Understanding other road users
By: Web Editor
It is a widely held belief that other road users would make far better drivers if they were all forced to ride around on small capacity two-wheelers for a couple of years before being unleashed in a tin box with wheels. Sadly this is not the case in the United Kingdom, so Sticky has crafted this handy scooterist’s guide to spot potential hazards posed by other Tarmac terrorists.
Power Rangers
Sports motorcyclists, so-named because of their predilection for tight-fitting gaudily-coloured outfits like those of the eponymous kids TV show. With an ageing biker population these are in natural decline. Talented riders these days tend to drift towards track days, off road ‘adventure’ riding or even stunting. Most of the really hopeless ones have embedded themselves into roadside objects by now, but there are still sufficient dreamers around riding at 20% of their machine’s capability to keep the patterned knee-slider industry alive.
While most modern bikers acknowledge scooters, you should never expect a nod from a true Power Ranger. Instead they are more likely to intimidate you by overtaking just inches away from your side panel in the same lane, because they are so much faster. Don’t worry though, you’ll catch them at the next set of lights just 100 metres away and will have the opportunity to laugh as they fumble through the gears trying to impress you when they turn green.
Special Skills: Pathetic wheelies.
Natural Enemy: Ambient temperatures below 20º, corners.
• Read the full feature in Scootering magazine, February 2013!
1 Response to “Understanding other road users”
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2wheel lifer Says:
January, 26th 2013 at 12:56 pm
Great article, so many true things that we all see every day, although you did miss a big one out, that is... Scooterists, although not all, just those that can be on any model or year vespa or lambretta, that share a lot in common, no mirrors... why do they need them, what is behind is behind and nothing to do with them!!! still on L plates after 20 years, but hey why do they need any more training or knowledge, they know how to start it and ride in the gutters and 2 or 3 abreast, they also know how to undertake other scooter riders, but there again that's the other scooterists problem isn't it!!!. Some of those 'power rangers' have no idea how to ride a powerful bike properly, why? because they havent enough experience, but ive seen just as many if not more dangerous scoorists, before anyone complains i have 35 years on 2 wheels, i have a PX 125, a GTS 300 and a Honda Fireblade, my wife has 2 vespas and 2 sons have a vespa each as well, my sons have also passed their tests and ride bikes when needed,... but every time we go out we still have to discuss awareness of other scooterists we are going to be riding near, I love scooterists and the scooter life, but come on now, no-one can argue that better skills need to be encouraged