I was just a biker

[madokie]

everyone who drives and/or rides should see this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBNyuf533Go

[TomInTib]

1. That is why I stay off of them in my advancing years.

The idiots never fucking bother to look.

[Demonaut]

2. Two things, we need stricter drivers license standards for cars and bikes

bikers can be just as stupid as drivers of cars, who hasnt seen a biker weaving in and out of traffic without signaling or speeding in busy traffic...you have to drive extremely defensively when riding a bike in any traffic. just my two cents

[madokie]

4. Oh yea we do and yes they can be. but most are just like you or me

it's the few who speak so loud. I try to watch out for bikers because I've been there.

[Demonaut]

5. I can relate, notice that most on the vid were older men or women

the younger male set is the most at risk...lessons yet to be learned and the most likely to take risks

[Greyhound]

13. Agreed, it should be much harder to get a license to operate any

motor vehicle, and doubly so for motorcycles and large SUVs.

I like the German system and think it would be a good model.

[nosillies]

3. Great ad -- should be showing in our area right now

Biketoberfest is rolling into town soon. Because I'm from an area with lots of bikers, this could really make an impact if it were on our local channels.

That said, it goes both ways. Bikers in our area usually fall into two categories -- responsible and safe, usually older bikers, and bikers who seem to have a very imbalanced ratio of testosterone to brains. Just this morning I had to deal with a biker who passed me on the shoulder going around 80 mph in a 50, and who had to cut back in front of me in a split second because a tree was in his way. And he was helmet-less. Dealing with an idiot biker on the road is almost an everyday occurrence around here. These people deserve no respect and no considerations. They don't give respect or consideration to others. Unfortunately, there are way too many of this type of biker in my area. Good bikers need to work to dispose of the bad apples (risky drivers, members of organized crime gangs, etc.) to help dispel this lingering resentment addressed in the ad, and most of the good bikers I know do.

P.S. And yes, before anyone jumps on me, I know that there are plenty of risky drivers, members of gangs, etc. that don't bike. And I know that good bikers outnumber the bad. So don't even try to go there. This ad would have never been made if there were not stereotypes to be overcome.

[kiahzero]

6. My uncle died two weeks ago.

He was on his way to a ride for ALS, and was stopped at a stop light waiting to turn. The driver behind him apparently didn't see him, and rear-ended him so hard that the bike was attached to the front of the car. He died instantly.

It's not hard... when you're operating deadly machinery (which includes cars), pay attention to what you're doing.

[Atman]

7. Holy shit, that made me cry!

My wife and I lost our best friend in a bike accident (my second son is named after him)...a woman backed out of her driveway without stopping, right into him. The next summer, another one of my friends bought a new rice rocket, and met a similar fate on the very first weekend he had it.

I stay so far away from bikes on the road now, people honk at ME for leaving too much space. Thanks for the post. Truly touching.

.

[madokie]

I ran a poem I guess you could call it a while back about the same thing

it was much longer and like this was very touching. I hope its just the age thing but as I get older I can't stand to see anything be harmed.

[AlCzervik]

8. thats a great ad, that should be run as a psa. People seem to enjoy

messing with motorcyclists and trucks, large one, i give both a wide berth. My Dad had a bad accident about 5 years ago, a car cut him off, he skidded and the bike landed on him crushing his ankle.

[twilight_sailing]

9. I nearly killed a guy one time.

I changed lanes from the slow lane to the fast lane. Yes, I did look in the side view mirror first.

Damn! Still gives me the willies just to think about it.

Everything turned out all right but I have never made that mistake again.

Just yesterday, I was approaching a 4-way stop and a guy on a bike, I could just tell, was wondering if I was really going to stop like I was supposed to. I gave him a friendly little wave. I wanted him to know that I saw him!

[madokie]

10. I had a similar experience myself once

the biggest damn finger I ever saw too and I deserved it too, luckily no one was hurt physically

spellcheck

[twilight_sailing]

11. LOL

Oh, yeah. He was PISSED.

Me too, I am so glad no one was hurt.

[Kingshakabobo]

12. It can be unnerving to do a head check and almost miss a biker....

......in your blind spot.... they can be easy to miss if you are not paying attention.


That said, for every biker I find in my blind spot, there are 10 weaving in and out of traffic and/or passing in the parking lane/shoulder.

[Greyhound]

14. Been riding for over 25 years and I always give this advice to new riders.

1.) You are always a split second away from a painful death, never, ever, ever, forget this. Keep this thought first in your mind any time you are on a bike, all the time.

2.) You never, ever, have the right of way. Right of way is a concept for people surrounded by 3000 lbs. of steel and airbags, not for us. In any confrontation, you will lose, no matter who's at fault. You won't really enjoy that multi-million dollar settlement when your sucking nutrition through a tube and shitting into a bag, if you're even that lucky.

3.) Always assume that you are invisible and everybody will do the stupidest thing possible at the worst possible time.

4.) There are only two kinds of bikers, those that have crashed and those that will.

5.) Space is your friend, get into it and stay there.

6.) Watch the front wheel on cars and trucks that are around you, the wheel will move almost a full second before the car/truck begins to come into your space, this gives you time to get out of the way. See #2.

As I said, I've been riding for a quarter century and have never been seriously hurt (I've had three bikes totaled and have received my share of burns and road rash), there's not too many that can make the same claim.

Oh, one more thing, get a bike with enough power to get the hell out of a bad situation. If you're tooling around an your commuter scooter and dick-wad in his jacked up 4X4 heads your way, you will be a spot on the road if you don't have the ponies to get away.