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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask if some drivers really do have this opinion about motorcyclists?

173 replies

Shinyredbike · 25/03/2016 20:24

I ride a bike. A shiny red one in fact Grin

I'm a member of a biker group/page thing on FB and came across a rather nasty post, it was a screenshot of someone ranting about motorcyclists and how irresponsible they are, how they should grow up and get a car and stop messing around on their toys (bikes).

He also suggested that it wasn't his responsibility to look out for bikers when he is driving, as the adverts suggest you should, and that bascially if you ride a bike its your own fault if you get injured or killed as you shouldn't be on a bike in the first place.

Now, obviously this particular guy was a prick but is his view actually quite representative of a lot of drivers? Ok they might not say it so harshly but actually I do think, from the conversations I've had with car drivers that a lot of them do seem to feel this way.

I know a lot of bikers do ride like twats and obviously they shouldn't, and I can't blame car drivers who dislike bikers who act this way but aibu to wonder if some drivers really do just inherently dislike bikers even when they don't ride like twats?

Fwiw, I don't ride like a twat, I don't speed, overtake stupidly or filter when I shouldn't. Actually I don't really filter at all because in most cases I don't feel safe doing it but I've had some pretty harsh comments directed at me just because I prefer bikes over cars, as if I am some sort of idiot with a death wish!

OP posts:
Original poster
Shinyredbike · 25/03/2016 22:15

You would think so wouldn't you baby?

Bluebell, thank you for moving over I do appreciate it Grin Although sometimes drivers move over for me but I don't want to overtake because I don't think I'm safe or have enough room and I don't know how to let them know!

OP posts:
ActivelyAnxious · 25/03/2016 22:31

Agree with PPs that you get decent and twittish people on or in all manner of vehicles!

I get frustrated with the latter type whether they're in a car or on a motorbike, but I must admit I find it especially nerve-wracking when bikers ride irresponsibly because they seem to me to be more vulnerable road users (no protective hunk of metal round them!) and sometimes it feels as if careful driving on my part won't help at all if they're busy doing dangerous manoeuvres around me.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 25/03/2016 22:51

I have no problem at all with bikers - apart from the new neighbour who seems to think it's acceptable to ride his motorbike on the pavement and the knob who came flying up my inside in the cycle lane!

Seriously, it's a shame all road users can't just be courteous to each other. It won't happen though...

SuperCee7 · 25/03/2016 22:55

I don't think most drivers think like this. But when I come across motorcyclists they're more often than not, driving what I would deem recklessly. I imagine being able to go about on a motorbike is wonderful and I certainly wouldn't see them as "toys" etc but many seem to drive like the rules don't apply to them because they can "nip" around.

AnthonyBlanche · 25/03/2016 23:13

The majority of motorcyclists around here pay no attention to the rules of the road, I honestly think some of them have a death wish. And why do they think it's a good idea to ride between two lanes of traffic going in the same direction? Very dangerous. I once even had a motorcyclist undertake me as I was signalling to turn into a parking space (parking was front of car to pavement).

CuppaSarah · 25/03/2016 23:21

I don't mind bikers, I don't think most people mind them. I hate them when I'm stuck in traffic and waft on past, but that's envy. I don't like people on motorbikes who don't wear protective gear, I mean what do these people in t-shirts think will happen if they fall off like that? But I feel the same about people who don't wear seat belts in cars.

I would have loved a motorbike when I was younger, but a lot of my dads friends died in motorbike accidents and I couldn't do that too him.

Smartiepants79 · 26/03/2016 00:00

I'm sure most motorcyclists are good and sensible drivers. I try to watch for them and be considerate and careful.
BUT I have to say, some of the most dangerous driving I have witnessed as I go about my business comes from people on motor bikes.
Weaving, overtaking in some extraordinary situations, cutting me up at traffic lights and roundabouts, excessive speed.....
I have to say I have been left with a poor impressions of bikers as a whole due to some of the antics I have seen.
There are of course many, many terrible car drivers also. I just always feel bikers are so much more vulnerable and should therefore be even better drivers just for their own safety!!

FiveSixPickUpSticks · 26/03/2016 00:07

I find, as a rule, bikers are the more polite drivers.

I agree. My DH is an ex biker and he actually thinks it is because bikers have to 'know the road' more iyswim.

hunibuni · 26/03/2016 00:17

DH drives as his job and rides as a hobby. According to him, he does both assuming that the other road users are trying to kill him Grin I do notice a difference in his driving/riding depending on which he has been doing more of prior to switching, definitely more observant. This has reminded me to order another pair of kevlar jeans for him Smile

IPityThePontipines · 26/03/2016 00:44

I think motorbikes are inherently unsafe and should be outlawed for everyone except police and paramedics.

No matter if the roads were beautifully designed and everyone behaved beautifully, It is not safe to sit on a piece of metal going at 70mph with only some leather for protection.

Hence motorcyclists account for less than 1% of road traffic, but 20% of road deaths and these are Department of Transport figures.

DirtyHarrietOnABike · 26/03/2016 01:01

I think bikers are suicidal. Both motorcycle and bicycle.
I also think that my responsibility whilst driving is to stay in lane and watch out for the traffic in front of me. If a bike sneaks either side of my car in between lanes, it is not my fault if they get injured. Sorry.

BitchyComment · 26/03/2016 01:02

You do come across twatty motorbike riders just as you do car drivers but generally they are ok. My DH sometimes thinks they are riding twattishly when I don't think they are - I think he underestimates the acceleration and manoverability capabilities of many bikes - I suspect that a lot of non-bikers do.

DirtyHarrietOnABike · 26/03/2016 01:04

I also hate bikers impersonating police by wearing a vest saying POLITE.

WTF!

This should be an offence! And it probably is! Shock

BitchyComment · 26/03/2016 01:07

Err, Dirty are you saying that you don't think you need to look behind you when you are driving. I'm constantly checking my rear view mirror and would know if a motorcycle was close behind me or trying to undertake. Even if you don't care if you kill a motorcyclist Hmm then perhaps you care about being prosecuted.

BitchyComment · 26/03/2016 01:10

BTW I think it's a bit twatty when motorcyclist choose 'tarmac' coloured clothing.

I think they should aim for noticible, bright clothing rather than camouflage.

DirtyHarrietOnABike · 26/03/2016 01:14

The only reason I have to look back is when I am moving lanes. As you might know, the fault always lies with the driver at the back. Even if the front driver reversed! If I had to constantly look back, I would never arrive at my destination on time. There are rules and if everyone observed them, there would be no accidents. I am not reponsible for killing a reckless biker who decides to overtake me in MY lane, worse still, on my left. I will definitely not be prosecuted. Because it would not be my fault.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 26/03/2016 01:28

Having been a biker but now a car driver...
The worst bikers are either new young bikers or returning fair weather jolly boys. Them that ride come cloud or rain tend to be cautious. No fancy leathers with wirewool taken to the knee pads.
I did once as a pillion kick the door of a car who was being a total twat and had nearly taken us out three times. Blush
But in general I do think it should be part of the car licence that able bodied NT drivers, do some time on a bike learning about anticipation, road conditions, vulnerability and blind spots.

BitchyComment · 26/03/2016 01:40

Dirty I can't imagine not constantly looking in my rear view mirror, how do you notice if an emergency vehicle is coming up behind you or if some speeding pillock decides to sit on your rear bumper.

Knocking over a biker, even if it was 'technically' his fault would be a complete pain in the arse.

Perhaps in a perfect world you can just look ahead but I don't think it's very sensible.

It only takes a flick of the eyeballs to look in your rear view mirror, I think it's essential.

DirtyHarrietOnABike · 26/03/2016 01:44

Of course I look in my rear view mirror, but not constantly. I normally hear the sirens before I see the emergency vehicles. And of course I do not want to kill a biker - that's why I observe traffic rules to the T. My conscience is completely clear. Of course, I would stop, if I could. But I will not swerve and hit the next car or injure my passenger because of a biker in the wrong.

DirtyHarrietOnABike · 26/03/2016 01:46

There is only so much I can do. I am not almighty and I am not responsible for other people's mistakes. That's why I said in my first reply, that I think bikers are suicidal. I should add 'some', to be fair to the rest. But that's all.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 26/03/2016 01:49

Bugger the rear view mirror. It's a good heads up but you can tell the ex bikers in cars by the glance over the shoulder before changing lanes.

DirtyHarrietOnABike · 26/03/2016 01:53

Oh, not necessarily, haha. I tend to do this sometimes, just to make sure. Been on a bike only once, when my dad put me on one on a country dirt road when I was about 12 and I rode for 20 meters. That's it.

dizzytomato · 26/03/2016 01:56

There's more bikes, horses and motorbikes than cars where we are. I am used to motorbikes. DH rides one, he is both a driver and a biker but loves his bike more because it's economical and only 60% of the roads near us are tarmac so it's easier.

We did have a recent incident where DH was turning left into a side road in the filter lane (we're not in the uk btw so cutting across the other lane) a young lad on a motorbike went through the red light and nearly went over the front of DH'S farm pickup. DH tore a strip off him and one of the pedestrians called the boys dad (small community) his dad came over to ours to confirm and ask if we knew anyone who wanted a new Honda

SouthWestmom · 26/03/2016 02:01

Hate motorbikes and cyclists. Really stressful because they do dangerous or odd things and add to my things to watch out for when driving. It's the way they suddenly appear alongside you that freaks me out. If I move position in the lane slightly I risk taking out a stray bike that's decided to ride parallel or overtake at a weird place.

sashh · 26/03/2016 05:35

I ride a bike. A shiny red one in fact

Not enough information, exactly which bike do you have?