What's Wrong w/ Cage Drivers?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,229
Likes: 7,806
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
I LOVE being European. If you don't split lanes in the UK, cagers look at you funny.
This morning, for example, I happily glided slowly (1st gear all the way) between hundreds of cars stopped on the A10 on the way into London. Those that could moved out of the way for me - the road is plenty wide enough to accommodate such slight course corrections and there was no danger of me ever coming into contact with another vehicle. As soon as traffic conditions permit you just rejoin your lane of choice and off everybody goes.
I have never heard of anyone deliberately opening their door to injure a rider over here.
This morning, for example, I happily glided slowly (1st gear all the way) between hundreds of cars stopped on the A10 on the way into London. Those that could moved out of the way for me - the road is plenty wide enough to accommodate such slight course corrections and there was no danger of me ever coming into contact with another vehicle. As soon as traffic conditions permit you just rejoin your lane of choice and off everybody goes.
I have never heard of anyone deliberately opening their door to injure a rider over here.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,229
Likes: 7,806
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Speaking of lane splitting...this past summer I made a few work related trips to New York City...in Manhattan, going up to East 86th. Usually when I go to this client ...it's in late fall into winter. This was first time in summer I think...and I was surprised to see more bikes than I expected to see I guess.
How can anyone enjoy riding in that? Can't even get out of 2nd gear. Taxi drivers that own the road. Buses. Crazy delivery kids on bikes.
I'd rather cut my hair with a toenail clipper than try to cruise the Harley through that craziness!
How can anyone enjoy riding in that? Can't even get out of 2nd gear. Taxi drivers that own the road. Buses. Crazy delivery kids on bikes.
I'd rather cut my hair with a toenail clipper than try to cruise the Harley through that craziness!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 14
From: CENTRAL IL
"I know that what I did is unlawful, but I don't understand that behavior."
wow it must be nice to be so important and your time so much more valuable than anyone else that the laws don't apply to you too. you were both wrong, but hey you almost got hurt showing them how you could stay even with them.
wow it must be nice to be so important and your time so much more valuable than anyone else that the laws don't apply to you too. you were both wrong, but hey you almost got hurt showing them how you could stay even with them.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
This morning I was going in between the two lines of stopped cars like every morning (same traffic jams every day). This morning a guy in is brand new Mercedes decided that I should not pass. He literally closed left toward the car on the left lane (so much that he almost bumped into it), for 10 good seconds, then went back in his lane and gave me a finger. I stopped next to him, looked at him. Took him 30 seconds to look at me again just to give me another finger. I took off in between the two lanes and went my way.
I know that what I did is unlawful, but I don't understand that behavior. Why does he care that I can move if he can't? He's stuck, anyway.
My story of the day.
Vince
I know that what I did is unlawful, but I don't understand that behavior. Why does he care that I can move if he can't? He's stuck, anyway.
My story of the day.
Vince
Look at it this way. It's kind of like when two lanes of traffic are being narrowed down to one. All those cars that speed up in the lane that is closing and then merging into the open lane just creates more of a traffic jam for those already there.
That's probably the way he was feeling. Not to excuse his behavior, but I've been in those situations and it's not fun sitting still for 5 minutes while idiots that were too stupid to merge a ways back slow you down even more.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 63
From: Eastern Washington State
The guy in the Benz was being an ******* plain and simple. Regardless of whether Voony was breaking the law or not, it didn't affect the Mercedes guy in the least bit and he should have just minded his own damn business. He's in no position to enforce the law, especially when the law-breaker's actions had no effect on him.
This is amusing in a way. Think about all the posts over the months about kicking doors, throwing ball bearings or other objects, breaking mirrors, yelling at people on cell phones, getting off the bike and hitting or otherwise creating mayhem on a driver perceived to have broken some law and the guns and whips to threaten lawbreakers in a cage.
Now suddenly, a guy on a bike is doing something illegal, a cage driver reacts much the same way as bike riders claim to do and he is dubbed an azzhole?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 125
From: Japan
Lane splitting on the shoulder is legal here in Japan, but only if there's an actual sidewalk for pedestrians and only if traffic is stopped. Lane splitting down the middle is illegal, but I still do it when I feel the need and when I think I have enough room. Either way, cagers are usually very polite and will even make room for you when they see or hear you coming. I even hit a guy's mirror one time (doing it the legal way), and I stopped to apologize and inspect his mirror. He just waved me on as if to say, "it's cool, dude. No problem." I bowed (dipped my head) and went my way. Whenever I'm on my Harley, people treat me almost like royalty, here. Even the cops either gawk at my bike or simply leave me alone, even though I have several obviously illegal mods and wear an illegal helmet most of the time. It's kinda cool...
Anyway, if it were me in the OP's shoes, I woulda just sat there with a smile on my face and while the guy in the Mercedes did his thing and then just rode past him still smiling when traffic started to move again - that usually pisses 'em off even more...
Anyway, if it were me in the OP's shoes, I woulda just sat there with a smile on my face and while the guy in the Mercedes did his thing and then just rode past him still smiling when traffic started to move again - that usually pisses 'em off even more...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 5
From: Hudson Valley, NY
Lane splitters are ********? LMFAO you just buy that Harley yesterday?
I imagine he stands a MUCH greater chance of scratching his precious Mercedes by turning into the bike and almost crushing the rider no? God seeing a "biker" defend this aggressive behavior by someone in a cage makes me want to puke.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 5
From: Hudson Valley, NY
Maybe he didn't want someone to squeeze past his car and scuff it up....like some lane splitting motorcyclists have been known to do if things get tight in that lane..nope, wait..it's not a lane...err...while riding the yellow lines.
Perhaps the guy in the Benz had his door scratched/dented once by a bike doing such a thing. It does happen.
Perhaps the guy in the Benz had his door scratched/dented once by a bike doing such a thing. It does happen.
Any biker who hasn't lane split probably rides less than 1000 miles a year. An air cooled engine and stiff hand clutch, isn't the same as a cushy car with AC, sitting in traffic is not equivalent. At times you have no choice but to lane split. It is only dangerous if some sociopath decides to try and murder you because you're beating traffic.
Last edited by babalu; Sep 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 319
Likes: 4
From: Southeastern Michigan
So let me get this straight, you are illegally splitting lanes getting thru "the same traffic jam that happens every morning" and YOU are upset because someone does not appreciate what you are doing and shows you the universal hand signal for displeasure? 
What makes you so special that you don't have to wait in the line of traffic like everyone else? Just because you can slide thru dosen't mean you should. More often than not these jams are compounded from the result of people trying to slide thru instead of waiting their turn.
JMHO BUT, How can we expect any sympathy for our causes and complain about what cars do to us when we break the law and try to justify it by using lame excuses (I can slide thru, my air cooled engine will overheat, my clutch hand hurts...). No wonder we can't get stiffer penalities legislation passed.
