If traffic is at a dead stop, I have no problem with you moving through traffic in between vehicles. If the traffic is moving at 10 to 30 and you come through at 15 mph faster, the chances of me seeing you are very small.
You don’t stick up above traffic. From my rear view mirror you exist behind the car behind me beside the car behind them.
In a lane change at that speed I have to keep my eye on the car in front of me, the car behind me, the car to his right, the care two lanes to my right, and you. And if I’m not lined up just right, I don’t see you in my right wind wing either. You’re beside the car behind the guy behind me.
Here’s the scenario that has caused trouble for me before.
I’m traveling about 20 mph, and coming up on my right is a bike going 35. With the difference of 15 mph, you’re closing on me at 22 feet per second. I look back to see if the car behind me and the car on to his right are clear, and the guy behind me isn’t looking like he’s going to make a move around me, and so I’m clear. At this moment you’re 35 feet behind me.
I look back in front and start easing out, making sure the car in front of me or the car to his right are are not stopping rapidly, the car two lanes to my right isn’t making a move for the hole in traffic, and in that moment, you have traveled 22 feet and are ten to fifteen feet from hitting my as I pull over. By the time I see you, you’re right on top of me.
To avoid this, I have to keep my eye on my right wind wing mirror, completely ignoring the vehicles in front of me and to my side. And so, for every one of you that comes buy, I’ve had to jeopardize my safety tens if not hundreds of times to make a normal lane change.
If the traffic stops in front of me, and I make contact with either vehicle, I’m the guilty party. If the vehicle to my right decides they want the same lane, and I’m concentrating on any motorcycle that might be coming up, I reduce significantly my ability to spot him and abort, or even prevent hitting them. On top of that, if you come up out of nowhere, I’m the gulty guy if we make contact. And so it is, as I sit there in the guy’s trunk in front of me, you go right on by with not a care in the world.
I think it’s only natural for you to think I should see you. I would like to think I always will. I know that’s just wishful thinking on both our parts.
I was splitting lanes behind you on a green Harley Fat Bob faux-hardtail with fringe on the handle bars, saddle bags, and hanging off the electrically lighted Harley skulls welded to the end of all the chromed nuts on my Harley?
Come on, it was me! I had on the genuine Harley Michael Jackson riding gloves, with logo, of course. The Harley logo black denims, with the Harley logo chain securing my Harley wallet? I wasn't wearing my Harley Fritz helmet that day, but I did have on Harley shades, and a Harley skullcap over my shaved dome. Now you remember? I used my Harley boot to put a dent in your door. Remember now? (Hey it was an accident, and I will replace that mirror.)
The Harley Leather vest (fringed of course) over the Harley Tee shirt. and the Harley leather chaps. (fringed of course) Ring a bell? One last clue then, I am 58 years old, weigh 320 lbs and my day job, (when I am not a dangerous motorcycle gang member) is as an accountant for the Girl Scout Cookie Drive.
As a CPA, I thought I might break down the Harley phenomenon for you.
(1) One Harley Davidson Motorcycle, featuring way-cool retro engineering and the basic Harley enhancement packages (fringed of course): $19,585.56
(2)Harley Logo Gear: $26,985.50
(3)Optional Harley Tattoo and Jewelry Package (not really optional) $3,500
(4) Facial Hair, piercings, etc: N/C to riders of either sex, provided all Harley logo gear is worn at all times.