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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at 'Think Bike' posters and other ads telling drivers to be considerate to motorcyclists ??

220 replies

Tinkerbell7373 · 19/01/2017 23:19

Every time I see one of these posters or adverts on TV it really irritates me in fact totally pisses me off
We are continually told to look out for motorbikes etc - when motorbike riders are thee most reckless, dangerous, inconsiderate people on the roads !! They speed, weave in and out of traffic, cut in when they feel like it and generally think they can do whatever they like !!! How about posters and adverts aimed at them saying 'Think Car' or 'Don't ride like a dick and you won't have, or cause, so many accidents !'

OP posts:
LuisCarol · 20/01/2017 01:03
amammabear · 20/01/2017 01:04

Nobettername StarStarStar you win the internet for the day!. That is so well written!

My family are part of a bike community. We ride very big, brightly coloured Honda Goldwings. As standard, they are dripping in lights, and many owners add a wide variety of extras. One might a few years ago after a parade in Blackpool (as such, the bike was absolutely covered in lights! These guys outdo the illuminations!) a car hit one of these bikes- and while waiting for the police uttered the immortal line "Sorry Mate, I Didn't See You".

SMIDSY-ism is a massive issue and there is no excuse for it.

Also, I don't see how someone who has never trained as a rider can comment on what is or isn't included in that training...

ExplodedCloud · 20/01/2017 01:10

It's great that nobettername's excellent post has helped explain.
There are twats on 2 and 4 wheels. The twats on 2 wheels tend to kill themselves. The twats on 4 wheels kill themselves, their friends and innocent people far more often :(
And don't forget that sensible bikers are judging too Yes I do mean you Mr Biker on the M5 in fucking flip flops

amammabear · 20/01/2017 01:12

"I just have a problem with the ones that ride like maniacs, not being reminded to be more aware of the cars they are putting in danger too. But as I am now informed - they are during their CBT training. And that's it. Never reminded again. Unlike car drivers. Constantly reminded"

You see that is just plain wrong. Bikers are reminded- but you're not a biker, so you're not part of biking communities, so you don't see it, because you don't need to! Besides the fact that most bikers are also car drivers and therefore, crucially, understand it from both sides- which is what so many car drivers, including yourself, can't do.

And yes, some ride like maniacs. Some car drivers drive like maniacs, some pedestrians are maniacs... Some people, are not everybody.

ExplodedCloud · 20/01/2017 01:13

Not see a Goldwing?

amammabear · 20/01/2017 01:14

And yes, like explodedcloud says- nobody, and I mean nobody, judges bad bikers more than good bikers.

amammabear · 20/01/2017 01:17

Honestly explodedcloud it was on the motorway coming out of Blackpool, in the dark, in the middle lane overtaking a car when the car suddenly pulled in to his lane. He was utterly covered in lights and towing a trailer with lights on, so it was huge!

The most ridiculous thing was, there was nobody else there for the car to overtake- he changed lanes for no reason at all.

ExplodedCloud · 20/01/2017 01:21
Shock
Sybis · 20/01/2017 01:33

A big fat YABU from me

Politix · 20/01/2017 01:45

YABU. I promise you that bike riders are always 'thinking car'

PetalMettle · 20/01/2017 02:06

Yabu. Bike riders are always "thinking car" (I'm not one but I assume) as drivers do stupid things and on two wheels they're a lot more vulnerable. Nothing wrong with drivers being reminded of that fact. Fwiw my DH only ever complains about the biking of the deliveroo guys who tend to be learners so I don't agree that the majority are bad

SausageFarmer · 20/01/2017 02:54

OP, you're a dick.

As a biker myself, I've only ever had issues with people who haven't seen me, therefore hit me.

2 accidents I've been in. One I was stationary at a red light and they went into the back of me causing me to take a free flying lesson. The other didn't see me and pulled out on me, hitting me and giving me another free flying lesson, a broken leg and 2 broken ribs. Not to mention my poor bike!

Some bikers are dicks. Especially the t-shirt squad, but most are extremely respectful of the road and watch out for others.

'Weaving' btw is called filtering.

twattymctwatterson · 20/01/2017 03:02

How unpleasant. You're annoyed at a campaign that could potentially save someone's life? As PPs have pointed out, if your car hits a bike the person on the bike is always going to be worse off than you. I'm a car driver but can honestly say that I've encountered far more dangerous car drivers than motorcyclists or cyclists. YABVVVU and really horrible

trulyscrumptious33 · 20/01/2017 04:32

I recently went on a speed awareness course, and they talked to us about something called observational blindness. This, they explained, is where drivers have a tendency to be less observant of vulnerable road users (motorcyclists, cyclists, etc) because of their size. A reminder is no bad thing!

Charleymouse · 20/01/2017 04:33

YABU

stripeyorangesocks71 · 20/01/2017 04:52

This post has really annoyed me. Not all motorcyclists are reckless, dangerous and inconsiderate. And the signs are out because they aren't protected by a huge bubble of metal surrounding them like they would be in a car. They are allowed to filter through traffic, many car drivers don't realise this and are jealous they can't get to the front of a queue of traffic. If this is the case, why don't you learn to ride a bike and see what it's like for yourself. Many people don't look out or think twice for motorcyclists at junctions or roundabouts and I'm guessing you're one of those people

FruitCider · 20/01/2017 05:19

Motorcyclists are far less likely to be in an accident that car drivers, but the accidents they are in are more likely to be fatal.

I gave up my bike after my child was born, I'm now a canner. However I keep eyeing up quad bikes Grin

Anyway SMIDSY or "Sorry mate, I didn't see you" is just a shit excuse for piss poor driving. Check your mirrors and blind spots please!

sashh · 20/01/2017 05:36

It's more that you don't see posters and adverts on TV telling motorcyclists to 'Think Car' and how they should be more considerate to cars. It's always aimed at the car drivers.

When you are on a bike you have no option to 'think car', 'think van', 'think ruddy great truck'.

Your posts point out why you need 'think bike' notices - you don't notice people on motorbikes, you only notice the reckless ones.

Justanothernameonthepage · 20/01/2017 05:42

Would you be happy if they also has 'think lorries' media campaign for drivers? I remember being told to be careful around large road vehicles in my lessons but haven't had to remember to look out for them since. Bikers are reminded all the time about cars and being as visible as possible. Just not on TV. I do think that you should probably go for a CBT trial lesson if you truly believe that bike riders might not see drivers.

DameSquashalot · 20/01/2017 05:51

Sorry, I haven't RTFT but I think YABU. It's more difficult to see motorbikes and cyclists.

I had a really scary moment in a cab where the driver was about to pull out in front of an approaching motorcycle. He only stopped because I made a weird screaming noise. He would have hit us and been thrown off his bike. This is why drivers need to be reminded.

Now I will RTFT.

Sirzy · 20/01/2017 05:54

Whether the bike driver is riding like an idiot or not it doesn't change the fact that as a car driver we need to be aware of other road users, including those being dicks, and do what we can to prevent an accident.

OrraBoralis · 20/01/2017 06:07

Fuck, you should try driving in Asia! There are millions of motorcyclists around and the majority are not wearing anything more than an old helmet, shorts and flip-flops and often have a few kids along as well.

That means I am very, very aware of motorcyclists to the point of checking all my mirrors all the time. If I see a cyclist behind me I am watching him like a hawk and if he goes into my blindspot I would never change lanes until I can see him again.

If it means I slow traffic for a short moment then so be it rather that than cause an accident. I will admit though I swear like a trooper when at traffic lights I have four in front, two or three either side and four behind. I hate that. I always think one wrong move by any of us will lead to disaster.

bloodymaria · 20/01/2017 06:08

YABU. Deliberately goady fucker.

EdnaCrumplehorn · 20/01/2017 06:18

The point is duty of care.

Usually it's cars, vans, trucks and buses that do the maiming and killing of motor cyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. They therefore should have the greater duty of care to other road and pavement users.

For anyone to be offended by a 'think bike campaign" is frankly depressing.

itsallbollocks · 20/01/2017 06:27

I drive for a living, and there are some fucking idiots out there, with no regard for human life. We should all take more care on the roads, and look out for each other. No harm in being reminded of that.

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