Problem is motorcyclists, not cyclists

[nscrbug]

As a motorcyclist AND a bicyclist, I am confused and somewhat offended by Sapphire's comments. The fact that she boldly states that motorcyclists should not EXIST on the highways is just about the silliest thing I have ever read on this forum. A lot of what I learned from motorcycling has easily transferred over to my cycling, and vice-versa. And for what it's worth, I have wrecked on my motorcycle (was lucky to walk away unscathed from it) yet I certainly don't share the sentiment that we shouldn't exist out there. All I can say to that is...WOW!

[OakLeaf]

I will limit myself to pointing out that a former MotoGP champion and a former World Superbike champion are riding the Maratona dles Dolomites together tomorrow. That the first man to win five consecutive World Superbike races has finished on the podium at Moab. Do I even need to mention Team Elbowz, or the fact that bicis are the preferred training for most professional motorcyclists right now?

Pax said it best. This is disgusting.

[Jen12]

Wow...um...there are clearly a lot of strong feelings on this. For my money, most of the reaction is to a post where someone expressed a dislike for something. So what? I have a dog. There's a big bru-ha-ha in my neighborhood about dogs being allowed or not in the park. Some people don't like them or want them there...I tend not to take it personally.

Did anyone read the article the original poster linked to? It was about trying to move people from motorcycles to bicycles. I found it pretty interesting. It's certainly a valid conversation for several reasons. I haven't been on this forum very long, but it has seemed like a place where people can express preferences for different things. I would like to see some discussion on the issues in the OP...anyone?

[Trek420]

but since we have our motorcyclists here and this is related:

A close friend just bought a used Vespa. She figures to use it around town, ride to BART (train), says it'll be safe. It's not freeway rated.

I told her that's great, I'm excited for her. I asked if she's taking the class offered by the Highway Patrol or any other motorcycle course.

She says "what? That costs over $200"

She has a helmet, that's it.

If I got a Vespa I'd figure the $200 is less than extended care learning to feed myself again. I imagine some get a motorcycle and think "It's like driving, I can drive .. ." but there are very different skills. Just as new cyclists feel "it's like riding a bicycle" very easy to do but there's much to learn.

[Jen12]

If I got a Vespa I'd figure the $200 is less than extended care learning to feed myself again.

LOL...you sound like my mother. Her favorite saying is, "it's cheaper than the emergency room."

[shootingstar]

I keep on my forgetting: one of my brothers-in-law has a Vespa that he rides regularily to and from work. He enjoys his Vespa and does exercise care only to ride during certain seasons of the year.

He has 2 young children. My sister does not ride the Vespa...she walks, transit or drives. She's not interested in trying. She is a jogger when she can squeeze in time. They have 1 car.

They live very close to downtown Toronto. He works in downtown Toronto.

I think I have a problem: I don't see my family enough and I keep on forgetting alot of stuff about them!!

When we were in Greece ...over 25 years ago, on one of the islands there was motorcycle rental for a low rate. So my friends used them for about an hr. No helmet. It actually shocked me...at that time, because of some of the speeds that I saw. And I know my friends had no previous motorcycling experience. I absolutely did not want to try..and part of it was related to my distrust..of driving a car.

I had not even returned to cycling at that time.

[Trek420]

LOL...you sound like my mother. Her favorite saying is, "it's cheaper than the emergency room."

You never know who people are on the internet or who you'll meet. Maybe I am your mother

[bmccasland]

prejudiced ideas about those who ride "crotch rockets" ... BUSTED!

So there I was having a nice lunch today on the open front patio of a restaurant when guy backs his "crotch rocket" into a parking directly in front of me. I was not thinking pleasant thoughts, as I've noticed that most guys riding crotch rockets tend to be the ones weaving in and out of traffice as compared to someone riding a Goldwing. So there I was thinking not nice things about the young punk, when he takes of his helmet... dude was in his 50s, and he set at the table next me. Was a nice guy.

My personal experience is basically been good with motorcycle riders. The m/c club that rides escort with the LA-MS 150 Tour for the Cure are saints, there was the group of Christian Motorcycle Association that set up a field kitchen in Chalmette, LA in the immediate days after Katrina, the guy that was out for a nice sunday ride and stopped for us when we were broken down on the side of the freeway 5 miles east of Yuma, AZ in early September (pre-cell phone days) and no one else did.

So if maniacs want to test the laws of gravity and fate and ride their bikes like idiots, I'll be more than happy to dial 911 when they wreck. They have a right to the road just as much as anyone else. Drunk drivers on the otherhand, well don't get me started.

[tangentgirl]

Yep, motorcycles are dangerous. Mostly to the motorcycle rider, same as a bicycle.

I think that people who ride motorcycles are more likely to be aware of anyone on two wheels, and give extra courtesy to bicycles, even when the MC rider is in his or her car.

I too drive on the LA freeways. Motorcycles take up less space and help alleviate traffic, something we really need here. They also get waaaay better gas mileage than a car - 80-100 mpg rocks. Splitting lanes is legal in California, so you do have to watch out for them. Overall, though, I feel like motorcycles have a positive impact.

All that said, if someone I love was in a motorcycle accident, even if they were relatively ok, I'd be pretty freaked out. I kind of understand where Sapphire is coming from, even though I don't agree with her.