View Full Version : Think Bike - Do you when you're on 4 wheels?
Food for thought.
I should imagine most of us on here use 4 wheels (or more!) for day to day use instead of our bike.
But how many people 'Think Bike' when they're pulling out of junctions, or indeed any manoeuvere road related.
I was stuck behind a dustcart today on a B road and was going to pull out slowly, but 2nd thought said, what if there's a bike coming?
I think I'd rather be held up for an extra minute than to cause someone else injury.
Think, do you think, 'maybe there's a bike coming, I'll look again..'
I've been riding just over a year now and I certainly think twice... :-k
Ceri JC
24-04-06, 01:32 PM
I use my bike more than I do cars, but I always "think bike" when in a car or van. Basically try to make space for them to filter past, let them know you've seen them, etc. in short, everything I'd like cagers to do for me when I'm on my bike.
Balky001
24-04-06, 01:42 PM
No I forget all about bikes when I'm in a car. U-turns without warning whilst on the phone are great aren't they! One thing I can't stand is how impatient bikes are, don't they know they shouldn't overtake between cars, I almost knocked one off the other day when I decided to change lane in slow moving traffic for no apparent reason without checking my mirrors. As I was listening to the radio and couldn't hear his loud can! Nutters all of em :wink: :lol:
i wear my helmet and leathers while im in the car, so i guess im always thinking bike :shock:
No I forget all about bikes when I'm in a car. U-turns without warning whilst on the phone are great aren't they! One thing I can't stand is how impatient bikes are, don't they know they shouldn't overtake between cars, I almost knocked one off the other day when I decided to change lane in slow moving traffic for no apparent reason without checking my mirrors. As I was listening to the radio and couldn't hear his loud can! Nutters all of em :wink: :lol:
i wear my helmet and leathers while im in the car, so i guess im always thinking bike :shock:
Yeah I know you're jestin' but it was a serious question! :roll: :wink:
Balky001
24-04-06, 02:10 PM
Yeah I know you're jestin' but it was a serious question! :roll: :wink:
Oh was it? Sorry, it just I can't imagine anyone who rides a bike doesn't consider them on the road when driving a car. Maybe I'm wrong :shock: :shock: (no, that can't be right!).
Yeah, i agree with the overtaking thing. I am much less likely, than any cage driver I know, to do an overtake on a short straight in the car incase someone is approching on a bike.
On the other hand I gave a biker mate a testdrive of my turbodiesel Pug when he was looking for his first car. He was doing overtakes like he was on the bike, in places diesels just can't get up to speed. Bloody terrifying. :shock:
And no he didn't buy it, he got a 1.8 diesel escort instead. :laughat:
I'll hang back from the car in front if I see a biker in the mirrors, indicate left if it's safe for them to go etc.
Yeah I know you're jestin' but it was a serious question! :roll: :wink:
Oh was it? Sorry, it just I can't imagine anyone who rides a bike doesn't consider them on the road when driving a car. Maybe I'm wrong :shock: :shock: (no, that can't be right!).
You're probably thinking that it was a pointless question. And you probably think I always look out for bikes in a car, because I am a biker..
But I also think that when we're in our cars we become complacent. My particular reasoning was as I first quoted in original thread, about the dustcart. I could have pulled out because I didn't want to wait, but held back for one reason. What if there's a biker? You could argue what if there's a car, but I could've seen that at the angle I was. (Or could I).. I also particularly mean at junctions...
I expect more sarcastic comments, 8) but I just want to instill the "Think Bike" attitude....
(I'm not attached to any affiliate organisations BTW)! :)
I cycle a lot too, and it gets a bit to close for comfort sometimes, but I digress..
I know that most, if not all, bikers on here, who drive, consider 'what if'..
Next time you pull out at a junction quickly, reconsider.. :wink: :wink:
kwak zzr
24-04-06, 03:25 PM
if you pass you car test then your bike test it makes you a much better car driver.
i didn't realise how bad my car driving was until i took my bike test.
amarko5
24-04-06, 03:31 PM
I use my bike more than I do cars, but I always "think bike" when in a car or van. Basically try to make space for them to filter past, let them know you've seen them, etc. in short, everything I'd like cagers to do for me when I'm on my bike.
im with Ceri on this one, and i do likewise :thumbsup: although a guy on a zzr made me **** myself one day :shock: nice warm day window down fast straight road that dipd up and down then "Woosh 6 inches from my wing mirror " on full chat . I do regularily check my mirrors but hell this guy was shifting and i had to change my underpant's :lol:
Balky001
24-04-06, 03:44 PM
When I'm in my car, I drive in much the same way as I ride, minus the filtering, etc. I would've thought that was logical.. ?
I agree with that. When you learn new skills (on your bike test) you don't just apply them to the bike but to all road use (cycling, car driving, bend-busses). I have considered filtering in the car from time to time though :lol:
independentphoto
24-04-06, 04:27 PM
Honesty time now.............
...............I TRY to. Can't say that I always do, but I do try to drive to the advanced tuition video guidance i.e. look WELL ahead to the vanishing point etc.
I guess we all get a little lapse now and then. We can only do our best. Incidentally - I do have a "Think Bike" sticker in the rear window - maybe it'll make one other motorist check their mirrors at the vital time.
Cheers,
Garry 8)
Yes. Though tbh Elephant & Castle roundabout you cant look out for bikes, cyclists, buses and lane swapping vehicles at once. Which is why I try and avoid it like the plague on a bike tbh.
I drive my cage everyday. If I see a bike on the motorway I'll give it some space.
Move over for them if they're gassing it.
goonrider
24-04-06, 06:51 PM
I'm extra, extra cautious in my car when pulling out, I was riding my 125 as a Teen back in the eighties when an XRw@8ker pulled out thinking he would make it in time.
He didn't! :cry: , busted me up good an proper so I'm really cautious myself, always worried bout taking some poor sole off his bike.
Sid Squid
24-04-06, 07:34 PM
I suppose it may depend on which you are: A rider who's learnt to drive, or a driver who's learnt to ride.
I think many of both 'run back to mummy' in some situations, that is whichever they are basically, that's the behaviour that is unconsciously used.
I'm a rider who learnt to drive, much later, as such I'm still a rider in a car, (well...van in my present circumstance), I'm biking whatever I'm riding/driving.
Saint Matt
24-04-06, 08:05 PM
Yes, definately, always give way to them, and flash them out of any junctions if there is traffic behind me. Very few aren't grateful.
I suppose it may depend on which you are: A rider who's learnt to drive, or a driver who's learnt to ride.
I think many of both 'run back to mummy' in some situations, that is whichever they are basically, that's the behaviour that is unconsciously used.
I'm a rider who learnt to drive, much later, as such I'm still a rider in a car, (well...van in my present circumstance), I'm biking whatever I'm riding/driving.
spot on.
a rapid skills lecturer during a lecture told us that in many accidents, motorcyclist only used the rear brake to brake for the hazard.
had they used both brakes, they would have stopped before the hazard.
the reason for this . . . the bikers in question learned to drive a car first, therefore, using only a foot for the brakes was instinct to them,
wonder if bikers in cars twist the steering wheel when they see the NSL sign ?
BTW, im just a biker, havent got a car - and probably wont for some time.
a rapid skills lecturer during a lecture told us that in many accidents, motorcyclist only used the rear brake to brake for the hazard.
had they used both brakes, they would have stopped before the hazard.
the reason for this . . . the bikers in question learned to drive a car first, therefore, using only a foot for the brakes was instinct to them
This is interesting, I had a bike first (if you can call it that) then had a car for many years without having a bike. When I had training to ride a bike again this also made me a much better driver as I would (and still do) use the same level of observation in the car as practice for riding a bike again.
However when it comes to actual machine controls I don't have any problem differentiating, I had to do an emergency stop the other day on the bike and it was front brake/ back brake without thinking. Same way that I don't try and change gear with my left foot in the car
However I do sometimes find myself nodding at bikes when I'm in my car
:oops: :D
I guess Im Rapids exception then. Car licence at 17, bike at 31.
I was taught 75/25 front/rear to stop in dry, 50/50 in wet. Unless Im cornering and banked over then I tend to use the rear to deal with any speed/hazzard issue as I know the use of the front will straighten me up. But thats pretty much how I use my brakes.
Now Ill sit back to watch the debate on how correct what I was taught was. :D
mudge32
24-04-06, 09:56 PM
Yep...I try :wink:
Like a few others I was a biker 1st. The first lessons in the car involved my instructor reminding me I wasn't on the bike. Point in case being me trying to get a Nova between two buses :oops: :lol:
I do truly believe that car drivers would benefit from some sort of bike/scooter training. I found I spend a lot of time trying to be aware of what is around me, more so than my car only friends seem to be!
i done my car test at 17, but dont remember any of it, never owned a car
i have a licence to drive a car, but i cant remember how to now.
I think before your allowed to evn get into a car for the first time you should have to do 6 months on a scooter first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think before your allowed to evn get into a car for the first time you should have to do 6 months on a scooter first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i know driving a car is a cardial sin . . . .but the scooter punishment is far too harsh.
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