finally! my kinda post, but, alas, i don't have much time here today to post on this one...
1- not all bikes are air cooled (and for that matter, some vw's are air cooled too, yet they can not "split lanes". i suspect there is another reason for allowing bikes to do this.). a lot of motorcycles are water cooled and as such should have no problem sitting it traffic for a red light.
2- as a few of you already know, this past summer i got my cdl and started driving a semi for a living, driving 2500-3000 miles a week. 2 weeks after i started driving professionally, i noticed a few things about drivers of "4 wheelers" (trucker term, not an atv). first is that there is a good percentage of the population that doesn't understand that an onramp on an interstate is there to build speed till you can merge safley with traffic. many drivers will get to the end of the ramp, and then slam on the brakes while finally looking for the first time to see if they can merge with traffic.
second, in general, my opinion is that a lot of people out there are quite simply oblivious to their surroundings. think it's ok to pass a semi only to cut back over 20' in front of them and hit your brakes? ever wonder what 80,000 pounds of steel feels like driving over your miata? if you are one that likes to cut off "big trucks" you might just find out.
3- i agree with the thought of more through training for people to get their drivers liscenses. i am now in the belief that drivers ed classes should cost a lot more (in the $1-2k range), and should be a lot more intensive, take place on a closed road course, and focus more towards awareness and vehicle control. simply stopping for 3 seconds at stop signs does not make you a good driver. i'd like to see drivers ed more more toward private driving (racing) schools.
4- as a professional driver, i agree that my views might be a bit biased. if you wanna discuss this further, reply or feel free to pm me, even only if you wanna tell me about the truck that cut you off today. lord knows that i've had it happen to me!
peace all, and happy driving!
tech...