Motorcycles

Opinions...remember this is merely my opinion based on observations...

Funny you should ask, yesterday was a terrible day concerning motorcycles. If I were to base my opinions of all motorcycle riders on yesterday's displays by them, I'd be actively campaigning to have them removed from the HOV.

1. Weaving in and out of traffic with no turn signals and not allowing sufficient space. Now, the responses here can be along the lines of differing stopping distances and acceleration rates for enclosed vehicles vs motorcycles. My stopping distance doesn't care if it's a motorcycle or 18 wheeler that's just cut me off. I'm sure the truck driver has a better chance of survival if I smash into him after he's cut me off though.

2. Passing on the right (even when there's no lane there). Already illegal even with a lane there (I think, could be wrong), but when there is only shoulder there, obey the laws. Worried about blindspots? When I'm in the right lane already, there shouldn't be much in my blindspot on that side. Yesterday there were 2 different instances of motorcycles being there when there was NO LANE to the right of me. Go figure. Want to receive "respectable cushion" around you as a motorbike driver? Obey the laws and I'll gladly comply too.

3. Excessive speed. Yeah, your bike accerates faster than my automobile, way faster (and I don't have a slow car), it gets you to the scene of the accident all the faster too. On a side note: VDOT cleanup crews should probably carry buckets, sponges and spatulas to get the splat spot off the road after the motorcyclist meets their "early demise". One good reason to wear leathers--keeps most of the pieces in one body bag for easy cleanup after the inevitable accident.

Ok, specific to HOV, but related to above:

Motorcycles are SOVs, plain and simple. They should be afforded cushion space equal to a car of equal length (Honda Insight?). They don't always get it, but then more times than not, I see them violating their own following distance and passing rules. They contribute to congestion even though fuel economy and MAYBE environmentally they are better (noise pollution is still pollution of a sort). HOV has one of its goals to reduce congestion, SOVs don't do that, period (I don't care if it's buses, vanpools, carpools, as long as they meet the standard for HOV). Ok, legislators made the decision (foolish though it was) to include motorcycles in the HOV, whatcha gonna do? Vote the bums out, but first tell them how you want it to be.

My understanding (no sources to quote) was that motorcycles were put in the HOV to increase their chances of survivability since the main lanes were "too dangerous" for them. It's the driver, not the environment that determines survivability to the greatest degree. Most important piece of safety gear in any vehicle is the loose nut behind the controls. Tighten that one up and everything will flow smoother.

Motorcycles slow down the HOV as much as a car when there's an accident. Witnessed that a few times in the past 6 months,eh?

Don't see the motorcycle rule expiring without some vocal expressions from the voters. Would like to see it though myself.

Maybe HOV should be all buses and motorcycles? NOT!

NoSb

SOV because you can, HOV because you care!

Only motorcycle traffic jam I have been in was at Daytona for Bike Week. Dont see it as a big deal. Just my Opinion

I don't believe motorcycles are included in the hybrid expiration next year. Motorcycles have always been allowed as far as I know.

quote:

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Originally posted by vabigblue
[br]I don't believe motorcycles are included in the hybrid expiration next year. Motorcycles have always been allowed as far as I know.

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Ah, but because there are so few differences between SOV hybrids and motorcycles, be sure that if SOV hybrids are kicked out of the express lanes, motorcycles will too.

Cycles won't disappear because of the "safety" issue. Plus there aren't too many on HOV -- consider them flies that go splat when they hit the pavement. Can't say ALL cyclists are irresponsible but it's the young blokes who like the rockets that give the rest a bad name. I ignore them and let them pass -- the irresponsible ones will eventually win a Darwin Award.

It it weren't for the fact I wear a skirt to work, don't like flies in my teeth, and rain in my face, I'd ride one!