EventServices

That's my observation, anyway.
Is it because...
... Roadies have a better sense of relative speed?
... Roadies have a keen sense of spatial relationships because we're used to moving in a pack?
... Roadies anticipate movement better?
... Roadies see patterns develop sooner?
... Roadies are accustomed to operating in the self-preservation mode
... Roadies are better familiar with driver habits and tendencies?

OK, whatcha got?

caloso

All those. I think I've become a much better driver since I started riding a lot, particularly riding in traffic. I am rarely surprised by a random, bonehead move any more, probably because I've become accustomed to expect them. You get a sense of looking far down the road and around corners and intersections for stop-sign-runners, wrong-way cyclists, jaywalkers.

I totally agree.

DieselDan

You're used to boneheads more then ever, and poor driving doesn't get under your skin as much.

Chucklehead

being a motorcyclist/racer long before i was a driver allowed me to be a better driver first and foremost. but it also improved my awareness and confidence while riding my bicycle in traffic, etc.

DXchulo

Even before I started riding, my mom provided me with this wisdom:

"When you're driving, just assume that everyone else out there is an idiot."

You just see so much bad driving that you come to expect it.

LordOpie

Since I can't seperate myself... riding a motorcycle the past few years made me better at driving and cycling.

Guest

Not me. I don't know how to drive because I've been riding my bike for so long. One time I tried to drive but I kept hitting stuff- poles, parked cars, etc. Whatever was in the street. I'm good sticking with my bike. If I hit something, at least on a bike, the damage would be minimal.

Koffee

DXchulo

That's because you're female, Koffee.

vtjim

In general, motorcyclists make better drivers as well as better pilots. I'd imagine the same is true for roadies. At least those who take it seriously.

Our brains are wired for situational awareness and what I like to call "multiple independent target tracking." We've also got a sixth sense about things. I know what a driver is going to do before the driver does, in a lot of cases.

vtjim

*TAKING COVER*

'nother

Heh heh, a buddy of mine and I have a saying along those lines: "anyone going slower than you is a moron, anyone going faster than you is an idiot", so as to properly distinguish everyone else

Anyway, I don't agree that being a Roadie makes you a better driver - what the heck does lifting amplifiers and doing sound checks have to do with driving?

'nother: "CHECK 1, 2, 1, 2"

Chucklehead

so true. i tried to explain this to my girlfriend once, but she wasn't buying it. now i just refer to it as "the touch." just a good sense of anticipation through recognition and execution.

LordOpie

Do you ever ride your bike (and motorcycle if you've got one) SO MUCH that when you eventually get in your car, you lean thru the turns?

snowy

Ok, I have to say that FEMALE DRIVERS SUCK!!!! I'm a female driver myself. I don't know how many times I have yelled at a female driver this week alone. I don't know what the hell these girls are doing half the time, but I'll tell ya its not driving. Oh I'm the exception by the way

ggg300

I got worse as I speed home to get on the bike....was that a red light? JK

John H.

As one who does a fair amount of autocross racing, I'd say it's because the key to good driving is learning to "look ahead". For roadies, looking ahead is a matter of survival.

mirona

I ALWAYS lean. It's kinda funny when your passenger looks over and goes, "What the hell are you doing?"

-breastfeeding
-talking on cell phone
-reading (not a magazine, she was reading this big fat novel )
-applying makeup
-searching for things in the glovebox
-checking herself out in the mirror (could go with applying makeup)
These are all while the vehicle is in motion too.

I could go on and on, but these are the worst ones.

Guest

Maybe they're just putting on makeup?

Seriously, though... if females are better drivers, why are they able to get better insurance at a lower rate than a man who is the same age? Insurance companies know that females are less likely than men to get into an accident, which is why our rates tend to be cheaper.

I suck as a driver. I know it. That's why I don't drive. Maybe if I can take classes at drivers ed school, then have supervised driving lessons, I may get to be a good driver someday.

Koffee

snowy

I consider myself a good driver cause I had a daddy who was into cars and I was always under the car with him. Plus, my dad didn't let me get my license until I was 18 yrs. This just made me really want to drive, so finally when I did I was careful.
As far as the whole makeup thing and such, I personally don't wear a large amount of makeup so I never worry about my face, I'm more on the lines as someone said up above, did I just go thru that light, cause I want to get home and ride my bike.

norton

Me too!

norton

Amazing!...no reaction...What a diplomat...

Avalanche325

I agree that all of these things HAS THE POTENTIAL to make better drivers. However, I still see some real bonehead moves in my group rides (very large group, 100+). And on this forum I constantly read things that let me know that MANY riders have no idea how to use their gears, or brakes. God forbid we even talk about which end of a screwdriver goes on the screw.

Guest

There IS a reaction there- just not an ANGRY reaction, like you expected.

Koffee

gcasillo

I hate to admit it, but recently, I almost belted two roadies on two different occasions. One at night, one later in the evening twilight. Both riders were wearing ample reflective gear and had proper lighting.

Problem? I was on my way home from work, and when heading home from work I am always 1) mentally drained and 2) in a hurry to get home. I love seeing folks out riding as I typically ride at night and am 100% roadie myself. But I'm useless after work, and there's no hope in sight of this changing. 8-12 hrs. in front of a computer trying to figure out why nothing works takes it out of me.

Moral of the story: be vigilant folks. Especially of cars leaving driveways and parking lots, because that's when drivers are paying the least amount of attention. Not trying excuse anybody including myself, but I think it's worth reminding others.

Saturday evenings are bad here during UK's semesters. I swear Lexingtonians take shifts driving around town for no reason at all. Between 5-8pm on Saturdays, everyone is racing around getting their affairs in order (i.e. getting booze since Sundays are dry). If you ride during this time, beware.

Add UK basketball home games on Saturdays, and you're submitting your resignation from life. I've gotten caught out in that traffic, and even on the nicest of days weather-wise, I've just cut the rides short. Frickin' savages...

Anyhow, cycling has made me more aware of my time and place when on the road. There's just some times and places to avoid riding and driving.

Fugazi Dave

Riding in city traffic in Chicago definitely made me a better driver. Can't say it would work for everyone, but it worked for me.