Braving the streets on two wheels presents myriad problems for motorcyclists.

Inattentive drivers turning left across traffic, text messagers and other dangerous multitaskers, lead-foots and plain dangerous individuals make riding a motorcycle in urban environments an exercise in risk taking.

Throw in slippery fluids, gravel, rocks, busted-off parts from rusty jalopies, dead animals, pot holes, live animals and countless other objects and one begins to wonder, "Why even bother?"

All of the above comes with the territory, and I've learned to accept the dangers, look for them and adapt.

For me there is one hazard above all others, more of an annoyance, actually, that irritates me to unhealthy levels -- the cigarette flicker.

How many riders out there have had one of these fine specimens of slobbery flick a glowing red butt out their window to hit you in the head or torso? Or even worse, how about having the still-glowing butt lodge itself in your crotch? Try digging that burning sucker out while navigating the aforementioned hazards.

Car drivers --cagers in pejorative motorcycle speak -- are like large buffalo roaming the open pavement. In Yellowstone National Park, you stay away from the buffalo and they pretty much leave you alone. Every once in a while, though, something goes terribly wrong and there's a goring -- usually at the fault of the human.

Just like on the street, day-to-day riding usually goes OK, but things can quickly go terribly wrong. The only thing riders can do is to be aware, ride safely and defensively, wear gear, practice, know their machines and anticipate the worst-case scenario. Unfortunately, that's not always enough.

Imagine you are the most attentive, courteous hiker in Yellowstone. You treat the buffalo with respect and follow all the rules. But what happens if the buffalo start spitting at you? This is really gross spit, too, huge disgusting buffalo hockers.

Not much you can do about it, huh? You can't approach a hocker-spitting buffalo in anger, because it can go on a rampage and squash you.

For the most part, avoiding the street buffalo is easy enough for an attentive motorcyclist. But when they start spitting things out their windows, it's hard for riders to avoid getting hit.

I attribute this type of behavior to conscious ignorance. There is no valid argument condoning flicking a cigarette -- or anything -- out of a car window. It's just a tiny butt, a bit of flotsam that will float away on the wind, right? No one will ever notice, right?

More than anything it's the principle.It is such an easy thing to do, extinguish the cigarette and place the butt in your ash tray. Empty the ash tray at your convenience. It's not just cigarettes, too. Keep a trash bag in your car or wait until you can put waste into a trash can. Anything besides tossing stuff out the window.

Motorcyclists have enough to deal with while driving in an urban environment; dodging flying objects shouldn't be added to the list.

I think I can speak for all responsible motorcyclists: "Car drivers, please be courteous."

Remember that you share the road with motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. Don't get drawn into complacency inside the safety of your cage on wheels. Be aware. If every driver had the mind of a motorcycle rider, braving the mechanical urban wildlife wouldn't be such a danger.

Click here to go to NHTSA National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety.

Click here to visit Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety.