Do I call, or don't call?

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Colorado Cajun

Well said!



Rowdy, About two months ago I was traveling on a different street in my neighborhood doing 20 MPH. All of a sudden I see a ball roll out from in front of a parked car. I hit my breaks hard not knowing if a child was going to run out after it and I thank God I did. Sure enough a child probably about 5 years old ran out on the street after it and never looked. I came to a complete stop and that scared the crap out of me. If I had been doing 40 MPH's I would have ran that kid over. I'm sure when your son is of age to be playing in the front yard, your feelings will change about people speeding on a residential street. I have a 6 year old girl who likes to play in the front yard sometimes.

Who the hell said anything about feelings? This is about the correct, or best, approach to a problem! Not once did I defend his actions or suggest they go unchanged. As though my 20-month old doesn't scare me every single day! Cripes!

[Clint]

Originally Posted by BlaznBlu50

Try to find a responsible person that the squid might relate to, not one of us old farts on a cruiser, but someone on a sport bike closer to his age range. Buy the guy some pizza or wings if he would attempt to try to talk to the squid. Have him hang out around the time the squid usually comes by, and after he just "happens to notice his riding while in the area", see if he can impart some non-judgemental wisdom upon said rider....

This guy gets it, and I think Geoff's right, some people don't have the nerve to get involved. It doesn't have to be a confrontation, though. If the kid turns it that way, walk away and call the cops. It's all about putting aside what could or might happen and having some guts.

[inspiron]

Originally Posted by Shea

Not true. Like I said earlier, driving is not a right, it's a privilage. When you take away someone's privailage to drive, you are not taking away any freedom.

Also, in many of those countries, they allow younger kids to ride on small motorcycles. I think at the age of 15 or even younger, they are allowed to ride up to 50-100cc or something like that, it just increases with age. In many of these countries, small motorcycles (scooters), bicycles and public transportation are the most popular modes of transport, so by not allowing them to drive until a later age affects them very little.

FWIW, Swiss laws are as follows (similar rules apply throughout the EU):

At 14 years of age, you can apply for a license to ride a mofa (motorized bicycle up to 25 ccm). You have to pass a written test to get this license.

At 16 years of age, you can apply for a license to ride a small roller or motorcycle (up to 50ccm, max. speed. 45kmh/30mph). Again, you have to pass a written test.

At 18 years of age, you can apply for a drivers license. You have to pass an eye exam, take several hours of driver's training and practice, then pass a written test and practical driving test. The license is considered "probationary" for the first 2 years, meaning if you are caught driving under the influence or are driving recklessly (excessive speeding, etc.), your license is revoked and you start over again. Since the driving schools are all private (there is no driver's ed in the public schools), a driver's license will cost you about $2,000. IIRC, they have now introduced a rule that young drivers must take a 'refresher' driver's safety training during the first two years as part of the "probation" requirements.

At 18, you can also apply for a restricted motorcycle license (no displacement limit, but maximum 34 horsepower). Assuming you have a driver's license (or do it at the same time), you can skip the eye exam and the written test, but you need to pass 2 driving tests with the bike - first slow-speed maneuvers, and when you pass this, a road test. Suzuki, for example, offers a 34-hp kit for the GSX-R 600, so that it meets the restricted license requirements.

When you turn 20, and you can prove that you've been riding a motorcycle regularly for 2 years and have not had any problems (license suspensions, etc.), you can apply for an unrestricted motorcycle license. You need to re-take the driving tests, and then you can ride any bike. At this point, you can have the 34-hp kit removed from the bike, and enjoy the full potential of the motor.

If you are over 25, you can do a "direct entry" and apply for the unrestricted license straight-away. You still have to take the two driving tests, but you can then go buy a Hayabusa immediately.

Even with all of the driver's training and older ages of the riders, I still see plenty of live calamari on the streets over here. (Usually with French license plates, but that has to do with the close proximity to the French border.)

[BlaznBlu]

I don't mean to direct this straight at you CC, just something that came to mind again today. Unfortunately, it's in your post.

I guess the thing I get confused about or sometimes upset about is when someone posts a question, seeming to look for advice, then appears to want to disagree with the advice that differs from what they want to hear. If you already have in your mind how you want to react, then pose your question like that. But if it is posted as a general question for feedback, then just accept the feedback and act as you feel comfortable.

But for your question CC: "So, do I call the sherriff's office and put an end to his irresponsible behavior or do I let nature takes it's course and let him learn the hard way, the asphalt way?"

Yes, call the sheriff and make them aware of the situation. They know how to best handle the situation.

Some of are just suggesting that it might make things better to try to help a young neighbor personally in addition to the other option. They might surprise you and be willing to listen to some constructive criticism.

[techgesture]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Who the hell said anything about feelings? This is about the correct, or best, approach to a problem! Not once did I defend his actions or suggest they go unchanged. As though my 20-month old doesn't scare me every single day! Cripes!

"The best approach" is not determined by how the person will react better to... or wether or not to get involved... "the best" SOLUTION is one that protects the innocent.

There is a such thing as basic human common sense and a respect for the lives of others. This person obviously has neither.

Stop trying to debate "how to get across to the kid"... Protect the innocent.

[Scott58]

Interesting thread. Although I'm not going to defend squidly behavior in a residential area around children. I certainly think it should be practiced. Just tell the guy not to do it a neighborhood full of kids. These guys that everyone looks down on and thinks they give motorcyclists a bad name are actually better prepared to survive a dangerous situation then most just because they actually practiced these types of manuvers. Safety isn't just about wearing gear and obeying the laws. It's what you can do to protect yourself when someone else violates traffic safety and suddenly has your name on their bumper. Some might say save that for parking lots and tracks but honestly the more variability in road surface conditions that you practice on the better and regular roads suck compared to most parking lots i've been in. Areas that are "safe enough" to try is a judgement call and just because someone happened to see you do it doesn't mean the conditions weren't safe. Children in the area is a different story (I wonder who was supervising the kid that ran out into the street?). Just tell the guy to pick his moments more carefully.

[techgesture]

Scott58 -

IMO, thats a weak statement all around.

[Scott58]

That's fine and I respect your opinion, but I have survived alot of near misses because of the riding I did in my youth. I've been run off the road by drunks, forced towards guard rails, etc etc. Not to mention people turning in front of you or just blowing stop signs all together. i haven't dropped a street bike since I first threw a leg over one in 1975 and don't plan to. The more you know about what your bike is capable of doing the better your chances.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by techgesture

Stop trying to debate "how to get across to the kid"... Protect the innocent.

And how does that short-sighted approach help in the long run? Being slapped with a fine or spending a night in jail knowing that your neighbors called you in doesn't engender positive relationships and responsibility. It merely builds teenage anger and resentment.

Protect the innocent! LOL. The sky is falling! Won't somebody think of the children!

Please.

[techgesture]

Again I go back to my original point...

You see a drunk driving on the road... do you wave him to pull over so that you can educate him on why not to drive drunk, ... or do you call the police because of the immidiate danger he poses to himself and others.

Same thing.

During the act of driving up and down the street wrecklessly. Only difference is one is impared, and the other one is just down-right acting stupid an has no good sense.

Rowdy (and others) - I respect your opinion on it, and yes, "education is the best"... but when it puts others in danger, immediate action needs to be taken.

- That is why when someone is caught driving drunk, they are fined, THEN required to go to some sort of sobriety class to get educated... after the fact.

Or would you rather someone get hurt first, then call the police?

[Rickster]

Just the fact that this post has generated so much debate (some of it heated) so quickly, is a perfect example why this sort of thing is best left to the professionals. That's not a lack of guts, that's just common sense.

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I think Geoff's right.

I'm putting this on a T-Shirt... you can buy them for 5 bucks....except for Rowdy, he get's one for free

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by techgesture

You see a drunk driving on the road... do you wave him to pull over so that you can educate him on why not to drive drunk, ... or do you call the police because of the immidiate danger he poses to himself and others.

Same thing.

How on EARTH is this the same thing. A drunk, or anybody in any kind of alchohal or drug induced state is NOT the same person as they would be if they were not under the influence. That's criminal behaviour on a whole other level! Maybe this kid is nothing more of a show off...is it destructive? Yah, sure it is...it's stupid, that's a fact. But it's sure not the same destructive behaviour as some drunk weaving his way home after an all night bender because he doesn't know how to cope with his or her own life! To quote an earlier post in the thread...IMO, thats a weak statement all around.

[Clint]

I'll take an extra-medium, please.

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I'll take an extra-medium, please.

I got one left in red...it's all yours rowdy

[Colorado Cajun]

Originally Posted by BlaznBlu50

I don't mean to direct this straight at you CC, just something that came to mind again today. Unfortunately, it's in your post.

I guess the thing I get confused about or sometimes upset about is when someone posts a question, seeming to look for advice, then appears to want to disagree with the advice that differs from what they want to hear. If you already have in your mind how you want to react, then pose your question like that. But if it is posted as a general question for feedback, then just accept the feedback and act as you feel comfortable.

But for your question CC: "So, do I call the sherriff's office and put an end to his irresponsible behavior or do I let nature takes it's course and let him learn the hard way, the asphalt way?"

Yes, call the sheriff and make them aware of the situation. They know how to best handle the situation.

Some of are just suggesting that it might make things better to try to help a young neighbor personally in addition to the other option. They might surprise you and be willing to listen to some constructive criticism.

First off let start with an update.

I have not seen the guy since Thursday before I started this post. After I had read verious comments yesterday I reported it to the sherriff's office and if I decided to catch up with him and talk about his speeding on the street, then I will.

Blazn, Yes I did have an idear about what I was going to do. If you re-read my original post I was posing the question whether or not to call the sherriff's office or let him turn into squid juice. Other people on the forum decided to insert their opinions other then the question I asked, on their own, not on my request. And that is fine, this is a forum. Even if I would have asked for everyone's opinion in general, that doesn't mean I or anyone else has to agree with it. Sometimes there are more then one solution to a problem. Rowdy seems to think his solution is the right one and seems a little agrivated that most disaree. In general, going back to your paragraph about posting for advice, if someone offers their opinion and the person asking disagree, let it go! In this case, it's not my responsibility to enforce speed limits.

[Colorado Cajun]

Originally Posted by Rickster

Just the fact that this post has generated so much debate (some of it heated) so quickly, is a perfect example why this sort of thing is best left to the professionals. That's not a lack of guts, that's just common sense.

You are right. Like I just said before, it's not my responsibility to enforce speed limits. As you said before Rickster, I don't need my tires slashed either.

[BlaznBlu]

Originally Posted by Colorado Cajun

First off let start with an update.

I have not seen the guy since Thursday before I started this post. After I had read verious comments yesterday I reported it to the sherriff's office and I had decided that I will catch up with him and talk about his speeding on the street.

Blazn, Yes I did have an idear about what I was going to do. If you re-read my original post I was posing the question whether or not to call the sherriff's office or let him turn into squid juice. Other people on the forum decided to insert their opinions other then the question I asked, on their own, not on my request. And that is fine, this is a forum. Even if I would have asked for everyone's opinion in general, that doesn't mean I or anyone else has to agree with it. Sometimes there are more then one solution to a problem. Rowdy seems to think his solution is the right one and seems a little agrivated that most disaree. In general, going back to your paragraph about posting for advice, if someone offers their opinion and the person asking disagree, let it go! In this case, it's not my responsibility to enforce speed limits.

Hi CC, I was thinking about my post this afternoon some more, and it really wasn't directed at you. I was reading in some other threads and it was just in my mind when I was reading yours. My bad, here.

I am glad you made the call, hope all works out well. You definately did open up a good discussion, though.

[Colorado Cajun]

Originally Posted by BlaznBlu50

Hi CC, I was thinking about my post this afternoon some more, and it really wasn't directed at you. I was reading in some other threads and it was just in my mind when I was reading yours. My bad, here.

I am glad you made the call, hope all works out well. You definately did open up a good discussion, though.

That's Cool! Thanks!

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

Originally Posted by Colorado Cajun

First off let start with an update.

I have not seen the guy since Thursday before I started this post. After I had read verious comments yesterday I reported it to the sherriff's office and if I decided to catch up with him and talk about his speeding on the street, then I will.

CC,
For what it's worth...
THANK YOU for taking action on something you felt was not right in your neighborhood. It's good to see people take an active aproach to making our communities better by addressing specific problems like the one your young neighborhood biker posed.

Some folks around here seem to think their OPINIONS should be treated as FACT by everyone else. It sounds like you're happy with your decision on how to act upon the issue. Keep it real, brotha'.