How do you keep your cool?

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:28 pm

Honestly, I think the venting just got my adrenaline up rather than releasing steam.

AND, here's what's "funny" about this. Many hours later, leaving with friends for lunch, who do I see pulling into my office lot? THE GUY. Our building houses one business—ours. I don't recall seeing his vehicle here before, so maybe he was visiting. I can only imagine how weird things might have been if I had run into him while at work.

teabow1 · Post by **teabow1** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:31 pm

Regarding some of the comments on bicyclists:

As a bicyclist myself, I don't disagree that there are some who truly don't obey much the rules of vehicular traffic. Part of this is perhaps due to self-arrogance, but an important part (proably more so!) are the structural causes that lead to some bicyclist being ignorant.

When I first decided to commute by bicycle, I had to learn that bicycles (at least in California and likely in most other states) have equal rights on all roads (except freeways) and should ride like vehicles drive. Yet, most adult bicyclists don't know this , even adult bicyclists who are primarily motorised four-wheel drivers.

Some take the very timid approach and ride on sidewalks or very close to parked cars as they hug the edge of the road endangering themselves to "door dings". Others take a more bold approach by zipping in and out of traffic (which I think many motorised two-wheel folks do too and I'm not exactly for this practice except perhaps in a few instances). Others ride their bicycles like they drive their cars. Well, while a bicycle has as every right on the road as a car does, there are some precautionary techniques that all bicyclists should use (what I call defensive tactics) in order to protect themselves and others from danger. For example, there are times when a bicycle should ride in the middle of the lane as opposed to closer to the right shoulder (e.g., when going through a blind curve) and other times when a bicycle should be on the right side of the lane in order not to impede traffic (but only when it is safe to). And, commonly I see bicyclists sandwiched between cars at the front of a light in a dangerous position (e.g., when positioned in such a way that they are NOT clearly visible to the car driver right behind them). I see all sorts of mistakes that range from arrogance to ignorance. And, I wouldn't have known much about this without having sat down to go through some books on how to bicycle with traffic (see: League of American Cyclists). Most people learn to ride a bicycle without a clue how to handle it in traffic, so that's an unfortunate thing for everyone when they try to get in traffic (or many times ride OPPOSITE to traffic).

Personally, there are a few maneuvers I make that aren't ones that car drivers should ever do. For example on a bicycle, I don't necessarily stop at a stop sign. I will always stop if there is a car on the otherside because stopping helps to establish who should go next. But, there are times such as when I bike up to a stop sign and I can clearly see there is no traffic in any direction that I make no point in stopping at all and bike through. I always do slow down as I approach the stop sign in order to judge whether I should stop entirely or whether I should continue. Why a bicyclist can do this is because bicyclists are often much slower and also have better vision than a car driver. There is no glass and metal pillar and so we can see basically everything we can see normally. The slowness along with the better vision enables a bicyclist to not necessarily have to make a full stop at a stop sign, but approach it slowly and ascertain for him or herself if they should make a full stop or ride onwards. Now, of course, if a bicyclist is going really fast approaching a stop sign, they should stop entirely.

For most bicyclists who have not take a course on how to ride effectively in traffic or have not read up on how to do it, it is not always obvious that they are making mistakes, even if they are experienced car drivers!

teabow1 · Post by **teabow1** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 11:39 pm

By the way, anyone know a source to get stickers to put on scooters to warn/plead drivers not to drive too close to the scooter? When I get my scooter, I think I'd like to put a note on the back fender saying something like, "Pleaes overtake, but don't tailgate"

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:07 am

yeah, eric, you're being way too hard on yourself. I routinely scream, kick at doors, pound my fist on front hoods, and give the finger to other drivers. The other night I was so mad at the idiot who pulled a right-turn-on-red in front of my right-of-way in the dark, in the pissing down rain, that, as I passed him, I held up my left hand only to realize I was wearing my rain-offs, so all he got was the "lobster claw of rage". Definitely made me feel better and I'm sure he didn't even see me.

Roose Hurro · Post by **Roose Hurro** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:45 am

Syd wrote:What's funny (not haha funny, you understand) is that everything we as scooterists say about bicyclists (or squids, or pedestrians, or SUV drivers, or 'cagers' in general), they are saying about us. I've run stoplights on my bike. I've rolled through stop signs on my scoot, I've sped in my truck, I've changed lanes without signaling on all of them. So have you. So has every last one of us.

What was the question?

I had a bicyclist do that in front of me... he was about a foot away from ending up a splat on my windshield, and didn't even notice. Fortunately, I did notice, and was able to stop in time, even though my light was green.

slusher5 wrote:if cagers wanted to drive fast,recklessly, and skip traffic, they should buy a motorcycle and endanger their own lives instead of other peoples' lives

i'm sick and tired of oblivious people who don't care of other motorists because they are well protected in their car/truck

It took me a long time to afford a decent (new) car and to pay it off... my transport is very important to me. I may be well protected, but my car ISN'T. If I hit something, or something hits me, yes, it's just as if my own body has been assaulted, so I take care not to hit or be hit by anything.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 6:17 am

ericalm wrote:Honestly, I think the venting just got my adrenaline up rather than releasing steam.

AND, here's what's "funny" about this. Many hours later, leaving with friends for lunch, who do I see pulling into my office lot? THE GUY. Our building houses one business—ours. I don't recall seeing his vehicle here before, so maybe he was visiting. I can only imagine how weird things might have been if I had run into him while at work.

That sounds like an English comedy!

Oh, and what do you get when you can't decide between these two well known phrases: Hear me out and Bear with me

Syd wrote:Bear me out

slusher5 · Post by **slusher5** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:46 pm

Roose Hurro wrote: It took me a long time to afford a decent (new) car and to pay it off... my transport is very important to me. I may be well protected, but my car ISN'T. If I hit something, or something hits me, yes, it's just as if my own body has been assaulted, so I take care not to hit or be hit by anything.

I know that all cars aren't safe, and that even in certain conditions the safest cars will not protect you. However, where I live, people drive around in oversided trucks, SUV's, Hummers driving without a care in the world.

My grandparents even bought me a large sized car just so I would be better protected. Consciously I know I am better protected and because of it I don't worry and pay attention as much as when I'm on my scooter. I'm always giving 100% when I see motorcycles/scooters though.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:53 pm

siobhan wrote:yeah, eric, you're being way too hard on yourself. I routinely scream, kick at doors, pound my fist on front hoods, and give the finger to other drivers. The other night I was so mad at the idiot who pulled a right-turn-on-red in front of my right-of-way in the dark, in the pissing down rain, that, as I passed him, I held up my left hand only to realize I was wearing my rain-offs, so all he got was the "lobster claw of rage". Definitely made me feel better and I'm sure he didn't even see me.

^^^^ Okay...okay on the web, we often use the term LOL or LMAO, but how often do we really do it? But YES..I just actually burst out laughing at the computer at " Lobster claw of rage"...Good God thats funny...even more so because I may have done that myself somewhere in the past...LOL..yes really!

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:13 pm

viney266 wrote:
siobhan wrote:yeah, eric, you're being way too hard on yourself. I routinely scream, kick at doors, pound my fist on front hoods, and give the finger to other drivers. The other night I was so mad at the idiot who pulled a right-turn-on-red in front of my right-of-way in the dark, in the pissing down rain, that, as I passed him, I held up my left hand only to realize I was wearing my rain-offs, so all he got was the "lobster claw of rage". Definitely made me feel better and I'm sure he didn't even see me.
^^^^ Okay...okay on the web, we often use the term LOL or LMAO, but how often do we really do it? But YES..I just actually burst out laughing at the computer at " Lobster claw of rage"...Good God thats funny...even more so because I may have done that myself somewhere in the past...LOL..yes really!

Me too... and I'm at work. The people here think I'm nuts now.

amy · Post by **amy** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 12:30 am

I try to embarrass and shock the hell out of them by leaning for an extended time on my loud-ass Stebel air horn.

Its louder than most car horns.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:15 am

amy wrote:I try to embarrass and shock the hell out of them by leaning for an extended time on my loud-ass Stebel air horn.

Its louder than most car horns.

I have the quieter Stebel but need to upgrade both my horns to the Mighty Nautilus.

teabow1 · Post by **teabow1** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:21 am

Reesh wrote:Oh man. I hate Personally, I believe driving tests should be more challenging. Like they are in Italy for instance. I think defensive driving courses should be required. I think MSF courses should be required. I think winter driving courses should be required in places that get snow and ice regularly. I think it should be easier to lose your license (make the punishments more severe). It won't take long for people to figure out how to drive their best.

This isn't scooter related, but....

I started learning to drive somewhere around 16 in "fits", meaning I started and stopped. My father was the first person to teach me to drive. Then at age 21, in graduate school, my father started again to teach me but ultimately I needed a professional driving school instructor because my father was just too impatient and unhelpful. Funny thing is my professional driving school instructor NEVER taught me anything about defensive driving even though now I think he should have. It was in the midst of learning to drive from a professional that my father also taught me about defensive driving a bit. Thinking about it, it's strange how I was able to get my first driver's license (in Canada) through the help of a driving school, but the defensive training part came from my dad who was unable to help me through the whole process. Once I got my license I stopped driving and didn't need to until age 25 so I felt like I had to in a way start over again and so with a friend I got back up to speed and then I got my 2nd license (California license). Ha!

From the looks of it with all these dangerous driving, it seems like seriously taking the MSF course or courses is a very good idea. I have no one to teach me informally about defensive scootering. I had to learn defensive bicycle riding on my own, but I don't trust my abilities to do that on a scooter/motorcycle without professional help.

And how many times do I need to get a license? I'll be on my third one now if I get a motorcycle endorsement and I'm in my mid-30s!!! ARGH!!!

teabow1 · Post by **teabow1** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:39 am

AWinn6889 wrote:
Reesh wrote:Oh man. I hate getting pulled over. But I always deserve it! I'll get mad about it. I'll even cry about it. But I always deserve it!

Personally, I believe driving tests should be more challenging. Like they are in Italy for instance. I think defensive driving courses should be required. I think MSF courses should be required. I think winter driving courses should be required in places that get snow and ice regularly. I think it should be easier to lose your license (make the punishments more severe). It won't take long for people to figure out how to drive their best.

..
The rules for getting a regular driver's license in British Columbia are VERY VERY STRICT! Check out this from the official website:

http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/ge ... d/pass-veh

Basically, this is what happens:
1. You have to past a written test, then
2. You get an L permit which you have to have AT LEAST FOR ONE YEAR. The restriction is you can only drive with supervision and only between 5am and midnight
3. Then you have a road test and if you pass...
4. you get an N permit in which most driving restrictions are removed but the main ones that remain are: you can't have any alcohol in your body, and limited to only 1 passenger. You must have N permit for 2 years
5. Then you have another road test, and if you pass...
6. You get a full driver's license.

So from start to finish, the shortest amount of time to get a driver's license in BC is 3 years!! After a minimum of two road tests and one written exam. I think the idea they are also promoting here is that driving is NOT a right but a privilege.

Luckily for me, I got my BC driver's license right before (less than a year) they instituted this new restriction system.

teabow1 · Post by **teabow1** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:44 am

uncleralph wrote:
LunaP wrote:I actually totally agree with this BUT

BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT

They *can't* start taking licenses away more readily, until they SERIOUSLY upgrade the public transit systems in MOST cities.
The concept that we can't take away peoples licenses because the public transit system isn't good enough is an interesting position. One that I must admit I don't agree with. I don't know what the answer is, but just taking away a person's license does not seem to work as shown by this article in our local paper today:

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sectio ... yID=127255

Fundamentally, the question is whether driving is a RIGHT or a PRIVILEGE. In British Columbia, it is considered a privilege. In America, I bet that most people would feel it's a right.

teabow1 · Post by **teabow1** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:54 am

scootavaran wrote:I think the biggest problem with vehicle tranportation is that it's greatly over used.
How often do you see people hope in to their cars just to go down the street or even check the mail. people around here perfer to used a bigass truck to get them to their job at bestbuy or something..

I have seen this happen in my own apartment complex! I can't believe it! One of my neighbours is a young and fit looking male in his mid-20s. I saw him one day go down the stairs, into this car and then drive towards our mailbox area (which is about a 2 minute walk away) and then drive back and then go back in his apartment. That's it! WHAT???

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 4:11 am

was riding many miles today. no one gave me any crap

i frown because i have been sort of looking forward to it so i could go all ericalm on them, but absolutely no one has ever given me a hard time. one guy joked with me once, but thats it

in fact on my scoot i seem to get more respect then i did in a car. people move out of my way, let me pass, and generally stay off my ass as i move through and in front of traffic. what really surprises me is when they get out of my way like i am on a motorcycle. i mean i am not tailgating so i don't get it

the only thing i can imagine is its my size and manner of dress. sometimes i think i might look like a biker who took the wife's scoot out for a spin so people think "don't mess." i have seen people look at the scoot, smirk, look at its rider, and unsmirk pretty fast. thats funny =]

which is not to say people don't unintentionally try to kill me on a daily basis. but thats part of riding if not flagrant. so unless flagrant i keep my cool. used to irk me, but i find riding while irked to be less then optimal

slusher5 · Post by **slusher5** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 4:40 am

JHScoot wrote:was riding many miles today. no one gave me any crap

i frown because i have been sort of looking forward to it so i could go all ericalm on them, but absolutely no one has ever given me a hard time. one guy joked with me once, but thats it

in fact on my scoot i seem to get more respect then i did in a car. people move out of my way, let me pass, and generally stay off my ass as i move through and in front of traffic. what really surprises me is when they get out of my way like i am on a motorcycle. i mean i am not tailgating so i don't get it

lucky you... I wish it was like that for everyone

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 4:54 am

i do, too. when i first started riding i kept anticipating being mocked and confronted from time to time. i read and hear so much about it. but i ride everywhere....ghetto's, Hollywood, beach cities, north, south, east and west of and all around Los Angeles. not so much as a boo from anyone

i hate to think it is me just being "me." seems so silly. but what i noticed about people on the road when i was a cager is they are very brave when in their cars and WE are in ours. they can't really see you, and to get to them we would have to unbuckle, get out, go over...its a whole deal. but a person on a bike? people can clearly see who they are messing with and nothing is between them and getting their clock cleaned at the next light. now, they aren't so brave

which is not to say i would do anything as i am a decent guy. but i got much more crap from people in my car then on my scoot

main thing is everyone be safe and remember WE are exposed out there. one asshole gives us a nice little "kiss" with their fender and we go down. not worth it....keep your cool, plz!

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:21 am

JHScoot wrote:main thing is everyone be safe and remember WE are exposed out there. one asshole gives us a nice little "kiss" with their fender and we go down. not worth it....keep your cool, plz!

Exactly!

Best thing you can do is focus on what's important in your life: family, kids, cats, dogs, Lego collection, video game per-orders, pending Groupons, dental appointments, that fancy quilt you're working on for your niece, or finishing the latest thriller novel that you picked up. Whichever one it is, you've got something that is more important to you than whatever stupidity you encounter while riding. Do what you need to do center yourself enough so that you can get back to the crap that actually matters to you.

Accepting that people are either really stupid or completely self-centered and oblivious should be a part of the requirements for learning to ride a motor driven cycle.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 2:56 pm

teabow1 wrote:Fundamentally, the question is whether driving is a RIGHT or a PRIVILEGE. In British Columbia, it is considered a privilege. In America, I bet that most people would feel it's a right.

You are correct. Most Americans considered it a right, one that can only be taken away if the person does something to forfeit it.