MOPED ARMY

Usually I try to ride as predictably as possible, but when I am concerned that some weasel isn't seeing me or someone is crowding me, I go random and get all swervy. People around you kind of back off and blipping the throttle as I approach an intersection gets the mouthbreather's attention.

Shit happens. It's a fact of life. Once I was sitting at a stop sign and a car rolled backwards out of a driveway across the street (the driveway was steep), across the intersection, and hit the front of my van at 15mph or something. You don't even need drivers involved to have accidents. I was pretty glad I wasn't riding my moped that day since I doubt I would have been able to get out of the way fast enough if I had been -- it would have been me taking the impact rather than the front bumper of my van.

You could hit a patch of sand and eat pavement. You could take a bump or pothole wrong and go flying before eating pavement. There are all kinds of variables, and yeah, you're right about the street meat thing.

I try to stick to residential roads and only cross major streets at lights, but it isn't always possible. I'd imagine in St. Louis you'd have an even harder time sticking to smaller roads.

We all take a risk riding mopeds, but I don't think we'd still be doing it if the benefits or satisfaction didn't outweigh our personal assessments of the inherent risks.

At least you've thought through some potential accident scenarios. Those are situations that you'll be prepared to react to now if they happen. It's always good to be prepared.

FUCK sand and lose gravel on the pavement, especially on turns.

I commute every day on mine, but it's short and the traffic isnt too bad. If I was in your situation, the first thing I'd do is take the can off the stinger and run that thing as loud as you can get it. Let 'em know you're coming. In situations like yours I typically slow down slightly, get right to give myself breathing room in case the cretin comes over, and try to get to the passenger window as quickly as possible and make eye contact with the driver as I pass.

Hey Jason, I feel your pain. I live in St. Louis, and only own mopeds. So I commute daily to work downtown, but only from Benton Park. Still, I have to get on Tucker, Chouteau, 14th St., and Olive. Just this morning in Soulard I had some stupid biatch pass me on the right...in Soulard, you know narrow 2 lane residential area where me doing 34mph or so is fast. Yeah, she had to pass me on the right. Scared the crap out of me because she didn't honk, flash her lights, or make any other announcement that she was about to do it. So, she got flipped off.

Generally, I try to map my route in ways I'm least likely to get killed. But, I also tend to lane split and drive like an ass. My theory is if they see me and are angry, it's better than them not seeing me and splattering me on their Hummer.

I can't wait to kit my bike so I get away from these a-holes quicker.

Yeah, what do you do Sunday afternoons? Want to work on mopeds and go on rides with some other moped-folk? Lemme know.

We won't laugh at you man. We have one rider with a scooter, some with nopeds, but most with mopeds. You'll fit in just fine.

We might just be jealous that you have a new, working bike while we fumble to make our vintage stuff do 30mph. haha

Do you get the e-mail I send every week?

Oh, and our ages are from like 15 to 62 or something like that. So prettymuch anyone is cool with us.

Cool. I didn't get the last email, just the one at Mark's for last week. Where you guys gonna be, did you send it out already? I'd love to meet up. If you say cool, then I'm cool. =)

We'll be at Mark's again this week. Noon on Sunday, as usual. But we'll be just around the corner at his shop/warehouse instead of at his main house. If you're at the corner of Pestalozzi and Texas you couldn't miss us. We'll have bikes outside and such. And beer. We always have beer.

I tend to send the e-mail out Saturday mornings, but I really should do it earlier in the week probably. So, you should see an e-mail from me tomorrow, unless you snuck off the list somehow.

You are more than describing apprehension, you are describing the kind of caution and forethought that is necessary for safe riding in moderate to heavy traffic.

While you can't really control what everyone else does, you can take steps before hand, such as proper riding equipment. You can't wear full racing leathers, but you can wear a good helmet and gloves. It will keep you from skinning your face and hands in even a minor scrape. You can wear a heavy jacket, they make all kinds of warm weather armor too. I bought one coat that has two removable liners.

I like the swerve and engine revving suggestions. Anything to draw attention to yourself. Most drivers that hit motorcycles say they never saw them. Past that, proper lane position can go a long way towards avoiding a crash or minimizing the damage. When you stop at lights or signs, don't line up right behind the car in front of you. Get off to a side, so even if you do get bumped from the rear, you don't get between two cars.

Thanks for the suggestions and validation of what I'm thinking. I should wear my gloves more often. I always wear my Docs and a DOT beanie helmet (hearing is very important). My bomber is good with the lining out, but I need something lighter that will serve as a second skin. It's ok to ride with it when warm out but it gets a bit sweat stanky. I suppose I could wear my 20-year-old black "Harley" jacket, which is lighter with no lining, and more suited for riding anyway,,,

Proper lane position. Now that, I haven't done. Thanks a ton for the suggestion, it makes perfect sense. I've thought, what, would I leap into the air like Spiderman or something if I risked getting crushed in a rear-end collision? What I do is leave a ton of room, and always think "where will I go..." as I determine whether or not the person behind me will stop in time.

every time i ride (i live in boston) alone i have a little bit of fear in my belly.

when i'm with other people i'm cool.

but those drivers, oh man, sometimes it's like they're actually trying to kill me. when i beep my horn (embarrassing in itself) just to let them know i'm there (like when they're about to potentially squish me) sometimes they flip me off, lean on their horn, or cut out right in front of me. sheesh.

i have no advice but good luck and stay safe.

boston drivers are pretty much the worst i've ever seen. unfortunately i'm one of them sometimes (four or five times a year) on four wheels. i'm much more aware of bicyclists/mopeders since becoming one myself, though.

Is the BORING SIDNEY quote a Johnny Rotten quote?

Patience WILL save your life! (all above ideas are great as well) but in the end in car vs ped you will ALWAYS lose. Be safe!