actually, in general (especially if you've never ridden a bike before) it's very hard to judge the speed that someone is coming at you. it's easier for us because we can tell the signs, you can hear the bike and how fast it's going, what gear it's in and you KNOW that logically a bike is normally going to go faster. So for us it seems simple, but for most people on the road, they just don't realize any of it. So it's OUR job to ASSUME that nobody can see us.

That's how I ride, normally when I'm in traffic, I'm concentrated on the person in front of me, behind me, and next to me. I sit there and think of every possible "gone wrong" scenerio and what I could do to escape it. Basically I try to predict what someone is going to do. I always assume that person waiting to pull out is going to pull out right in front of me. And it works, I'm usually prepared when it happens. And it does happen. OFTEN.

I think when we're required to take that 4 or 5 hour course before we can get our driving permits, they should add some motorcycle section in there...just so people will be more aware of us.