Changing Attitudes Towards Bikes?

[dolly3900]

Over the past couple of months (ok, since I started riding last year really), I have noticed that there has been an increase in courses and awareness campaigns to bring motorcycling out of the scummy biker stereotype attitude and in to the light of a viable ecological option for transport and as such make it a better place on the roads for us.

I only remember one from the past and that was the old Think once, Think twice, Think bike.

Examples of this new trend are the Biker Down emergency aid course I saw on here earlier, the Enhanced Rider scheme run by Ceredigion Council and the Think Bike Think Biker car stickers (ok mostly on Bikers' cars)

I know that some people will always see bikers as hells angels, mods and rockers, fighting low lives out to intimidate the good and wholesome, god fearing car driver, but are attitudes changing towards us?

It looks like some officials are trying to make the roads a better place for us, by making it (us) safer and I do know of driving instructors who specifically highlight bikes to their pupils, even to the point of teaching them live savers and such like whilst in the car.

Anyone know of any other bike friendly courses out there which are helping us to become a more reputable bunch?
It might be nice to see a list of types of course and locations, so as to help us all find and use as we see fit.
____________________
2002 Rieju RS2-50 (Sold, spares or repair), 2010 Suzuki DR-125SM (Traded for ->), 2007 Honda CBF 600 (Sold), 2010 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (Briefly, now returned), 2007 Suzuki Intruder 1800m (Even More Briefly, traded in for ->), 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 650

[Conzar]

Its my fault, I'm a anti social bastard pon the roads
____________________
Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

[goto10]

[dolly3900]

[Orennayar]

It's not a course but I've always found the "blood bike" people really cool, and I think they help getting a better image of bikers in general.

[dydey90]

[Baffler186]

I hope that shoulder checks are taught in cars as a matter of course, it's a good habit to have and I even do it when walking.

On my commute there is one of those big LED signs, which I've noticed flits between "Think Bike, check your blind spots" and "Had a drink last night? Don't Ride this morning".

General attitudes I can't say, but at least 3 people in my office have recently said "I hate it when bikes come up between traffic in the queue." jealously I say
____________________
Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[Polarbear]

Christ almighty. If you think we have a bad reputation now, you should have been around in the 70's/80's when most pubs had 'NO CRASH HELMETS' signs. Store detectives used to follow you around if you had a leather jacket and anything other than a girl on a Honda 50 was a red rag to the coppers.

You've never had it so good
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Rogerborg]

[mogstar]

[Motorhate]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Think once, think twice, think "Don't drive your car on the pavement".
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[barrkel]

[c-m]

It's just the UK. Go around continental Europe and people love bikes.

i find Germany a bit of an odd one though. I see very bikes about being ridden, but hundreds of people transporting multiple bikes about on the autobahn.

[TheSmiler]

Ban filtering ?

That will most probably get most "car drivers" being nicer on the roads. Seriously we love to moan if filtering was stopped and bikes made as wide as cars (think trike size). Then people would still moan. It's a lose lose situation.
____________________
CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[chickenstrip]

[Robster]

[smithyithy]

I did a speed awareness course today to avoid points, got caught out by a 50 to 30 change a month or so ago - admittedly my fault but not 'intentional', but anyway...

There was about 30 people in the class, me being the only biker, and it was good to see they mentioned bikes quite a lot and covered the additional hazards and extra awareness drivers should have etc..

Can't say I've seen any improvement on the road, I still feel that general driving standards are declining year on year.

[janner_10]

I don't experience any of the Scummy Biker prejudice. I usually find non-bikers don't bat an eye lid, some are interested and ask (mostly) interesting questions and most are the 'I plan to do my DAS in the next 6 months blah blah'

I've been on the road (and alive) long enough to know most road users and people in general are cunts to any vehicle and anyone, not just bikes or bikers.
____________________
Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1