I, MOTORCYCLIST

[ME 109]

I've always found carrying sheets of plywood hard on Tilly.

Plywood usually is hard. flexible but hard. Sounds like yer got good plywood.

[ME 109]

Ye who glorifies the German fighter at every post! Remember they lost and were bombed into submission.

Ah yes, the German fighter. A few were lucky to survive, in particular the RS ME109

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0I_QsXz ... detailpage

[Major Softie]

It's important to know that we are all bigots. I refer to it as the Nazi within. I believe we all have one. To deny this is to be unaware of our nature IMO.

I agree. However, there is a tremendous difference between acknowledging it and reveling in it.

[Zombie Master]

It's important to know that we are all bigots. I refer to it as the Nazi within. I believe we all have one. To deny this is to be unaware of our nature IMO.

I agree. However, there is a tremendous difference between acknowledging it and reveling in it.

Achtung Baby!

[ME 109]

Achtung Baby!

Oh, not you too ZM?

[enigmaT120]

Achtung Baby!

Oh, not you too ZM?

At least I got that one!

[Sibbo]

I've always found carrying sheets of plywood hard on Tilly.

Plywood usually is hard. flexible but hard. Sounds like yer got good plywood.

20mm to build a coffin, it's just a little bit flexible , a bit like me .

[Rev Light]

Having read the text, I can identify with the sentiment somewhat. But as pointed out I am also drive a car. But it has to be said that I really no longer enjoy the car....It is just transport - a necessity - something to tow my boat with or transport the family. A tool - no more.

Riding my bike gives me much more than a car can ever give. Involvement.

I do however have little time for people who take one look at me and my bike and make some comment along the lines of, why do you do that? Why do you put yourself at risk? Some of them even think I am irresponsible and have said so to my face - as if I was commiting some sort of crime or making me somehow less worthy than them?

The trouble is, in all likleyhood, it is these very people that will cause the accident that might well kill or maim me. As they have never riden a bike and therefore have no idea that that thier momentary negligence or lack of concentration might be the catalyst for a major accident. A minor bump to them could be the death of a Motorcyclist. In fact they could cause the death of a motorcyclist without even touching them. In my world (the one in my head) everyone would have to hold a license and use a low powered motocycle before being allowed to progress on to a a larger vehicle.

And I absolutely detest the 'safety police' - those people who sit around all day, wringing their hands, thinking of ways to save us from ourselves. Making laws or rules without knowing what they they are talking about. Salesmen/inventors inventing products that we never needed before and then inventing a problem so that they can sell it. Getting the media and government bodies involved, blowing this 'new problem' up out of proportion, making us feel guilty, so we the consumer, will feel obliged to have to purchase another piece of crap.........

Recently in the UK, during the Olympics in fact, a cyclist was killed by a bus in London - something that actually occurs regularly actually. For some time after, we had all the 'hand wringers' and Governemnt lobyists, on the news saying that cycle helmets should be made compulsory for all cyclist irrespective. A foam cycle helmet would not have helped this chap. It was a bus after all.

What the government should be saying is this. Arrest the driver of the bus as he was at fault, do him for manslaughter and put him in prison. Make all driver's understand that if they cause the death of another individual whilst negligently driving thier vehicle, whether it by cyclist, motorcyclist, pedestrian or other driver, then you will be punished.

Unfortunately that would be unpopular with far more people who drive the cars, etc. It is far easier to 'be seen' to be doing good by going after the minority and insisting on them wearing a helmet - which has limited use and is actually often worn volountarily anyway by those regular users.

I always wear a helmet, boots, gloves, stout jacket and trousers on my motorbike - buts it is more about keeping me comfortable than safety, I never knew the days before compulsory helmet laws. When I used to mountain - cycle I would always wear a helmet both on and off the trail. But do I really need a helmet to cycle down the shops to pick up a paper?
And should I have to be forced to do so. Does my kid really need a helmet to cycle his/her bike in front of the house? Or round the park? I do not think so.

Rev.Light

[enigmaT120]

"What the government should be saying is this. Arrest the driver of the bus as he was at fault, do him for manslaughter and put him in prison. Make all driver's understand that if they cause the death of another individual whilst negligently driving thier vehicle, whether it by cyclist, motorcyclist, pedestrian or other driver, then you will be punished."

That would be nice. But I would be happy if they simply were no longer allowed to drive again.

[Major Softie]

I do however have little time for people who take one look at me and my bike and make some comment along the lines of, why do you do that? Why do you put yourself at risk? Some of them even think I am irresponsible and have said so to my face - as if I was commiting some sort of crime or making me somehow less worthy than them?

The trouble is, in all likleyhood, it is these very people that will cause the accident that might well kill or maim me.
Rev.Light

The trouble is, the behavior you just described is exactly the same mentality as this author has expressed from the other side. The trouble is, like the drivers you just spoke of, he see's everyone in one kind of vehicle as less important than himself.

He's an asshole. An asshole on a motorcycle is not less of an asshole, just a more vulnerable one.