You should never depend on other drivers to make your driving experience safer. Again, as I said before you should never put yourself in a situation where you pass another driver and you are dependent on how alert the driver is regardless if you're in a car or not. This is basic stuff they teach you in your MSF course. Always have an escape route, don't depend on others.
What?
You keep literally saying that a biker should never ever pass a car ever. I don't understand.
Also, it seems like you think Melvang is the bike rider in his story? I don't believe that's the case. I think he was in a car and heard the bikes approaching.
But regardless, here's my input. I love loud bikes. I don't ride and never have. But I don't like driving in my car and being surprised by a quiet bike coming into my blind spot. I can hear a loud bike approaching, despite your insistence that I can't, and I like that.
It's a shame that bikers are treated as poorly as they are. I'm thankful to be from a very bike-friendly state.
I'm curious to hear why some of you guys don't like bikes, other than just "I don't like them". Is biker culture different in other regions that they have a bad reputation? Genuinely curious.
No I don't keep saying that, you are refusing to read anything I've typed if that's what you think I've been saying. I've been saying you should never put the safety of any of your driving maneuvers in the hands of other drivers. It doesn't have anything to do with being 'bike friendly' (Texas was relatively bike friendly when I was riding there) and more to do with the inherent risks and responsibilities you take as a motorcycle rider.
You should never be in a situation where if you are passing someone and they make a mistake you cannot escape the situation. It's called being a defensive driver, which is something you learn in every basic drivers ed course, and is especially important in motorcycle safety courses.
There are no airbags, crumpling metal frames, seat belts, brake control (barring the new bikes with ABS), or any of the features that exist in cars to protect you in the case of an accident. You are responsible for all your actions and mistakes and must be constantly aware of your surrounding situation. If you are depending on the sound of your bike, which is not easily heard for many reasons, then you are driving unsafely. Period.
If you are passing someone and they decide to go into your lane because they're not aware of you, you should be able to avoid any collisions by going into another lane, slowing down, speeding up, or taking another route. You should never depend on sound as sense to alert people of your presence and to ensure your safety on the road.
Go ask any MSF course instructor if you'd like, you don't need to listen to me. Every instructor will tell you the same thing as I have been telling you. Go ask most manufacturers why they don't lobby for 'safety' features like loud bikes and instead install exhaust systems that are quiet and meet noise regulations.
Basing your safety and the safety of others on anecdotal evidence ("one time I heard a biker approach me") is not something you should be doing when talking about life-and-death situations.