Close Calls

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 3:51 am

I don't think there has been a "close calls" thread before, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, I'm a fan of the "Who's Crashed?" thread, as I firmly believe there is something to be learned from each of those incidents.

Hopefully not many of us will involved in a crash, but I'm quite sure many of us have had close calls .... again with learnings to be gained.

I'll offer up my own close call that occurred today on the way home from work.

I was riding the scoot on a business type road, speed limit 35. My mind was elsewhere (on a work project), I was in the auto mode and not focused on riding. I disregarded things I've learned in the Smith Driver System and MSF trainings. I noticed a car at an upcoming stop sign (not a 4 way) maybe 50 yards ahead of me. I know that this is a potential problem and I also know that I should make eye contact with the driver to ensure they are looking my way ... which I did not do. As I got close to the the stop sign, the driver pulled directly in front of me. I swerved to the right, behind the car and missed it by maybe 5 feet. The driver, an elderly person, continued on with a turn to the left and I'm not sure that they ever saw me at all.

Lesson: Don't take time off from defensive driving, stay attentive, and it only takes a momentary lapse of concentration to lead to a potential disaster.

Hope others find this of some value.

Rob

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 4:16 am

I had a close call yesterday. I was making a right turn at a red light into the far left lane. This guy in a black truck got mad at me cos I wasn't going fast enough for him right after the turn. I did everything correctly and he gets out of his beat up truck asking to fight me. I stayed calm and said, "I did everthing right your just mad cos you can't speed and wanna show off for for that busted ass girl in your passenger seat". He then ran at me thinking I was gonna run, but I didn't. Then I said, "If I have to get off this scoot, your heads hitting that pavement. He must of got the message cos he backed of then. All this happen right in the middle off the street at the red light. The light turned green and I left....This road rage stuff is getting outta hand....

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 4:47 am

I'm not too sure that this qualifies as a close call but, tonight on my way home from work I had just gone through an interstate exchange intersection on a surface road (there are three truck stops, a McD's, four traffic lights, etc in less than a mile). I was, and had been, keeping up w/traffic in third gear on the Stella. Just past the last truck stop, cresting a hill, increasing my speed and getting ready to shift into fourth, a woman behind me decides to pass me on a double yellow! What if a car had been coming in the other lane, on the other side of the hill? The dipshit that passed me probably would have jerked her wheel and crashed right into me!

I'm beginning to be of the mind that people think that just cuz a scooter is smaller than a m/c it is slow! Well, I hope I proved this woman wrong because I kept up w/her for the next 6-7 miles until she turned...at which time I promptly gave her a second dose of the horn (and the finger).

SuperFlyBuddy · Post by **SuperFlyBuddy** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 6:09 am

On my way home from work I was going down a two lane section of road that is an industrial park I guess you'd say with warehouse type businesses on one side with a curb, sections of sidewalks and mailboxes. The other side of the road is a field. The speed limit is 40mph and I was following a vehicle doing 40-45 along the industrial park side which is really wide enough for two lanes, but is only marked for one. Traveling along the curb was a mail carrier vehicle which was stopping at each of the mailboxes. Just as I was overtaking the mail carrier they were stopping at the next mailbox. No problem, they stick to the curb like they always do and all is fine.

Problem arises when the carrier stops short of a driveway at the next mailbox (on my right of course) where an SUV waits for the vehicle in front of me to go by then starts to pull out in my direction of travel. I could not see that vehicle waiting to pull out because of passing the mail carrier. There was traffic in the oncoming lane so swerving left was not an option. I braked hard as did they and I was able to get by and stay in my lane. If they wouldn't have braked it would have been a collision for sure because I would not have had enough time to stop.

It was quite the surprise passing the mail carrier to find an SUV pulling out in front of me. They shouldn't have been pulling out because their view was obstructed by the mail carrier. With not seeing the SUV ahead of time I wasn't able to watch the SUV's tires for movement, which is what I use as an indicator that a vehicle is beginning to move, and/or preemptively slow down cause you just never know.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 1:57 pm

Here's a good one with road rage included....
Son and I were out for a ride Fathers' Day Saturday evening, his G/F was pillion on his bike (Yamaha R6) We were in the right lane of a two lane each direction area at an inter-state interchange, we WERE NOT on the interstate however. We're at about 50-55 mph in pretty tight 'formation', about 15-20 ft separation. The road narrows down a lane up ahead. A guy in a big pickup comes barreling down the exit ramp completely ignoring the stop sign at the end of the ramp squeezing in between us, I have to brake hard to avoid eating tailgate, son has to 'jump' up to avoid being clipped/rear-ended.
Son proceeded at exactly the speed limit from that point on, I give 'pickup guy' the finger. Pickup guy keeps surging ahead trying to force son to go faster and brake checking me as I give him the finger once of twice again. Moron......

Two, three days later I'm in 'town' again filling up at a convenience store, I hear brakes locking up and a vehicle zooming into the parking lot. It's 'pickup guy' "Hey, you're the F'ing @%$#*&!! queer moped guy who flipped me off the other night!! And in front of my kids and girl too!!" He gets out of his truck cussing up a streak, I can see his kids are in the truck again. I said "yeah if you're the guy who almost caused my son and I to wreck while riding the other night, YOU coulda killed the three of us with that dumbass move!" He then proceeds to try to take a swing at me, I side step the punch and 'pickup guy' actually trips, on my foot and busts up his nose when he falls.
I get on the scoot and ride away, and he continues to cuss and screem and flip me off, in front of his kids........

BootScootin'FireFighter · Tue Jul 31, 2012 3:59 pm

KABarash wrote:Here's a good one with road rage included....
Son and I were out for a ride Fathers' Day Saturday evening, his G/F was pillion on his bike (Yamaha R6) We were in the right lane of a two lane each direction area at an inter-state interchange, we WERE NOT on the interstate however. We're at about 50-55 mph in pretty tight 'formation', about 15-20 ft separation. The road narrows down a lane up ahead. A guy in a big pickup comes barreling down the exit ramp completely ignoring the stop sign at the end of the ramp squeezing in between us, I have to brake hard to avoid eating tailgate, son has to 'jump' up to avoid being clipped/rear-ended.
Son proceeded at exactly the speed limit from that point on, I give 'pickup guy' the finger. Pickup guy keeps surging ahead trying to force son to go faster and brake checking me as I give him the finger once of twice again. Moron......

Two, three days later I'm in 'town' again filling up at a convenience store, I hear brakes locking up and a vehicle zooming into the parking lot. It's 'pickup guy' "Hey, you're the F'ing @%$#*&!! queer moped guy who flipped me off the other night!! And in front of my kids and girl too!!" He gets out of his truck cussing up a streak, I can see his kids are in the truck again. I said "yeah if you're the guy who almost caused my son and I to wreck while riding the other night, YOU coulda killed the three of us with that dumbass move!" He then proceeds to try to take a swing at me, I side step the punch and 'pickup guy' actually trips, on my foot and busts up his nose when he falls.
I get on the scoot and ride away, and he continues to cuss and screem and flip me off, in front of his kids........

At the point he tripped and fell, he'd of gotten a kick in the mouth from me. Glad you were ok and he was the one left bloody.

SoCalScooter · Post by **SoCalScooter** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 4:07 pm

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:
KABarash wrote:Here's a good one with road rage included....

Two, three days later I'm in 'town' again filling up at a convenience store, I hear brakes locking up and a vehicle zooming into the parking lot. It's 'pickup guy' "Hey, you're the F'ing @%$#*&!! queer moped guy who flipped me off the other night!! He then proceeds to try to take a swing at me, I side step the punch and 'pickup guy' actually trips, on my foot and busts up his nose when he falls.
At the point he tripped and fell, he'd of gotten a kick in the mouth from me. Glad you were ok and he was the one left bloody.

I can just hear you yell "IT'S A SCOOTER!!" as you wallop him upside the head.

vwgrl1999 · Post by **vwgrl1999** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 4:23 pm

KABarash wrote:Here's a good one with road rage included....
Son and I were out for a ride Fathers' Day Saturday evening, his G/F was pillion on his bike (Yamaha R6) We were in the right lane of a two lane each direction area at an inter-state interchange, we WERE NOT on the interstate however. We're at about 50-55 mph in pretty tight 'formation', about 15-20 ft separation. The road narrows down a lane up ahead. A guy in a big pickup comes barreling down the exit ramp completely ignoring the stop sign at the end of the ramp squeezing in between us, I have to brake hard to avoid eating tailgate, son has to 'jump' up to avoid being clipped/rear-ended.
Son proceeded at exactly the speed limit from that point on, I give 'pickup guy' the finger. Pickup guy keeps surging ahead trying to force son to go faster and brake checking me as I give him the finger once of twice again. Moron......

Two, three days later I'm in 'town' again filling up at a convenience store, I hear brakes locking up and a vehicle zooming into the parking lot. It's 'pickup guy' "Hey, you're the F'ing @%$#*&!! queer moped guy who flipped me off the other night!! And in front of my kids and girl too!!" He gets out of his truck cussing up a streak, I can see his kids are in the truck again. I said "yeah if you're the guy who almost caused my son and I to wreck while riding the other night, YOU coulda killed the three of us with that dumbass move!" He then proceeds to try to take a swing at me, I side step the punch and 'pickup guy' actually trips, on my foot and busts up his nose when he falls.
I get on the scoot and ride away, and he continues to cuss and screem and flip me off, in front of his kids........

Geesh, I can't believe he actually tried to take a swing at you!!! People are unreal! Glad it didn't escalate any further than that, and that he wound up hurting himself. Maybe it'll be a lesson to his kids, at least.

I have a similar story (w/o the swing and a miss) but I was in my car for that one, so I'll not waste space here w/it.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 5:29 pm

My personal close calls have been drivers blowing a blind stop sign (HELLOOOO!) and me not paying attention.

once at 55 I nearly moved over into a lane already occupied by a large truck. it wasn't in my mirror, oh no, but I didn't manually look first!

The worst close call I know of here came from a friend who was lightly sideswiped by a driver. He managed to keep the scoot upright, and since he was geared he just had a small bruise on his arm. As a friend followed and pulled up next to the cager, the cager took a swing at him. Fortunately, they were also seat belted in. The following scooter driver did swing and connect, then called the police. I'm awaiting news of the outcome, though I know my friends were not found at fault.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 8:39 pm

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote: At the point he tripped and fell, he'd of gotten a kick in the mouth from me. Glad you were ok and he was the one left bloody.

Not to brag, so I'm not, remember I may be 50couple years old, but former Army SF. I didn't say how he tripped..........

He didn't see it

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 9:10 pm

close call?

nope, never had one

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 9:42 pm

every time I get in or on a vehicle. people drive like shit........

chas · Post by **chas** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:56 pm

rsrider wrote:every time I get in or on a vehicle. people drive like shit........

+1 qft. I've never had anybody try to fight me over anything scooter related but every damn day I have somebody attempt to kill me unintentionally. I live in the heavily Suv'ed land of the Soccer Mom so I am usually not suprised that I'm constantly trying to avoid being squished. I'm usually just waiting for it to happen so I don't even get mad anymore.

persephonelily · Post by **persephonelily** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:08 am

I feel like I am having some form of close call every day. No one wants to ride behind a scooter. No one wants to share the road with a scooter. I get cut off, ignored, disregarded constantly. Today, I had a woman in a big SUV riding along in my blind spot, crowding into my lane. Since there's road work going on along my commute, there are raised manholes and those smaller things (gas line access?) that look like manhole covers. Since this b*tch was crowding me, I couldn't swerve around one of these and took a pretty nasty hit to my front wheel. No damage that I can see, but still. If that woman had either slowed and stayed behind me or sped up and passed me in a reasonable amount of time instead of crowding into my lane and forcing me to the side like she did, I would have had room to swerve and save myself the teeth-rattling hit instead.

jonlink · Post by **jonlink** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 12:46 am

Happens just about every week.

Last week I tried to change lanes just as the SUV behind me did the same (without signaling). He floored it and then had to slam on his brakes. He yelled that I was stupid and dangerous. I just shrugged. He followed close behind me but I got him to back off. Then he ran a red light, pulled up beside me, and tried to berate me again.

I explained that he was behind me trying to do the same thing and that changing lanes is only dangerous when people like him do stupid things and that it is far more dangerous to run a red light. He shut up.

Lesson I learned: expect SUV drivers to feel entitled and expect they will do the unexpected.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 1:04 am

in all honesty i do have close calls of course. but i don't make much of them or even remember them very long because i figure i ride a scooter on city streets. close calls are common, and potential close calls i avoid

but i have come to see it as a fact of riding. something I choose to do in a nation of cars. yes cagers are inattentive and sometimes dangerous, but focusing on that AFTER the fact sort of ruins the experience for me. i don't want to ride angry or expect the worst. a close call is not the worst. not even close

so i had a few today. but i won't mention it

ride safe, all. and don't let the cagers detract from your fun and way of life. and remember, a close call might be something to be thankful for at the end of the day. at least it wasn't the real deal

all them dummies keep us on out toes, too. and i must say many cagers are in fact very courteous. but i don't see many threads about that....

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 3:41 am

i also want to say i don't want to come off as if i am above the fray. i am noy. i get irritated and angry and give glaring stares. i liberally use the stebal, as well

but it doesn't stay with me. when i think back on an incident i try to turn it into a learning experience the best i can. i ask myself what i could have anticipated or expected sooner? what was my role, and how i might handle the situation again? because it is coming again and again and again

that way of reasoning makes me thankful it was just close and not fatal or otherwise. that is just speaking for myself.

riding. its a life long adventure

now about that bastard in the mustang the other day.....

davidscooter · Post by **davidscooter** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:14 pm

I agree that you have to expect that cagers will drive carelessly and fail to notice scooters on the road.

I never ride next to a car, because I fully expect that the driver will lane-change right into me.

When I ride into an intersection where opposing-direction cars are waiting to make a left turn, I force those cars to notice me by (1) riding in the left-most lane and (2) momentarily veering head-on towards them, to hopefully give them a good scare.

I wear a reflective-type yellow vest both day and night - looking like a safety nerd is better than looking like roadkill.

When I ride, I tell periodically tell myself, "My life is at risk". It's the truth. So far, I've never had a collision or a fall on my scooter (10,000 miles on odometer). Luckily, I've never been (intentionally) threatened by anyone on my scooter.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:31 pm

Yesterday a gal moved into the lane next to me without signal. I pretty much expected she would cut me off, so I backed off a bit. sure enough....she came over. I had inches to spare and someone behind me, so I braked very lightly and laid on the big horn. her hands went up in the air, and she moved back into her lane. when I pulled up next to her, she looked like she just woke up from a dream to find herself driving...

It wasn't intentional so I didn't offer any gestures or remarks, just waved.

persephonelily · Post by **persephonelily** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:43 pm

Not quite a close call, but...I get the impression that a LOT of drivers think that if they are behind me, they are going too slow. I'll be riding along behind someone for miles at or above the speed limit, change lanes and find myself in front of them, and suddenly, they become idiots. "Gee, my speedometer says I'm going 10 above the speed limit, but since I am behind a scooter, it must somehow inexplicably be reading WRONG now. I must ride her ass, speed up as soon as I can and pass! That's the only way to fix it!" If I'm going the speed limit, and they're going the speed limit, why is it suddenly imperative that they be in front?

Also, people who ride my ass at night with their high beams on destroying my night vision. What can/should you do about that? I have slowed down and moved over to encourage them to pass, I have tried speeding up, I have tried tapping the breaks a few times. It never works. I know I'm lower to the ground and sometimes low beams can seem like high beams, but I am talking about the ones who are obviously high-beaming. Sigh. Sorry to hijack the thread like that. Please, continue!

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 7:27 am

skully93 wrote:My personal close calls have been drivers blowing a blind stop sign (HELLOOOO!) and me not paying attention.

You hit the nail on the head with this one. I'm usually pretty good at spotting drivers who are about to pull off sketchy moves that would end up as close calls. Not so today.

This evening I was heading back to work after dinner, and I had a lot on my mind. I was only a couple hundred feet away from my building, and I had relaxed my normal habit of vigilance. I was heading through the green light at the intersection at the corner of my building at around 30 mph when a kid in a late model black BMW decided he was tired of waiting for his red light to turn green and ran the red light right in front of me. I made an emergency stop in the middle of intersection to T-boning him while he stared me in the eye and proceeded through. The light had been green in my direction for a good 15 seconds before I reached the intersection and was still green for me after he cleared the intersection and I finished going through the light.

My only guess is that since the only cross-traffic that he saw was a little scooter, he figured it was OK to run the red in front of me. Scary. But a good reminder to always stay focused.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:03 pm

ANOTHER BMW driver? What is the deal with them????

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:34 pm

Rob wrote:Lesson: Don't take time off from defensive driving, stay attentive, and it only takes a momentary lapse of concentration to lead to a potential disaster.

+100

I often battle wandering thoughts on the way to work, and mentally tell myselft to think about it (whatever it is I'm thinking about) later-- that NOW is the time to focus on whats happening...not the time to let my mind wander.

My favorite saying is "There's old and there's bold, but there's no old and bold motorcycle riders...I'd rather be old, so pay attention!"

As someone else commented, watching car's wheels is a huge key to determining whether they are getting ready to pull out in front of you, and always follow your instincts! Inevitably, if you have a feeling someone is getting ready to change lanes or do some other stupid thing, they most likely will.

I've only had one incident lately where I was taken unaware. Commuting home in heavy traffic, there was a driver in a huge jacked-up black truck that decided to suddenly change lanes. I was watching his wheels, and he was driving somewhat agressively, crowding the car in front of him, but he was in the fast lane with NO passenger, so I wasn't as concerned as I normally would be, as I was in the carpool lane. Suddenly, he whipped to the left, in to the carpool lane about 2 car-lengths ahead of me (going around 50 mph), then 3-5 seconds later whipped back into the fast lane--after passing the car he felt was going too slow. I seriously doubt he even saw me, or if he did, he thought he had room to do what he did. He was totally in the wrong, and definitely deserved a ticket, but that would have been little consolation had he hit me, or caused me to swerve and wreck.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:50 pm

This could have been a close call, but I did recognize the potential hazard and was ready for it. I thought I would post this as a learning experience.

Anyway, yesterday I rode to work and decided to take a new and unfamiliar route. This included a very nice ride down a parkway in a residential area with beautiful old homes and very large old trees.

I was approaching an intersection and it dawned on me that this should be at least a two way stop. It was, however I couldn't see the stop sign until I was within perhaps 20' of the intersection. A very large tree with low hanging branches was completely hiding the stop sign until I was right on top of the stop. Had I not been ready for it, I wouldn't have stopped in time. There was traffic flowing on the crossroad .... whether any of those vehicles would have nailed me or not, I don't know and glad I didn't find out.

One of the reminders is to stay alert at all intersections for the obvious reasons.

BTW, I did report this to the city officials. There is an ordinance in place regarding keeping a clear view of traffic signs. Hopefully they will now enforce it.

Rob

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Thu Jul 04, 2013 3:35 pm

A week after I got my driver's license, I was driving down an unfamiliar street (which is pretty much every street at that age, but this was one I'd never even been a passenger on). A few trucks parked alongside the curb coming up to a stop sign made it difficult to notice... and I didn't. Totaled my mom's car when cross traffic (which had the right of way) hit me. In addition to being lucky that the magistrate (and my parents) let me keep my license, I was very lucky that no one was seriously hurt.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:27 am

Today, a very close one. Red compact with out of state plates in the lane to my left pulls into my lane right on top of me. Thankful I have new brakes, front rotor and tires because braking hard was my only out. Rear wheel started to skid, but I kept it up. Then the guy pulls forward and to the right and starts yelling at me. This could have gotten uglier but I was in a hurry to get home.

It was bad (and close) enough that a witness pulled up next to me, rolled down her window and asked if I was okay. She than said, "That was WRONG. What he did was WRONG!" Indeed.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:29 am

Yikes! Glad you're okay Eric!

Even though you know he was in the wrong, I'm sure it felt good to have someone (other than you) state it too. Good on her to do that. So many people just keep going and don't bother to check on someone, or speak up that they saw something.

gr8dog · Post by **gr8dog** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:18 am

I was turning right into a parking lot behind a car. Entering this lot you can go right to a bank, left to McDonald's or straight toward the retail stores. The car moved to the right as if to go to the bank. I moved a little left to avoid the car as it turned into the bank. Suddenly the driver pulls of a fast, un-signaled, left U-turn directly in my path. I braked hard enough to skid both tires to make a complete stop. No time to use the horn or any of my SPECIAL hand signals. The driver continued to exit the parking lot blissfully unaware of what an totally incompetent ass of a driver he is.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:03 pm

Stupid is as stupid does. I have have a few close calls but since I ride in a rural area, 2 small, really small, towns, two lane roads, I dont encounter the problems some of you do. Plus folks are a bit more careful around here when it comes to dealing with bikers and scooter folks!!!
Always dress protectively, ride in a careful manner, keep your eyes peeled,
and pull off the road if you get a string of tail gaters behind you, let them go by. And wear a highway safety vest. I get mine at WallyWorld, $15.00. If they dont see you then they are blind and you are in trouble.
And lastly, riders sometimes ask for it. Crotch riders darting in and out of traffic at high speeds are a good example of what I am talking about.
And that is all I have to say about that.

CapnK · Post by **CapnK** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:07 pm

persephonelily wrote:Not quite a close call, but...I get the impression that a LOT of drivers think that if they are behind me, they are going too slow. I'll be riding along behind someone for miles at or above the speed limit, change lanes and find myself in front of them, and suddenly, they become idiots. "Gee, my speedometer says I'm going 10 above the speed limit, but since I am behind a scooter, it must somehow inexplicably be reading WRONG now. I must ride her ass, speed up as soon as I can and pass! That's the only way to fix it!" If I'm going the speed limit, and they're going the speed limit, why is it suddenly imperative that they be in front?

I have noticed this type of behavior already, in only 3 weeks of scooting. I do think that people regard scooters as slow, perhaps especially so here, where most scoot-looking vehicles are in fact "liquor cycles", DUI mopeds that are only supposed to go 30 mph. So when they get behind me on the Buddy, they think they are going slow, disregarding what the speedo is telling them...

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 1:07 am

Yes...I find that I have to typically go at least 10mph (15 bmph) over the speed limit on the scooter, or they tailgate (or try to go around me). In my car I don't care what they do...I go 2-5 mph over and ignore them...can't do that on the scooter.

BootScootin'FireFighter · Fri Jul 12, 2013 8:25 pm

My "close call" happened several months ago and involved a bit of road rage. I was TWICE intentionally almost run over in this event. I shouldn't disclose details on here. If anyone meets me in person and wants a good story over a few beers, I'll probably share the details. It was a wild ride, I'll leave it at that.

The newest trend in idiot drivers for metro DC is driving cars on the separate bike/walking trails.

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/06/po ... 89556.html

http://www.arlnow.com/2013/07/11/exclus ... wod-trail/

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:20 pm

michelle_7728 wrote:Yes...I find that I have to typically go at least 10mph (15 bmph) over the speed limit on the scooter, or they tailgate (or try to go around me). In my car I don't care what they do...I go 2-5 mph over and ignore them...can't do that on the scooter.

On two wheels, the best thing is to always be slightly speeding to the extent possible, and to always be passing.

Neither of which is always feasible on many scooters.

RoaringTodd · Post by **RoaringTodd** » Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:42 pm

Duke of Hazzard Style

One day while scooting on Lil' Abby I came to a "road closed" sign. That road was a short cut to the main road and I did not feel like going around. Decided to just see if the road was actually impassable or if the bridge was out.

I was riding along at about 45 HMPH - no sign of construction anywhere on the road. Thinking to myself - "Hmm... strange..." I was focused at the road ahead of me.

All out of a sudden, out of the corner of my left eye, I see something coming up fast and I quickly duck. I stopped and looked back.

The cause for the road closure?

An electrical wire had come loose from a pole and was crossing the road at a low height to connect with the pole at the other side. The wire entered the road at an angle that made it almost invisible looking directly at it because of the shading from the trees.

If I hadn't ducked, I would have caught the wire around my neck and been slammed off the scoot.

That's why the road was closed...

sfchorus · Post by **sfchorus** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 12:39 am

Hello everybody,

I’ve been scootering for seven weeks now and had my first scary incident this morning. Basically, I was going fast to make a green light when an SUV from the next lane pulled into mine. I guess the woman didn’t notice me at first so I honked my stebel several times until she finally stopped at what felt like INCHES away from me! That was bad enough by itself, but all of a sudden, the car in front of me decided we weren’t going to make that green light after all, and stopped! So there I was, going fast (didn’t check the speedo, sorry), just missed the SUV, and had to stop very VERY quickly so I wouldn’t rear-end (or worse) the car in front of me. I’m so happy I took that MSF course right when I bought my Buddy!

Anyway, I don’t really have a point to this post, except maybe to say to my fellow Buddy riders that I had a scary moment this morning, but I’m still here. Thinking back on it now, I could really have done some damage to myself (and my scooter!) by riding so aggressively (which I’m embarrassed to admit I do in my car).

That’s my story for the day folks. Carry on and have a good evening.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 2:45 am

One of the things I like about riding a scooter is that it discourages aggressive driving.

sfchorus · Post by **sfchorus** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 5:24 am

It most certainly does. My scootering experience is definitely making me far more sensitive to two-wheelers while in my car. Of course, I'm in my car less and less now because I'd rather be scootering

CapnK · Post by **CapnK** » Wed Jul 17, 2013 5:41 am

Today I had an incident that wasn't too close of a call, but a great reminder nonetheless...

This town is on a peninsula, residential in the inner parts with the outer edges being commercial. There are 5 longitudinal and 10 or so lateral streets. There are stop signs at all intersections, though primarily for the shorter, lateral streets. Beautiful, really - all covered and shaded by 100+ year old live oaks planted along the edges of the roads, homes dating back to the 1700's, very picturesque and restful looking.

I was heading down the long center street today at a legal ~30-35mph when suddenly about 200 feet ahead an SUV blew right past the stop sign and through the intersection. There in an instant and gone, without even slowing. The woman driving never even looked sideways as she went past. Luckily, it was far away enough that I didn't have to brake or anything, but had I been that few short seconds and a couple hundred feet further down the road, it would have been "interesting" at the very least, and perhaps life threatening.

Cagers. They can come outta nowhere, and Kill You.

Be vigilant, scooter friends.

Swordsman · Post by **Swordsman** » Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:15 pm

Jeez, you guys need a sidecar! Since I swapped my Buell for a Ural about 2.5 years ago, I've had zero close calls. I think it's a combination of having a wide profile and the fact that it's an uncommon vehicle, so it grabs attention.

Or maybe it's because I have 3 wheels instead of 2, so I'm free of the curse...?

~SM

KeLynn · Post by **KeLynn** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:15 pm

Yikes, just had one today that nearly took the breath out of me!

I was sitting at a red light in the turning lane, waiting to turn left. Opposite me was a huge truck in a turning lane, waiting to turn left too (so, we were both going to turn opposite directions). Both had our blinkers on, both firmly in turning lanes.

The light turns green and I start turning left. I'm in the middle of the turn and out of nowhere this guy decides NOT to turn left after all, but just to barrel STRAIGHT AT ME. I have no idea what he was thinking - I find it hard to believe he could have not known I was there, because we had been sitting opposite each other for a minute. I didn't just come out of nowhere. I twisted the gas and turned sharper and missed him by a couple feet. By the time I straightened up enough to think about beeping, he was long gone. I wish I could've chased him to yell at him, but he was going up a steep hill that I can't get speed on.

persephonelily wrote:Not quite a close call, but...I get the impression that a LOT of drivers think that if they are behind me, they are going too slow.

This! It drives me nuts! Especially around turns. When I first started scooting, I noticed I was getting basically tailgated every time I was turning. I got paranoid that I was turning abnormally slow, so I started paying attention to how fast I go in my car around these same turns. I go pretty much the same speed, but no one tailgates in a car.

I just bought a Honda CM 200t last night. (Don't worry, not giving up my Buddy!) I haven't taken it out in the road yet but I am VERY interested to see if people will act just as impatient with me on a motorcycle. Realistically it is not that much more powerful/fast/big than many scooters out there, but it *looks* like a "real" motorcycle and I hypothesize that it'll get more respect from those losers.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Mon Jul 29, 2013 10:31 pm

Seems like a close call at least once a week, but some get too close for comfort.

Most recently had a car pull abruptly into my lane from the left on a multi-lane one way road downtown during rush hour. I watch for such things but this one was right on top of me and I grabbed a fistful of brakes and almost lost control before training and experience kicked in and I let off the brakes. The panic slowdown was enough, thankfully as there was nowhere else to go.

I don't *think* they were trying to kill me, I *think* I was probably in their blind spot and they were doing what cars often do - go first and look second.

I've had drivers stop and yell at me after they almost hit me because they failed to look and/or signal. In my opinion not worth coming to blows, since it rarely solves anything.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Tue Jul 30, 2013 4:15 am

I used to commute on a two lane frontage road (both lanes going the same way). As the road approaches an intersection the frontage road drops to one lane, to accomodate the freeway offramp. One day as I'm riding up the road in the right lane (above the speed limit), approaching the point where the two lanes turn into one, a passenger van comes screaming up on my left, gets its nose ahead of me and starts merging into me.

Funny thing is, I wasn't scared, I was pissed - and stupid. I held my position, and when the van got close enough, started beating on the side panels. Of course I had to move, and the mouth-breather didn't stop and apologize.

I don't do that anymore, though. I just back off, honk and give the backhanded wave.

Stinkdyr · Post by **Stinkdyr** » Fri Aug 02, 2013 1:26 am

I have to ride through Chinatown everyday on my commute home from work.

'Nuff said.

Stinkdyr · Post by **Stinkdyr** » Sat Aug 03, 2013 1:24 pm

Swordsman wrote:Jeez, you guys need a sidecar! Since I swapped my Buell for a Ural about 2.5 years ago, I've had zero close calls. I think it's a combination of having a wide profile and the fact that it's an uncommon vehicle, so it grabs attention.

Or maybe it's because I have 3 wheels instead of 2, so I'm free of the curse...?

~SM

Awesome sidecar! You would fit right in, in Habana. Lots of sidecars down there.

FenderJack · Post by **FenderJack** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 2:35 am

Ok, so I JUST purchased a 2012 Stella 4T. Reading the close calls forum has scared the pee outta me!!! I'm planning on commuting to work 20 miles each was on Hwy 101 down the coast of San Diego. Does anyone ride this route? Am I safe? Does anyone have reflectors, flags, etc to be seen? Will I get beaten up? I'm a girl...short, squat...total wuss. Any advice you all can offer would be greatly appreciated. If anyone is a scoot down the coast...maybe we could scoot together? I'm going from Encinitas to Torrey Pines (Genesee Ave). Let me know. I'm green and a lil scared!

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 3:11 am

FenderJack wrote:Ok, so I JUST purchased a 2012 Stella 4T. Reading the close calls forum has scared the pee outta me!!! I'm planning on commuting to work 20 miles each was on Hwy 101 down the coast of San Diego. Does anyone ride this route? Am I safe? Does anyone have reflectors, flags, etc to be seen? Will I get beaten up? I'm a girl...short, squat...total wuss. Any advice you all can offer would be greatly appreciated. If anyone is a scoot down the coast...maybe we could scoot together? I'm going from Encinitas to Torrey Pines (Genesee Ave). Let me know. I'm green and a lil scared!

HWY 101? is Stella fast enough for that stretch of highway? i don't know the area so can't say, myself. a bike that can't keep up with the flow of traffic always feels a bit....insecure

so far as safe? girl, you chose the wonderful world of motorbikes! "safe" is a dynamic and relative thing considering rider, road, and road conditions. if you want to be SEEN on the road sure....high visibility wear, reflective tape, blinking helmet lights....all this can help. a solid WHITE helmet. but we riders always like to remember....we are INVISIBLE out there. its not a driver responsibility to see US. WE must see THEM. remember that every time you hit the road

oh, and don't be scared. your adventure is just begun!!

we are all a little "I MUST BE CRAZY FOR DOING THIS" at first, and a bit scared, sure. but it passes into sheer joy

FenderJack · Post by **FenderJack** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 3:50 am

HWY 101? is Stella fast enough for that stretch of highway? i don't know the area so can't say, myself. a bike that can't keep up with the flow of traffic always feels a bit....insecure

so far as safe? girl, you chose the wonderful world of motorbikes! "safe" is a dynamic and relative thing considering rider, road, and road conditions. if you want to be SEEN on the road sure....high visibility wear, reflective tape, blinking helmet lights....all this can help. a solid WHITE helmet. but we riders always like to remember....we are INVISIBLE out there. its not a driver responsibility to see US. WE must see THEM. remember that every time you hit the road

oh, and don't be scared. your adventure is just begun!!

we are all a little "I MUST BE CRAZY FOR DOING THIS" at first, and a bit scared, sure. but it passes into sheer joy

[/quote]

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You are most awesome for the reply! Thanks so much. Yes, the stretch I'll be traveling is top speed of 55 mph. It's fast for sure. I've only gone 40 mph so far. I'm still practicing around the neighborhood and gaining confidence. Any tips you have would be most welcome. Someone almost pulled in front of my yesterday and scared the pants off of me!!! I do have to get a shorter/narrower seat. It's a little too wide/tall for me. HA! So, I'm still looking for someone who might be traveling the PCH work days. Thanks again!

misterbrackets · Post by **misterbrackets** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 4:51 am

Encinitas to La Jolla (Genesee) is a nice ride and you'll have no problem cruising with the flow of traffic on that stretch. The long uphill that goes up from Torrey Pines beach when you're heading South is the only section where cars may start passing you.... Last time I rode from Vista to La Jolla along the coast, I was able to maintain about 50 mph on that hill. That will be a fun commute!

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 5:23 am

FenderJack wrote: You are most awesome for the reply! Thanks so much. Yes, the stretch I'll be traveling is top speed of 55 mph. It's fast for sure. I've only gone 40 mph so far. I'm still practicing around the neighborhood and gaining confidence. Any tips you have would be most welcome. Someone almost pulled in front of my yesterday and scared the pants off of me!!! I do have to get a shorter/narrower seat. It's a little too wide/tall for me. HA! So, I'm still looking for someone who might be traveling the PCH work days. Thanks again!

well from this and the post above it would seem you are good to go with your commute. so that is good news. so far as riding tips? well, easy does it, of course. be careful, have fun. plenty more cars will threaten and in fact pull out in front of you as your riding progresses. but i assure you will become accustomed with experience, be ready, and know exactly what to do if an astute rider. those sorts of things are to be expected. keep the speed down when in doubt, and always have an escape

some will recommend taking a riding course such as MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) or perhaps another. i cannot recommend it as i never took one but might still. for some new riders it gives 'em added confidence, for others it scares them with all the learning about potential dangers, as it is a SAFETY course first, riding course second. they have advanced riding course for experienced riders, too. but the safety part is the first door to go through

and you learn some on bike skills

have fun, ride safe, be careful!!

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Tue Aug 27, 2013 7:19 am

FenderJack wrote:Ok, so I JUST purchased a 2012 Stella 4T. Reading the close calls forum has scared the pee outta me!!! I'm planning on commuting to work 20 miles each was on Hwy 101 down the coast of San Diego. Does anyone ride this route? Am I safe? Does anyone have reflectors, flags, etc to be seen? Will I get beaten up? I'm a girl...short, squat...total wuss. Any advice you all can offer would be greatly appreciated. If anyone is a scoot down the coast...maybe we could scoot together? I'm going from Encinitas to Torrey Pines (Genesee Ave). Let me know. I'm green and a lil scared!

What a great ride. I just did this ride this weekend (LA -> SD -> LA) on the Blackjack. Your scooter is totally fine for this stretch of road.

I didn't have flags or reflectors other than the very prominent reflective strips on my Corazzo riding jacket - which is otherwise black. No one seemed to have any trouble seeing me, and the ride back was at night. Of course, in no way should this be construed as advice on safety and visibility gear.

Have fun, stay relaxed and alert.

Modern Buddy

Close Calls

Close Calls

Close call

Re: Close Calls

First Close Call

Scared Now

Re: Scared Now

Re: Scared Now

Re: Scared Now

Re: Scared Now