On cage mentality...
Posted 07-13-2009 at 07:12 AM by Driftertank
It's kinda funny. I like talking to car drivers, who can't understand that someone could be out in traffic without the protection of a car around them. The admission of this by someone tends to make me judgmental of them, unfairly or not, and this is why...
Feeling the need to be surrounded by a steel cage in traffic suggests to me that the person is a very passive driver. It says to me, "It's likely that I'm going to be hit by another car at some point." I generally can't imagine that these people are actively avoiding collisions at all times. They are probably terrified of being on a motorcycle because they don't want to use all of their attention looking out for all the people who aren't looking out for them.
I love the question, "Aren't you afraid of somebody hitting you?" Yes, and that's why, when I'm surrounded by oblivious, moronic cattle in 3,000lb battering rams, I'm constantly matching wits with the vehicles around me. It's generally not difficult, as there is a decided lack of wit in most cagers, but when they gang up on you, it can be a challenge to keep track of what all of them are doing. But I keep my eyes up, and my mind focused on WHAT I'M DOING.
Generally, I guess what bothers me about this conversation with habitual car drivers, is that, while they are questioning my sanity and judgment, it feels like they are admitting to me that they are the type of person who would rather be talking on their phone, or fiddling with the radio, or painting their nails, than actually driving. They obviously have a patent fear of other vehicles running into them with no warning whatsoever, which tells me they are not generally very attentive. And this places them in the part of my brain marked "enemy". After all, fair or not, it is my judgment, and the assumption that all drivers are inattentive, deaf, blind, and just generally MORONS, that has allowed me to avoid 99.9% of the potential collisions I have been through. And that other one....well, she had to work pretty hard to take my ass out that time.
So, yeah, if you can't imagine being on the road without the security of a steel cage wrapped around you, I don't like you. I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is.
Of course, given where I'm posting this, I'm guessing there aren't many people reading this who fall into that category.
Feeling the need to be surrounded by a steel cage in traffic suggests to me that the person is a very passive driver. It says to me, "It's likely that I'm going to be hit by another car at some point." I generally can't imagine that these people are actively avoiding collisions at all times. They are probably terrified of being on a motorcycle because they don't want to use all of their attention looking out for all the people who aren't looking out for them.
I love the question, "Aren't you afraid of somebody hitting you?" Yes, and that's why, when I'm surrounded by oblivious, moronic cattle in 3,000lb battering rams, I'm constantly matching wits with the vehicles around me. It's generally not difficult, as there is a decided lack of wit in most cagers, but when they gang up on you, it can be a challenge to keep track of what all of them are doing. But I keep my eyes up, and my mind focused on WHAT I'M DOING.
Generally, I guess what bothers me about this conversation with habitual car drivers, is that, while they are questioning my sanity and judgment, it feels like they are admitting to me that they are the type of person who would rather be talking on their phone, or fiddling with the radio, or painting their nails, than actually driving. They obviously have a patent fear of other vehicles running into them with no warning whatsoever, which tells me they are not generally very attentive. And this places them in the part of my brain marked "enemy". After all, fair or not, it is my judgment, and the assumption that all drivers are inattentive, deaf, blind, and just generally MORONS, that has allowed me to avoid 99.9% of the potential collisions I have been through. And that other one....well, she had to work pretty hard to take my ass out that time.
So, yeah, if you can't imagine being on the road without the security of a steel cage wrapped around you, I don't like you. I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is.
Of course, given where I'm posting this, I'm guessing there aren't many people reading this who fall into that category.
Total Comments 4
Comments
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True Dat!Quote:Of course, given where I'm posting this, I'm guessing there aren't many people reading this who fall into that category.
You reminded me of a realization I had after taking the MSF course: I was a crappy driver. I followed too close, I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. I wasn't looking where I needed to look to avoid danger. I wasn't SEEing (MSF terminology). It also became painfully obvious, after taking the MSF class, just how many of the other drivers were utilizing the same head-up-your-ass driving techniques.
Posted 07-13-2009 at 05:08 PM by Gamuru
- I have to say I'm rather impressed that you were able to "follow too close" and also not pay attention to surroundings all at onceQuote:Originally Posted by Gamuru
I followed too close, I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. I wasn't looking where I needed to look to avoid danger.
tho thats a sign that you've never tailgated me lol. I'd had a few people quit their bad habits of tailgating and all it took is 1 second
edit: oh and drifter it's not nice to profile cagers the same way they profile us LOL. some actually have a reason for being afraid of bikes. such as friend or family dying from riding a bike and that left them scarred and scared!Posted 07-14-2009 at 01:37 AM by Armand - Um yeah, Like my uncle who died a few months before I was born? Yeah, all of my mom's family, my aunts and grandmother, hate motorcycles. Despise them. Will never be able to enjoy or understand them. But it seems it's a one-generation shortcoming....I bought my bike, and 2 months after everyone found out about it, my cousin Brian bought one, too. Now my brother's riding, and I think Brian's brother, Kevin, is as well.....Seems the black sheep opened the flood gates for this generation to get up on two....Posted 07-14-2009 at 07:29 AM by Driftertank
- i have always thought about that. i might be speeding but at least im not turned around shouting at kids in the back, flipping through papers and generally not looking where im going. i have always been from the school of thought were the best defense is a good offense which to me means i need to move through traffic on my terms.Posted 07-18-2009 at 10:02 PM by bicycle_ben
