Bikers: It's not all about you!

I have a lot of biker friends on Facebook, so my News Feed has been flashing a lot lately with "Look Out For Bikers!" type messages. 

Well, guys, that message goes both ways. I cannot even begin to guess how many times I've seen bikers riding recklessly and inconsiderately through traffic, and I've been one of many who had to slam on my brakes or swerve to avoid hitting them and avoid being hit by them.

There, also, seems to be a mutual understanding among bikers that the narrow space between cars on the road is a lane reserved for bikers -- with it's own white line marked out just for them.

I've been passed on numerous occasions while sitting at a red traffic light by bikers who didn't want to wait in line and used their "special lane between cars" to pass everyone and make it all the way to the front.

And I think we've all seen bikers use emergency lanes and shoulders as their own personal passing lane and "let's just stay here for as long as we would like, even if a car has to use it to make the next exit" zone.

Should I even mention the bikers who ride in pairs or groups? Contrary to what appears to be popular belief among bikers, each bike is it's own vehicle subject to the laws of the road individually. Just because you have a bromance with your riding buddy, it does not give you the right to cut people off to keep up when he swerves into the next lane. This is made even worse when the leader of a pack of bikes decides to switch lanes and his crew follows without any regard to the vehicles already in that lane.

I'm not trying to be cruel about bikers who have been killed in accidents. I have my own personal experience that would keep me from ever doing that. But face it, bikers often times cause their own injuries and deaths by thinking they own the road just because they can get away with more on two wheels.

We'll watch out for you if you watch out for us. People have gotten into serious accidents trying to avoid wrecks with motorcycles that were breaking the law. The child in my passenger seat is worth more than some asshole show off, so if you cut me off or cause a dangerous situation and the second I have to react means a choice between you and my child, you're going to be the last thing on my mind.

I've been passed on numerous occasions while sitting at a red traffic light by bikers who didn't want to wait in line and used their "special lane between cars" to pass everyone and make it all the way to the front. 

And I think we've all seen bikers use emergency lanes and shoulders as their own personal passing lane and "let's just stay here for as long as we would like, even if a car has to use it to make the next exit" zone. 

Should I even mention the bikers who ride in pairs or groups? Contrary to what appears to be popular belief among bikers, each bike is it's own vehicle subject to the laws of the road individually. Just because you have a bromance with your riding buddy, it does not give you the right to cut people off to keep up when he swerves into the next lane. This is made even worse when the leader of a pack of bikes decides to switch lanes and his crew follows without any regard to the vehicles already in that lane. 

I'm not trying to be cruel about bikers who have been killed in accidents. I have my own personal experience that would keep me from ever doing that. But face it, bikers often times cause their own injuries and deaths by thinking they own the road just because they can get away with more on two wheels. 

We'll watch out for you if you watch out for us. People have gotten into serious accidents trying to avoid wrecks with motorcycles that were breaking the law. The child in my passenger seat is worth more than some asshole show off, so if you cut me off or cause a dangerous situation and the second I have to react means a choice between you and my child, you're going to be the last thing on my mind.