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I saw one of the most dangerous manoeuvres by a motorcyclist I have ever seen in my life whilst driving home along the M40 one Sunday evening. Had I witnessed the same thing on any other day and at a much lower speed I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but on this particular evening it was more than a little bit risky for all concerned. This kind of motorcyclist doesn't just ruin the reputation and image of bikers (although he certainly does that), but more importantly, he risks the lives of those around him.
It was at that time of night when street lights flick on and the sky is kind of dark blue. Cars have their headlights on but it's not quite bright enough to illuminate the road. It's a very awkward light for driving at the best of time. Add to that plenty of lashing rain and some spray off the road and you're creating quite a tricky scenario where absolute concentration is required because the visibility is so poor.
Make it more interesting by filling two lanes of the motorway up with lorries all trying to outrun each other whilst travelling a few inches apart. This brings out the idiots who HAVE to get past them undertaking anything and everything, only to brake like hell when they realise they can't see a thing just as they overtake the lorry.
Are you getting the picture? Good. Now bear in mind that we're all actually travelling at around 50 to 65. You can't really go any faster because it would be VERY stupid due to the road conditions. Did I mention the fools who decide to turn their fog lights on just to make sure you really can't see what's going on around you?
Anyway, this idiot was on a motorcycle and he obviously has no regard for his own life or that of anyone else around him. Don't get me wrong because I don't have a dislike of motorcyclists, in fact most of my time on the roads has been on a bike since I passed my test in 1992. It's only been in the last couple of years I have had the opportunity (and a licence) to drive a car. We all do stupid things from time to time and I'm no exception to that, however I don't think I've ever ridden as dangerously as this lunatic.
He can physically get the bike through the gaps okay as he weaves in and out very rapidly. But he's not considering the possibility that the cars won't see him due to the poor visibility and conditions at the time. He was extremely lucky not to have a spill right in front of me as a couple of cars decided to change lane just as he squeezed past.
Luck runs out eventually though. I'm assuming he made it home safely that night because I didn't hear anything about an accident on the radio and thankfully it didn't happen right in front of me. I dread how many casualties there could have been.
It's only a shame that all the nice motorcycles seem to be wasted on the most reckless and undeserving bikers!
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I don't think they are particularly aimed at car drivers as such, although as a biker myself It's a good thing I think, they seem to be positioned at spots of danger more to the biker than car.
ie,
Before side road junctions where a car driver hasn't seen you coming and pulls out.
On approaches to bends where it is more severe than it looks.
On roads where it looks ok to overtake, there might be hidden dips or blind driveways/junctions to be aware of.
They are there also to remind the biker it's dangerous to ride like a lunatic here, and be aware of what could and probably will happen if they don't slow down and ride with care
Having said that, I cannot condone the actions of some bikers for the way they choose to ride there machines, gives us all a bad name agreed, but don't forget, most of the biking accidents that occur are caused by the lack of concentration/inexperience of a lot of the other forms of transports on the road.
Yes, I mean bikes as well, they can have a head-on when two prats are on the same road overtaking.
Presumably they're aimed at car drivers who should spend their whole journey on the lookout for motorcycle riders?
Well, wouldn't it be a much better idea to think of a sign aimed at the lunatic motorcycle riders? Maybe if they slowed down and didn't ride their bikes in such an irresponsible fashion they would end up splattered across the road like they do.
I'm thinking of taking some new signs round with me to replace THINK BIKE with THICK BIKERS!
I have a motorcycle, and I drive as safe as I can. I'm fully aware that not a lot separates me from the road, and I ride accordingly. Anyone who doesn't is waiting for death.
Karn n Linda - what are you banging on about? Are motorcycles invisible to speed cameras or the rozzers? No. And you can overtake a police bike or car if it's safe and legal to do so. So why don't you? And why so angry?
Tell me do you also claim points depending on who you run over? For example, 10 points for mopeds, 20 for the elderly, 30 for a small child, 40 for someone in a wheelchair and 50 for a neighbour's cat?
Quote:
“Without condoning dangerous motorcyclists, may I suggest you refresh your memory of the Highway Code. It is only illegal to overtake at a ped crossings if the vehicle has stopped to give way to pedestrians (Rule 167).”
Except Biker Boy, you are incorrect in several ways.
Rule 165 [not 167]
You MUST NOT overtake
the nearest vehicle to a pedestrian crossing, especially when it has stopped to let pedestrians cross.
Note: Just because you can't see anyone, there might be a child, a short adult, or someone in a wheelchair on the crossing.
There is a blanket prohibition against overtaking where there are zig zag road markings, which are found on the approaches to all poedestrian crossings. See: 'The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002'
I am not going to go into what happened, as I have related the sorry story on here many times, and have caused several people to suffer a moment or two's very inconvenient boredom (oh dear, poor darlings).
I don't understand why these cretins have to treat what is little more than a country lane as a speed track, why they don't trot along down to Silverstone, Goodwood, Snetterton, or some other race track beats me. I used to own a fantastic MGA, a beautiful little car. I used to race her OFF road at car club meetings at Goodwood which was quite close to where I used to live. I had a huge amount of SAFE fun. It is neither safe nor fun to plough into a couple of horses and their riders on a quiet country B-road.
If you don't believe me, ask the motorcyclist.
Why don't you just get a car for God's sake. Many of you are suicidal and then moan when you get hurt or injured. I nearly ran a motor biker over today (not on purpose) because the idiot was going 90+MPH on a small B-road.
I'm not moaning about the sensible bikers but those that put themselves in danger.
Very nearly had an accident today. Very shaken!! So, bikers, be careful and think how a driver would feel if they knocked you over because of your stupidity.
All better now.