Do you stop?

[Papa Lazarou]

In the old days, we bikers stopped to help out anyone in trouble. I remember stopping for a couple of Hells Angels, who insisted on showing me their weaponry ( ), but still helped out.

It seems those ways and days are going.

I'll stop and help out-sometimes with little effect-anyone at all. Part of the biking brotherhood and it sometimes results in another adventure.

[kevin_stevens]

"It depends".  Quick assessment with a lot of criteria regarding location, risk to stopping, risk to stopped rider, cell phone in evidence, likely response time, my available time/resources, etc.

KeS

[RRdvark]

If I am by myself I usually stop.  If I am transporting the kids or the wife I usually don't stop.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

"It depends".  Quick assessment with a lot of criteria regarding location, risk to stopping, risk to stopped rider, cell phone in evidence, likely response time, my available time/resources, etc.

KeS

I answered "always", but the above criteria is used

[sammyseaman]

"It depends".  Quick assessment with a lot of criteria regarding location, risk to stopping, risk to stopped rider, cell phone in evidence, likely response time, my available time/resources, etc.

KeS

 

[napper]

I'll at least get an idea if they need help and stop if it appears they do.  Even if I don't have any tools or anything, an offer of a cell phone, make a call from the down the road, or whatever may help redeem someone's day.  

I've had countless rider stop to see if need help when I've been stopped on the side of the road resting, stretching or taking pics.  I just try to do my part to keep the karma wheel turning.

[kevin_stevens]

I answered "always", but the above criteria is used

Just shows how much nicer a person you are!  

KeS

[squeezer]

"It depends".  Quick assessment with a lot of criteria regarding location, risk to stopping, risk to stopped rider, cell phone in evidence, likely response time, my available time/resources, etc.

KeS

+1, so I voted for "other."  As a general rule, yes.  Occasionally, no.  Most of the "no" cases are when stopping might be unsafe and it appears the situation is being handled anyway.  Most of the time, I'll just slow down and give them a thumb's up. If they return it, I'm on my way.

Stopped for a lost Gold Wing trike on the way to work this morning. Luckily, he was only a block away from where he needed to go.

[bomber]

I selected "always," but much of the time, slowing down will produce a wave, a thumbs up and a thank you from the rider -- I take this to mean that everything is OK, and keep on down the hall, er, road.

It'd be a real wakeup to find that I'd been disapointing riders for decades by misinterpreting their relief at getting help as a sing that they didn't need any.

;-}

[miles]

I slow and give the "thumbs up" signal.  If they return it. I head on my way.  If they give me the thumbs down or some similar signal, I'll stop and see if I can help.

[MadMax96]

Most of the time I'm on my way to work and just don't have the time - but those folks generally look to have things under control anyway (on the phone, etc..).

I have stopped a couple of times - once I helped someone push start their CBR.  I was in full gear and was melting from the extreme heat.. but it was worth it since I knew I helped out.  Thankfully a truck stopped traffic to give us room for the push and to let me back in when I was ready to leave.  Cars were honking behind him but he didn't budge.  I think he had Fire dept. plates.

I stopped one other time and asked the guy "you ok???"  He gave me a thumbs up and I was on my way.  

[Tony T]

Always.

But never taken up on my offer of help so far. Even from the goldwing that had a flat tire on the shoulder of the interstate in the middle of BFE. I told him I had a plug kit and a compressor. But apparently a goldwing is too heavy for that and towing it to a dealer is a better option. Who knew?

[chornbe]

I'll say "always" but only 'cause that's the closest option. If there's already assistance on-site, or it's a group thing, or of the logistics just don't allow for it, no. They're likely covered.

On the way home from the National, before the bike when on the trailer for the trek up the interstate, I was out enjoying the WV and VA roads and we came across a guy broken down. I pulled over to check and when the wife came along, she pulled over, too. I offered to give him a trailer ride if needed, and he already had someone coming.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

There are three distinct times I've stopped (although there are more, I'm sure)

1 - desert of Utah, a couple were on the side of the interstate in the blazing sun. He was pushing the bike to a nearby overpass. I pulled over to help, but he had things under control (out of gas, someone coming with gas and heading for shade).

2 - rush hour traffic on I-5 in downtown Seattle. Bike on the north bound lane, me in the southbound. I stopped on the near shoulder anyway and called over to see if she needed help. She declined. (I-5 is nasty during rush hour; I'd hate to be stuck there!)

3 - middle o' nowhere, BC. An older bike on the side of the road with a car parked behind it. The car driver (young female) looked rather clueless, so despite my initial thought of "He has help", I turned around to offer my assistance, seeing as I had bike tools, oil and gas in my "trunk". Turned out he had just bought the bike and his girlfriend was following him home. He used the oil and was on his way  

[Corbeau]

[dm_gsxr]

Yea, I'm an "Always" too but with the same caveats. If it looks like the guy's ok, cell phone or waves me off I'll continue on.

Most recently I was heading south on 25 on the 'busa and sitting in the median next to the jersey barrier (like 2' of space between him and the fast lane) was a guy who looked stuck. I headed to the exit, looped around, exit again to loop back south and pulled into a wider spot and walked back. He'd just bought the bike up in Ft Collins and was bringing it home with it died. He pulled off and couldn't get it going again. I gave him a ride to the next accessible exit to get gas and took him back. When that didn't work, I called Rita and she got on the local bike site to see if someone was available with a truck to pick the guy up. Unfortunately no one was around so I took him back to the same gas station where he called a friend to come get him.

That was probably the most involved I've been with helping someone though. Mostly it's just offering tools or a cell phone so the guy can call a friend.

Carl

[Wanderer]

I slow and give the "thumbs up" signal.  If they return it. I head on my way.  If they give me the thumbs down or some similar signal, I'll stop and see if I can help.

I voted 'other- explain'  and do this.  

I almost always get the 'I'm good' wave.
I'll definintely stop if they look to be actually working on the bike, or the bike/rider is down.

[nater]

I've never seen anyone broke down with a bike...so OTHER applies to me.

[HipGnosis]

The poll really needs another option:  I always slow down to evaluate the situation and then act accordingly.

I've turned around when I couldn't tell what one guys hand-wave meant - he was just taking a break.
I've been shoo'd away from a harley / rider.
I had to tell 3 guys how to push start a harley - they wouldn't let me help physically (but I was the smallest person there).  After 2 failed attempts (that I saw) they took my advice of putting it in 2nd.
I've given a ride to the next phone (before cell-phones).
I've been shoo'd away from a guy takin a leak.

The brand, style or size of the bike is never a factor.
I won't stop for someone wearing colors of a known, notorious club simply because I met enough of them in days gone by to know they won't accept outside help.

[bluepoof]

"It depends".  Quick assessment with a lot of criteria regarding location, risk to stopping, risk to stopped rider, cell phone in evidence, likely response time, my available time/resources, etc.

I picked "other", for the exact reasons Kevin mentioned.

If it's a busy interstate and the rider is clearly on his cell phone, I won't stop.  

If it's on a backroad, I'll slow down and wait for the "I'm OK" or "oh, thank god someone stopped by" signal.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I've only been offered assistance once while riding (didn't need it, was just changing gloves) but the Beemer coming my way slowed down, gave me a thumbs up with a slight shrug and then sped off when I replied with my own thumbs up.


I ran out of gas once (well, a few times, but we'll just use this one time for now) and Dan was off to get me a refill. I didn't want anyone to stop to help me, but at the same time, I didn't want to be irked if anyone went by and didn't offer to help     So I took my gear and wandered 20' or so into the woods, out of sight. I figured most people would just assume I'd stopped to pee  

[bungie4]

Around 2002 I was tooling down the road and came across two HD's, one of which had half the wiring harness eviscerated on the road.  I stopped and asked the second guy if everything was okay. He said no. The first guy yankin out the wiring harness was about to have a shit hemmorage  he was so pissed. I offered up my cell phone and stayed the hell of the way of the electrician. Buddy makes a call.

About 20 minutes later a pick up truck comes into view along with at least 8 more HD's. Right. Each and every one of them is patched Hells Angel. Fuck me.

So I hop on my bike and get ready to git out of dodge when the driver of the pickup points at me while talking to the guy who made the call, "Is that the guy?"

"Ya"

He walks in front of the bike so I wouldn't leave, shakes my hand and says thanks. Then he hands me a bunch of 'Property of Hells Angels' stickers "Put these on your bike, nobody will fuck with it" and then thanks me again.

Long story short, I never did put them on my bike. I don't want to get my ass kicked by some angels for sporting the stickers, and don't want my bike torched for sporting the stickers.

Would I do it again. Yes, and have quite a few times.

[Tony T]

I've only been offered assistance once while riding.

Likewise. I've only been offered help once. (Only need help a couple-two-three times.) I was pretty obvious I need help too. I was pushing my bike up-hill on the shoulder of the interstate in 90degee heat.   A HD rider was going the other direction but turned around and came back to see what's up. I told him I ran out of gas.   He then rode to the next rest area that was 1/8 mile away, parked, left his wife there and jogged back to help push. (I didn't want to leave my bike on the interstate or ask her to sit in the sun watching it.) So we left my bike with his wife in the shade while he gave me a ride to the next gas station. He truly went above and beyond what most people would do.  

That was back in 2004 on my first IBA ride, a BB1500.  

Mike and me still exchange emails.  

[falcofred]

Recently spotted a Harley rider who pulled off the road and then lost his balance. He was stuck in a precarious position holding the bike off the ground, but not being able to right it completely. I quickly stopped and was able to get his bike up right. He was quite thankful stating he didn't know how much longer he could have held it in that position.

I've also stopped and changed tires twice for females in automobiles.
I passed one group of ladies attempting the change and quickly turned around. The look on their faces was mixed, they wanted help, but you could see the concern on their faces as this helmeted stranger approached. I hope their opinion of motorcyclist improved after that.
Another time I helped two women at a gas station convenience store with a flat. They were quite thankfull as neither had a clue how where their jack was even located. They attempted to pay me, I stated that wasn't necessary. I felt sorry for them, my bike was worth more than the vehicle they were in.

[garry]

I voted always, but it depends. I slow down try to determine if they are in need of help or not. If I get the "thumbs up", then I just keep rolling.

[coho]

"It depends".  Quick assessment with a lot of criteria regarding location, risk to stopping, risk to stopped rider, cell phone in evidence, likely response time, my available time/resources, etc.

KeS

I picked "other", for the exact reasons Kevin mentioned.

If it's a busy interstate and the rider is clearly on his cell phone, I won't stop.  

If it's on a backroad, I'll slow down and wait for the "I'm OK" or "oh, thank god someone stopped by" signal.  

 That.

[jfusaro]

Always, because that someone may be me someday and I believe in Karma

[KLRchickie]

... much of the time, slowing down will produce a wave, a thumbs up and a thank you from the rider -- I take this to mean that everything is OK, and keep on down the road.

This. 

I don't believe we have ever actually stopped for a broken down rider, as one usually gets the friendly wave that tends to mean all is OK.  I can think of at least twice that we have come across recent accident scenes - but there was already so much help on hand that stopping would not have helped.  One we slowed & they waved us on (they were taping/wiring some bits back on the cruiser that had missed the curve), the other there were SO many vehicles clogging up both shoulders that we just got the heck out of the way (and met the ambulance & fire trucks just down the highway, that cruiser rider that missed the curve was in nasty shape - we could see the blood as we went by ).

We would stop if the situation looked like it warranted doing so.

I've been on the side of the road three times waiting for Zed to come back.  Once with gas (short time-pavement), once with a tube (several hours-gravel road), once with the hauling vehicle (couple hours-gravel road).  The times on gravel, a few pickups stopped to make sure I was OK, but they couldn't help me anyway.  All three times more than one vehicle went by with no sign that they even looked at me a second time to see if they should stop - *that* was strange.  None of the three times did I see any other bikes while I was waiting.

[Orpheus]

I voted other for the reasons the others have stated.  I'll check up, chirp the horn to get their attention, give a thumbs up/down gesture.  So far I've seen only a large handful of bikes on the side of the road and only had to stop for a few.  One was taking a break letting his HD cool down.  Atlanta traffic, gotta love it.  One out of gas that I gave a ride to a gas station with cell reception but they wanted to get their AAA monies worth, that or they didn't want to ride back carrying a small gas can.  Either way they wanted me to leave them there.  The other is the guy crashed in front of me.  

Usually it's a thumbs up or I'm late to the party and they don't need one more helper.

[Frankienuckles]

Depends on situation, I generally slow down enough to get a thumbs up from the stopped rider. If someone seems to need help I'll stop.

[Kootenanny]

I will normally stop and check--using the same criteria everyone else seems to use.

I did fly past one guy who was sitting beside his parked bike on time, on a very twisty--and somewhat remote--section of highway.  As soon as I got to the end of the twisty section (just a few minutes), I turned around and rode back to check on him.  He said he was just taking a break (which is exactly what it looked like, and why I didn't stop for him immediately--plus, it was a good excuse to ride those twisties 3 times...).

I have stopped on several occasions while driving my truck to render assistance to stopped cars--I carry a pretty full tool kit.  One night, in the pouring rain, near the top of a remote pass, I helped an old guy put his serpentine belt back on--he was trying to remove the alternator (with minimal tools BTW) when I stopped.  Of course, the serpentine belt isn't adjusted that way, you need to move the tensioner out of the way (usually with a ratchet handle).  I got the elderly couple on their way in about 15 minutes (including replacing all the bolts he'd managed to get loose in an hour in the rain)...

Of course, on a separate occasion, again at night in the rain, on the same pass, when I was putting the old serpentine belt that I carried "just in case" onto my truck engine to replace the one that'd shredded, I must have been passed by a dozen vehicles--not one of which even slowed down.  Hmmm...

[bomber]

I was pounding up the slab, just over the state line –- pretty early morning, with little traffic, and I’ve got really long site lines, so I’m making time.

The highway has a very narrow median – a shoulder of maybe 4 feet, ARMCO barrier, and another shoulder. NOT a place I’d want to work on a bike.

I can see what seems to be a person standing on the median, and I remember thinking what an odd place to stand, when I discerned a motorcycle.

The rider had seemingly adopted the universal slouch and facepalm attitude that signals “WTF is wrong with this thing NOW?” to those that know.

I pulled over onto the shoulder, thinking I could help the poor soul get the bike (which, by this time, had resolved into a bagger Harley) to the other side of the road, where we’d have more room to do triage and perhaps fix his scoot.

When I got to within about 30 feet, it became clear that the rider was a member of the State Constabulary, that his bagger had lights and antenna all over it, and that he was busy finishing paperwork from his last traffic stop.

He turned toward me with a quizzical look on his face, and I figured I’d better explain why I’d stopped – after all, he had a gun, and I had my boyish good looks. No contest.

“Sorry, Officer – I saw you standing on the side of the road and figured I would see if you needed help.”

“No, I think I can finish writing up this moving violation all by myself. But, thanks for stopping.”

[Dan K]

I also picked "other" for the exact reasons Kevin mentioned.

Usually I get a thumbs up or am told they are already covered.

Once a new rider on a Suzuki Gs500 or something was in the middle of the road (on hatched yellows) and couldn't get her bike restarted after it died.

I got it going somehow, told her where the closest gas station was (I'm pretty sure she was out of gas - maybe my opening and closing the gas lid gave her a few more drops) and she went another direction.  Oh well.

My favorite is when I stopped for 2 guys on the Edens, a very busy highway.  I saw two bikes and one guy, stopped and called out to find out if everything was OK. Guy nodded in his tinted full face (couldn't see his face) and gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up.  Just then, guy number 2 comes running down the hill of the side of the rode, helmet on, zipping his pants after taking a leak.  They clearly didn't need assistance.

- Dan

[chornbe]

“No, I think I can finish writing up this moving violation all by myself. But, thanks for stopping.”

You should have verified...

"Are you sure? Remember there are two Os in operator. Lots of people make that mistake."

Might have made for a good laugh for both of you.  

[bomber]

You should have verified...

"Are you sure? Remember there are two Os in operator. Lots of people make that mistake."

Might have made for a good laugh for both of you.  

Sigh -- I always think of, or get guidance regarding, snappy comebacks too late to put them to good use.

Happily, in this case ;-}

[Kootenanny]

Saw two guys standing on the side of the highway, two bikes parked...I pulled a u-turn to check that they were OK, and found that they were just taking a break.  Both riding brand-new, just-out-that-year Triumphs--one was the brand new Speed Triple, which I hadn't seen yet, so I stopped and we talked bikes for a minute...

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Zarly's bike apparently died on him the other day. He pushed it a mile along the shoulder to get to a good place to arrange a tow. He said many bikes passed him, but no one stopped. He posted this on FB and one of his "friends" said "Was that YOU!?!!? So-and-so and I rode by and saw someone pushing a bike, but we didn't stop".

Nice  

[coho]

Zarly's bike apparently died on him the other day. He pushed it a mile along the shoulder to get to a good place to arrange a tow. He said many bikes passed him, but no one stopped. He posted this on FB and one of his "friends" said "Was that YOU!?!!? So-and-so and I rode by and saw someone pushing a bike, but we didn't stop".

Nice  

They probably thought he looked 'scary'.

There is a 1.03% chance this will change the future behavior of Zarly's "friend".

[Castaway]

"It depends".  Quick assessment with a lot of criteria regarding location, risk to stopping, risk to stopped rider, cell phone in evidence, likely response time, my available time/resources, etc.

KeS

I stop unless it appears things are under control or the location is risky.

I stopped for a guy on I-90 while riding through Washington, and it turned out he'd run out of gas, something that had happened to me during that trip. I was 'rescued' by an older couple who drove me to the closest town for gas and then back to my bike - what goes around comes around.

[ST-DocLizard1]

Only if summoned to stop or at an accident scene providing it is safe to do so.


Doc

[Busy Little Whiner]

I must stop... I can't ignore when a Bike cries for help...

[Lord Jim]

I answered "always", but the above criteria is used

[thecap]

I must stop... I can't ignore when a Bike cries for help...

 

[pops66]

If I am by myself I usually stop.  If I am transporting the kids or the wife I usually don't stop.

What he said

[antvq]

I was heading to the Jersey shore on my old Suzuki once when a bee hit me in the throat and went right down my jacket.  Stinging commenced.   I stopped on the shoulder as soon as possible and must have looked like a crazy man flinging off the jacket and my shirt trying to get the bee out.    Couple of bikes stopped to see what was going on and if I needed help.  Pagans.   Nice guys too  

[Papa Lazarou]

I was heading to the Jersey shore on my old Suzuki once when a bee hit me in the throat and went right down my jacket.  Stinging commenced.   I stopped on the shoulder as soon as possible and must have looked like a crazy man flinging off the jacket and my shirt trying to get the bee out.    Couple of bikes stopped to see what was going on and if I needed help.  Pagans.   Nice guys too  

I had a very similar thing happen to me with a wasp. Sting me 20 times. Police car rolled up and the two coppers inside were in fits of laughter.  

[sammyseaman]

I was heading to the Jersey shore on my old Suzuki once when a bee hit me in the throat and went right down my jacket.  Stinging commenced.   I stopped on the shoulder as soon as possible and must have looked like a crazy man flinging off the jacket and my shirt trying to get the bee out.    Couple of bikes stopped to see what was going on and if I needed help.  Pagans.   Nice guys too  

  I think I'll start a bee thread. No, really  

[phoenix]

"Other" - meaning, usually. I think I've stopped 4 times for someone alongside the one. Only once was I able to help out a little bit. twice it was false alarm/they didn't want help/no discernable reaction from them so F you!  

All those times, I was on a bike at the same time. I can't say that I have pulled the car over when I saw a bike on the side of the road though....

[loopedguru]

Other for me with a mix of the reasons everyone else has used.  I've been helped and helped in the car and on the bike.  I've also checked for hand signals.  I normally wave or thumbs up and also look for the helmet behind the rear wheel distress signal and use that one myself.

[jenfierbinget]

Edited to remove  

[Papa Lazarou]

I mailed this to my friends.
Regards

Welcome, Chinese spam friend  

[HappyRiding]

I stopped about a month ago for a HD on I-26. It was in the mid nineties and they were trying to stay in the shade from an exit sign. They had help coming but I did give them a bottle of water and a couple Gatorades.

I stop for a single bike but if they have a buddy on another bike I usually don't. I stopped one night and it turned out to be one of my co-workers. He had the keys to his truck with him and his wife couldn't find the spare set. I took the keys to her and showed her how to hook up the trailer. That is almost as good as the turtle karma you get when you move a turtle off of the road.

[JoBu]

I voted 'other- explain'  and do this.  

I almost always get the 'I'm good' wave.
I'll definintely stop if they look to be actually working on the bike, or the bike/rider is down.

+1  Heck, I even check on bicyclists if they seem to be having trouble (and not just taking a break).  I've had a couple borrow my cell to call for a ride.

Cheers,

Joe

[JoBu]

  I think I'll start a bee thread. No, really  

Paging Bubba Z.  Please report to the above thread.  

[Andrew]

I slow and give the "thumbs up" signal.  If they return it. I head on my way.  If they give me the thumbs down or some similar signal, I'll stop and see if I can help.

Thats my criteria when deciding to stop or not to stop.

Two weeks ago I was on my way to work (Friday the day I get to ride) Time about 6:15 am I see a woman on the side of the freeway on a bike with her helmet off, still on the bike. I pull over Give the thumbs   she starts blabbing on I repeat   She gives the  . I get off my bike and lend a hand. She had gotten a rear flat and the bike was too low to put out the kickstand so she could not even get off the bike. I helped turn the bike around put out the kickstand and gave her a ride to work (turns out she worked real close to where I work.) She called a tow from work. She was young and was her first bike.

[Redbandit14]

I said always but i do ,do the thumbs up thing. I stopped for a lost french Guy on an Ex 500 just last night. Going in exactly the opposite direction that what he wanted.

Once when i was newer i left the bike on reserve after a fill. When i ran out of gas on the 401 i reached for the lever and realized what i had done. So the bike is rolling in neutral at highway speed and just starting to slow down. I pull onto the shoulder and keep going to the next exit . which is a steep up hill. And just then a really nice guy on a CBR 1000 pulls over and stops right in front of me. so i stop.

And when he leaves after i declined his help ( afraid to leave my 24 year old rat bike on the side of the highway somebody might have stolen it for the $25 they could sell it for   ) i push the bike up the hill in 34 Degree weather .

The point being always be ready to stop but maybe scope out the situation first eh?

[JonS]

"It depends".  Quick assessment with a lot of criteria regarding location, risk to stopping, risk to stopped rider, cell phone in evidence, likely response time, my available time/resources, etc.

KeS

  too.
The last time I tried to be of assistance, the rider didn't want anything from me. He was waiting for some buddies to show up on the same brand as his non running machine.

[coho]

[Ax1464]

Living in "Harleyville, USA" (the rural Midwest) where I routinely get snubs or dirty looks from most other riders, I'm reluctant to stop for any cruisers at the side of the road.  20 years ago I'd stop for any rider without giving it any thought whatsoever.  Now, however, I find myself thinking, "Why should I help someone who looks down their nose at me?"

Despite this, if I see someone who looks like they WANT some help, I'll stop.  A while back I was on a spirited romp on one of my favorite local loops when I came flying over a hill and saw a Sportster on the shoulder with a young couple standing there looking sort of lost.  I continued past, wondering if they'd appreciate me stopping or if they'd just throw attitude.

It suddenly dawned on me that I should do "the right thing" and offer some help, regardless of how they might feel about what I was riding.  So I turned around and went back.

Turns out they did appreciate my stopping, though they were simply taking a break for her to "stretch her butt".