ooh crazy things we've seen drivers do i have one. a guy was driving with his knees, he was turned around smacking his kid with one hand, in his other hand was a pipe. he was not smoking tobacco. i could smell the marijuana since my window was rolled down. all i could think was - welcome to Eugene, OR. sigh.
A neighbor of mine was riding his motor cycle when a careless person threw open the door to his car. my neighbor was too close to be able to get out of the way, hit the door and was launched off his bike.
He has been in a wheelchair ever since, can't walk and has limited use of his hands. He was 23 when this happened.
We are a big Motorcyle family and this freaks me out. So many people aren't aware or care about motorcyclists. Many people cut them off to short, use their wipers to clean their windows, not realizing that the wash can spray behind the vehicle and onto the motorcylcists facemask etc.
I honestly hadn't the slightest idea I was supposed to worry before using my windshield wipers.
I honestly hadn't the slightest idea I was supposed to worry before using my windshield wipers.
I think this may be referring to the windshield cleaning solution that shoots onto the windshield, and in most of my cars, right over the car and onto the car behind me? My dad is a recent biker and he and I were just talking about that this weekend. It hits him right in the face when people use the cleaner at a traffic light with him right behind them. It never occurred to me before that.
Julie, I think that Shannon explained it perfectly... I am not only talking about the trafficlights or stop signs, but just the usual prick who HAS to wash their windows with a TON of washerfluid for a longer then usual duration. Those idiots.
Thanks for all of the replies on here. I read where Anita's son is painting his nails black in support of his mother and is encouraging the students he teaches to do the same. I will do this after my wedding in support of Anita.
If only one thing comes from my post, I hope it is this. Remember that motorcycling is our hobby. We are regular people, we are mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, wives, g/f or significant others, and so on. We work in offices, diners, country clubs, schools, hospitals, stores, homes, and many other professional places..... We could be your neigbor, friend, or co worker. Please watch out for us....... we are watching as much as we can for you.
I am ashamed to admit that I never thought about the folks behind me when cleaning the windshield. From now on I will be on the look out!
Me too! A good friend of mine is a motorcyclist (bought her first cycle at 61, which I think is so cool!) so I will definitely be keeping this in mind. I admit, I haven't thought of it before either.
I am ashamed to admit that I never thought about the folks behind me when cleaning the windshield. From now on I will be on the look out!
don't be ashamed, please! But thank you for being on the look out now
Some states have mandatory Motorcycle Education includedwith the basic driver training, and little things like that can then be brought to light.
Something else...if you might be driving a little to the right of your lane, your right side tires might be kicking up alot of gravel, sand, dust. Not a big deal if there is a car behind you, but if a motorcycle or scooter is behind you it is at the least an annoyance.
Also - pitching a cigarette butt out the window is littering, and it sometimes lands in the lap of a motorcyclist behind you. Not fun to deal with!
No one likes to be tailgated, and it is especially harrowing if a car is tailgating a motorcycle.
I appreciate being able to address so many people here, to maybe shed a little light on things that might have never occured to some, but is very very important to motorcyclists.
And to the lady who bought her first bike at 61 - you rock!
And don't forget that what applies to motorcyclists also applies to bicyclists (a shout out for those of us on two people-leg powered vehicles). -- I've been hit with cigarette butts, bottle tops, bags of McDonald's garbage (seriously)...and YES the windshield washer stuff gets on us, too, especially at stop lights...
