?
i go for a ride and multiple times last night cages didnt respect that i had the right-of-way, i was almost T-boned. :(
last night two local motorcyclests were killed when a car lost control and took them out.
why? why? why?

The T-bone incedent was at a 4 way stop. I deffinatly had the right of way and the truck (dodge ram) driver knew I had the right of way.
*side note, i wear full gear, helmit/leather/gloves/boots with reflective.

another note, this also happens when people are looking directly at you, and you know they see you.

Answer 1

1) Bikes are small (width-wise) and are not noticeable when taking a quick look in the mirror. That's why you should always drive defensively. Make believe you're invisible.
2) Non bikers, driving in cages, don't understand or even know what a motorcycle can and can't do. Once again, drive defensively. Keep space between you and other vehicles. Always expect the unexpected. Leave yourself a way out.
3) They just don't care - about motorcycles or anyone else on the road (bicycles, pedestrians, other cars). They have the "this is my road, keep out of my way" attitude.

Answer 2

The biggest reason is people are not trained the way they used to be. Driver's Ed classes turning out teenagers by the thousands who grow up never fully realizing or understanding the essential element. RESPONSIBILITY. Add to this things built into automobiles to relieve them of this bother. Watch a new car ad on TV. Cars that park themselves. (Was part of MY test!), blind spot warning systems(broken neck?), and don't forget to watch the Volvo commercial, where the driver is talking to the passenger instead of looking at the truck he's accelerating toward. Red lights flash, a beeper sounds, you hear a gasp as he swerves around the truck, then he zips down the road, happy as a clam. Now, remind yourself these things are called "safety improvements"!

I know we don't exist to the guy who won't look around. As far as the bad attitude, they may have their reasons, but it doesn't matter to me anymore. I've been known to be vocal, and use various hand gestures to get my point across.

The people get what they want: seat belts, 3rd brake lights, airbags, ABS..........the car does more, the driver less.
Most of our countrymen drive.
Our people are giving up or delegating their responsibilities in many ways.
Children have limited freedom (or rights) because they are not responsible.

Answer 3

Nearly all bikers also own cars so I never did buy into the us and them thing. I don't think the people in cars around you want you dead, some people just don't drive as cautiously as they should. Since it is the bikers life on the line we need to assume that people do not see us. Drive defensively and be as noticeable as possible. Having the right away isn't always enough.
As for the bikers getting killed, that sucks but like you said the car lost control and they happened to be right there. Fate really sucks sometimes. I also seen a couple of bikes last night on the interstate on my way to work, they were going 100+ and cutting around cars. BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

Answer 4

I read an interesting study about this recently. When a car driver "sees" a bike, his brain basically disregards it because it is not big enough to pose a threat. This is why every driver says "I swear I looked but I just didn't see him " They saw the bike but their brain put the image into the circular file. The study also found that motorcycle cops were involved in 2 vehicle accidents to a much smaller degree. The officer and his ticket book are perceived as a threat.

Answer 5

Because car drivers feel they own the road, because they truelly don't know you are there. Because they can be ignorant & stupid (as can all road uses at some time)
Until they get a bike license & feel/see the problem for themselves this will continue. (Until I got my License I had no real idea of the amount of thinking that goes intoriding. I have know transfered that to my driving & I am a better driver now because of it)

Answer 6

When ever I am in my cage I always look out for Motorcycles ,We have been seei ng more and more bumper stickers and billboard signs in my area saying (Watch Out For Motorcycles they are Everywhere) Some people in cages do seem to have such a big problem with Us People on Bikes Why I will never know,

Answer 7

First of all car drivers and motorcycle riders are two different breeds. Car drivers tend to daydream and multi task while operating one to two tons of plastic and metal at seventy miles an hour. A motorcycle rider pays attention to what is around them and his/her survival is linked to this level of awareness. I have never seen a motorcycle rider on a cell phone while driving, nor have I seen one putting on make up or turned around talking to kids in the back seat. Most people who drive are so insulated from the road that they think they are in their living room playing a video game.

Answer 8

Many good answers.

I would add car drivers are stuck behind other cars motorcycles pass them constantly and they are frustrated that they can't follow.

They hate on us for this very reason. I have had cars try to move over to block me and I have had people yell at me.

Stop the hate buy a bike and cheer the hell up.

Answer 9

Charles really highlights a major point that some others have mentioned here as well.

The jealousy factor.

I get this all the time. I will often move up to the front of a line legally to get out of traffic fumes and danger. People get so mad that I have done this, like swear at me or rev their engines like they are going to ram me from behind.

They are not going to get stuck behind me because they will never accelerate as fast as I will once the light changes, and I put distance between those screwballs and myself.
Sometimes they speed up and try to chase me. It really is ridiculous!!

Answer 10

Often, it's not that they dont care.. it's that they just dont see you or arent paying attention becuause they are too busy talking on their cell phones and eating a big mac.
There are also some cagers that just hate motorcyclists. Why? ... I have no idea. Probably because the see bikes cutting through traffic and cutting to the front of the line at lights and just assume that all motorcyclists are the same.