Almost hit by a cager today
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 993
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Almost hit by a cager today
Minding my own business going 70 on the freeway and I noticed a black BMW comming over. I backed off to a close but safe distance, pulled in the clutch and hit the throttle. Then I got in behind her and made several hand gestures. She changed lanes again so I pulled up beside her. Yelled at her and gave her a few more gestures. The passenger had the nerve to flip me off and say those famouse words "she didn't see you".
I do have to admit that it really wasn't a close call. I really was paying attention and saw it comming. But I wanted to make an impression. Just maybe she will look twice next time.
Did I do the right thing? Or should I have backed off right away and ignored her?
I do have to admit that it really wasn't a close call. I really was paying attention and saw it comming. But I wanted to make an impression. Just maybe she will look twice next time.
Did I do the right thing? Or should I have backed off right away and ignored her?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
RE: Almost hit by a cager today
A "cager?"
Hmmmm...was there a nuclear holocaust no one told me about, and now we're in a Mad Max movie?
Do you drive some type of vehicle with 4 wheels and an enclosed interior?
Aren't we all "cagers" on here as well as "bikers?"
How do you know the "cager" who did not see you wasn't also a "biker" with a bad attitude or in a bad mood?
Jeez....I think we're all just "people" aren't we? This whole biker vs cager thing is really, really as stupid as any other profiling in all walks of life.
Accidents happen, and if someone wasn't being careful, then sure, make thenm aware of it. Not sure if your hand gestures were of an offensive nature or not, but if they weren't - I'd say you did the right thing.
Just kill the "cager" thing will ya?
Hmmmm...was there a nuclear holocaust no one told me about, and now we're in a Mad Max movie?
Do you drive some type of vehicle with 4 wheels and an enclosed interior?
Aren't we all "cagers" on here as well as "bikers?"
How do you know the "cager" who did not see you wasn't also a "biker" with a bad attitude or in a bad mood?
Jeez....I think we're all just "people" aren't we? This whole biker vs cager thing is really, really as stupid as any other profiling in all walks of life.
Accidents happen, and if someone wasn't being careful, then sure, make thenm aware of it. Not sure if your hand gestures were of an offensive nature or not, but if they weren't - I'd say you did the right thing.
Just kill the "cager" thing will ya?
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 993
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
RE: Almost hit by a cager today
I do drive pickups as well as my bike. In fact I drive the freeways around LA about 500 miles a week. in heavy traffic at times. There definately are different classes of drivers. The truckers tend to be professionals and I see them put in dangerous situations all the time! I think it is safe to assume that those who drive cages as well as bikes tend to watch out a little more.
But by far and away, those who drive only cars are the least safe drivers out there.
But by far and away, those who drive only cars are the least safe drivers out there.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: hou, tx
RE: Almost hit by a cager today
I think it is safe to assume that those who drive cages as well as bikes tend to watch out a little more.
I agree & as most of us do, certainly show consideration to bikers.
Would also say most bikers tend to develop an attitude when we chance upon some obliviot on the road. Shat, I'm guilty of doing the same more than a few times, and like you, figured they'd be more keen to bikes the next time.
Had me a near missseveral years ago w/some woman that failed to see me.... & I was the only one on the freak'n road. Man I was shook up & figured that 'ol black cloud was getting closer (at leastone near miss commuting b&f to work ea/day). So I took a break from riding& sold my beloved springer.
...paid off some debt & boughtmy girl the ring she wanted (like to say she's wearing my fxsts on her ring finger).
hang in there &remain vigilant
ak
I agree & as most of us do, certainly show consideration to bikers.
Would also say most bikers tend to develop an attitude when we chance upon some obliviot on the road. Shat, I'm guilty of doing the same more than a few times, and like you, figured they'd be more keen to bikes the next time.
Had me a near missseveral years ago w/some woman that failed to see me.... & I was the only one on the freak'n road. Man I was shook up & figured that 'ol black cloud was getting closer (at leastone near miss commuting b&f to work ea/day). So I took a break from riding& sold my beloved springer.
...paid off some debt & boughtmy girl the ring she wanted (like to say she's wearing my fxsts on her ring finger).
hang in there &remain vigilant
ak
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,976
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From:
RE: Almost hit by a cager today
I am not saying you didthe right or wrong thing.................... Does seem from what you said, you may have over reacted to the situation, created some unnecessary drama, and possibly put yourself in greater danger after the fact.
Glad you are safe and nobody got injured.
I do agree, and said enough times myself; folks that enjoy riding 2 wheels tend to be more aware when behing the wheel.
Cheers,
DougJ
Glad you are safe and nobody got injured.
I do agree, and said enough times myself; folks that enjoy riding 2 wheels tend to be more aware when behing the wheel.
Cheers,
DougJ
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 596
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From:
RE: Almost hit by a cager today
I agree with Doug, if it was a close one you avoided by paying attention (as you are really more or less obligated to do, being the one not in "a cage") then just let it go. As long as you and the bike are in one big shiny piece afterwords, what difference does it make. If it was really really negligent and you really had your hands full avoiding an accident, then I can see a bit of road-rage related reaction, but be reasonable in what you do. The ones yakking on a phone, chowing down, polishing nails , TEXTING while driving, those are the ones that really GET me, and I see more and more truckers on phones while driving, which is going to get to be a HUGE problem.
But one thing that might help with your current problem, is just try imagining the perpetrator as your sister/brother/parent, etc, hey we ALL pretty much are guilty of screwing up while driving at one point or another, no one is perfect, I know I've done some boneheaded stuff in my day too, but can't remember an incident with someone on a bike when i was cagin' it. I think bikers all kinda have a special gift of paying attention to fellow bikers when we are cagin'. Just be aware of everyone else, react rationally if you have to, and no need to over react if it wasn't an especially close call, just a lapse of attention that caused you a small amount of nervousness.
Gilly
But one thing that might help with your current problem, is just try imagining the perpetrator as your sister/brother/parent, etc, hey we ALL pretty much are guilty of screwing up while driving at one point or another, no one is perfect, I know I've done some boneheaded stuff in my day too, but can't remember an incident with someone on a bike when i was cagin' it. I think bikers all kinda have a special gift of paying attention to fellow bikers when we are cagin'. Just be aware of everyone else, react rationally if you have to, and no need to over react if it wasn't an especially close call, just a lapse of attention that caused you a small amount of nervousness.
Gilly
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
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RE: Almost hit by a cager today
I do not think it is a bad thing to let someone in a car know that they are getting close, I know since I have been riding I pay a hell of a lot more attention to bikes. I think everyone should have to take a motorcycle safety course along with drivers ed I might be taking it a bit far but...the more you are aware of the more you pay attention right?
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 993
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
RE: Almost hit by a cager today
Normally I am an easy going kind of guy, so for me this was a bit of an overreaction. For many others, possibly an underreaction. So, I do admit to a bit of drama.
It may very well could have been just a "lapse of judgement" on her part. She may have been having "a bad day". I do believe "she just didn't see me".
I wonder which one would look best on my tombstone. The graveyards are full of people that fell victim to drivers that do not take responsibility for driving a deadly weapon. For some drivers, driving a car is done without thought towards the safety of others. They just want to get where they are going..
Riders are much more vunerable to those kind of drivers. One of the things I have noticed by being part of the forum and from relationships with other riders, is that we have to watch out for each other. And do. Part of my slight overreaction was not for myself but for the next rider she comes close to. He may not be so lucky.
It may very well could have been just a "lapse of judgement" on her part. She may have been having "a bad day". I do believe "she just didn't see me".
I wonder which one would look best on my tombstone. The graveyards are full of people that fell victim to drivers that do not take responsibility for driving a deadly weapon. For some drivers, driving a car is done without thought towards the safety of others. They just want to get where they are going..
Riders are much more vunerable to those kind of drivers. One of the things I have noticed by being part of the forum and from relationships with other riders, is that we have to watch out for each other. And do. Part of my slight overreaction was not for myself but for the next rider she comes close to. He may not be so lucky.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,976
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From:
RE: Almost hit by a cager today
ORIGINAL: jeffbcn
Normally I am an easy going kind of guy, so for me this was a bit of an overreaction. For many others, possibly an underreaction. So, I do admit to a bit of drama.
It may very well could have been just a "lapse of judgement" on her part. She may have been having "a bad day". I do believe "she just didn't see me".
I wonder which one would look best on my tombstone. The graveyards are full of people that fell victim to drivers that do not take responsibility for driving a deadly weapon. For some drivers, driving a car is done without thought towards the safety of others. They just want to get where they are going..
Riders are much more vunerable to those kind of drivers. One of the things I have noticed by being part of the forum and from relationships with other riders, is that we have to watch out for each other. And do. Part of my slight overreaction was not for myself but for the next rider she comes close to. He may not be so lucky.
Normally I am an easy going kind of guy, so for me this was a bit of an overreaction. For many others, possibly an underreaction. So, I do admit to a bit of drama.
It may very well could have been just a "lapse of judgement" on her part. She may have been having "a bad day". I do believe "she just didn't see me".
I wonder which one would look best on my tombstone. The graveyards are full of people that fell victim to drivers that do not take responsibility for driving a deadly weapon. For some drivers, driving a car is done without thought towards the safety of others. They just want to get where they are going..
Riders are much more vunerable to those kind of drivers. One of the things I have noticed by being part of the forum and from relationships with other riders, is that we have to watch out for each other. And do. Part of my slight overreaction was not for myself but for the next rider she comes close to. He may not be so lucky.
I have learned through experience and listening to others, a biker can't win an argument with a 4 wheeled vehicle, even on the best of days.
I wonder if we shouldn't just have bumper stickers we carry on us, and when someone does a really stupid maneuver in a car, just slap a big sticker on their car that says "Caution, I run over bikers". That way the next rider that gets close might stand a chance.
I like to think they are all out to get me.
Ride safe[sm=biker2.gif]
DougJ