Cager Problems and Safety

[FJRBluesman]

Quick rant. Cagers are idiots!

In Cali specifically SoCali, I commute to work each day and enjoy my ride, cause everyday is beautiful and I’m riding.

BAM!

My rant: I know I’m also getting old, but every freaking cage on the freeway is drafting like it’s a NASCAR race. I have been observing and counting not even a ¼ second between cars. Many barely leave a small car length in between the car in front of them. I’m usually in the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle or carpool) lane and when I go to merge out into the regular lanes, it’s a crap shoot to try and brake, accelerate, or take the slot next to you. I also notice once I turn on my blinker the car in the lane I want to get into starts to suddenly accelerate to close the gap. What a coincidence!

It seems over the last year or two it’s got a lot worse. It’s rather stressful trying to merge when most are still asleep, texting, talking, applying makeup, shaving, etc on the way to work. Do others notice this?

Rant over.

 

[dcarver]

Move. Seriously. Get out of hell.

 

[bluesdog]

+1 ^

Sounds exactly like the BC's Lower Mainland/Greater Vancouver drivers. I moved out to the country 15 years ago, and even though there are idiot cagers everywhere, at least around here there's more escape routes available

 

[Road_Runner]

I hear you. Rush hour especially sucks. One thing I have done lately is try to concentrate on other drivers who are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing, rather than the ones that are driving distracted/angry. There are actually a lot of drivers out there who are driving well. This helps lower my stress level.

 

[JamesW]

Never give a cager an even break.

 

[ionbeam]

Not so different in New England. Using turn signals is like telling the enemy what you are going to do in advance and is considered a sign of weakness. One of the fastest ways to close up a gap in the traffic is to turn on your signals.

There is a long list of traffic rules that people have to learn in order to drive like a Masshole.

Here, wash out your mind with this.


First, one must learn the geography. The geographical center of Boston is in Roxbury. Due north of the center we find the South End. This is not to be confused with South Boston, which lies directly east from the South End. North of the South End is East Boston and southwest of East Boston is the North End. And, the Back Bay was filled in years ago.

Massachusetts Driving Rules

This is the basic introductory set of rules. For those of you who live out of state, or out of country for that matter, and plan on visiting our beautiful state, here are the current traffic rules in Massachusetts. For those of you who already live here, 'nuff said, stop blocking traffic and get your sorry butts in gear!!

1. A right lane construction closure is just a game to see how many people can cut in line by passing you on the right as you sit in the left lane waiting for the same drivers to squeeze their way back in before hitting the orange construction barrels.
2. Turn signals will give away your next move. A real Massachusetts driver never uses them. Use of them in Boston may be illegal.
3. Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, or the space will be filled in by somebody else putting you in an even more dangerous situation.
4. Crossing two or more lanes in a single lane-change is considered "going with the flow."
5. The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of getting hit.
6. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork. Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance states and the other driver has nothing to lose.
7. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a nice, relaxing foot massage as the brake pedal pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it's a chance to stretch your legs.
8. Construction signs warn you about road closures immediately after you pass the last exit before the backup.
9. The new electronic traffic warning system signs are not there to provide useful information. They are only there to make Massachusetts look high-tech and to distract you from seeing the State Police Radar car parked on the median.
10. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right.
11. Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as suggestions and are apparently not enforceable during rush hour.
12. Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn't mean that a Mass driver flashing his high beams behind you doesn't think he can go faster in your spot.
13. Please remember that Massachusetts is the Bay State, named so for a reason. Try to stay on the road.
14. Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident or even if someone is just changing a tire.
15. Throwing litter on the roads adds variety to the landscape and gives Adopt-a-Highway Crews something to clean up.
16. It is assumed that State Police cars passing at high speed may be followed in the event you need make up a few minutes in your travel.
17. Learn to swerve abruptly. Massachusetts is the home of high-speed slalom driving thanks to DOT, which places potholes in various locations to test drivers' reflexes.
18. It is traditional in Massachusetts to honk your horn at cars that don't move the instant the light changes.
19. Seeking eye contact with another driver revokes your right of way, except in Boston where it acts as an invitation to duel or play chicken.
20. Never take a green light at face value. Always look right and left before proceeding. In Maine it is allowed to stop and then decide which direction to turn.
21. Remember that the goal of every Massachusetts driver is to get there first, by whatever means necessary.
22. Real Massachusetts female drivers can put on pantyhose, apply eye makeup and balance the checkbook at seventy-five miles per hour during a snowstorm in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
23. Heavy snow, ice, fog, and rain are no reasons to change any of the previously listed rules. These weather conditions are God's way of ensuring a natural selection process for body shops, junkyards, and new vehicle sales

 

[Bounce]

Commute? Work?

What are these things of which you speak?

 

[El Toro Joe]

Commute? Work?
What are these things of which you speak?

We're not all retired...

I got cut off this morning twice, by the same mini van...driven by a blonde...WTF?

 

[RavFJR]

I feel your pain... I commute daily on a route that takes folks either to Las Vegas or the coast... Most cagers think it's the Autobaun and try to run me off the road if I get in the way.

 

[Old Michael]

.... One thing I have done lately is try to concentrate on other drivers who are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing, rather than the ones that are driving distracted/angry. There are actually a lot of drivers out there who are driving well. This helps lower my stress level.

I like that, Road_Runner.

Gonna try it. Gonna be tough, though. But worth doing.

 

[lonerider]

They're just as bad in the D.C. area. As much as I love riding, I wouldn't get any enjoyment from it riding in D.C. rush hour traffic. Some of those clowns don't have any respect for the F350 work truck I drive; they would likely run over a bike without even realizing it's there.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Photo clipped from Ionbeam's link:

I've never seen a more eloquent argument in favor of legalizing lane splitting.

 

[RichDoyle]

I'm not sure it's any different than it's ever been, save for more potential for distractions. I recall driving on the LIE (Long Island Expressway) in my MG in 1973. Bumper-to-bumper, you could hardly see the pavement in front of the car. I look down at the speedometer (it happened to be working that day) and see I'm doing 80. I go "whoa" and slow down a bit. Presto! A car in the adjacent lane fills the spot. And again, and again. Horns honking behind me.

So I joined the party for the time being.

 

[Bounce]

Atlanta International Speedway... honestly bumper-to-bumper (say... 6" between them) going 95 in "The Wall Lane".

 

[dj bill]

just today in corona on the 91,off duty officer on his personnel bike in car pool lane,a kia merges over knocks hit into wall and he flys to other side of traffic,run over and killed.WTF>

go fast,carry marbles.

 

[Gbjbany]

I hear you, one of the things I struggle with in the hov, is those drivers frequently drive, just a tad slower or faster than the next lane so that merge now has to be a mad squeeze or way early.

Also hate the on ramp inside lane speeders who won't let you merge on in almost the same way. Had one today, who when I give them "the look" , gave me the finger and tried squeeze the gap further.

 

[eatpasta]

My rant: I know I’m also getting old, but every freaking cage on the freeway is drafting like it’s a NASCAR race. I have been observing and counting not even a ¼ second between cars. Many barely leave a small car length in between the car in front of them. I’m usually in the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle or carpool) lane and when I go to merge out into the regular lanes, it’s a crap shoot to try and brake, accelerate, or take the slot next to you. I also notice once I turn on my blinker the car in the lane I want to get into starts to suddenly accelerate to close the gap. What a coincidence!

It seems over the last year or two it’s got a lot worse. It’s rather stressful trying to merge when most are still asleep, texting, talking, applying makeup, shaving, etc on the way to work. Do others notice this?

having commuted in LA for the past 13 years on a bike, I can tell you that it has gotten a lot worse. Ive been hit my share of times and near misses are pretty commonplace.

If I was to offer you a few pieces of advice it would be to keep moving - you should always be moving a little faster than traffic. Sitting behind someone on the freeway is a real good way to get taken out. You have to stay fresh in the eyes of the car drivers, if not, you disappear.

Also, you have to in a way, force the cars to respect you. The moment that cars get the sense that you're going to let people in or just not be aggressive in some way - they will go out of their way to go around you. They are like piranha, as soon as there is blood in the water, its all over. They will take advantage of you all day long and you will see that with any vehicle on the road.

If there is a gap that you want to take, TAKE IT. Signal if you want - but nobody will care. in SoCal people expect you to make aggressive moves and you only confuse people if you dont. If when you go to take the gap, another car goes for it, go between the cars.

Every time you come to a stop light, filter through to the front. I cannot tell you how many times I would have been hit had I not done that. People CANNOT wait to look at their phones. Plus it gets you out in front of the pack.

The cars could care less about you, so you just need to understand that and take every advantage you can to keep yourself safe. People are going to be pissed off no matter what you do - so look out for yourself first

 

[eatpasta]

Not so different in New England. Using turn signals is like telling the enemy what you are going to do in advance and is considered a sign of weakness. One of the fastest ways to close up a gap in the traffic is to turn on your signals.

There is a long list of traffic rules that people have to learn in order to drive like a Masshole.

Here, wash out your mind with this.

First, one must learn the geography. The geographical center of Boston is in Roxbury. Due north of the center we find the South End. This is not to be confused with South Boston, which lies directly east from the South End. North of the South End is East Boston and southwest of East Boston is the North End. And, the Back Bay was filled in years ago.

Massachusetts Driving Rules

This is the basic introductory set of rules. For those of you who live out of state, or out of country for that matter, and plan on visiting our beautiful state, here are the current traffic rules in Massachusetts. For those of you who already live here, 'nuff said, stop blocking traffic and get your sorry butts in gear!!

1. A right lane construction closure is just a game to see how many people can cut in line by passing you on the right as you sit in the left lane waiting for the same drivers to squeeze their way back in before hitting the orange construction barrels.
2. Turn signals will give away your next move. A real Massachusetts driver never uses them. Use of them in Boston may be illegal.
3. Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, or the space will be filled in by somebody else putting you in an even more dangerous situation.
4. Crossing two or more lanes in a single lane-change is considered "going with the flow."
5. The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of getting hit.
6. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork. Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance states and the other driver has nothing to lose.
7. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a nice, relaxing foot massage as the brake pedal pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it's a chance to stretch your legs.
8. Construction signs warn you about road closures immediately after you pass the last exit before the backup.
9. The new electronic traffic warning system signs are not there to provide useful information. They are only there to make Massachusetts look high-tech and to distract you from seeing the State Police Radar car parked on the median.
10. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right.
11. Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as suggestions and are apparently not enforceable during rush hour.
12. Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn't mean that a Mass driver flashing his high beams behind you doesn't think he can go faster in your spot.
13. Please remember that Massachusetts is the Bay State, named so for a reason. Try to stay on the road.
14. Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident or even if someone is just changing a tire.
15. Throwing litter on the roads adds variety to the landscape and gives Adopt-a-Highway Crews something to clean up.
16. It is assumed that State Police cars passing at high speed may be followed in the event you need make up a few minutes in your travel.
17. Learn to swerve abruptly. Massachusetts is the home of high-speed slalom driving thanks to DOT, which places potholes in various locations to test drivers' reflexes.
18. It is traditional in Massachusetts to honk your horn at cars that don't move the instant the light changes.
19. Seeking eye contact with another driver revokes your right of way, except in Boston where it acts as an invitation to duel or play chicken.
20. Never take a green light at face value. Always look right and left before proceeding. In Maine it is allowed to stop and then decide which direction to turn.
21. Remember that the goal of every Massachusetts driver is to get there first, by whatever means necessary.
22. Real Massachusetts female drivers can put on pantyhose, apply eye makeup and balance the checkbook at seventy-five miles per hour during a snowstorm in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
23. Heavy snow, ice, fog, and rain are no reasons to change any of the previously listed rules. These weather conditions are God's way of ensuring a natural selection process for body shops, junkyards, and new vehicle sales

minus the snow/ice parts this is pretty much exactly how they do it out here, as well. Well - that and its practically law to double any speed limits on city streets - especially in school zones

 

[eatpasta]

Photo clipped from Ionbeam's link:

I've never seen a more eloquent argument in favor of legalizing lane splitting.

totally agree - there is no good reason that lane splitting shouldnt be legal in all states. Its just more fuel being wasted in traffic and safer for everyone