BajaNomad

crossing Otay border on a bike

Don Pisto - 9-15-2021 at 08:59 AM

don't know whats up with this but they're not letting bikes ride up to front of the line....how would you like to push your scoot for two hours in this heat!:no:

SFandH - 9-15-2021 at 10:13 AM

That's a big change and IMO not a good one. The procedure is to ride to the front and wait for someone to let you in. Which usually happens quickly. The motorcyclists don't bother me when I'm in line.

Udo - 9-15-2021 at 10:26 AM

There were waaay too many complaints to the border office about bikes cutting in line. Regardless that they are a bike. Would you let someone cut in front of you at the bank or the grocery store? And you know what happens if you try to cut in line with a car. So now there is a dedicated motorcycle line at Otay crossing.
And for those who like to cross at Tecate...you know what happens there if you cut in. You get a ticket. Tecate has two lanes, one for cars and one for commercial traffic. It is a major uproar if you try to cut the line.
Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
don't know whats up with this but they're not letting bikes ride up to front of the line....how would you like to push your scoot for two hours in this heat!:no:

SFandH - 9-15-2021 at 10:57 AM

The difference is I'm in an air-conditioned car, wearing comfortable clothes, sitting in a comfortable car seat, and listening to the radio. Motorcyclists, if you make them wait, are standing holding their bikes up, or straddling their bike keeping it balanced, pushing them along, without air-conditioning, and wearing heavy road gear.

Sit back, relax, let the bikers go to the front. There aren't many, at least not at San Ysidro.


[Edited on 9-15-2021 by SFandH]

Lee - 9-15-2021 at 11:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
The difference is I'm in an air-conditioned car, wearing comfortable clothes, sitting in a comfortable car seat, and listening to the radio. Motorcyclists, if you make them wait, are standing holding their bikes up, or straddling their bike keeping it balanced, pushing them along, without air-conditioning, and wearing heavy road gear.

Sit back, relax, let the bikers go to the front. There aren't many, at least not at San Ysidro.

[Edited on 9-15-2021 by SFandH]


x2

Paco Facullo - 9-15-2021 at 11:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
The difference is I'm in an air-conditioned car, wearing comfortable clothes, sitting in a comfortable car seat, and listening to the radio. Motorcyclists, if you make them wait, are standing holding their bikes up, or straddling their bike keeping it balanced, pushing them along, without air-conditioning, and wearing heavy road gear.

Sit back, relax, let the bikers go to the front. There aren't many, at least not at San Ysidro.


[Edited on 9-15-2021 by SFandH]


X-100

It's sad that SO many people only care about themselves....

X100

Don Pisto - 9-15-2021 at 11:27 AM

I would be curious if this ridiculous policy was at all the crossings?

mtgoat666 - 9-15-2021 at 11:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
don't know whats up with this but they're not letting bikes ride up to front of the line....how would you like to push your scoot for two hours in this heat!:no:


Bikes need to wait like any other vehicle. Bullchit that bikers think they can cut in front of line.
If hot day, take off your jacket while you wait in line.
If heat is a problem for you, perhaps take a car instead of bike, wait to travel in cooler season, or get sentri.


[Edited on 9-15-2021 by mtgoat666]

Paco Facullo - 9-15-2021 at 12:02 PM

Apparently O'l Goat has never ridden a bike ....

Or, he is just one of the aforementioned persons that I spoke of ?

Don Pisto - 9-15-2021 at 12:14 PM

you knew it was comin':rolleyes:

SFandH - 9-15-2021 at 12:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
I would be curious if this ridiculous policy was at all the crossings?


I haven't heard of it at San Ysidro and I read several Facebook groups with members that frequently cross there.

mtgoat666 - 9-15-2021 at 01:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo  
There were waaay too many complaints to the border office about bikes cutting in line. Regardless that they are a bike. Would you let someone cut in front of you at the bank or the grocery store? And you know what happens if you try to cut in line with a car. So now there is a dedicated motorcycle line at Otay crossing.
And for those who like to cross at Tecate...you know what happens there if you cut in. You get a ticket. Tecate has two lanes, one for cars and one for commercial traffic. It is a major uproar if you try to cut the line.


Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
don't know whats up with this but they're not letting bikes ride up to front of the line....how would you like to push your scoot for two hours in this heat!:no:


The bikers here in nomadlandia apparently are very weak and sensitive snowflakes that “need” line cutting privileges due to their infirmities. It sounds like these bikers need to trade in their bikes for an ambulance :lol::lol:

SFandH - 9-15-2021 at 01:34 PM

Watcha drinkin' goat? Sour cow's milk?

I'm not a biker but I'm pro-biker in this case. There just aren't that many to cause a problem. Making them wait in line is unreasonable if you stop and think about it.

advrider - 9-15-2021 at 03:10 PM

Never had an issue crossing, going to the front of the line in Tecate? Last time I was there I was having a tire problem and hanging back in line and one of the Mexican policia came up and told me bikes go to the front. I had to pull over several times to put air in and each time I got back in line the cars in front waved me forward. I guess Mexicans are friendlier then grumpy old gringos... Don't have a problem waiting if that is the rule.
Many people will cut off a bike when we are "legally" lane splitting ( not going a 100 mph down the freeway)as well because it's not fare that a bike can do it! I usually only do it at lights in an attempt to avoid being rear ended by someone on their phone.

mjs - 9-15-2021 at 05:51 PM

Bikes to the front in most of the world. It's really only the entitled north American drivers who have an issue sharing the road.

mtgoat666 - 9-15-2021 at 05:57 PM


why do bikers feel entitled to special treatment?

if bike is so uncomfortable or unwieldy in line, perhaps you should not drive it, eh?

freediverbrian - 9-15-2021 at 07:33 PM

If you are in line at the grocery store with a big cart full of food and someone walks up with a loaf of bread what do you do ? You let them in front of you it's called common curiosity we seem to lacking it.

advrider - 9-15-2021 at 08:09 PM

I don't think goat would agree, they can wait! I don't think he has any common curiosity in him. Hey goat ready to take you on a hike any day you can make it!

mtgoat666 - 9-16-2021 at 12:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by freediverbrian  
If you are in line at the grocery store with a big cart full of food and someone walks up with a loaf of bread what do you do ? You let them in front of you it's called common curiosity we seem to lacking it.


Not a relevant comparison.
In your example, big diff in time between full grocery cart and single item.
It takes same amount of time for motorbike or car to be interviewed at border xing.
When I am at grocery store buying 1 item, I do not let another single-item purchaser cut line. That would be stupid.
Your point was pointless.

Why is motorcyclist’s time more valuable than another drivers time?



[Edited on 9-16-2021 by mtgoat666]

advrider - 9-16-2021 at 07:19 AM

Maybe reread his post, he said if you had a full cart and you let someone cut in line with one item. Your just a bitter person at anyone doing something fun!

Maderita - 9-16-2021 at 11:32 AM

My understanding is that there is a longstanding custom for motorcycles cutting to the front of lines or stopped traffic. I've never seen this in print or law, so cannot verify this information. It is a common-sense tradition based on the fact that motorcycles had/have air-cooled engines and must keep moving for proper cooling. It had nothing to do with the comfort or convenience of the rider. In this century, most motorcycles (not scooters) are liquid cooled.

mjs - 9-16-2021 at 01:17 PM

True, most bikes are water cooled now. However, unlike a car where there is room for large radiators, most water cooled bikes have small radiators and small or even no radiator fans. So air flow is still important as bikes are not designed to be stationary for long periods of time with their engines idling.

In Calif is is perfectly legal* for bikes to share lanes and move to the front when stopped. No different than what happens at the border.

(*unlike other states, there is no law or statue that prohibits this.)

mtgoat666 - 9-16-2021 at 01:35 PM

There is a big difference between lane filtering at a traffic light, and lane filtering to cut in line at inspection point.

Wait your turn.

If motorcycles are incapable of prolonged idling, perhaps you should leave it at home, replace faulty bike with appropriate bike, use other transportation, etc.



Udo - 9-17-2021 at 09:57 AM

Exactly!
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
don't know whats up with this but they're not letting bikes ride up to front of the line....how would you like to push your scoot for two hours in this heat!:no:


Bikes need to wait like any other vehicle. Bullchit that bikers think they can cut in front of line.
If hot day, take off your jacket while you wait in line.
If heat is a problem for you, perhaps take a car instead of bike, wait to travel in cooler season, or get sentri.


[Edited on 9-15-2021 by mtgoat666]

Udo - 9-17-2021 at 09:59 AM

Exactly as well!
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by freediverbrian  
If you are in line at the grocery store with a big cart full of food and someone walks up with a loaf of bread what do you do ? You let them in front of you it's called common curiosity we seem to lacking it.


Not a relevant comparison.
In your example, big diff in time between full grocery cart and single item.
It takes same amount of time for motorbike or car to be interviewed at border xing.
When I am at grocery store buying 1 item, I do not let another single-item purchaser cut line. That would be stupid.
Your point was pointless.

Why is motorcyclist’s time more valuable than another drivers time?



[Edited on 9-16-2021 by mtgoat666]

What about the rider?

AKgringo - 9-17-2021 at 10:57 AM

Even if the bike is not overheating, can you imagine straddling a warm, running engine dressed in protective gear, with no shade or breeze in 100+ degree temps?

mtgoat666 - 9-17-2021 at 11:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Even if the bike is not overheating, can you imagine straddling a warm, running engine dressed in protective gear, with no shade or breeze in 100+ degree temps?


If heat bothers you, perhaps you should walk or travel by car when crossing border.
Hot days are just a 3 months of the year, perhaps you snowflakes can avoid crossing border in late summer when temps may be high.

BornFisher - 9-17-2021 at 12:05 PM

OK so about 3 weeks ago there was a huge motorcycle rally somewhere around Rosarito Beach. I must have seen 1,000 bikes. I heard they came not only from Mexico, but Phoenix, Las Vegas, all over So. Cal, and who knows where. I`m guessing that when they crossed, there were some big groups. Letting a bike go first is fine, but how about a group of 10 or more? Maybe this policy was a response to complaints.