Passing in a single lane

brandonwilliams929 · Post by **brandonwilliams929** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:29 pm

Well, today makes the second time someone passed me in a single lane when I was going either the speed limit or 5 mph above it. The thing that sucks is the first time I saw them, this time I didn't; she just snuck up on me.
People driving cars have a psychological tendency to foolishly think that anything the size of a bike (or just smaller than a car) is going too slow, not taking the time to check their speedometer to see how fast they're going as they're on my tail. This happens to me all the time where I'm going faster than the speed limit and still get people right on my butt. I'm just really afraid that I'm going to accidentally lean into them as they're illegally passing one time and it'll be the last time.

Uncle Groucho · Post by **Uncle Groucho** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:38 pm

Don't know how long you've been riding, but one thing from the MSF course that I use every time I scoot is to monitor around me every few seconds in every direction. Sure, you miss out on some scenery now and again, but it's tough for folks to surprise you.

But yeah, it stinks that people can be asshats that way. And you're on a 125 too, so that's weird that they're pushing you that much.

Be safe.

spr0k3t · Post by **spr0k3t** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:54 pm

I just drive i the lefthand side of the lane. That forces drivers to go all the way into oncoming traffic. It is also recommended by the MSF for a number of reasons having to do with visibility safety and tire wear. If they pass you on the right give them the horn and hold it for a few seconds. Make them know you are there. If you can, get their license plate and report it. Chances are greater that if they are ever stopped, it will be harder for them to argue their way out of a ticket. Especially if it is a motorcycle cop.

rentonhighlander · Post by **rentonhighlander** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:15 pm

Take Up Space and Use Mirrors....... A Lot. You should not drive to far to the left or right and give the impression that you want them to pass.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:25 pm

rentonhighlander wrote:Take Up Space and Use Mirrors....... A Lot. You should not drive to far to the left or right and give the impression that you want them to pass.

I agree with this. Whenever I see there's a car that is following a bit too close I make sure I'm in the center (just to the left of the oil strip) of the lane to establish some position that way.

Also, the OP's scenario is one where I believe it's important to either go faster to keep up with traffic or move over to allow passing. Going the speed limit or 5 mph above it (assuming you're talking reading the speedo) is actually a mile or two under. If you are getting people tailing you really closely all the time as you say, you might want to start moving faster to keep up with traffic or seek some different routes if what you are dealing with is exceptionally aggressive drivers.

I know I'd rather explain myself to a cop after getting pulled over for speeding then spend time on the road worrying about the car behind me or, worse, ending up under the car behind me.

gr8dog · Post by **gr8dog** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:26 pm

You may want to check your Buddy speedometer against a GPS to see how fast you are really going. Even if your indicated speed is 5 over you may actually be going under the limit. There seems to be some variation between scooters on how much error there is. Mine reads 17% or 18% high, verified by two different GPS units and those speed indicators the police like to place at the side of the road. I just add 20% to the speed limit and that's how fast I go. My actual speed then would be anywhere from 1mph to 3mph above the posted limit. I have never been passed in a single lane.

Also, I do what spr0k3t does. For riding, and left turns, take the left side of the lane. In this way you essentially fill the entire lane. For right turns move to the right side of the lane.

gr8dog · Post by **gr8dog** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:30 pm

jmazza wrote:
rentonhighlander wrote:Take Up Space and Use Mirrors....... A Lot. You should not drive to far to the left or right and give the impression that you want them to pass.
I agree with this. Whenever I see there's a car that is following a bit too close I make sure I'm in the center (just to the left of the oil strip) of the lane to establish some position that way.

YES! I should have explained myself better. To the left or to the right means a foot or two from the center but not on the oil slick that is right down the middle.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:30 pm

Unfortunately, some drivers will do anything they can to get around you at any time regardless of what you're doing or how much it endangers you.

The worst is when they pull around you to make a turn. This isn't uncommon, has happened to me many times, and has also been the cause of some friends' crashes.

All we can really do is be as vigilant and aware as possible and know that even when we're doing everything right as far as lane position and other behaviors, some asshat will still try to get around us.

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 3:02 pm

I agree with some of the other posters on where in the lane you are riding. I ride on the left side of the lane, placing myself directly in the line of site of a would be cager.

When I ride in heavy traffic I don't rely on my speedometer, I stay with the flow and sometimes a tiny bit faster. Putting myself in the best position to see and be seen. Stay out of potential blind spots. Don't rely on cagers to see you or avoid you. My belief is that since it's my body that I'm protecting I take the responsibility of being a defensive driver.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 3:07 pm

That's only happened to me a couple of times, but it's quite disconcerting when it does. There's a particularly bad 10 feet or so of pavement in the lane I need to be in when I'm heading home from work. It's a mishmosh of really badly patched potholes - really a bad experience riding over it. There's about a 6 inch strip on the left side of it that's in decent shape, so I normally ride across that. One time, a car zipped past me to my right in that lane. I leaned on the horn for a while as I followed them. I'm not a big horn user, but this is one scenario where I'm quite happy to use it. Anyhow, you just gave me an opportunity to share my story

. As said above, try to take the lane in a fashion that doesn't give cars room to do that. If they do, give 'em a lot of horn so they know it's not okay (the metaphorical equivalent of hitting them on the nose with a newspaper, though unlike the dog in that scenario, they really deserve it).

ed85379 · Post by **ed85379** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:44 pm

It is true that cars will just assume they should be going faster than you, and will drive faster than they generally will to try to pass you.

With that said, I always drive way faster than any other vehicle on the road, whether I am in a car, or on my scooter. It's just the way I am. So, though I am passed from time to time, it is only on a major road with more than one lane.

On the other hand, if I am stuck behind someone "going the speed limit, or 5mph over", I do get very very annoyed and wish they would just pull over to let traffic pass. I can't stand being "controlled" by someone else, and as long as someone is in front of me, with no cars in front of them, they are forcing me to drive at their speed. This is *my* issue though, I know that, but to me, the "speed limit" is the absolute minimum anyone should be driving on any road, unless they are far to the right and letting people pass.

With *that* said, someone has to be driving significantly below the speed limit for me to actually risk passing them on a single-lane road, whether car or bike. Those people should just get off the road, IMO.

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:06 pm

ed85379 wrote:It is true that cars will just assume they should be going faster than you, and will drive faster than they generally will to try to pass you.

With that said, I always drive way faster than any other vehicle on the road, whether I am in a car, or on my scooter. It's just the way I am. So, though I am passed from time to time, it is only on a major road with more than one lane.

On the other hand, if I am stuck behind someone "going the speed limit, or 5mph over", I do get very very annoyed and wish they would just pull over to let traffic pass. I can't stand being "controlled" by someone else, and as long as someone is in front of me, with no cars in front of them, they are forcing me to drive at their speed. This is *my* issue though, I know that, but to me, the "speed limit" is the absolute minimum anyone should be driving on any road, unless they are far to the right and letting people pass.

With *that* said, someone has to be driving significantly below the speed limit for me to actually risk passing them on a single-lane road, whether car or bike. Those people should just get off the road, IMO.

+1 that was an excellent rant.

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 9:46 pm

I take up my whole lane. I'm always weaving around potholes, or setting up for turns, or just drifting left and right. If they wanna tailgate? We can go REAL slow. You can either be defensive and try to react to the stupidity of cagers, or you can control the situation and make them do what you want them to.
Be visible, be vigilant, guard your space, wear your armor.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:25 pm

passing in a single lane? wow, it has never happened to me. but then again i don't ride 'em much

not good. just own that lance as much as possible

amy · Post by **amy** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:08 pm

ed85379 wrote:It is true that cars will just assume they should be going faster than you, and will drive faster than they generally will to try to pass you.

With that said, I always drive way faster than any other vehicle on the road, whether I am in a car, or on my scooter. It's just the way I am. So, though I am passed from time to time, it is only on a major road with more than one lane.

On the other hand, if I am stuck behind someone "going the speed limit, or 5mph over", I do get very very annoyed and wish they would just pull over to let traffic pass. I can't stand being "controlled" by someone else, and as long as someone is in front of me, with no cars in front of them, they are forcing me to drive at their speed. This is *my* issue though, I know that, but to me, the "speed limit" is the absolute minimum anyone should be driving on any road, unless they are far to the right and letting people pass.

Sounds like the guy that was arrogantly speeding through my aunt's neighborhood with a total disregard for the safety of others and ended up paralyzing her wonderful son from the waist down.

Speed limits and traffic laws are posted for very good reasons. Its not hard to be respectful of them, is it?

I'm not judging you, but this post saddens and disturbs me because so many people drive/ride this way; with a total disregard for others.

Mutt the Hoople · Post by **Mutt the Hoople** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:16 pm

amy wrote:
ed85379 wrote:It is true that cars will just assume they should be going faster than you, and will drive faster than they generally will to try to pass you.

With that said, I always drive way faster than any other vehicle on the road, whether I am in a car, or on my scooter. It's just the way I am. So, though I am passed from time to time, it is only on a major road with more than one lane.

On the other hand, if I am stuck behind someone "going the speed limit, or 5mph over", I do get very very annoyed and wish they would just pull over to let traffic pass. I can't stand being "controlled" by someone else, and as long as someone is in front of me, with no cars in front of them, they are forcing me to drive at their speed. This is *my* issue though, I know that, but to me, the "speed limit" is the absolute minimum anyone should be driving on any road, unless they are far to the right and letting people pass.
Sounds like the guy that was arrogantly speeding through my aunt's neighborhood with a total disregard for the safety of others and ended up paralyzing her wonderful son from the waist down.

Speed limits and traffic laws are posted for very good reasons. Its not hard to be respectful of them, is it?

I'm not judging you, but this post saddens and disturbs me because so many people drive/ride this way; with a total disregard for others.

+1 I agree 100%

I had that happen several times in short succession when I first got my scooter and I could not believe it. I realize now that I was riding rather "appologetically" ... Sort of like I'm small and don't mind me. Once I really got it through my head that I have the same right to a lane and the same right to be their it stopped happening so much. I think I began riding more confidently and I tend to stay slightly left of center (out of the oil line) in my lane. It made a huge difference. Sometimes it still happens, but those people would pass you like jerks no matter what you were riding or driving.
BTW... BMW drivers are the worst offenders... I see a Beemer hard charging me I get over and let the douchebag pass because around here they will use the turn only lanes on either side to get around you. Don't take it personally... They will do it to everyone else on the road too until they are out of site. If it's one of those days when you sit behind that jerk for every stoplight, you can sing "Douchebag, Douchebag, Über Alles" to the Über Beemer. I'll send you the words... It's very satisfying.

Uncle Groucho · Post by **Uncle Groucho** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:16 pm

amy wrote:Speed limits and traffic laws are posted for very good reasons. Its not hard to be respectful of them, is it?

I'm not judging you, but this post saddens and disturbs me because so many people drive/ride this way; with a total disregard for others.

Scooting has made me a lot more aware and any time I'm in my cage, I try to keep it to the speed limit as much as I can because most people forget that a speeding two-ton hunk of metal can be pretty lethal if it loses control. Personally I wouldn't mind making it harder to *keep* a driver's license by doing away with automatic renewals. Make people sit with an auditor in the car to make sure 30 years of bad habits hasn't crippled the ability to safely operate a vehicle. This may not be a popular idea, but you'd raise revenue, hire people, and most importantly keep the asshats off the road.

Someone was selling 150cc scooters through Craigslist and wagged "This isn't one of those scooters that slow everyone down..." i.e. a 50cc and that mentality makes me mad because usually it's everyone going too fast!

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:40 pm

This happened to me frequently on my 50cc. Like twice a month. Over two and a half years. It NEVER happens to me on the Blur. Same roads, same speeds, same drivers - no joke, it's rush hour commute for a few years now, and I've gotten used to seeing a lot of the same people. What's changed? My gear (armored jacket now) and the scooter is a lot bigger.

I've posted this before, but I think perception matters. My Metro was tiny, and annoying. My Blur is big and I look like a rider. No need to pass me. The speed doesn't matter so much as what I look like.

Granted, the Metro is way smaller than a 50cc Buddy. But because all the Buddys are about the same frame, I expect this is why some people have had issues even on 170's with being passed or people attempting to race or whatever. People in your areas have learned associate that frame with a smaller, weaker scooter.

And they'll act on that perception and try to pass you up.

I've seriously tested this with one guy that used to ALWAYS pass me when I was on my Metro...I ride my Blur right in front of him, and actually go a few mph slower than I used to. Not once has he tried to pass me. He did it at least 10 times (not an exaggeration) when I was on my Metro putting a few MPH above the speed limit.

The hilarious thing is with West LA traffic, I'd always end up passing him by the time we reached a major intersection. Perhaps that actually annoyed him more and spurned on his efforts to pass me.

But going BELOW speed limit on the Blur...guy hasn't responded at all. No issue.

That's one specific example, but with over three years on the exact same roads (and having this done by MANY people) the only difference between then and now is my armored jacket and a different scooter, hence my stance on perception.

Out of curiosity brandon - were you wearing a helmet? Armored jacket?

Bluduh · Post by **Bluduh** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:13 pm

^^^ Perception is king. Even though your 50 will reach 45mph, eventually, by the time it does, the people behind you are already irritated because they *think* you are going slow.

With the superior acceleration of your Blur, you can probably accelerate faster than most cars, reaching the same 45mph quickly, so they don't *perceive* you as slow, even though you are at the same speed as you were on your 50. You just got there much quicker.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:15 pm

Edwub wrote:What's changed? My gear (armored jacket now) ...

This may be the one up-side to wearing gear that makes you look like a Power Ranger

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:14 am

^^^

i too think perception has something to do with it. i wear a 3/4 or FF helmet, Dickies Ike jackets, hoodies, long pants and hi-tops or boots. not official riding gear but its not exactly shorts, a t-shirt, and half helmet, either. i most likely look like a "rider" to most people

my Agility is red, not too small, and trimmed out in some aggressive looking.....trim. i keep up with or move ahead in traffic very well. i have never been honked at, dangerously passed, screamed at, rudely overtaken. ever. not riding in up to 50mph zones, at least

plus the way i ride i would seem to be the guy you might want to follow, not pass

however i do have a problem. its opposite, though. people check their mirrors and see me and move over thinking they are holding me up.
depending on my speed i either can pass or i can't. and to varying degrees of success. when i can't pass it just makes me chuckle and look forward to that 250cc+ in my future

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 2:19 am

Bluduh wrote:^^^ Perception is king. Even though your 50 will reach 45mph, eventually, by the time it does, the people behind you are already irritated because they *think* you are going slow.

My 50cc accelerates just fine. If I'm at the front of the queue, I almost always out accelerate the car next to me. Only a few times has the car next to me gone faster off the line, and they gassed it. Most people leave the line like they are on 'ludes. I've never had a problem with "being in someones way" around my town, not once.

talindsay · Post by **talindsay** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 3:06 am

Bluduh wrote:^^^ Perception is king. Even though your 50 will reach 45mph, eventually, by the time it does, the people behind you are already irritated because they *think* you are going slow.

With the superior acceleration of your Blur, you can probably accelerate faster than most cars, reaching the same 45mph quickly, so they don't *perceive* you as slow, even though you are at the same speed as you were on your 50. You just got there much quicker.

^^^This.

I've learned over seven years and 40,000 miles of riding in a city that speed has little effect on the way cars behave around you - by the time you're going fast enough to keep them at bay with speed, you're risking your life. It's all about acceleration - no matter what speed you ride, if you get to it really quickly the cars will respect you; if you get to it slowly, they'll treat you like crap. On my scooters I treat every stop like a grand prix; it's fun, but more importantly, winning the stoplight grand prix against the cars means that when they catch up to me they'll stay back and honor my safety margins. It's less of an issue on the motorcycle because people assume it's fast, and it also has more lane presence; but it's still definitely true that faster acceleration wins you a better safety margin than any amount of speed.

Or maybe it's just that some dude doing 0-30 in four seconds continually seems a little crazy, and so they stay back. Regardless, it works.

Also, I am an ATGATT rider - full face helmet, armored jacket, armored gloves, long pants and closed shoes at all times, plus riding boots any time I'm specifically out to ride. I tend to sit on the back of the seat and lean forward sport bike style on my Stellas, and to rest my feet on the passenger pegs on my Bonneville. This probably doesn't hurt, though until now I'd never considered its impact on people's perception of me as a "serious" rider.

ed85379 · Post by **ed85379** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:07 am

amy wrote:
ed85379 wrote:It is true that cars will just assume they should be going faster than you, and will drive faster than they generally will to try to pass you.

With that said, I always drive way faster than any other vehicle on the road, whether I am in a car, or on my scooter. It's just the way I am. So, though I am passed from time to time, it is only on a major road with more than one lane.

On the other hand, if I am stuck behind someone "going the speed limit, or 5mph over", I do get very very annoyed and wish they would just pull over to let traffic pass. I can't stand being "controlled" by someone else, and as long as someone is in front of me, with no cars in front of them, they are forcing me to drive at their speed. This is *my* issue though, I know that, but to me, the "speed limit" is the absolute minimum anyone should be driving on any road, unless they are far to the right and letting people pass.
Sounds like the guy that was arrogantly speeding through my aunt's neighborhood with a total disregard for the safety of others and ended up paralyzing her wonderful son from the waist down.

Speed limits and traffic laws are posted for very good reasons. Its not hard to be respectful of them, is it?

I'm not judging you, but this post saddens and disturbs me because so many people drive/ride this way; with a total disregard for others.

You finish by saying that you're not judging me, but everything you said above it was, in fact, judging me. Judge people all you want, but be honest about it.

As for the "very good reasons" for specific speed limits, I have to disagree. Most were set completely arbitrarily, with no basis in reality or what is actually safe on said street.

There is one country somewhere in South America that sets their speed limits by first recording traffic on a street, and then averaging out the speed people tend to go. I like that idea.

Oh, and I do *NOT* "arrogantly speed through neighborhoods". Don't make assumptions.

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:46 am

ed85379 wrote:
amy wrote:
ed85379 wrote:It is true that cars will just assume they should be going faster than you, and will drive faster than they generally will to try to pass you.

With that said, I always drive way faster than any other vehicle on the road, whether I am in a car, or on my scooter. It's just the way I am. So, though I am passed from time to time, it is only on a major road with more than one lane.

On the other hand, if I am stuck behind someone "going the speed limit, or 5mph over", I do get very very annoyed and wish they would just pull over to let traffic pass. I can't stand being "controlled" by someone else, and as long as someone is in front of me, with no cars in front of them, they are forcing me to drive at their speed. This is *my* issue though, I know that, but to me, the "speed limit" is the absolute minimum anyone should be driving on any road, unless they are far to the right and letting people pass.
Sounds like the guy that was arrogantly speeding through my aunt's neighborhood with a total disregard for the safety of others and ended up paralyzing her wonderful son from the waist down.

Speed limits and traffic laws are posted for very good reasons. Its not hard to be respectful of them, is it?

I'm not judging you, but this post saddens and disturbs me because so many people drive/ride this way; with a total disregard for others.
You finish by saying that you're not judging me, but everything you said above it was, in fact, judging me. Judge people all you want, but be honest about it.

As for the "very good reasons" for specific speed limits, I have to disagree. Most were set completely arbitrarily, with no basis in reality or what is actually safe on said street.

There is one country somewhere in South America that sets their speed limits by first recording traffic on a street, and then averaging out the speed people tend to go. I like that idea.

Oh, and I do *NOT* "arrogantly speed through neighborhoods". Don't make assumptions.

This.

Understand that most speed limits are mandated and tied to funding, and have absolutely nothing to do with safety. The same goes for double yellows. That's why I pretty much ignore both of them, and have done so my entire life.

Mutt the Hoople · Post by **Mutt the Hoople** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:51 am

Interesting. You probably have a point regarding perception. Going on the same roads at the same speeds, I have only gotten passed a couple of times on the GTV and I got passed regularly on my Buddy. And I was going the same speed. And the Buddy is plenty fast for downtown where the speed limits are 25-30 mph. The Vespa is also not quite twice the size of the buddy, cream, with a fair amount of chrome so I'm sure it stands out a bit more. I have to say that in heavier traffic I feel safer on it... Which is sort of a shame because the Buddy is more fun in the city for zipping around.

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 3:04 pm

Another thing to consider is to stand up occasionally.

I find whenever I stand, to stretch my legs or go over a particularly bad fiber optic cable hump, the cars behind me slow waaaaay down because they think I'm going to do something stupid or crazy. Use that to your advantage. I put my feet on the passenger pegs to stand and, obviously, I don't stand all the way up.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 3:29 pm

siobhan wrote:Another thing to consider is to stand up occasionally.

I find whenever I stand, to stretch my legs or go over a particularly bad fiber optic cable hump, the cars behind me slow waaaaay down because they think I'm going to do something stupid or crazy. Use that to your advantage. I put my feet on the passenger pegs to stand and, obviously, I don't stand all the way up.

I've never considered this, but it makes a lot of sense. It's kind of like how you should make yourself look bigger if an animal is threatening to attack you.

ed85379 · Post by **ed85379** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:08 pm

siobhan wrote:Another thing to consider is to stand up occasionally.

I find whenever I stand, to stretch my legs or go over a particularly bad fiber optic cable hump, the cars behind me slow waaaaay down because they think I'm going to do something stupid or crazy. Use that to your advantage. I put my feet on the passenger pegs to stand and, obviously, I don't stand all the way up.

I only lift my butt off the seat when I am about to hit a huge pothole/bump. You have to be careful though, if you are a guy. I find that if I don't lift up enough before the bump, the scooter bounces up to meet me... and well, hits the lowest hanging bits first. Yeeouch!

talindsay · Post by **talindsay** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:12 am

pdxrita wrote:I've never considered this, but it makes a lot of sense. It's kind of like how you should make yourself look bigger if an animal is threatening to attack you.

That's awesome!

Pflower001 · Post by **Pflower001** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:21 am

A guy did this to me today, even though i was riding just left of the oil strip, leaving no room to lane share. I honked at him & he dropped back. He pulled up next to me at thie next light and apologized, said it was his fault, the proceeded to ask for my "digits".

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:14 am

Pflower001 wrote:...proceeded to ask for my "digits".

Really? Did he use the word "digits"? Sometimes I'm embarrased to be male.

Pflower001 · Post by **Pflower001** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:33 am

Syd wrote:
Pflower001 wrote:...proceeded to ask for my "digits".
Really? Did he use the word "digits"? Sometimes I'm embarrased to be male.

Yes, he actually said "digits", ba hahahahahahaha!

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:38 am

Perception is everything. I've noticed drivers in Phoenix will treat any scooter driver with disdain and no matter what the speed, they will speed up to pass you and have no problem cutting that passing very, VERY short to "make a point". It's a sort of thing I call "Scooter Psychosis". Normally someone would not exceed the speed limit, but being passed or being behind a scooter suddenly makes people insecure. They cannot be behind a scooter! So, they then accelerate to pass a bike when before, they probably would of just stayed at their current speed.

The best example of this was when I went to pick up my Vespa P200e. Earlier that day, I rode to the builder on my brother in law's bike (a Harley Davidson Sportster 1200) that I was borrowing for a while to get around. My neighbours at the apartment complex were generally the type to zip right into the main entrance and take no heed. Like usual, they nearly clipped me but gave me wide enough space when they heard my bike coming around the corner. They knew who I was, and generally were congenial but kept their distance since I wasn't the best neighbour to disturb with a domestic violence outburst or loud event at 4AM. And, they knew that I worked for the University that one of their kids just started attending. Nice enough but a little more than white trash if you get the type. He even commented several times in passing asking if I was thinking of selling my "hog", showing an interest in it. I told him it wasn't mine and I was just borrowing it until we could afford the bike I was saving for. I even told him it was a Vespa, but I don't think he actually knew what a Vespa was, which is a pretty common reaction in Arizona.

Later that day, I had my wife pick me up and we went to pick up my bike. Keep in mind I was wearing the exact same thing: Jeans, Minor Threat band T-shirt, black helmet, gloves, Boots and a wallet chain with my leatherman attached. With my helmet on I just looked like another rocker. The helmet even stood out, with a bumper sticker that said "F**K Censorship" (funny since the word is censored here. Not a political statement but an interesting parallel). On my back was a Chrome Industries messenger bag. Nothing different than what I was wearing when I rode away from the complex earlier that day.

When I got the bike I rode directly home, rounding the entrance to the complex when the EXACT same neighbour came barreling through the gate which is barely big enough for one big truck (which they had). I pulled to the right to let them through, but they GUNNED THE ACCELERATOR upon seeing me. I honked and flipped them off, stopping in the middle of the lane to confront their idiocy. The driver saw me stop, stopped his truck and got out, telling me to get my "Faggot-ass moped" off *his* street and how I should of asked daddy for a real man's bike, and if he ever saw me again he'd make sure not to (explitive) stop!

Then I took off my helmet.

He stopped, blinked a few times, and got back in the truck without a word. Later that evening, his wife knocked on our door to apologize for his behaviour, saying he had a bad day at work and "didn't realize it was me".

Quite a difference over just one bike.

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:15 am

Pflower001 wrote:A guy did this to me today, even though i was riding just left of the oil strip, leaving no room to lane share. I honked at him & he dropped back. He pulled up next to me at thie next light and apologized, said it was his fault, the proceeded to ask for my "digits".

LOL

Classic

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:47 pm

Pflower001 wrote:A guy did this to me today, even though i was riding just left of the oil strip, leaving no room to lane share. I honked at him & he dropped back. He pulled up next to me at thie next light and apologized, said it was his fault, the proceeded to ask for my "digits".

Did you start with 555?
Or did you go classic on him and show him your middle digit?

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:42 pm

iMoses wrote:
Pflower001 wrote:A guy did this to me today, even though i was riding just left of the oil strip, leaving no room to lane share. I honked at him & he dropped back. He pulled up next to me at thie next light and apologized, said it was his fault, the proceeded to ask for my "digits".
Did you start with 555?
Or did you go classic on him and show him your middle digit?

(xxx) x 9 1 - 1 x x x

They'll be in for one heck of a surprise when that number goes through

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 7:12 pm

rsrider wrote:Understand that most speed limits are mandated and tied to funding, and have absolutely nothing to do with safety.

I think you're misunderstanding the situation, based on what you've heard about highway speed limits. The federal government tied highway funding to states setting certain limits on expressways, but this has nothing to do with local streets. In Michigan, state law says that speed limits are supposed to be based on the speed that most traffic naturally flows, and there is no funding-blackmail involved. I'm not saying that local governments do this consistently, but that's the system on the books.

rsrider wrote: The same goes for double yellows. That's why I pretty much ignore both of them, and have done so my entire life.

And here I think you're imagining things, probably to justify what you've already decided to do. I don't know what the standards for double yellows are, but the notion that they're imposed by funding mandates seems unlikely. And based on my experience traveling hundreds of miles of double-lane roads in the past week, paying remarkably close attention to when tailgaters are going to pass me, I would say that in this state at least, the arrangement of no-passing and pass-with-care zones is pretty well matched to where it is un/safe to pass.

Mousenut · Post by **Mousenut** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:19 pm

NYS road crews have to have a person trained in passing speeds and sight lines, lane widths etc. on each type of road and speed area or they can't even bid on the job. Position requires a BS in Civil Eng. and has nothing to do with mandates and everything to do with safety. I even learned the codes pre-painted in the road for the spray truck to follow since my friend wouldn't shut up about them and how much effort goes into where they get placed and the formulas he uses for when a transition occurs. They look like an "h" with a dot or "H" etc. Check your roads, I guarantee they are there every time there is a change in the line type.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:20 am

One of the things I like about the internet is how often someone who knows a topic from actual experience chimes in with the facts.

Mousenut · Post by **Mousenut** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 11:32 am

TVB wrote:One of the things I like about the internet is how often someone who knows a topic from actual experience chimes in with the facts.

Don't get me wrong, you might pass through Hazzard county and Sherriff Roscoe P. Coltrane may have a paint roller in his trunk changing the lines to bust the Duke boys.

KeLynn · Post by **KeLynn** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:58 pm

Edwub wrote: (xxx) x 9 1 - 1 x x x

They'll be in for one heck of a surprise when that number goes through

My phone number actually does follow that pattern and it calls....my phone. Nothing tricky there!