CALIFORNIA - Roadshow: From motorcyclists to bicyclists, a plea for sanity

OFF THE WIRE

http://www.mercurynews.com/mr-roadshow/ci_19321206
Roadshow: From motorcyclists to bicyclists, a plea for sanity

By Gary Richards
grichards@mercurynews.com
Posted: 11/13/2011 12:00:00 AM PST
Q There are some basic truths that all motorcyclists learn as they gain experience commuting on California's roads and highways that I'd like to share with everyone.
Andrew Lesslie
A Please do.
Q Unless a motorcyclist is doing something to really draw attention to themselves, car drivers just don't see us. Hence the perception that all motorcycles are loud, speeding or out of position on the roadway. But we're not.
The majority of us just blend into the flow of traffic, and most motorists aren't even aware that we're there. Only those who are doing something wrong get noticed. This is why some motorcyclists run their high beams all the time, some dress in neon suits, some ride 5 mph faster than the flow of traffic (no matter how fast it's going) and some remove the baffles from their bikes, arguing that loud pipes save lives.
These are all just survival strategies that many riders adopt to survive among crowds of motorists whose perceptions of motorcyclists range from the oblivious to the outright hostile.
Andrew Lesslie
A And ...
Q We're your friends, your neighbors and your co-workers. We take up less space on the roadway than a car, SUV or truck -- and we take up a lot less parking space, too. Motorcycle commuters reduce congestion and cut commute times for car drivers. If we weren't filtering through traffic (lane splitting) and taking up that tiny road footprint, we'd just be another under-occupied car in front of you, beside you, behind you and you'd be competing with us for space on the roadway.
We know you don't see us. We've figured that out already, and we ride like we're invisible. We watch you merge into and out of traffic. We watch for you turning in front of us (whether you use your blinker or not), and we see you yapping on your cellphone, eating your breakfast or applying your makeup when you should be concentrating on driving.
Despite all those things that drivers do that could knock us to the ground in a heartbeat, we still ride in traffic. We know we need to concentrate really hard because drivers around us aren't paying attention. We know some think that lane splitting is akin to queue jumping and that it sends their blood pressure up to see someone else moving easily through traffic. We know some will even open a door or move their vehicle to prevent us from passing.
And we will slow down, wait until that driver is over it or just move to a different position on the roadway and pass the obstruction some other way.
We know you don't see us. But we see you. And that's all we need.
Andrew Lesslie
A Your words are well taken. I field so many angry calls and emails from drivers about motorcyclists and pray that the rage will ease and that we look out for each other. And now, a plea from a motorist about showing respect for others on two wheels -- bicyclists.
Q I hate to come off as a saint, because I sure am not one. But when I'm approaching a bicyclist on a street, I slow down and move over to the left side of the lane (sometimes even over a bit if I check and find it's clear), all to make room. If I pass a bicyclist shortly before I plan to make a right turn, I check my mirror to make sure the biker isn't too close.
I have no issue with sharing our roads and, while I often get annoyed at other bicyclists' reckless behavior (because I obey traffic laws when I'm on my bike, too), I simply don't understand the mindset when you're behind the wheel that doesn't allow that same sharing spirit.
Chuck Martin
Foster City
A Another plea for calm and sanity. I love it.
Q On a Friday night recently, we were parked at Harry's Hofbrau on Saratoga Avenue in San Jose. When we came out, there was a Honda Element parked tight against the passenger door. Grumbling and mumbling, my sweetie backed the car out so I could get in. We did not notice a pink heart note on our windshield until we got home. It read:
"Sorry I had to park really close. Call me and I'll move."
It was signed "David" with his cellphone number. He was probably eating at Harry's. No scratches on my car door. Way to go, David. Awesome and too rare a courtesy.
Shirley Cornwell
Santa Clara
A Kumbaya! Awesome and courteous indeed!