The funny part is that the freeway is where you are safest. Especially here in SoCal.

Amen.


Tom

Just the other day I was on a small street with a slight up hill and stopped at an red light behind a bus. There was a left hand turn lane and the buss had pulled over to the curb to drop some people off so I squeezed my car alongside him knowing I could jump in front when the light went green. Sure enough I hear a large sport-bike come roaring up behind us... as the light goes green he punches it and squirts past us in the left hand turn lane... as he is leaving the intersection he hits it again and pops a wheelie for about half a block. The bus and I both saw and heard him coming so we paused for a second to let him do his circus act then I pulled out and the buss fell in behind me. At the next intersection I see him... shorts, T-shirt, tennis shoes, sunglasses, no gloves, and wearing one of those cute little fiberglass Nazi helmets. :rolleyes:

Well said Tom. Especially the bit about not needing your ego fed by driving whatever works. I guess you have to reach a certain maturity level before that kicks in...realizing that you really shouldn't care what the strangers in traffic around you think about the car you're driving.

But wouldn't it be wonderful if ALL states required only a motorcycle license for a few years before allowing people to graduate to cars? Folks would learn defensive driving or Darwinian theory would kick in.

Don't know how it works in Cali, but on the east coast speeds are higher and traffic is denser on the freeway as compared to secondary highways.

Ever seen a semi shred a tire? Them chunks are big enough to remove you from the bike - especially at speed.

Statistics. On the freeway, most everyone is travelling relatively the same speed range. No cross streets. No left turns in front of you. The roads tend to be better maintained, and the lanes have a minimum width spec. Sure there are hazards.

Most dangerous road on a bike? Within 6 miles of where you live.

Most dangerous time? During morning commute.

Most typical accident? Someone turns left in front of you.

Best precaution you can take? BE VISIBLE. Lights, colors you are wearing, size of bike when viewed frontally. Dress for the fall, not for the season.

I'm glad to know I'm an outlyer on all counts :p

Have driven / ridden on both coasts.

I can guarantee speeds in SoCal are higher than anywhere else on the freeways. This morning on the 118 into the valley, I heard the exhaust barking. Was staying with the flow in the carpool lane, not looking at instruments.

Looked at the speed, was a little over 100MPH. The #1 lane was faster by 5 or 6 MPH. Is a normal speed here.

You are the 1% man!

I had a pallet truck drop one in front of me on I-95 about 10 years ago. Lucky for me that the truck that was merging left in front of me, about the same, time hit it. The debris field that flew up necessitated that I duck behind my windscreen but no big pieces hit me. My underwear, however, did not fair so well.

Tom

Compared to a busy two lane road I'll take the freeway anytime. I ride in the fast lane to avoid the entry/exit hustle and will pass anyone I don't feel comfortable riding near.

After being in Korea for the last two weeks I'll say without doubt the drivers here make U.S. drivers look like instructors. Stop signs, what's that? Stop lights, what? Playing games on my annoying cell phone while driving, why yes thank you! Lane blocked by traffic, hey look there's an open sidewalk! I'll be lucky to get outta here in one piece.

I'm completely screwed. :(