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September 13, 2005
Motorcycles must be invisible!
I can't think of any other way to understand why I almost get run over on a daily basis.
I think of myself as a good rider. I don't speed much (if any), I ride furthest away from traffic as I can, look both ways before entering an intersection. I pay VERY close attention to what every other dumb ass on the road is/isn't doing.
But it never fails, I am not seen.
Monday I was on my way to school. I had just gotten off of Amnicola Hwy and was about to cross 4th street.
I always look both ways before entering an intersection just to make sure that there isn't some idiot running a red light. Well, there was a car in oncoming traffic that was stopped and ready to make a left turn onto 4th. As I look both ways (doing about 25mph), the car decides to turn right in front of me. I slam on the breaks trying not to lock up my tires, I barely miss the rear quarter-panel of the car.
Of course, I didn't honk because I was too preoccupied with not hitting the car.
I wonder if they ever even saw me.
This doesn't take into consideration getting tail-gated every day. If I am in traffic and behind a car (meaning I am not holding up traffic), how close does the asshole behind me need to be to my rear wheel? Well, around here, about 4-6 feet. So I will usually pull off and let the car pass before re-entering traffic. Then (surprise, surprise) the next car is on my tail.
Motorcycles can stop fast, significantly faster than cars. However, at high speeds I still give myself about 2-4 car lengths between me and the car in front of me just in case something crazy happens. How much is it to ask that the driver behind me do the same?
| By gravits | 9:31 AM