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June 05, 2005
Will the perception of safeness added by a roll bar, regardless of
how you feel it looks, make you a more reckless operator?
Let's talk about perception for a moment. I was pulled over on
Friday by a Washington State Patrolman who contended I made an
unsafe pass while on my motorcycle. He was traveling opposite of
me, behind another car. I was in a legal passing zone and had more
than sufficient room to pass. He accomplished a U-turn and I simply
pulled to the side of the road. I removed my helmet and stepped
toward his car as he stopped. His first words to me were,
"Please do not move toward me. I do not know what you intend.
You might want to attack me. Go stand by your motorcycle." He
was a young man, most likely in his late 20's. I am 52 years
old, I have white hair, I always smile and I am significantly too
short for my weight. His second set of words to me was, "Do you
know how unsafe those things are?" pointing to my motorcycle. I
had no answer for him since he obviously expressed his opinion in
his question and would not be able to listen to me. It was also
obvious that he has never ridden a bike and, unfortunately, has seen
the results of motorcycle accidents. His conclusion is that bikes
are not safe regardless of the operator. I did not receive a
ticket, though he said I darted out and in too quickly (I always
pass swiftly because I think it is safer) and passed a vehicle
traveling the speed limit (he had no idea of how inconsistent the
truck pulling a trailer was).
My point? I don't know =96 perhaps a little insight into
perception, perhaps a waste of band width =96 it's your
perception.
Side note =96 once upon a time not too long ago, a patrolman would
not have uttered those first words of concern to a motorist, but the
world (OK, the US of A) has become a troubled place. This bothers
me substantially more than the officer's perception of
motorcycles.
"Jim" < jrblake123@... > 37407
Posted on June 5, 2005 03:53 PM
Posted to category(s) Electrical System | Racing | Tuning | US States
