This scooter riding is going to get me into a scrape

[basilhayden]

I've been commuting on my new scooter for about 5 days now and I get pretty pissed when people come running up on my ass, especially when I am doing the speed limit. Makes it worse when they are busy texting on their cell phone. Really pisses me off.

[jetboy]

Best thing to do is try to stay cool (I know, it's tough sometimes depending on your "behavioral style"), check your mirrors often and keep in mind that your indicated speed is probably a little on the low side so you could probably give it a little more throttle if you're comfortable doing so.

Stay safe!

-jetboy

[jfrost2]

I ride at 40mph in 35mph zones, the speedometer is "optimistic" on all scooters, so if it says 35, i'm probably going 30-33 mph, so I just go indicated 40, which is probbaly only 37 or 38 real mph.

[ay pablo]

I've actually pulled over a few times when I've had someone riding too closely on my ass. I just signal, pull over to the right and let 'em pass by. It has been worth it for me to do that and to rid myself of the anxiety (and the asshole who's riding me).

[Apiarist]

real hard to keep cool when someone comes from the right lane behind you, barely misses from tagging you at 35 mph while changing into your lane, while going into the intersection, as you are stopped in the left lane to turn left. i was all about chasing him down, i mean, c'mon, i was visible. but whatever. i continued to have a great ride until sundown anyway.
a pitiable person to say the least and that's got to be hard enough to live with without me reminding them.

[MarsR]

When my speed-o says 25, I'm really doing 20. When it says 50, I'm really doing 40. I've found it best to just stay with the flow of traffic and keep the cagers happy.

[DennisD]

When my speed-o says 25, I'm really doing 20. When it says 50, I'm really doing 40. I've found it best to just stay with the flow of traffic and keep the cagers happy.

Amen! When everyone on the road is going 5 or 10 over, the one person who insists on doing the speed limit "because its the law" simply makes matters worse. Doesn't matter if you're in a car, truck or on a scoot. MarsR is right, speed up, go with the flow. My morning commute takes me along the bay on a four lane with a 35mph limit. Most traffic goes 45 or 50 at 6 in the morning. I'm right in there with them and everything flows smoothly. Sometimes the police are in a vacant lot making their presence known but I've never seen anyone get a ticket unless they were being really fast and passing the fast traffic.


Dennis

[ericalm]

Welcome to the world of scootering!

Fact is, you could be doing 60 in a 35 zone and the car behind you will probably still try to pass because you're on a scooter—you MUST be going slow! We get less respect and attention on the road than motorcycles.

[brimstone]

i always chuckle to myself when i pass a car or truck on the highway. hehehe

[babblefish]

I laugh when traffic is backed-up for three counties and I split lanes right pass them.

I also laugh when I ride pass all those gas stations full of cars.

I laugh at bad ethnic jokes...wait, I'm getting sidetracked...

[brimstone]

seriously though, i'm usually on the highway for about 100 yards at two different points, before i can pull off and hit the side roads and do 45. i can usually hit an indicated 55 or 60 on my rattler, depending on wind conditions. so i figure screw em' how many times have i been stuck behind an actual car doing 45 on the highway? at least i have a reason for not doing 65, can a car say the same.

[jmazza]

I agree with going with traffic flow at all times, with one caveat- never ride above your comfort level and ability. If going with the flow puts you faster than you are comfortable going, it's time to either find a new route or practice until you are comfortable.

But I am of the opinion that doing the speed limit when the flow of traffic is faster is a recipe for a wreck. I find it safest to be at the flow or even a bit faster so I am more in control of how I approach other cars as opposed to how they approach me.

[Apiarist]

ericalm sez:

because you're on a scooter—you MUST be going slow! We get less respect and attention on the road than motorcycles.

the irony is, to gain the respect, scooterists are compelled to 'play nice' on a playground where no one else even has to play by the same rules. i am not at all seriously thinking of attaching a rifle holster onto the scoot and getting 'NRA4EVR' as a vanity plate.

[sunshinen]

Welcome to the world of scootering!

Fact is, you could be doing 60 in a 35 zone and the car behind you will probably still try to pass because you're on a scooter—you MUST be going slow! We get less respect and attention on the road than motorcycles.

I don't find this to be true at all, at least in my area. I find many people give me lots of attention and respect. But I tend to be a very curteous rider, I ride with or faster than the traffic, and if someone still clearly wants to pass, I pull over to let them pass.

Some people just have to pass ANYTHING and ANYONE. They simply have to be going faster than all other vehicles. I get passed more in my Toyota Echo than I do on my scooter. And I've been passed in a 35mph zone while doing 55mph in my car... by cars turning in 2 blocks. But cars also routinely let me pull away on my scooter. I guess I ride faster than I drive...

I think we're often too defensive about riding and thinking the cars just assume we're slow. We think they're passing us because we're on a scooter, when really they would do that to any vehicle. We're just more vulnerable on our scooters, so it gets to us on more than one level.

[ericalm]

Well, maybe that's just my experience commuting here. I've had cars pull some really dangerous crap (for me, them, and other drivers) to get around me when I was moving well above the speed limit. For instance, one crossed a double yellow line while we were at a blind curve on a narrow 2-lane road in one of our canyons. At night. With oncoming traffic. Similar situations have occurred when my wife and I were riding together. I've also had people tailgate me until I pulled over (when able) to let them pass, flash their brights at me, honk, etc. Hilariously, when they get in front of me they often go no faster than I was going when in front of them.

Now, some of this could just be L.A. drivers. (In fact, I'm pretty sure there's a correlation between the sticker price of someone's car and their likeliness to pull this kind of jerk move.) All joking aside, I'm as courteous and responsible a rider as I can be, but I have a low tolerance for cagers who are creating dangerous situations.

[brimstone]

i've driven in LA and up into hollywood when my family and i were there on various vacations over the years. having graduated from the phoenix school of combat driving when i lived there, both those cities, and the few other large metropolis's make me glad i live in a small town. but, we have our fair share of idiots here too. they're just not suicidal like those places, here they're more along the lines of being dumb.

[MarsR]

In my experience, drivers tend to be much more curteous to me on my scooter than they are when I'm in my car. Granted, they may not always SEE me on my scooter, but when they do, they usually try to give me right-of-way, even when in reality it should be theirs. Yeah, there are a few jerks out there (most people are jerks when I'm in my car), but that doesn't seem to be the norm when I'm on my scooter. Maybe they just feel sorry for me.

[buddyboop]

I have had similar experiences, I have had people give me the right of way at a 4 way stop etc. when it really shouldn't be mine. Don't assume they've seen you. I drive a Mini Cooper S and I have people pass me All the time, it seems they just can't have a small car in front of their big SUV but are a bit more tolerant of us " poor pitiful" people on these tiny scoots that "just can't afford a Harley."

If I have someone tailgating me I just pull over and let them pass. I'd rather have them in front & get in an accident then behind and possible hit me.

[louie]

remember you can't change that cager tailgating you unless he hits you. that would scare him straight and not do you any favors.

don't let them ruin your good time, let em pass.

[pleasefeedthedog]

There's a very good reason that the car pool lanes have entry and no entry points. . . My point is, other drivers have to merge into traffic and thats where the issue is with regard to speeding.

[Apiarist]

Some people just have to pass ANYTHING and ANYONE.

so true. my dad and brother are among these people, and neither of them are <<insert chosen expletive here>>.

[sunshinen]

Now, some of this could just be L.A. drivers. (In fact, I'm pretty sure there's a correlation between the sticker price of someone's car and their likeliness to pull this kind of jerk move.) All joking aside, I'm as courteous and responsible a rider as I can be, but I have a low tolerance for cagers who are creating dangerous situations.

Yeah, location certainly makes a huge difference. I wonder if the legality of lane splitting in California makes cagers more resentful of all 2 wheelers -- a mentality of "If you can pass me at your will, why can't I pass you at my will?" sort of thing.

And I'll second that correlation about sticker price as well as the OP's note about cell phones. My three most frustrating/scary moments on a scooter (for blatant abuse and endangerment from behind a wheel) have been a lady in a Cadillac on a cell phone, a young man in a BMW on a cell phone, and an middle aged man in a BMW.

[jfrost2]

Just go with the flow of traffic and dont worry if "you're speeding"

In a car, when the speed limit sign says 35mph, you go 40 or 45mph.

On your scooter, dont be afraid to do the same, but you will be going slower, 35mph is really anywhere from 30-33mph real speed.

[KRUSTYburger]

I couldn't help but notice all the Floridians suggesting just to go with the flow no matter how fast... That's prolly cuz all drivers here are lane-changing SPEED DEMONS!!! Seriously, we've got it down to an art. They can't pull us ALL OVER!

Just make sure you don't roll past any stop signs or you might as well
start emptying out your wallet right then and there.

[pleasefeedthedog]

The Hammer lane should be allowed to do 20 over, the squeezed lane 10 over, and the Granny lane 5 over. Hell if I know what to do with more lanes than that.

Okay, lets roll!

Dog

[kazoo]

Thats simple Dog.

5 lane scenerio:

30; 20; 15; 10; 5

Kaz

The Hammer lane should be allowed to do 20 over, the squeezed lane 10 over, and the Granny lane 5 over. Hell if I know what to do with more lanes than that.

Okay, lets roll!

Dog

[KABanshee]

I don't know but something about being full of road rage and driving a scooter just doesn't seem to mesh. I feel as though I should be swinging a purse at them. Just don't get that intimidator feeling is all. Just my opinion though.

[kazoo]

I don't know but something about being full of road rage and driving a scooter just doesn't seem to mesh. I feel as though I should be swinging a purse at them. Just don't get that intimidator feeling is all. Just my opinion though.