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I think most people ("Bikers excepted") do not actually see a bike in a competing lane of traffic. I've had what I thought was "eye contact" with a 4 wheel motorist and they still slammed on their brakes or pulled out in front of me at an inopportune time. Even on a bike lit up like a Christmas tree (Gold Wing comes to mind), I've had a car or truck pull in front of me as if I never existed. My worst accidents, or near accidents, have been on BIG bikes at slow speeds. When my reflexes start to go, so goes the bike (I do hate to give it up!).
I have had 3 near incidents, just as you described.. lights on..clear eye contact and one started to pull out of a parking lot..almost directly into me. The car was full of people, and I suspect somebody in there shouted at the driver.
The 2nd, somebody tried to pull out of a Burger King..right into me, guess he had the "munchies" and didn't look.
#3..driving by a local baseball field, and a car started to back out in front of me.... I had to stop. The car was full, but I guess all were either blind or speechless.
Frankly, I don't buy the "logic" that 2 wheelers should expect rude treatment, because some are rude or inconsiderate to car drivers. I am a naturally considerate person, whether in my car or on my bike..and I have had 4-wheelers be rude to me when driving either.
I am not going to be rude to all car drivers, simply because
some are first class jerks! that would defy logical thinking.
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