Cursed Left Turn

G-Rex · 03-09-2009, 10:37 AM

I've had people turn left in front of me many times. We all have. It varies from *WTF are you doing?!* to *Holyshit that guy almost hit me!*

I've given it thought. There's only one thing I've come up with that might even have a chance, and that's a stretch.

Before you can even *qualify* for an auto driver's license, required everyone to ride a motorcycle for a given period of time. Say, 2 years? If EVERYONE had to ride, and subject themselves to the same thing we do day in and day out, maybe, just maybe, they would be a little bit more attentive.

I know thanks to my motorcycle riding, and constantly scanning for cars, animals, etc. that it does make me a much more aware driver.

While I know this would never happen in reality, I think it's about the only thing that would even have a chance of helping.

Rider · 03-09-2009, 10:44 AM

In Michigan there are lots of roads that don't allow you to turn left. You have to turn right and then do a u-turn. We call them Michigan lefts. As roads get reconstructed, some of them are being reconfigured to this style. It's sometimes a pain in the ass but it is safer.

http://www.michiganhighways.org/inde...igan_left.html

MILK · 03-09-2009, 02:06 PM

I have reflective tape lining the edge of my windscreen, on the rear of the bike, and all over my helmet. As I am approaching intersections or places where people are turning in and out, I move from side to side within my lane to make myself more visable. Hopefully it helps.

However I've had people turn left (u-turn) directly in front of me while driving my CAR. So

I don't think making us look more human will help much either. Why? Because I've had strangers berate me for having the audacity of being a mom AND a motorcyclist. How dare we risk-taking motorcyclists have children, right?

Smittie61984 · 03-09-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MILK

I have reflective tape lining the edge of my windscreen, on the rear of the bike, and all over my helmet. As I am approaching intersections or places where people are turning in and out, I move from side to side within my lane to make myself more visable. Hopefully it helps.

I've always heard people talk about getting high viz yellow. I am no longer a believer in wearing it for motorcycle riding. Working for a Sub of AT&T we get sent out on broke poles. On this one right here (Poles got yanked down at noon and we left at 5:30am) I remember one of the AT&T boss men coming down the road. The road was also shut down by police so we could roam wherever we wanted too. My partner (Big 6'7" guy in one of the pics) had on his yellow DOT class 2 high viz vest on. Camera had a night setting so it's darker than it looks. But the Bell man said that the only thing he saw of my buddy and anyone was the reflective strips. That included the AT&T orange vests.

Reflective stickers are the key. As for high viz yellow. We have a saying about that at our work. The Yellow is so they can find the body after it's been hit.

marko138 · 03-10-2009, 08:08 AM

Reflective vests help...but people are still not gonna pay attention if they dont want to. I had co-worker who was shooting the scene of an accident. Flashing lights everywhere, police cars, orange cones everywhere.

Some lady, stone drunk, fucking plowed into him. Almost killed him. He spent weeks in the hospital.

Some people just AREN'T gonna pay attention.

Dnyce · 03-09-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rider

In Michigan there are lots of roads that don't allow you to turn left. You have to turn right and then do a u-turn. We call them Michigan lefts. As roads get reconstructed, some of them are being reconfigured to this style. It's sometimes a pain in the ass but it is safer.

http://www.michiganhighways.org/inde...igan_left.html

unless theres a signal there, it appears the u turn part is now very similar to the "cursed left turn"

OreoGaborio · 03-09-2009, 10:57 PM

Can't stop it... never will. Only thing you can do is ride w/ your highbeams on during the day & wear a jacket like this one....

Don't mind the Shitty McCrappy Bike. It's just an old Suzuki GN125 range scoot. Kinda fun actually

Particle Man · 03-10-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OreoGaborio

Don't mind the Shitty McCrappy Bike. It's just an old Suzuki GN125 range scoot. Kinda fun actually

don't bust on those, they're fun as hell to ride.

Rider · 03-10-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dnyce

unless theres a signal there, it appears the u turn part is now very similar to the "cursed left turn"

Yes more often than not there is a signal at the u-turn point.

wildchild · 03-10-2009, 08:30 AM

I've had 'em do it when I was wearing a yellow jacket and riding a yellow bike and just for contrast wearing a bright red helmet. color doesn't matter.

idiots in cages will always be idiots in cages. Best "cure" is to indeed treat every cage on the road as though it's being driven by a complete moron who was barely able to feed themselves this morning. As they say in training courses always, ALWAYS be looking for the exit strategy. It sucks and yes it takes away a little from the enjoyment of the ride but we are the ones at risk, and the only ones who care about us is ourselves.

03-09-2009, 10:37 AM	#1
G-Rex Where to next? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OK to the C Moto: TL1000R, Hayabusa, R1150RT Posts: 1,333	I've had people turn left in front of me many times. We all have. It varies from WTF are you doing?! to Holyshit that guy almost hit me! I've given it thought. There's only one thing I've come up with that might even have a chance, and that's a stretch. Before you can even qualify for an auto driver's license, required everyone to ride a motorcycle for a given period of time. Say, 2 years? If EVERYONE had to ride, and subject themselves to the same thing we do day in and day out, maybe, just maybe, they would be a little bit more attentive. I know thanks to my motorcycle riding, and constantly scanning for cars, animals, etc. that it does make me a much more aware driver. While I know this would never happen in reality, I think it's about the only thing that would even have a chance of helping. __________________

03-09-2009, 10:57 PM	#7
OreoGaborio Tony's Crack Pusher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Topsfield MA Moto: 2003 Aprilia Tuono (street/track days), 2006 SV650 (race) Posts: 428	Can't stop it... never will. Only thing you can do is ride w/ your highbeams on during the day & wear a jacket like this one.... Don't mind the Shitty McCrappy Bike. It's just an old Suzuki GN125 range scoot. Kinda fun actually __________________ -Pete LRRS/CCS#187 ECK-Racing, Ironstone Ventures, Tony's Track Days, SV Racer Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists \| Phoenix Graphics \| Woodcraft \| Moon Performance \| RJ's Motorsport \| Motorcycles of Manchester \| MTAG-Pirelli The Garage: '03 Tuono (Hooligan bike :naughty) \| '06 SV650 (race)

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03-09-2009, 10:44 AM	#2
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	In Michigan there are lots of roads that don't allow you to turn left. You have to turn right and then do a u-turn. We call them Michigan lefts. As roads get reconstructed, some of them are being reconfigured to this style. It's sometimes a pain in the ass but it is safer. http://www.michiganhighways.org/inde...igan_left.html

03-09-2009, 02:06 PM	#3
MILK The cows want you dead. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,087	I have reflective tape lining the edge of my windscreen, on the rear of the bike, and all over my helmet. As I am approaching intersections or places where people are turning in and out, I move from side to side within my lane to make myself more visable. Hopefully it helps. However I've had people turn left (u-turn) directly in front of me while driving my CAR. So I don't think making us look more human will help much either. Why? Because I've had strangers berate me for having the audacity of being a mom AND a motorcyclist. How dare we risk-taking motorcyclists have children, right?

03-10-2009, 08:30 AM	#10
wildchild cruiser Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: on the run Moto: '09 HD superglide, 16 Yamaha FZ 09 Posts: 2,749	I've had 'em do it when I was wearing a yellow jacket and riding a yellow bike and just for contrast wearing a bright red helmet. color doesn't matter. idiots in cages will always be idiots in cages. Best "cure" is to indeed treat every cage on the road as though it's being driven by a complete moron who was barely able to feed themselves this morning. As they say in training courses always, ALWAYS be looking for the exit strategy. It sucks and yes it takes away a little from the enjoyment of the ride but we are the ones at risk, and the only ones who care about us is ourselves.