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From: animal@ihlpa.UUCP (D. Starr)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Projecting Fear and Non Aggression
Message-ID: <1134@ihlpa.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 20-Feb-86 12:15:57 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpa.1134
Posted: Thu Feb 20 12:15:57 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Feb-86 06:16:45 EST
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> ...My conclusion is the projection of fear on the part of the
> motorcyclist.  If you project the message that "I am afraid you might
> not see me and may hurt me", they will squeeze you like a bug if you
> are in their way.  On the other hand if you project "If you mess with
> me you are going to pay dearly" attitude and look like you can back it
> up, noone will drive within 40 feet of you.
> 
I've noticed a similar effect since I started riding Harleys four years
ago.  For some reason I seem to get noticed a lot more on a black Sportster
than on a bright orange Suzuki (my riding apparel didn't change).  I can
only attribute this to the car pointers seeing me as a Bad Dude because I
ride a Hog.

On a similar tack, the MSF rider courses emphasize the idea of striking an
"aggressive" lane position.  That is, occupy as much of your lane as you
can, in a way that forces car pointers to give you space.  (i. e., sit
in the left track of the lane, and hold this position when being
passed, to force the car to go all the way into the other lane--and to leave
yourself an out if the fool doesn't!)  Everybody I've ever known who's
managed to avoid car/bike accidents for a long time (including myself) 
seems to agree that you end up playing a continual game of chicken with
the cars; if you let them push you around they inevitably will.

If you really want to get respect from the car pointers, though, try
dressing your bike and yourself like a cop.  Put a big silver star on
the gas tank and a huge CB antenna on the back, dress yourself in blue
uniform pants and shirt, and wear one of those worthless half-helmets.  
No joke, THIS REALLY WORKS!  When you go 55, *everybody* goes 55, and
nobody intrudes in your space.  The only drawbacks to this approach are
legal (the line between legality and "impersonating an officer" is very
thin, and subject to local interpretation), and the fact that many of your
riding buddies may prefer not to be seen with you.

		Dan Starr