Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!qantel!hplabs!oliveb!glacier!diablo!marria From: marria@diablo.ARPA (Michael Marria) Newsgroups: net.cycle Subject: Re: Projecting Fear and Non Aggression Message-ID: <129@diablo.ARPA> Date: Wed, 19-Feb-86 16:38:34 EST Article-I.D.: diablo.129 Posted: Wed Feb 19 16:38:34 1986 Date-Received: Mon, 24-Feb-86 05:47:39 EST References: <3099@vax4.fluke.UUCP> Reply-To: marria@diablo.UUCP (Michael Marria) Distribution: net Organization: Stanford University Lines: 40 Keywords: I agree Followup-To:net.cycle In article <3099@vax4.fluke.UUCP> marauder@fluke.UUCP (Bill Landsborough) writes: >After reading Todd's article I wanted to post this observation and see >if other riders have noticed the same thing. > >I have noticed that when a rider like Todd is very cautious and wears >orange and does all of the right things to make himself visible >including driving under the speed limit in the proper lane, that >automobile driver tend to intimidate them or try to intimidate them. >This is typically the tail gaters and the lane cutters which he >described. It has been mentioned that the gnarlier look will have a better effect at commanding attention of those drivers who might not respect such fundamentals as `public' roads etc. There is also (my experience) a difference achevieved in the type of headgear one sports. The full-face helmet, for starters, relinquishes your apparent human factor. When a motorist cannot see your eyes and face, you become a non-entity, a machine. This is greatly to your disadvantage particularily as you cannot establish eye contact. Very important. (not to mention the general visual and auditory direction losses suffered) With this in mind, the open-face helmet is more advantagious. The non-helmet (don flame proofing) is clearly the best. You have full visibility, auditory and can establish immediately to the potential, hazard-in-the-cage that yes, you are watching him/her/it. As we all know, no helmet is safer than wearing one anyway. Black leathers, beard, a motorcycle that looks like it belongs on the hi-ways (not at Toys-R-Us) will without a doubt get lots of attention from everybody.(unfortunately at times) 463,000 miles upright 50 feet down wrong still riding -- Michael R. Marria glacier!diablo!marria Stanford University (415) 497-6240 marria@su-aimvax.ARPA