DB: Speed is Faster
The weather in our neck of the woods has been pleasant enough to ride my moto day and night. I know I keep using my new scooter as a segway (get it?) into the various topics of my blogs, but it really has become so much of my identity as a person that I cant help but flaunt the multiple metaphors it provides in the understanding of my life in this mini-city at this particular moment in our history.
After receiving much pressure from my once girlfriend and now bride-to-be, Maria, we took most of the afternoon on Wednesday to get our motorcycle endorsement from the Department of Licensing in University Place. We spent well over an hour reviewing the fear based rule book of riding motorcycles on the roads of Washington while we waited in neatly lined rows with all the other potential motorists for their numbers to be called. Then we had the extreme pleasure of taking a “written” test, that was actually conducted on a touch-screen computer and didn’t involve one ounce of writing, creative or otherwise.
I guess being on two wheels vs four makes you magically invisible to people inside of cars and most motorcycle accidents occur when cars pull in front of bikes they “didn’t see”. It kind of made my riding into a mess of jerky nervous second-guessed potential dodge maneuvers, and I began to see the general attitude of drivers put very little value on my well being as a fellow motorist.
I know this goes for pedalists as well. Though I’ve spent much time on my Honda, my ten-speed has not been neglected in this fine weather (curses!) and the people in this town have no idea how to drive in harmony with two wheels of any sort. If I had a potato for every time a car has ridden my ass while I’m huffing away in the “BIKE LANE” and then finally sped around me aggressively with disgusted looks on their faces, we could party with a lot of vodka. Once I even had some douche bag shout, “Stay on the SIDEWALK!”, which any bicyclist knows is unsafe and actually illegal.
As more and more people are switching to two wheeled transportation options, shouldn’t there be some changes made to the traffic laws and the consequences for tangling with a “lesser” vehicle? Does this town even have any marked bike-lanes? I’ve heard of street bike riders bringing steel ball-bearings with them on the highway to drop at tailgaters, perhaps I should be like batman and put some machine guns off the front tire. I like to slap cars on the trunk as they are backing out, it usually gets a decent reaction, especially from drunks. People in this country see driving as their God given right.
I am currently re-reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which I recommend to anyone who feels trapped by the “machine”.
My episode at the D.O.L. and the subsequent annoyance I am feeling in general toward drivers in this city, are offset somewhat by the values ascribed to being there. It’s far more dangerous to be on two wheels, but it makes traveling that much more real. Speed is faster, rain is wetter, and the sun is that much more enjoyable when you aren’t trapped inside a little room just big enough to sit in.
As much as I have enjoyed burning it up at a reduced rate, I hope we run out of oil soon.
It will be nice when most of us can’t afford to be behind the wheel, and driving is treated like a privilege. In my imagination, the condos will fill up as multitudes are forced to move closer to work. Cars will be reserved for the rich and the government and we might actually have a pedestrian downtown.
Filed under: DB
7 comments
R rick August 1, 2008
Ahh, yes, cycling in Tacoma. I bike commute daily with a little help from the Sounder train. I’ll say that most motorists behave rather reasonably in the big scheme of things. I try to reward those who show appropriate patience or consideration with a wave—as if to say, “thanks for not killing me”.
That said, and to your point, there are those who are “overly considerate”—the AARP members who refuse to pass, however safe, but instead stack up traffic behind them. And there are those who pass with the look of contempt that you mention. I’ve been spit at, have had things thrown at me, and once had some teens in a jeep take a swing at me with a large stick. I’ve been pulled over by the Fife Police — twice (once for the high crime of stopping and waiting for a traffic signal, BUT beyond the white line). I’ve had my fair share of near misses with cars, and spilled nicely onto Pacific Ave once while tuning on a wet metal plate that was covering some street construction. That’s all just part of the package. Much of it is part of the fun!
But again, my experience is that most Tacoma drivers are reasonably considerate.
A altered chords August 2, 2008
Ah, to live where I (we) can all walk, bicycle, jog, scooter (if really far) everywhere.
The condos are all full, all the bare patches of dirt and weeds have been filled in. We all have at least 100 megs of Internet access.
The streets of downtown are crowded with pedestians at 11:00 pm every night of the week.
They are out shopping, dining and yes…listening to live music and buying paintings.
Utopia? No, its just Tacoma.
J justin camarata August 9, 2008
congratulations on the engagement!
also, what size is your engine? i was under the impression that you don’t need a motorcycle endorsement for a scooter so long as it’s less than 100cc. if i’m wrong, i’ve been breaking the law for over a year now.
S Sandy August 10, 2008
I share many of your sentiments. I have the cutest little fule efficient Barbie car ever, and only drive it for shopping or hauling youngster(s).
I’m a horrible clutz (and kind of a coward) on a bike, so I walk alot. One of my frequent treks is from where I live near TG to the Blackwater. Every time I head out that way, without fail, some fella with a 20 dollar bill and a lil’ something else burning a hole in his pocket(let’s just call him “John”), pulls up about a half a block ahead of me to see if I need a “ride”. Can you make me a tee-shirt that says “This Hilltop girl is off-the-clock and carries no cash”?
Here’s hoping for safer biking and walking days in Tacoma for you, the future Mrs Blue (congrats!), and all the Baby Blues! (as well as the rest of us!)
:-)
Z ZestyJenny August 12, 2008
Sandy, I hear you! I walk a lot on Hilltop and I am condsantly asked if I need a ride. Sometimes, naughtily, but othertimes, I feel like people are just shocked that someone is walking! Why is that so strange?
Daniel, kudos on being a safe scooter rider. I have a super long commute, so I will have to be pleased with the green team points from my Pruis, but I would love a scooter. You put my 50mpg to shame!
Off topic, can you tell me where I can buy one of your 253 hearts? The Googles are not finding them. Thanks!
E Erik S August 12, 2008
@3 The endorsement exemption is for bikes (“mopeds”) of 50cc or less AND capable of a maximum speed no higher than 30 mph on level ground.
The State Patrol FAQ on mopeds:
http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/cvd/cvdfaq.htm#mopeds
(No, I am not a Trooper.)
O okobojicat August 12, 2008
Rick,
As a fellow Tacoma commuter, I must say that I haven’t had any of the nastiness from cagers like you have. However, I have noticed that the Tacoma Bus Drivers are rather, well, oblivious to bikers.
Also, I have to cross the 99/Puyallup Ave/Pac Hwy bridge (its either that or 509 or I5) to get to Fife every morning/evening and those drivers do not give enough space. I often get pressed right up against the curb and those lovely metal bridge supports.