Just a quick post in a new category - gripe.  Hopefully I won’t have to use it too often.  I have mentioned before that I’m a biker - I have a Vulcan - and I occasionally take it to work.  I’ve noticed that what little respect people have for motorcycles goes out the door during the morning and evening commutes - no matter what time I decide to come in or leave.  Just this morning, for no apparent reason, I was at an intersection in Andover and apparently took .5 seconds too long or something because some (insert profane word here) in a dark Jeep liberty decided to swerve around me, nearly hitting me, and pass me… only to end up 10 feet in front of me because there was traffic ahead.  So hopefully it was worth it to get where they were going 5 seconds faster.

People don’t respect bikers much.  You have to realize that we have no metal cage around us and are much more susceptible to vehicle malfunction, bad road conditions and accidents.  Injuries from bikers are much higher in an accident - and if you didn’t know that please raise your hand and a small gnome will stop by and bonk you on the head with a mallet.  So we might take that extra second, or give the guy in front of us a little more room because we’re not going to hit an air bag if we crash - if we’re lucky we’re going to land on the car in front of us.  If not, we’re going to rack up some frequent flyer miles.
Seriously though, respect us.  We are mother’s sons, father’s daughters and someday maybe your kid.  I’ve seen my brother get hit and tossed right in front of me because someone tried to pass him while he was turning.  I still have nightmares and, though I’m a pretty calm guy, I still have urges to hunt that person down and maim him.

The worst part about bikes though is that people pull this stuff at intersections usually - the place where you’re most likely to be shifting, so it’s that much harder to give them the finger.  Luckily, the traffic slowed down and I was able to salute the Liberty driver in the proper manner and let them know what how I felt about their driving skill.  Here’s hoping you get a flat tire in the rain very soon.