An open letter to every person I meet who finds out I ride a motorcycle (posted due to the good writing and topic)

Let me stop you right there, mmmm-kay? I can tell by that little intake of breath what’s coming next. Thank you in advance, but I already know that motorcycles are “dangerous.” After nearly twenty years of riding on the streets, I am aware; telling me now will not be a revelation. It is not an insight into my lifestyle that has remained hidden from me until this, the moment of epiphany when you shine the light of outsider wisdom on my foolhardy choices.

There are ways I can minimize the risk — by riding defensively, riding sober, knowing my own and my machine’s capabilities, etc. — but I also know there are some risks that are simply beyond my control. But you know what? There a lots of risks that are within my control. We’ve become so pathologically risk-averse that for most people it is inconceivable to assume any additional risk no matter how much joy you might get back in return.

You want to know what’s truly dangerous? Not taking any risks. Hanging out with like-minded middle-of-the-roaders. Absorbing the same brain-ossifying shit from media factories every day. Jogging. Putting helmets, flotation devices, and auto-deploy epi-pens on your kids every time they leave the house. Passivity. Not paying attention to where your car, or your life, or you country is going.

If you don’t get that, that’s OK. I’m not trying to convert anybody, but here are a few tips to save us both a little aggravation:

You don’t need to tell me the horror story about your uncle’s buddy who wiped out his chopper while drag racing at some hooligan rally. That just makes me wish I were talking to your uncle’s buddy instead of you. He sounds pretty cool.

Do not — do NOT — tell me about the time you almost Sausage Creatured a biker because you “couldn’t see him” or he “came out of nowhere.” I have never known a bike to come out of nowhere, but I have seen plenty of cars pull a Crazy Ivan and turn into a lane occupied by a biker or make an impromptu unsignalled left turn in front of an oncoming me. If you’re expecting me to share your outrage at the temerity of bikers to be in the lane you want, you’re more deluded than a goldfish with a passport. I can’t make you see bikes. I can’t make you hang up your phone. They won’t let me mount a .50-caliber machine gun to my bike. So really, there’s not much I can do to change the outcome of your anecdote, so save it for your coreligionists who also have stick-figure families and giant softball stickers with the name “Tailyr” or “Flynn” or “Shyly” on their rear windows.

I do wear a helmet, as a matter of fact, along with other protective gear. But, the fact that you “certainly hope” I wear a helmet is so condescending it makes me want to ride a tricycle completely naked doing doughnuts in your front yard screaming Beastie Boys lyrics at midnight. Trust me, you do not want that. My buttocks are extremely pale and unsightly, especially in moonlight.

Please, do not complain about bikes parking in car parking spaces. Where are we supposed to park? If they let us park up on the curb like in Europe, we would totally do that, and precious few parking lots have motorcycle parking areas. Most cops already have a hard-on for bikes, so parking anywhere but in a designated spot is asking to be impounded.

Yes, I know, some bikes have very loud exhaust. Maybe it’s obnoxious, but at least you knew they were there, didn’t you? They say loud pipes save lives. I don’t know if that’s true, because there hasn’t been a serious comprehensive study of motorcycle safety since 1981, the poetically named Hurt Report. And yes, I know, at one point you probably saw some kid riding his 600cc sport bike at 100mph doing a wheelie down the freeway. He’s a squid, and he’ll either grow up or just take care of himself. Some bikers do crazy things. Anti-social things. Unsanctioned things. I don’t represent him and he doesn’t represent me — that’s the great part of being a biker. I could be a Lowbrow Weirdo or Antoine Predock or Lyle Lovett or just whatever I want to be.

If you’re really so all-fire concerned about my safety, don’t preach at me. Just do me this one favor: pay attention when you’re driving. Keep your greasy fingers off your touch-screen, put down your phone, use your turn signals and lay off the booze before you get on the road with me. You take care of your part and I’ll take care of mine.

But hang-gliding, man, that shit is crazy.

Carter Edman is an architect, writer, and rider in Cleveland, Ohio. He teaches “Motorcycles and American Culture” and other courses at Case Western Reserve University.

posted on http://rideapart.com/2012/06/an-open-letter-to-every-person-i-meet-who-finds-out-i-ride-a-motorcycle/

here is a great saftey idea for motorcyclists at night

Lunasee ASL wheel lights for motorcycles increase rider visibility and safety by providing active side lighting over a broad range, even when bikes are outside the direct path of another vehicle's headlight. That the wraparound installation in action is reminiscent of a TRON Light Cycle doesn't hurt its cause either.

Lunasee cords address several no-see-um issues that tend to plague motorcyclists at night, including:

Lack of side lighting.
Having only single points of light (e.g., a headlight) that often get lost in the environment. Lack of visibility in other drivers' periphery.
Other drivers' stunted ability to judge a motorcycle's distance, speed, and direction.
Late recognition of motorcycle presence that could lead to a near-miss...or impact.
Owning a bike that increases your coolness and appeal with the ladies, but not by quite enough to trump the guy next to you who both has a sweet bike, and works as a fitness model for Nike.
Lunasee installations do not require the addition of batteries or electronics to your wheels.
Instead, a 4mm wide, nearly weightless phosphorescent pin stripe is applied to each rim, and as the wheels rotate, the attachments charge via LEDs mounted to the bike and wired into its power supply. Packages are available for both one and two wheels.
http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/autos/motorcycles/lunasee-motorcycle-wheel-lights.asp

don't drive in typhoon season, you may be a moment away from a house sized boulder squishing you, appearantly

from the entirely interesting and always mind blowing, Neatorama http://www.neatorama.com

Learn from other people's mistakes, don't park too close to the alley, someone may be looking at oncoming traffic on their left and turn too sharply and hit your car on their right

coolest 3rd brake light, and safety cone use ever? Probably

maybe there ought to be a couple more safety inspections on trailers, I'm just sayin!

Winter tires... work better at cold temps below 45 degrees F than summer tires due tot he rubber staying pliable

they also have tread designs that are better at tracking through snow and slush, but its the supple rubber that doesn't get rigid like the summer tires rubber compound when cold

Michelin (very expensive) claims (!) 25% better traction than their competitions tires for winter tires

news at the swap meet. Jeep spontaneously starts engine, while in gear, drives OVER one guy and all his swap meet stuff, across the walk way, and over another collection of transmission stuff before slowing down. No one injured more than scratches.

Everyone was shocked that no kids in strollers, red wagons with kids in them, swap meet shoppers carrying things, etc etc were even in the Jeeps path.

What caused it to turn on? Don't know, and I was looking at the whole thing start to finish from 20 feet away.

Important safety lesson, don't leave the damn keys in the ignition, never leave the transmission in gear when parked.

Bikers pestering a car driver til he tries to kill them? Or car driver found by bikers that had been run off the road the week before. Either way, NSFW and be safe out there friends

Found on http://parkoffka.ru/

earthmover tire inflation cage, proof of ability before you buy is right here

Bumpers need extra protection in some cases nowadays, due to things like expensive back up sensors and fewer insured motorists along the Mexico border

Here in San Diego, being in a collision caused by an insured car owner is known as winning the lotto. That's how rare it is to have the other person be insured, and not a hit and run that will never be found by the cops

I learned about it, and got the above photo from Autowriters.com monthly newsletter this photo taken in front of the Castle of Carovigno (Castelo Dentice di Frasso) in the province of Brindisi, in the region of Puglia, Italy
Jeff Mohr is happy to pass along this photo from over seas for his Superbumper: "We have lots of employees getting rear ended on a regular basis. I am putting them on all our office vehicles. The 4” model on my personal vehicle has been “bumped” numerous times with no damage (to my vehicle at least)," Thad Osterhout, American Embassy, Dakar, Senegal, Africa. 

Wrong Pedal? I Wonder Why ...by Denise McCluggage, article in Oct 1 2012 issue of Auto Week, and on Denise's own website

Women drivers—specifically really young ones and really old ones—are more likely than other drivers to cause collisions by putting a foot wrong. ( http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/women_more_likely_to_mistake_g.html )

 Or so says a recent report from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ( DOT HS 811 597 )

The study found that women—more specifically 20- and 76-year olds—were disproportionately likely to tromp on the accelerator when they aimed for the brake. Thus crashing, most often in parking lots. The report seemed almost apologetic, like they expected to get yelled out for politically incorrectness. But I nod in easy belief for many reasons. First the young women: my evidence is anecdotal but I give good anecdote so trust me. Girls are better students than boys. They also tend to have confidence in what they learn. They’ve been attentive in driver’s-ed and, bless their naïve little hearts, are positive they now know How to Drive.

A single anecdote: a friend riding with such a daughter offered a suggestion (really a plea) which was rejected with: “Da-aad, I know what I’m doing!” My friend told me that all has daughter knew was foot hard on the brake or hard on the gas. Such conviction cannot imagine error. Car doesn’t slow when the “brake” is pushed? Push harder. Another thing, what is this 20-year-old wearing on her driving feet? I’d like to see accident reports include that information. Flip-flops? Quite possible. And quite hazardous. Or maybe stiletto heels or platform sandals. Not ideal for sensing what one’s feet are doing in pedal land.

 Now for the older segment. When “unintended acceleration” first came into our ken years ago drivers most often involved were found to be short of stature. (Stretching to depress the pedals?) Also many had recently changed from one model car to another. (Unfamiliarity with pedal location?)

 Now consider this. Even if the older women are driving a car they’ve had for years their relationship to the pedals could well be new to them. Experience speaking here. One day I got into my ’93 Sidekick and became aware that my steering wheel was fuzzily – annoyingly—encroaching into my field of vision. The wheel is not adjustable. Little is in an old Suzuki.

 What had happened? My condensing spine, yielding to mounting years of gravity, had reached a Notice Point. Like the wicked witch I was “shrinking, shrinking!” So I bought a wedge-shaped cushion for the car seat and, sigh, was elevated back to normality. No bothersome steering wheel intrusion and my chin boldly level again. And thus my eyes looking, not peering. (Level, dear driver, is of critical importance for proper placement of the horizon. A proper horizon helps you nail your turns. Doubt me not.) My Suzuki seating, being kitchen-chair upright, created no problems for me with the pedals, but in most cars old-age shrinkage can change a driver’s positioning vis a vis brake and accelerator. If you have a shrinking old lady in your family check out her relationship to the pedals as she drives. Particularly as she backs up, a maneuver frequent in parking lots. Is there tippy-toeing? An uncertainty as to which pedal her feet are contacting? She could be at risk for wrong-footing and hitting something.

For your daughter, insist on appropriate footwear (she can keep driving shoes in the car) and give her some pedal-awareness exercises. For your Mom or Auntie Doodah, get her into a car that fits. (Recognize that adjustments on many seats are inadequate.) And for everyone, use this remedy for unintended acceleration: “If what you’re doing doesn’t work—stop doing it.”

http://denisemccluggage.com/index.php/mcblog/comments/wrong_pedal_i_wonder_why

This is a co-workers car front tire. I have a question for all of you who comment

Yup, so out of alignment that he's worn through the steel already.

So I told him. He may not have been aware that his alignment was out of whack, and that his tire is now dangerous to himself and the other people on the road.

He already knew.

My question... is it wrong of me to contemplate taking the air out of this tire so he will be provoked into replacing it.

My concept is that nothing short of a blowout, flat tire, or causing a problem that might be serious enough to injure himself and unknowing fellow commuters, will get him to replace this dangerous tire.

Anyone think I'm nuts? Or am I doing the right thing. I already let him know it's dangerous, likely to blow out at speed, and cause a traffic collision that will hurt himself and innocent others

JW commented: I wouldn't just let the air out. I think (depending on other circumstances of course) I would take my pocketknife and make a small cut, just enough to let the air out that way. Make it small enough to look like he got it on the road however, then offer to take him and the tire to a shop to get a new one. 

Don't feel guilty...you would probably be saving him, and someone else, lots of pain and misery down the road. 

Andrew at  http://www.tripsandturns.com commented:

I am highlighting your post about your co-workers tire on our site tomorrow. That guy is really nuts.

YrHmblHst  Tough question... as one of the more Libertarian types you'll likely meet, I would at first say that it is his business. BUT, I would tend to say that your deflating his tyre would be done out of care and compassion for him, as well as out of concern for other road users. So, as he refuses to be responsible, and your motives are certainly pure, I would say that you would not be wrong to do so nor are you nuts. It may be the only way to get your point across in this instance. 

Robert L commented YES! After smacking him upside the head. If this blows at 70mph on the front tire he can easily swerve into someone. If he can't afford to get a tire replaced, he shouldn't be driving. 

Gerald V commented I can only hope the tire goes flat while he's on the freeway. It will teach him about false economy.

attempted vehicular manslaughter? or just "Road Rage"? I'm surprised no one was killed

 found on http://www.transportgooru.com/2012/03/brazil-road-rage/

Mister G hopes you know not to stay behind idiots that tow cars bigger than the ones they drive

the high center of gravity is also a big concern for me.

http://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com

Motorcycle safety in England infographic

Infographic by Bennetts

found on http://www.transportgooru.com/2012/05/british-motorcycle-safety-infograph/

Be careful, be smart, don't back out of a parking spot. Back into it, and drive out of it to be able to see traffic and prevent collisions like this one

the 1999 McClaren Emergency safety kit for drivers

it included jumper cables, a 1 gallon fuel can with disposable bladders, air compressor, siphon pump, reflective triangle, tow strap, flashlight, flares, first aid kit, fuses, lock thaw, leatherman, latex gloves, coveralls, piloce aid sign, handwipes, and a rag. All fitting in a spare tire area.

Know what else should be in there?  A hand crank radio to listen to while you wait for a ride, 100 dollars, a credit card, a twinkie and a YooHoo. 

SIDSY (sorry I didn't see you) leading cause of motorcyclists getting hurt. Stay vigilant my friends

both of these are from http://bikerscafeblog.com/

More great old ads from the "Centuries of Advise and Advertisements" Tumblr

if you've enjoyed old cars, old ads, steampunk, magazine clippings and old catalogs, this is the cool tumblr you'll enjoy! http://questionableadvice.tumblr.com/