Ignorant Car Drivers!!

TheEngineer

TheEngineer

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Exmouth Devon
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Whilst out for my Sunday morning thrash on my Kawasaki (hey horses scare me!!) I arrived at the roundabout in Bridport, where 5 roads meet, to find four young ladies "aveq dobbin" trying to negotiate the roundabout. Not one single car driver would give way to the young ladies so I broadsided the bike and hit the hazards, totally blocking the roundabout to give the girls a chance to trot around it. Even then i still had an ignorant SOB, try to overtake me??? Why cant people just show some patience for horses. I know I ride a noisy motorcycle, but if I can do it, why cant your average mondeo driving moron? People do really piss me off some times. ( oh and thanks to the girls for the wave of thanks) Sorry to the two riders waiting to cross the Lyme Regis road as I thundered toward them, unlike the Bridport girls, no high viz, or i would have noticed you and slowed quicker!......
 
Well done you and being a horse rider myself...thank you for being a considerate person...they are few and far between!
 
Well done you! As a horserider and motorcyclist I know very well what you mean
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Unfortunately, there is ignorance on both sides though - and yes, riders with no high viz - not a good idea, especially on a day like today.
Keep on riding!
 
Well done you, and well done to the ladies for their Hi viz and their thanks.
Drivers in general just do not have time or patience these days.
 
Well done for stopping for them. I had a motorbike come past me the other day which didnt slow down, my mare spooked and I was hanging off the side and he carried on
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I regained my balance by the way
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A few years back whilst out hacking with my two young daughters on little ponies I passed a group of Hells Angels on a very narrow lane, all the bikers cut their engines and coasted past quietly and thoughtfully.

As a biker and car driver myself I fully appreciate riders wearing high-viz gear, honestly, it could save you a nasty surprise! I'm pleased to say my 21 year old daughter, without being 'nagged', always kits herself and her horse out with gear that can be seen for miles. She said that just last week she heard a car slow down before she had even seen it round a series of bends, thank God for observant and thoughtful drivers and riders.
 
Thank you
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I ride bikes and horses, and I have to say, the bikers we've come across lately out hacking have all been great
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As a biker (chick - not, lol) I have slowed for numerous horses and the riders have looked down their noses at me
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Now I ride a horse I'd rather not take my hand off a rein, but I nod a head and smile, hardly difficult is it.
 
Actually, I have to say of most road users I have tended to find Motorcyclists being the most helpful, a few bus drivers, and lorries too. So hopefully your actions will have made some (!) road users at that roundabout think again!

Like others I cannot fathom those riders who wear no Hi Viz at all on country lanes!!

Mind you I also can't fathom those arrogant riders who don't say thank-you either to considerate motorists. Have counted a few on my way to see my horse recently...saw one lorry recently go out of his way to be considerate and the rider plodded past chatting and laughing on her mobile phone.

I think I'm getting old
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I have always had a job that needed me to drive and provided me with a company car, in that time (something like 30 years), I have seen average travel times INCREASE and driving standards plummet.

Last year I bought myself a motor bike, having been off two wheels for a few years, and experienced something new in 33 years of two wheeling; cars that try to race bikes. Does Mr Mondeo driver, with three kids on board seriously think he can out accelerate / corner / drive a 1200cc bike with one bloke on board??

What I want to know is: Where are all these car drivers going in such a bl**dy hurry?? B&Q / Asda / the seaside are open for HOURS they really don't have to kill horse and bike riders en route, just to pull into the car park 30 seconds sooner.

Nice riding Eng. Shame the ignorant pillocks could not understand what you were doing. Like the old phrase says: 'If I have to explain, you won't understand'
 
QR
I find the most considerate drivers are motorcyclists, as my ex B-i-L used to say, he didn't want half a ton of horse landing on him and his bike, it would hurt
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Thanks to Engineer though for stopping the traffic, I should think that the girls were VERY grateful.
 
Thanks for your kind comments. The biggest problem I find is that very many car drivers fail to "think ahead", they are snuggled up in their little steel box, impervious to the world outside and to the other road users. Maybe its because I ride a motorcycle and need to be far more alert, that i always try and be careful if I come across horses. The bottom line as far as I am concerned is that "I have a kill switch" and you don't. Even if I come across a horse rider a little too late, I will usually kill my engine and clutch in, so I can go past quietly and not spook neddy! It isn't a lot of effort. However, the one thing that does really piss me off, is the horse riders who cannot manage a friendly nod of thanks. Surprisingly in my experience, a lot of the time, it is older riders who seem very aloof, whereas a lot of the younger riders are far more polite. Although I dont neccesarily think it is just a "horse rider" problem, as I cycle a lot as well and I am often surprised at the ignorance of cyclists to other road users, so maybe its just society in general. Re the high Viz, I think that on a horse, as much as on a motorcycle, some form of high viz is a must when the weather is poor or the nights are getting darker. There is a huge choice, even a high viz helmet cover would just make you stand out that much more. Well safe riding to you all and roll on the nice weather!
 
Do you find cyclists wear less Hi-Viz and are harder to spot?

I really do think it should be the law for cyclists and horse riders and even joggers for that matter - to wear hi-viz on the roads.

If it gives people more chance to see us and slow - I always wear it - even if I'm not on the roads. We stable near a Forest Walkway Centre and there are lots of mountain bikers - they can fly at you at alarming rates if they don't see you - they can't miss us coated in flourescent pink!

I just wish they'd have bells on the bikes and would use them instead of flying up behind and wondering why the horses suddenly take flying leaps!

I do agree though that in general motorbikers are more considerate than car drivers, I think its because they get the same treatment from the Mr White Van Man, Mr A**hole Audi and the worst offender - Mr I've a big shiny BMW and I'm happy to run you off the road in it...

Sorry for the generalisations!!!
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