Motorcyclist gives shoutout to those looking out for him
QI am a mature motorcycle rider for over 40 years and still commute to work on 101 /280/92, all over the Bay Area. What is missing from the discussion about motorcyclists is a shoutout to all the drivers who make room for us. A special shoutout to all the bus drivers who, when they move over for a motorcyclist, signal to vehicles in front and back of them that a rider is coming.
I echo comments that others have made at times about the lack of law enforcement officers and thought I would never lament that fact, but there are often none around until it’s too late. Comments about Teslas, total absorption of people texting and generally distracted drivers cannot be overemphasized from my standpoint as a motorcyclist. They are a danger to people in cars as well. As a driver, you can signal another driver to put down a phone, but motorcyclists cannot do so as safely. We all have to do more to shame device- distracted drivers into compliance.
Please, share the lane. It’s not illegal and it shouldn’t be. Drivers, consider a motorcyclist sharing the lane as one less car on the road, helping you get home faster. Riders, splitting at 50 mph doesn’t help our cause or your safety.
— Ben Card
AYou raise many valid points. Please, everyone, respect for all others on the road, whether on two wheels or four.
QI’ve been following your discussion with some interest about using a three-second rule before leaving a stoplight, as I once had a close call with a red-light runner. I’ve been a prompt accelerator at green lights, and the three-second rule would not have made a difference in that last episode. But let me share what happened more recently.
I was at a red light about to cross Mission Boulevard in Hayward and a large truck pulled up in the turn lane to my left, completely obstructing my view. I thought to myself that this would be a perfect time to apply the rule. The light turned green … 1 … 2 … and a bicyclist peddled past, followed quickly by a speeding SUV. If I had left my stop as quickly as I normally do, I would have wiped out the bicyclist and we both would have been smashed by the SUV!
— Jim Sepeda, Hayward
ABe careful at all intersections. The three-second rule is a good one, as you know from experience now.
QHave you heard of the plan to use transportation funding for other state needs? — John D., Sacramento
AGov. Gavin Newsom is floating an idea to take money away from transportation to give it to other causes, such as homelessness, wildfires and housing. This is wrong in so many ways. Legislators and voters made a pact — raised the gas tax and other driver fees — to raise $5.4 billion a year for roads, transit, reduction of greenhouse gases and other goals. It is a promise that needs to be kept. No money shifting should be allowed.