Biker visibility

Slootvreter said:
I get the feeling this is more about being pissed off about sitting in traffic and the biker is merrily along his way to work. Who knows,
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I assure you, it's not. I don't mind this at all. In fact I make it a point to leave home at 6am which avoids most traffic.
 
Slootvreter said:
Admittedly, it's much more dangerous on the roads now than 10 or 15 years ago. Traffic is hectic, every kid now has a car, where with us, usually we clubbed together 4 in a car, because we didn't have cars. And then of course you get the Fast & Furious generation with their Golfs, Corsas and Civics :p
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Lol and you can hear them from miles away because their boom boxes are so loud :) Mine is usually loud too but not that loud!
 
Slootvreter said:
It would probably not affect my daily commute, other than having to leave for my destination the same time as I would have to with a car. But besides the time factor, imagine how backed up the traffic would be if every biker takes the space of a car. It does actually make a difference. And being extra vigilant is not because of bikes, you just have to be because you're driving. Bikers need to be even MORE vigilant, because of their vulnerability. Thus far, I'm pretty sure paying extra attention in a car has not fried your brain before you got to work?
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Traffic is fukked up regardless of bikes. The minute ratio of cars vs. bikes on our roads surely has no significant impact on relieving congestion. I am vigilant when driving in general, but have to be extra vigilant to spot the bike weaving through traffic as it suddenly appears out of my blind spot.
 
MightyQuin said:
I was using "you" in the general sense, referring to bikers. And regarding your "extra vigilant" nitpick.....so you think lane splitting is safer than not doing it, based on your general observation re. vigilance on our roads?
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I lane split all the time, but I'm not a d00s that has my speed differential greater than 20 km/h and if my lane splitting speed is going to break the speed limit then I pull into the lane. I also have a general limit of 70 to 80 km/h, anything above that and I don't split.

You don't see it because you don't ride a bike, I'll take my GoPro with me on my daily commute for a week and I'll show you just how prevalent the texting-whilst-driving is and you want to put me in front of those morons? If you think that's a good idea, then you need to get your head examined. I use lane splitting not just as a time saving option, but as an escape route from above mentioned morons.

Slootvreter said:
I get the feeling this is more about being pissed off about sitting in traffic and the biker is merrily along his way to work. Who knows,
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+1. I've been accosted by drivers swearing at me for no other reason than them saying, verbatim: "It's bull**** that you are allowed to move through the traffic and I have to sit here." [Was a Fortuner driver]

MightyQuin said:
Traffic is fukked up regardless of bikes. The minute ratio of cars vs. bikes on our roads surely has no significant impact on relieving congestion. I am vigilant when driving in general, but have to be extra vigilant to spot the bike weaving through traffic as it suddenly appears out of my blind spot.
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I'm glad you think that. According to eNatis there are 129 000+ bikes, trikes and quads registered in GP alone. Trikes aren't that popular, and quads are hardly every registered. If you take 4/5 of the value to be bikes, if all those bikes suddenly hoped into cars people would be bitching about the traffic.
 
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Slootvreter said:
imagine how backed up the traffic would be if every biker takes the space of a car. It does actually make a difference. And being extra vigilant is not because of bikes, you just have to be because you're driving. Bikers need to be even MORE vigilant, because of their vulnerability. Thus far, I'm pretty sure paying extra attention in a car has not fried your brain before you got to work?
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There are not thaaat many bikes on the roads. I don't think it would make a significant difference. It would be a factor of 1.5-1.3 bikes to one car in terms of lane length occupied probably.

One should always pay maximum attention. No-one says drivers can be more relaxed if not. However, there is no additional traffic using non-lanes (median strips) which intrude INTO the actual lane. Make a median strip 1m across and things will be better.
 
Slootvreter said:
imagine how backed up the traffic would be if every biker takes the space of a car. It does actually make a difference. And being extra vigilant is not because of bikes, you just have to be because you're driving. Bikers need to be even MORE vigilant, because of their vulnerability. Thus far, I'm pretty sure paying extra attention in a car has not fried your brain before you got to work?
Click to expand...

There are not thaaat many bikes on the roads. I don't think it would make a significant difference. It would be a factor of 1.5-1.3 bikes to one car in terms of lane length occupied probably.

One should always pay maximum attention. No-one says drivers can be more relaxed if not. However, there is no additional traffic using non-lanes (median strips) which intrude INTO the actual lane. Make a median strip 1m across and things will be better.
 
MightyQuin said:
Traffic is fukked up regardless of bikes. The minute ratio of cars vs. bikes on our roads surely has no significant impact on relieving congestion. I am vigilant when driving in general, but have to be extra vigilant to spot the bike weaving through traffic as it suddenly appears out of my blind spot.
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I know, the traffic factor is not massive, in certain areas it would be. But I like the way you put it, weaving through traffic, suddenly appearing...LOL. Like I said, to Space_Chief's disagreement, if you are crawling at 10, and the bike passes you at 80, for example, he is being extremely ruthless.
 
Slootvreter said:
I get the feeling this is more about being pissed off about sitting in traffic and the biker is merrily along his way to work. Who knows,
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Nope, I drive to work at 9 am in nice free flowing traffic, still extra vigilant not to hit or cage in any lane splitting bikers.
 
MightyQuin said:
And this is applicable how? Oh sorry I forgot, all BMW and Audi drivers are kunts by default.

Sorry to dissapoint you, but I drive neither.
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...and don't forget Fortuners.

I am actually also quite curious to see how relevant automobile manufacturer is to anything. :D
 
Slootvreter said:
Yep, a biker doing 80 while you are crawling at 10 is looking for trouble. Some common sense should also be exercised by them.
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I guess some common sense should be exercised by everyone. I just don't always see common sense being used (drivers and bikers). It is quite a mission to always stay calm :mad:
 
Slootvreter said:
...and don't forget Fortuners.

I am actually also quite curious to see how relevant automobile manufacturer is to anything. :D
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Obviously only narcissist, arrogant a-holes could have any objection to lane splitting. Since the popular perception is that more expensive cars are driven by narcissistic arrogant a-holes all complaints must originate with them and be the result of their butthurt.
 
XennoX said:
I'm glad you think that. According to eNatis there are 129 000+ bikes, trikes and quads registered in GP alone. Trikes aren't that popular, and quads are hardly every registered. If you take 4/5 of the value to be bikes, if all those bikes suddenly hoped into cars people would be bitching about the traffic.
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As oposed to all the open roads and free flowing traffic we have during peak traffic every day?? And did you bother to check how many cars are registered in the GP to then see the actual ratio of cars to bikes? Since that is the only valid figure for this debate.
 
Space_Chief said:
Obviously only narcissist, arrogant a-holes could have any objection to lane splitting. Since the popular perception is that more expensive cars are driven by narcissistic arrogant a-holes all complaints must originate with them and be the result of their butthurt.
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That perception is fatally flawed.
 
maumau said:
When a red traffic light changed to green and I was second in line to turn right we moved into the intersection waiting for oncoming traffic to pass. When there was a break and the next approaching vehicle could be seen in the distance the car in front of me turned. A nano second later a motorcyclist came flying past, shaking his fist. How he missed t-boning the turning car I don’t know. Without realising it he had been completely invisible against the backdrop of cars.

His bike was red, filthy dirty with one small dim yellowing headlight, it wasn’t a delivery bike. The biker looked about 28/30 and was in black leathers with a black helmet. I can’t guess the bike power but it was smaller than a big bike and bigger than a little mosquito thing. The rider must have been going flat out in the morning traffic.
Please guys visibility is critical and to those young guys with their skinny little arms showing, get some protective clothing or ask your mom to get it for you.

This isn’t aimed at experienced riders or those whose bikes cost more than a small car. They have rows of bright lights and the riders usually wear safety gear over their leathers so they can be seen.
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This is more than likely the problem, it's easy to misjudge speed especially with bikes that have massive acceleration and can be on you in a split second.
 
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