Comments on: Christmas Spirit vs. Riding Safety

By: irondad

irondad — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 18:23:00 +0000

I've noticed that a lot of drivers see me but have no intention of stopping unless absolutely necessary. The term "common sense" has become a contradiction. Good sense is no longer common!

Dan

By: SimplyTim

SimplyTim — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 20:10:00 +0000

Steve,

Re: "It's odd that selling caution to riders is generally easier than selling to drivers."

That's interesting...I never thought of that distinction. You drive cars. You ride bikes / scooters.

Yes, it's a different mind set and it's captured in the words we choose.

Tim

By: Cody and Michelle

Cody and Michelle — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 19:54:00 +0000

Hey Steve,
Actually, that is a typical driving day in South Florida, where cotton heads and cell phone gabbers stike fear amongst cagers and 2 wheelers alike. But after 30+ years of it, I've also grown used to it and I don't get upset too often anymore. I drive alot more defensively and why should I get upset and raise my blood pressure just cause these morons can't drive!
But to simplytim i must send a nod of agreement your way, as bad as Fl drivers are, they got nuttin over Massachusetts drivers, or as we like to say...Massholes!
It's always scooter huntin season in S.FL

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 19:10:00 +0000

giest: The bike does have a centering effect. It has been an unexpected benefit of riding.

Gary: Lots of things came before the Vespa but no medications. I'll hold the medication in reserve if I have more unmanageable problems. Just trying to pay attention as best I can.

By: gary

gary — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 18:39:00 +0000

Steve, after reading this, I've just gotta ask:

What came first in your life, the Vespa or the Prozac?

Ride well,
=gc=

By: Giest

Giest — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 13:54:00 +0000

in today’s “do as much as you can at once” society, i find the bike to be a very centering aspect. when i’m riding, that’s the only thing i’m focused on and it allows me to be a much calmer person. i still get irked when someone cuts me off, but it doesn’t stay with me.

in the second part of your post i was chuckling as i imagined you pulling up beside him on the scooter and whipping out a chain to beat on his car…lol.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 13:45:00 +0000

I hear you Steve. ‘Round these parts the rule is, “He who stops first at a 4-way stop relinquishes the right of way.” When I ride I always assume that they won’t stop until they actually do.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 13:24:00 +0000

bill: It's odd that selling caution to riders is generally easier than selling to drivers. I think the auto selling culture has lulled everyone into thinking they are indestructable with big crash friendly machines, multiple air bags, ABS and the like. Add four-wheel or all-wheel drive and highways designed to go far faster than the posted limits and it's no wonder that drivers feel they can use cell phones, PDAs, have sex and more while driving.

simplytim: Having plans to be somewhere thwarted can really raise temperatures. I've realized that being in a rush is either my fault because of poor planning, or the rush is something I have constructed in my head. No real need to be somewhere by a certain time, I just manufacture that expectation and hold on to it tightly. The Vespa really challenges things in this area and has slowed me down across the board.

I've driven many times in Massachusetts and I know how that traffic can be. It sucks out your soul.

biker betty: Obi-Wan... There are still times I wish I had a light saber just to offer a lesson. *grin* But that's changing over time. The little Vespa opened the door to a quieter attitude. I wonder what would happen if I decided to ride something big. With all that power doesn't it seem like you need to use it? Even on the Vespa I know how seductive the throttle is.

By: Biker Betty

Biker Betty — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 05:34:00 +0000

That’s a great attitude. You are my new mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

By: SimplyTim

SimplyTim — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 05:24:00 +0000

Steve,

I've noticed the same thing about speed and aggression. My mantra of "I will rush no more" continues to pay dividends.

In the car I am seldom in a hurry any more. With that, the further dividend is that aggression goes down, I suspect because the "threat" of not getting somewhere fast is not being thwarted.

Last summer I took a trip to Quebec City. In Canada (province of Quebec), the speed limit was 60 mph. Everyone seemed to be obeying it. It was, like, quiet.

Coming back into New Hampshire, even though the speed limit was up from that, I didn't notice the aggression around me. It may have been that there weren't that many cars.

Once I got into Massachusetts, that whole picture changed. People were whizzing in and out of lanes, and blowing past me. I had to speed up to be safe, and it was like I could feel the aggression around me. Speed kills - in many ways.