Here's what pisses me off

[eesnas]

I talked to someone today that was telling me how dangerous motorcycles are and how there are no helmet laws in their state so whenever there is an accident they shut the highway down and it's usually a fatality. She told me of the horrible deaths and she was surprised when I told her I will be riding again when I get my bike back, she knows I was rear ended etc etc...

So just as I start to reply about that's the risk we take and the no helmet law thing is just Darwin-ism; law or no law I am wearing a helmet and the people that don't clearly understand the risk they take.

Then she goes on to tell me how she was driving with her son and he was text messaging while driving! I simply replied, "bikes are not dangerous, people like your son are."

I just hate hearing about people texting while driving, and the fact she told me he does it all the time...    When will people wake up and realize the bike itsself is not dangerous but the morons and their stupid multi-tasking while driving is the problem?!

She agreed it is awful that her son texts and drives, the reality is there are more and more people turning 16 every year and it's only going to get way worse. For the record he is in his mid 20's... 

[Raux]

let's face it, the only way to make the roads safe is to take drivers (cagers) out of the equation. ie automatic pilot that acutally works, not cruise control and a moron behind the wheel reading a text message.

[Scottish]

WTF is wrong with that lady?? I'm thirty-two, my Dad would still kick my ass if he saw me doing that.

[eesnas]

WTF is wrong with that lady?? I'm thirty-two, my Dad would still kick my ass if he saw me doing that.

I think a lot of people are like this... they sit there and say bikes are dangerous but they are actually the dangerous part of the equation.

My mom gives me a hard time about the bike, yada yada etc etc... Meanwhile she is a terrible driver so I just tell her the bike is safe it's people that drive like her that are what I need to watch out for... 

[Scottish]

I think a lot of people are like this... they sit there and say bikes are dangerous but they are actually the dangerous part of the equation.

My mom gives me a hard time about the bike, yada yada etc etc... Meanwhile she is a terrible driver so I just tell her the bike is safe it's people that drive like her that are what I need to watch out for... 

Actually you are right to some degree. I can say on the positive side that my wifes awareness of motorcycles has increased dramatically since we got together. From me she is now much more aware of the dangers we face on motorcycles and she makes sure to be aware and gives space to motorcyclist now.  My Stepmother is beyond help though, my Mom is a rider and has been hit by cars before so she needs no help in that regard, the rest of my family rides too.

[GLantern]

Actually you are right to some degree. I can say on the positive side that my wifes awareness of motorcycles has increased dramatically since we got together. From me she is now much more aware of the dangers we face on motorcycles and she makes sure to be aware and gives space to motorcyclist now. 

My gf is the same way now too, spread the good word!

[mxwinky]

Having just (luckily) escaped injury when a deaf, dumb, blind & distracted cager changed lanes into me on the freeway, I can heartily endorse what you're saying here.  There's very little dangerous in motoring down the road on my motorcycle.  But put a car out there with me, piloted by someone completely absorbed in anything but actually driving their vehicle, and I'm in serious jeopardy.  That's why I wear all the best gear money can buy and ride with a keen awareness of the numbnecks around me.  Cars don't kill people, people in cars kill people.

[Howie]

Teens aren't the only ones texting. 

Obviously this won't happen, but just imagine if all cars had:
            manual transmissions
            charging systems just powerfull enough to operate the car
            no sound system
            no GPS
            no cup holders
            and would immediately stall from a cell signal insied the car
           

[bdub]

 Cell signal cancelling the the car running!!!! That's great. Put that into production

[herm]

i wonder if those cell signal blockers are powerful enough to block calls as you ride by the car?

eh,....hm.
disregard. that would probably make them more dangerous

[R.Douglas]

Teens aren't the only ones texting. 

Obviously this won't happen, but just imagine if all cars had:
            manual transmissions
            charging systems just powerfull enough to operate the car
            no sound system
            no GPS
            no cup holders
            and would immediately stall from a cell signal insied the car
           

That's Hilarious!  I'm all for that until I'm the one forced to drive it in offseason...

[Statler]

I'd like to see some public service ads on primetime with some basic physics lessons in them.   I don't think 80% of people could tell you how much their car weighed.

Have some line about you being responsible for 4,000 lbs of steel.  Then have that car crush a motorcyclist, or another car.  Then have voiceover say 'get off your phone, stop texting, put the drink down, and be responsible for the two tons of metal you so casually use to get around.

[Grampa]

take her son out for a burger..... then chop his fingers off

[GLantern]

I'd like to see some public service ads on primetime with some basic physics lessons in them.   I don't think 80% of people could tell you how much their car weighed.

Have some line about you being responsible for 4,000 lbs of steel.  Then have that car crush a motorcyclist, or another car.  Then have voiceover say 'get off your phone, stop texting, put the drink down, and be responsible for the two tons of metal you so casually use to get around.

That would be a great commcercial how do we go about getting something like that aired?  Im sure someone on the DMF has a connection, anybody?

[toaster]

Teens aren't the only ones texting. 

Obviously this won't happen, but just imagine if all cars had:
            manual transmissions
            charging systems just powerfull enough to operate the car
            no sound system
            no GPS
            no cup holders
            and would immediately stall from a cell signal insied the car
           

my "fun" car was/is kinda like that.  5 speed, exhaust is too loud talk on the phone or to hear a radio (which im pulling out anyways), no cupholders, and the cigarette lighter doesnt work so i cant use gps. 

not that i would ever need gps as im a male and have an innate sense of direction built in to my brain.