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From: hodges@ucla-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Trouble on the Road
Message-ID: <9286@ucla-cs.ARPA>
Date: Sat, 22-Feb-86 04:45:39 EST
Article-I.D.: ucla-cs.9286
Posted: Sat Feb 22 04:45:39 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 24-Feb-86 21:17:59 EST
References: <422@cubsvax.UUCP>
Reply-To: hodges@ucla-cs.UUCP (Jack Hodges)
Organization: UCLA Computer Science Department
Lines: 36
Keywords: Response to- Pickups, Motorcycles

>True, it isn't your fault when people drive down a
>one-way street the wrong way, but don't motorcyclists drive in
>the city as if everyone in a car just does NOT see you????

All the bikers that I know ride as though auto drivers are blind.
It is all too often the case that our mistakes in assuming that
they see us and are considerate are fatal ones.  The proof is in
reversal.  When I drive my (truck, hee hee) I often miss bikers
altogether.  It is very frustrating because I am in general on the
lookout for good riders, nifty bikes, etc.

>... if they nod back or smile, they are extremely
>unlikely to do something mean later on...if they growl back to
>you (yes, some people out there hate us), let them have their
>way.

I tend to disagree to some extent.  People rarely smile back, but
maybe the bike and tint on the shield are too awesome for them.
Teeny bop girls often smile back, and I don't fear them.  Unfortunately,
I show off for them.  The people that scare me get the fist or the
finger (or both).  Being terrified is just too strong not to reply in
a strong way.  If my heart is going to pound, then theirs better also.
Let them have their way?  I'm usually in the next county before they can decide.


>...Do others out there share such bad experiences as
>the person who wrote?  Has my somewhat trouble free cycling in
>NY and NYC (hard to believe) been unusually peaceful???

I ride in L.A.  If there is a place to find experience on a bike its
here.  I haven't had too many problems, and they are generally discussed
above.  The article coming down on trucks is revealing insofar as this
fellow's own paranoia is concerned, but I haven't found trucks to be any
better or worse than other cars, or even bikers!  There is no better
way to ride than on a machine with lots of power, good brakes and
handling, a defensive but aggressive nature, and a lot of experience.