I’m a lifetime motorcycle rider and in my opinion, the biggest hazard out there is the distracted driver. I’ve been literally ran off the road and had to take to the ditch (safely, thank goodness) when a pickup driven by a guy yakking on his phone turned right in front of me – and I had lights on and was wearing hi-vis gear.
Which brings up a pet peeve of mine. Those loud-piped mc’s that I can hear blat-blat-blatting off into the nite from blocks away. For pete’s sake, grow up. What makes you think the rest of the world wants to listen to that? And for those who say it’s a “safety feature” and makes other drivers aware of their presence, I call bs. If you’re actually concerned about safety, you’ll dress in proper protective and visible riding gear and wear a proper helmet, not an inverted salad bowl.

Well said tarn feather and as a rider I completely agree with your comment on the distracted drivers. Increasing fines and penalties will likely not have a great effect IMHO if it is not going to be actually *enforced*. I also cannot believe the lack of regard for speed limits in this city. Doing 90 on ospika is the norm it seems. Hart highway is even worse. Chief/Nukko lake road sees many drivers doing about 120 in an 80 zone. I prefer riding almost in any city except Prince george.

I own a piped bike and a respect for others. Can you imagine how pissed off residents backing onto Domano must be with all the brain dead bikers that come up off of Malaspina onto Domano and immediately crank on her with their piped bikes? Do you idiots realize you are riding right through their back yards?I grew up respecting others and especially the right for peace and quiet of my neighbours. Are you dipsticks special? Then there are those that insist upon coming up behind and stopping but a few feet from a bikes rear end at traffic lights and stop signs. What if the dope behind you rear ends you? Please stop tail gating bikes you twits. With all the zombies on this planet that our govt allows to have a drivers licence, the least you could do is use the remaining grey matter between your ears and think about the safety and rights of others.

Anyone who says” straight pipes saves lives” has no clue. I can’t hear emergency vehicles when their sirens are on when one of these noisy toys us cranking on the throttle. That stops us from having time to move off the road so the emergency vehicle can get by…this could be robbing previous time for the person in trouble.

It’s not cool, it’s stupid. Many in our city work shift..and those noisy toys wake us up or make it harder to get to sleep. Show some consideration for your fellow man please. The police should have DB meters with them, if the toy is over the legal limit then fine the crap out of them…. I know it would happen to any car running open headers..why the special treatment for uncaring bikers ?

I get a chuckle bikers always complaining considering their own mostly inconsiderate use of the roads. The noise on Domano from bikes is insane. There is the bonehead heading into town from the west at about 15 to nine every weekday morning, noisy, highspeed weaving in and out of traffic. He gets killed some day I suppose there would be some big show of bikes for the bonehead in memorial and a rant against the poor soul he ran into. These are just two examples showing the problem. Bikers look in your own backyard before complaining about others.

Myself I don’t see how bikes are allowed since they offer no protection what so ever. Cars are mandated to have thousands of dollars of so called safety related equipment. A person can be fined for removing the doors off a jeep but a bike, no doors.

Like I said bikers clean up your own yard before complaining or you just might find yourselves mandated out of existence.

“It’s not cool, it’s stupid. Many in our city work shift..and those noisy toys wake us up or make it harder to get to sleep. Show some consideration for your fellow man please”
“Like I said bikers clean up your own yard before complaining or you just might find yourselves mandated out of existence. ”

Right after you diesel,duelly,mudder muffler-less truck drivers clean up yours. A special shout out to the tire burning drivers and the stereo thumper’s.
Hey “seamutt” should bicycles, ATV’s, quad’s,and snowmobiles be outlawed also?

Well the usual misinformed, critical, old of thought geezers have waded in on yet another topic which they know nothing about.

Visi-colors do no good at all for distracted drivers, they aren’t looking at anything but the last text message.

I, too am a life time motorcyclist (I’m old of age but not of thought) and do agree that ripping through neighborhoods on a ‘piped’ bike do cause some angry old men, see some of the above posts, issues because they WISH they could do what others do but rather are shuttered by their fear.

These use-ta-coulds/ wish I coulds do not want to acknowledge that when I pull up beside them as they tool along ,most likely angry at themselves because they missed out on the thrill of life, and blip the throttle on my Stage IV Harley to make my presence known, they most always snap out of their delusional state as do teeny-boppers/hipsters on their hand held devices.

You old boys stay angry, it is a thin veneer of control…….but that’s all you got.

My insight into motorcycles and their riders… did you know most hospital staff refer to motorbike riders as “organ donors”? Here is just one senario why; if you are driving behind a motorcycle and it takes a spill, the majority to driver who cannot stop in time will instinctively aim for the smaller object should a biker and his ride become separated during that spill. In that split second of time it takes to make a decision the driver of the car or truck will always choose the smaller object to run over… its instinctive.

This whole issue about size of an object relative to others and distance has been studied, in many cases its about our brains and how we, has drivers, percieve the size and distance of an object (motorbike) as well.

www .sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130909130942.htm

tarnfeather with a score of 38
I’m a lifetime motorcycle rider and in my opinion, the biggest hazard out there is the distracted driver. I’ve been literally ran off the road and had to take to the ditch (safely, thank goodness) when a pickup driven by a guy yakking on his phone turned right in front of me – and I had lights on and was wearing hi-vis gear.

Your mistake was relying on another motorist to do their part…….it doesn’t work that way (43 years in the saddle has taught me that), everyone is out to get you and you are invisible, knowing this , you should be at least audible.

You and only you, have control of your safety.

And , even with your best efforts sh!t happens.

Personally I’m fed up with the sound of Harleys roaring thru town with the sound of their unmuffled exhaust bouncing and echoing off all the hills.

And Codger, no, I’m not an old angry guy that wishes he had one. Never wanted one.

I AM however, a guy that puts 60 to 70 hours a week into an extremely high stress job who just asks for some tranquility when I do get down time.

And I was born to be considerate of others.

But then these low life born to be wild F**K the world selfish troglodytes have to hit the streets with their loud obnoxious super mopeds and insist on giving everyone the finger.

I don’t get how they get a pass. Anyone else causing noise pollution gets fined, but for some reason these morons get to roar around town wrecking a nice night or a beautiful day.

Codger, Codger, codger… I hate to have to tell you this, but all those adoring people who raised their heads when you blipped your throttle or wound it up going down Demano weren’t doing so in awe, wonder, and envy over you and the wonderful mechanical device you purchased (a process that in itself is no different from purchasing a new dishwasher). Nope. They were actually annoyed and distracted when their space was invaded by a scenario much akin to, “OK, who farted?”, albeit a lot louder.

The fact is, I enjoy all the same things as you do about motorcycling without having to make loud noises for the sole purpose of encouraging people to ‘Look at me. Look at ME. Me, me Me!!!’ (Look up ‘narcissist’ on the web)

…and unrelated, but sometimes I wonder if riders of Harley’s and Harley look/sound-alikes choose them because they’re the only bikes low enough to swing their leg over what with the big beer gut, lard butt and all. 🤔

Foothills is another area where there always banging there pipes, used to see radar there a lot but not anymore.

I think the guys with the load pipes shouldn’t have to wear a helmet . In fact the rest of the public should openly encourage them not to . And further more the hog riders that wear eye protection are sissies .

Well now you how those guys making that racket on the bikes are thinking. Brave, fearless with backbone. Selfish, with low IQ and lack of morals is what they really are. A good old fashion beating would do wonders with attitude adjusting here.

Just where are the police these days? Ft.Mac or maybe Surrey? Foothills had the Grand Prix running today.

The bikes are loud as a help for low esteem, they need to be noticed. Look at me, ain’t I cool… No. Pathetic is what you are. Just like blipping your throttle… Little cry for help.. Therapy may help, sell that toy to pay for it.. You will be a much better person for it…

Geez, the regular grumpy old men are really butt hurt by a little truth. Truth does get in the way of their fascist thoughts.

And, much like their hero ,one D Trump, when they have nothing to say or rebut drag the conversation into the gutter.

Waiting for the grumpy old men ,aka the TSB of all traffic movements in the area to analyze the next incident.

You guys are a hoot, especially when you get a mad on.

I am on the hyway dang near 24/7 and have always had respect for Bikes. This year so far seems like there is a new breed of them. Cutting in and out of traffic driving like idiots. When do the bikers start to have respect for the other traffic. I to am loved and want to get home alive. Yup you have a nice bike and we all notice you but quit putting my life in jeopardy on the hyway. The road rules apply to you as well and my life is just as important as yours whether I have 2 or 4 wheels under me