Mercury News Not-So-Positive Moto Press on Mr. Roadshow

[pandy]

Since when did riding a motorcycle mean you had to proscribe to a particular mindset? ... While I agree educating the larger public is important, so is taking responsibility for ones self.

I agree with the above. I don't think all of us would have the same mindset if it were dictated by law that we must! Terms such as "Real Motorcyclist" and "dangerous" are subjective. I also agree with taking responsibility for one's choices and actions. Whenever we throw our leg over our motorcycle, we're accepting the risks associated with riding. For that matter, whenever we get into a car, we're accepting the risks associated with driving.

However, the risk that's a clear and present danger is the desire that Joe Citizen seems to have to decide whether or not Joseph(ine) Citizen in the next car or on the next bike is doing something illegal, and then to punish her/him for it. That's not a risk we all sign up for, but unfortunately, it's there. This is what can help by educating folks. I think Woody at Live 105 would agree that he knows more now than he did before he encouraged his listeners to harm us--in his eyes--law-breaking, renegade bikers.

Mr. Roadshow's column reaches a vast and varied audience. Many folks may not *agree* that lane-sharing should be legal, but they now know that it *is*. There is a small, violent minority who'll try to teach us motorcyclists a lesson no matter what, but I think the vast majority of automobile drivers WILL take the message to heart that lane-sharing is legal, and that there's no reason to punish those of us who do it in as safe and prudent a manner as is possible. I also think that peoples' perceptions of motorcyclists in general will become more positive when we motorcyclists act responsibly, present ourselves coherently, and when we show everyone that we ARE normal folks who just happen to ride (well, ok...MOST of us are normal folks who just happen to ride.... ).

 

[mud]

Phew, at least someone took the time to read my post and understand it!

Owning a motorcycle doesn't mean you suddenly subscribe to this mindset that motorcycles can do no harm. To think otherwise is to become what one of my favorite people on SBR calls "sheeple." That mindset includes the concept that all cars are always and only "out to get you" and that motorcycles can do no harm. Both are patently false and can kill you.

Educating the general public that lanesplitting is legally permissible is only step in the process. Doing so in a manner that is anything but like an asshole is another step. That includes not hitting mirrors, not splitting at 90 MPH in stopped traffic, and not writing letters to an Op Ed column calling other people who disagree with you idiots, not "real" riders, and so on.

I lane split on the Bay Bridge every day. I love it. When people ask me about it, I'm candid with them that it is a mixed bag. I don't always do it in a safe or prudent manner, but I accept responsibility for that. I can't change the world, but if I don't like how the world reacts to motorcycles, I can change how I ride to make myself safer and set a better example.

 

[chiara]

Nice thread. Good job, pandy, bringing attention to the legality of lane sharing.

FWIW, I sent Gary an email as follows. A lot of it is stuff I've sent colunists before:

Gary,

I would like to thank you for bringing attention to lane sharing, making sure to cite that it is a legal practice, and highlighting Staci Ostrup's frightening experience while sharing. I am a motorcyclist myself, and have been subject to what I consider vehicular assault myself.

What prompts me to write you today, is seeing anti-sharing sentiment from your readers, which I found here:

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/14743448.htm

I would like to counter the overwhelming 'sharing is stupid' sentiment by sharing some thoughts regarding lane sharing:

I am a motorcyclist (licensed over a decade) and commute from my home in Marysville to my office in Sacramento every day all year long. Riding to work has positive benefits for everyone using the same roads as me. I take up less space on the road, easing congestion. I burn less fuel, easing the nation's dependence on foreign oil. I subject the road's surface to less wear & tear.

Between riding to work & riding for pleasure, I generally ride between 15,000 and 20,000 miles per year. I legally lane share (the legality of sharing is specifically addressed on the CHP's website http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html) when traffic slows during my commute. I view splitting as a necessary tool that enables me to commute year round. I ride an air cooled motorcycle (BMW R1100S, the motor is a very similar design to the CHP BMWs), and especially during the summer, stop and go traffic in 100+ degree temperatures would cause my motorcycle to overheat, damaging the engine. Additionally, I take my personal safety very seriously, and so whatever the weather, I wear proper riding gear, head to toe, in addition to proper gloves, boots, and of course a helmet. My gear breathes extremely well, well enough that as long as I can keep moving I might as well be wearing shorts and a t-shirt. But stop and go traffic in the heat would physically be very demanding on me to maintain concentration and not suffer from the heat.

In addition to sharing to keep moving, I have shared in order to get away from an aggressive motorist. If I find myself in an uncomfortable situation presented by a motorist who is tailgating me and will not back off, I will take whatever evasive action I deem is necessary to put myself into a safer space on the road. Especially when I'm being tailgated, and the higher view I get of traffic than many drivers allows me to see that traffic is slowing ahead, I will set myself up to share between cars in order to get away from the aggressive motorist. It is preferable in my mind to share than to risk being rear ended by an aggressive, incompetent or indifferent driver. While sharing, even if traffic appears to be opening up like the Red Sea, I resist the temptation to accelerate to a speed greater than what's prudent. The reason for this is people will change lanes with little warning, and even intentionally block. I try to get a look at driver's heads before I pass them. Are they paying attention? Are they talking on the phone? Eating? Reading? If I can see that a driver is paying attention, that normally will signal to me that given sufficient space for my bike, it is safe to proceed. My rule of thumb when it comes to any overtake is, "When in doubt, don't." And I keep my index & middle finger ready on the brake if necessary. In the interests of rider P.R., when I see that a driver has moved over to make room for me to share, I try to always throw a quick "Thank you" wave for their courteous driving.

It is my opinion that mature lane sharing, is not dangerous. In my years riding, I have never been involoved in a collision with another vehicle, including lane sharing (knock on wood). Of course, people are going to observe poor riding from time to time, as some of your readers have responded. Similarly, they'll observe poor driving. Unfortunately, the irresponsible riders who take chances and make poor choices are the ones who are burned into most driver's memory. Believe me, the motorcycling community generally looks down on riders who make stupid decisions in traffic (proper lane sharing is not one of them). We call them squid. (Super Quick Until I Die) (Stupidly Quick, Underdressed, Ignorant & Dangerous).

I would like to implore your readers to open their minds and realise that proper lane sharing benefits everyone using the road.

 

[}Dragon{]

It's funny... someone can intentionally try to knock me off the bike while I'm lane splitting- because they are pissed off that they are sitting in traffic.

It's called assault with a deadly weapon.

You point your car at a cop in an aggressive fashion like that- you can be shot. :|

(How many times do you think CHP Officers on bikes have had cages intentionally block them? I'm sure it happens quite a bit.)


BTW- I loved the lady with the "a helmet is an annoyance" part... move back to IL

 

[silverbelt]

BTW- I loved the lady with the "a helmet is an annoyance" part... move back to IL

Yeah, that was pretty funny, she should move back to IL, she is not smart enough to make it out here

Anyways, I wrote an email to roadshow, I hope it appears along with most others in a future column. I am sure he has heard an earful from bay area riders

 

[clutchslip]

FWIW, statistics don't put bodies back together.

Phew, at least someone took the time to read my post and understand it!

I am not sure what your issues are. I most definitely read your post.

I am trying to use real, accepted information to convey a message. Not anecdotal hyperbole. I love the individual, personal expression of motorcyclists. However, sometimes we need to put our personal experiences aside to make a point for the betterment of our riding interest.

I always assume that riders know that they bear the burden of responsibility for their own lives.

 

[pandy]

chiara:

You sent a truly excellent e-mail. I'm really awed by the articulate, well-written, intelligent, cogent, amazing e-mails. I'm so proud of all you BARFers!!!

Staci

I would like to thank you for bringing attention to lane sharing, making sure to cite that it is a legal practice, and highlighting Staci Ostrup's frightening experience while sharing. I am a motorcyclist myself, and have been subject to what I consider vehicular assault myself.

 

[}Dragon{]

I'm really awed by the articulate, well-written, intelligent, cogent, amazing e-mails.

That is why I didn't send one.


I asked my friend XGambit to write one for me and send it in :|

 

[pandy]

That is why I didn't send one.
I asked my friend XGambit to write one for me and send it in :| /B]

Damn..we're doomed....

 

[v62cobra]

what a bunch of losers, go live in another state. Bla bla bla, you know what's dangerous... your cupcakes that make your stomach flap over the steering wheel so you cant turn correctly, that stupid comunication device stuck next to your skull sucking your attention away, those annoying and resource waisting spawns of your pathetic gene pool yelling and screaming in the backseat for more materialism and taking your attention span deep past zero and into negative, that lame michael bolton cd as that speaks for itself, and don't get me started on your vehicle... yea you know everyone needs a 3500 series dually diesel made for a construction site to go pick up the kids..... f**k U.....!!!!....


A bad day today and that made me feel better, thank you BARF that is all...carry on...

 

[Flatty]

My email:

Gary,

I truly appreciate your recent editions concerning lane splitting’s legality and Staci Ostrup’s experience. Sadly, I can see by some of the responses what I experience on a weekly basis, people getting angry and engaging in wreck less and life threatening behavior. If these people were truly concerned for my and their own safety, they would give me room and execute proper lane changes. What I see and hear instead are angry and vindictive drivers. Regardless of rather people “like” lane splitting, it is a legal practice. Blocking motorcyclist or placing them in danger is illegal.

The one gentleman states, “I admit that at times when I see one of these guys coming, I will move over to keep them from passing because I feel they are putting me and them at risk. Of course, I would never do this at high speed or if they were already near me.” This is not rational or safe behavior. Aside for the fact that what he is doing is illegal, what happens if he misjudges it and kills or harms someone? If I am in car and do not like what someone is doing, is it reasonable to block them? I think not. Perhaps these people can leave traffic enforcement to the police and CHP?

Something to ponder: If I get angry or upset with another driver, should I follow them until they get out of their car and then “bump” them with my car? This is the equivalent of what happened to Staci.

As a rider with over 15 years of experience in different states, I can attest to the fact that I am safer splitting lanes than when I encounter: an intersection, roads with no divider, people tailgating me, cutting me off by entering my lane too close to the front of my bike, people running red or near red lights, distracted drivers (eating, reading, talking on the phone, playing with the radio, watching TV). I use lane splitting to go through traffic that is at a stop or a very slow speed and to avoid drivers from rear ending me.

It is true with motorcycles, as with cars, that some people do not drive safely. However, this is not an excuse or rational justification for placing more lives in danger. Most cars drivers are courteous and move to give me more room as I pass; yet, the motorists that attempt to block my path have angry expressions and exhibit road rage behavior.

These negative attitudes with regard to lane splitting are not about legality and safety. It is about anger and the feeling that someone is getting ahead or not paying their dues by sitting in traffic.

I truly believe that if all drivers had to spend some time driving or even being a passenger on a motorcycle, their attitudes and behavior would change very quickly. I think they would no longer believe that they were “helping” us out by placing a 3000 pound object in their path.

Thanks,
Dan Marshall

 

[chiara]

chiara:

You sent a truly excellent e-mail. I'm really awed by the articulate, well-written, intelligent, cogent, amazing e-mails. I'm so proud of all you BARFers!!!

Staci

Thank you, Staci. Like I said in the email, lane sharing enables my commute. I don't think I could commute through the summer without that tool. I've always been concerned when media directs its attention to lane sharing, because so many people who don't ride perceive that its dangerous & should be illegal. What I'm really afraid of is that some day a politician will hear complaints & succesfully pass legislation to make it illegal.

Being a minority on the road means that the best defense against that ever happening is motorcyclists who are able to politely articulate the benefits of lane sharing.

BTW, good job, Flatty.

 

[Alexey]

Here's what I sent:

Mr. Richards,

Today I read the latest installment of your column dealing with motorcycle lane sharing. I believe the follow-up comments to Staci Ostrup's account show a great deal of misunderstanding of the issue. I would like to point out 3 things:

1. It is incredibly difficult for a motorcycle splitting lanes to put any car in danger, other than through the driver of a car being passed improperly reacting to the maneuver.
2. It is equally easy, however, for a car to put a motorcyle in grave danger, even if it is splitting lanes in a legal and safe manner.
3. Motorcycles that split lanes help alleviate traffic congestion by passing through whilst not taking up any space that could have otherwise been used by a car or a truck.

I highly doubt the points above are particularly controvercial. Given that, I'd really like everyone passionate on this subject to take a collective deep breath and think about it rationally. Everyone's top priority should be safety, followed by things like convenience.

If safety is our top priority, attempting to cause a motorcyclist (or any vehicle for that matter) to crash is simply morally inexcusable. Being that CA traffic code does in fact give some provision for safe lane sharing, drivers must be aware of all types of vehicles they share the road with and certainly not engage in criminal acts. That ought to be obvious to anyone.

I believe, your column can serve a great purpose in reinforcing good driving practices, as you obviously strive to do. I sincerely hope an issue as contentous as this, which can potentially cause unnecessary injuries and death through road rage, can be revisited and a more balanced view can be presented.

 

[lefty]

essvee-

That is an AWESOME letter.

Thank you.

 

[lefty]

.......

Here is the guy who likes to 'block' motorcyclists (in case anyone wants to write him a letter about how he is putting riders at risk)-

Alan Helfen
529 Jetty Way
Redwood City, CA
650-654-4125

Here's another letter he sent in regarding 'tolerance and prejiduce', how ironic.






No dialogue?

Scott Doniger’s Nov. 26 “local voice” left me “soul searching” as well. It seems to me that he could have responded in any number of ways to his customer who used the phrase “Jew down,” a response that would have respected his own integrity while doing something in service to the elimination of prejudice, ignorance and anti-Semitism.

For instance, he might have attempted to have a dialogue with the man to ascertain the source of his ill-chosen words. Perhaps he could have explained that such words are hurtful and unacceptable, and sought to change the man’s behavior or even influenced his thinking.

None of these options require capitulation or compromise. But they do reflect a way of both not taking in hateful words, while actually rising above them.

Of course, if the man was simply belligerent and unrepentant, Doniger always reserves the right to kick him out. However, he did not indicate this in the article; it sounded as though the man was simply nonplussed.

As it is, unless Doniger’s customer was a mature and introspective type, which sounds unlikely, he most likely left the shop with greater ignorance, pain and defensive reactions to fear, such as angry scapegoating.

Alan Helfen | Redwood City

 

[Hooli]

Re: .......

Here is the guy who likes to 'block' motorcyclists (in case anyone wants to write him a letter about how he is putting riders at risk)-

Alan Helfen
529 Jetty Way
Redwood City, CA
650-654-4125

Better yet...

 

[Rayman]

to say that the splitter is doing more harm/causing more danger to the drivers and not the other way around is asinine. when a rider's riding/splitting, thats the ONLY thing he/she is doing (or at least should be doing), at the very worst they might have music going in their heads and that is IT, otherwise they are totally "in the zone" focused on whats ahead and around them. while drivers who sit in traffic can be doing all sorts of things, eating, drinking, talking, roadheading etc. all kinda of distraction, thats why 1/2 of them dont see us coming.

the problem here inheritly is the jealousy of the car-drivers seeing these little things zoom past them while they sit still marinating in exhaust fumes.

i say dont be jealous, if ur willing to switch shoes and take on the risks of riding and splitting lanes, and are willing to sacrifice all the luxuries of commuting in a car, then u deserve to get to where u need to be quicker too.

i too will agree that most drivers ive encountered during splitting are inheritly good, alot of them when they do see me coming they slide over just a bit, and for those people i do give them a nod or a wave depending on the situation. ive only encountered ONE time where this white work van "pretended" to switch lanes by hitting his signal as i was closing in causing me to hit my brakes, and as i went by, i saw the fuckers laughing at me, to which i simply shook my head and moved on. otherwise, all the other "obstacles" are incidental, simply people switching lanes and not seeing me, honest mistakes. but i do HATE it when people at traffic lights stopped riding on the lines or close enough to it where i cant slip through to the front......

 

[}Dragon{]

the problem here inheritly is the jealousy of the car-drivers seeing these little things zoom past them while they sit still marinating in exhaust fumes.

I think that is 90% of the issue there.

 

[zombi]

semi-related rant.

I was coming down Post east of Polk engine breaking up to red light this morning, maybe 20 feet from the light in the middle of 3 unidirection lanes, when this asshole taxi driver cuts in front of me from the left real quick, no signal. There was no traffic in either other lane so the only reason he did this was to be an asshole and cut me off. well, there we are at the redlight so I go around him up on the left and fucking let him have it about what a bitch assed motherfucker he is. Which he just ignored me, but I hope his passenger stiffed him on the fare for being such a loser. He tried to pass me again with his shitmobile after that but of course you cannot beat an MC on SF streets. I only wish I'd gotten his taxi #s so I could try to get him shitcanned.

 

[Rayman]

one thing i know w/ commuting in the city daily is that its better to just let the crazy ass cab drivers be....u just cant win, they got nothing else better to do