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**Scythe Matters** · 09-01-2011, 11:05 PM

Derek, I see more and more people driving as if they were the only one on the road. Not as in they own it but as in they are oblivious to everyone else. I've seen it pretty much everywhere on the Left Coast. So I can't speak for others in the middle and East.

In fact, I see more and more people operating as if they are the only person who matters and everyone else is just an extra in their biopic. Everywhere. Stores, theaters, walking down the street, in politics.... it's appalling and rather sad. I feel that our purpose in life is to help one another. How can we do that when we hardly even acknowledge that there are other people or that they are human beings like us? Sad

***Boomer*** · 09-02-2011, 06:13 AM

derek there is nothing saying you can't take the course, if nothing else to educate yourself and maybe even your family of what we see on the bike. Even our bicycle community is not immune, and it takes everyone looking out for each other. Eventually you learn that every intersection is a war zone, and how you make it thru determines how well you ride.

**BrianW** · 09-02-2011, 12:24 PM

I don't ride either, though I'd love to learn as well. Right now I walk. And the other day I was t-boned 3 times in one grocery store visit! Do people drive like they push their carriage?

***old honda rider*** · 09-02-2011, 12:36 PM

(09-02-2011 12:24 PM)BrianW Wrote: And the other day I was t-boned 3 times in one grocery store visit! Do people drive like they push their carriage?

Happens all the time. Great way to meet chicks. Heart

Renaissance Man · 09-02-2011, 03:31 PM

Every day, Every day...
1. The Cel phone is an evil invention, if you see someone with thier hand to thier head, give them a wide margin.
2. Never enter an intersection after the light turns without looking both ways. that one has save my life at least five times.
3. never go faster than you can stop in the space ahead that you can see.
4. Deer are just above sheep on the intelligence scale. (Why did you kill me....)
5. BE SEEN!!!

derekpt · 09-05-2011, 06:04 PM

Boomer, we just had an unfortunate van vs. bicyclist here in S. Carolina...sent him right over the edge of the highway barrier 50 feet down into the marsh. 50 year old man, doctor, pedaling his way to work and a guy from AT&T driving his van crossed into the emergency lane. Poor guy never had a chance at 55+ mph. No evidence so far of the driver using a cell or fiddling with his AC or some such, and here in SC, the extent of his punishment was a ticket and a few hundred dollar fine. Not saying accidents dont happen and not suggesting the driver needs jail time, but it certainly makes it all the more tragic if he just would have paid attention to the road. As for taking the course, I believe the mere hint of a inkling of a thought that a motorcycle is in the future may still get me on the couch...or worse.

Scythe, here in the South, in supposedly the politest city in our fair nation, I dont run into as much egocentrism as you seem to out west. Regionally, there's an indisputable difference in cultures (and indeed they both have pluses and minuses). Born and bred here in Charleston so we use "Yes, ma'am," and "No, sir," regularly. Complete strangers in a mall will make eye contact with you and bid you good day as you pass. To be sure, there are those more interested in their cellular communications (especially the teenage and college aged folks), but maybe that is due to their immaturity.

Merely ruminations and methinks I've rambled on long enough.

***Boomer*** · 09-05-2011, 08:40 PM

I have always and ever shall maintain that ANYONE who takes the life of another motorist or cyclist of any two wheeled version should lose their license and do at least one year of jail time. End of discussion. Talked to a guy many years ago who had just ran over a bicyclist - his comment to me was "Wha? Its only a target on the road". Many people who hit bicycles or motorcycles have no punishment and no regret. Heard this many times, and it never ceases to amaze me at the utter stupidity that people like that show for their fellow man.

**Scythe Matters** · 09-06-2011, 01:52 AM

(09-05-2011 06:04 PM)derekpt Wrote: Scythe, here in the South, in supposedly the politest city in our fair nation, I dont run into as much egocentrism as you seem to out west. Regionally, there's an indisputable difference in cultures (and indeed they both have pluses and minuses). Born and bred here in Charleston so we use "Yes, ma'am," and "No, sir," regularly. Complete strangers in a mall will make eye contact with you and bid you good day as you pass. To be sure, there are those more interested in their cellular communications (especially the teenage and college aged folks), but maybe that is due to their immaturity.

Merely ruminations and methinks I've rambled on long enough.

Ah yes, I spent my first several years in the South (my Mom's family is from Louisiana). Yes, Sir you can bet I grew up with "Yes Ma'am" and Yes Sir" and those other little regional niceties. I miss them.

(09-05-2011 08:40 PM)boomer Wrote: I have always and ever shall maintain that ANYONE who takes the life of another motorist or cyclist of any two wheeled version should lose their license and do at least one year of jail time. End of discussion. Talked to a guy many years ago who had just ran over a bicyclist - his comment to me was "Wha? Its only a target on the road". Many people who hit bicycles or motorcycles have no punishment and no regret. Heard this many times, and it never ceases to amaze me at the utter stupidity that people like that show for their fellow man.

Boomer, I can't begin to say how much I agree with you. We had a rash of hit & runs here last year - mostly pedestrians. I just cannot fathom the depth of self-centeredness it must take to hit another human being and just keep going. As you say, it amazes me. It goes back to that oblivious way of treating others as if they were extras in your movie. Maybe I'm just a bleeding heart who is out of place in this increasingly selfish society but if you can't take the time to stop your frigging car when you hit somebody with it then you need not only your driver's license revoked but your license to participate in civil society taken away, too.

***RN-PRN*** · 09-06-2011, 05:22 AM

I don't know if it is self-centeredness, total lack of morality, or total disregard for fellow humans. What if that was their child, wife, husband... Anyway you look at it it's wrong!! They took a life not with a gun, but with a very large vehicle and should be punished.

Soapbox left for another to rant

Jetrow · 09-06-2011, 08:27 AM

Sorry to say, yes they are all out to get you. Take matters into your own hands and be prepared for a whole lot of stupid. I don't know why people have for the most part chosen to leave courtesy at home but there it is.

Look as far ahead as you can, always keep an escape route in mind and stay away from the pack.

Here in Toronto, pedestrians have gone wild. People walk out into the road anytime anywhere and expect you to do what ever you have to do to avoid hitting them. Most don't even bother to look anymore. Yapping on the phone or looking one way while walking in another direction, it frustrates me to consider just what they must be thinking.

I practice being aware of everything around my car when I drive and feel good about never barging in on a bike rider. Mind you with the state of the road repair in this town, how anyone could drive something less than a truck or dirtbike on them is yet another question I ponder.