Coming up to traffic lights in the centre of Tunbridge Wells a woman walks directly out in front of me approximately 10 yards from the lights causing me to do a (less than beautifully performed) emergency stop. She jumps back as she finally sees me, hands in the air and all very apologetic.
I am turning left at the lights. They go green (I’m signalling left) I move off and the same damned woman walks directly out in front of me again!! Aaaagh! As I started the manouevre she was waiting patiently at the pedestrian controlled lights but as I turned she decided to step straight into the road. As I stop I pull the clutch in and over-rev the engine, she hears that and once again, her arms go in the air and she’s all very apologetic.
No white stick. No obvious retardedness.
Then, 25 yards down the road another woman (obviously her accomplice) just flings open her car door causing me to swerve and actually jumps out as I narrowly miss the door and her.
My bike is red white and blue. My leathers are predominantly red and white. My lights were on yet, once again, I am invisible.
I’ve come home. It’s too scary out there today. They are out to get me I tell you . . . they’re everywhere!
Feel for ya mate…it was my turn yesterday when some silly b*tch nearly took me out on a roundabout…followed her into the petrol station she was so eager to get to and left after venting my rage on her and her car!
Now go chill in the shade with a glass of something cold!
You see, your lights are on and they are just mezmarized by it…lured into the beam, like moths. And you know what these cage drivers are like for pretty colours:D:D:D
Either that or your’e suffering from the lynx effect:)
I had a similar experience today. Came to a stop at the lights, whilst a girl is crossing the road through the green cycle box. I am stationary, when she looks up and almost falls over. Must have been in very deep thought, the lady. She quickly runs to the centre reservation, whilst I am slowing inching forward in front of the lead car.
Upon which she informs me, that the green box is for bikes only.
I pointed out that I was indeed riding a bike and that the walkway for pedestrians was a little further down the road.
Everyday over here is getting scarier. The sun comes out, the schools finish and with it all comes the 14 year olds on scooters. THey chat, smoke, ride 3 wide, laden down with people, dogs, bags and coffees and make phone calls and send text messgaes - eek!
AND was told yesterday by an italian friend that half these buggers have never passed a test in car or on motorbike!
They just keep renewing the provisional with has no requirements for lessons/instructors/responsible adults or experienced drivers and the only restriction being that you cant carry a pillion!!! Anyone of the right age can walk in, pay their money and same hour, walk out with a licence to ride a motobike or drive a car! :w00t: :w00t:
And they are all riding in sandles, t shirts and shorts. Christ they look at me like im a total feckin nutter :w00t:
I know how you feel mate. Yesterday coming home from work heading up Park Lane I had some twat in a ford focus sharply pull out right in front of me then suddenly pull back in, achieving absolutely fk all. The idiot had the audacity to shout at me, fist raised etc!!! I slammed on the anchors, gave a shitload of horn and started foaming at the mouth, as I stopped some fg other twat on a moped contraption almost slammed into the back of me, he went to apologise and musta seen the red mist descending in my eyes as he buggered off sharpish. I was so mad I followed the focus up edgeware rd. Could see him looking in his rear view mirror constantly with a worried look on his face. Stopped at the first set of lights and drew up even with him and said it’s okay, don’t worry about it, I’m just going to follow you home and fg kill you. No response, just stared at me with mouth agape. Lights changed and he pulls away at snails pace. C*s, the lorra 'em.
Alice, I think riding out there would scare the ‘living bejesus’ out of me. I tip my hat in your direction for your bravery!
Even crossing the road is dangerous. If you show fear or hesitation, you ain’t going nowhere. I once got my leg nudged by a police car on a pedestrian crossing in Rome. No lights flashing, no emergency but the little Italian Polizia was revving his engine and gradually pushing his way across the crowded crossing whilst his companion was laughing!
