Over-polite motorists and the dangers they present to bicyclists
03-22-17, 08:26 PM
#101
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But helmets are required for minors and stupid has no age limits.
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03-22-17, 08:30 PM
#102
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Drivers manuals have been known to interpret the law incorrectly in other cases.
What they recommend might be reasonable but that doesn't make it the law either.
Remember, if a pedestrian makes eye contact with you, he or she is ready to cross the street. Yield to the pedestrian.
??? Do you need laws to tell you to avoid running into people?
What they recommend might be reasonable but that doesn't make it the law either.
Remember, if a pedestrian makes eye contact with you, he or she is ready to cross the street. Yield to the pedestrian.
??? Do you need laws to tell you to avoid running into people?
They are looking to see if you are paying attention or even looking at them. I've hollered at drivers that I was coming and still gotten clipped in the rear, my taco dinner was partly made by me even if they looked at me because I wasn't absolutely CERTAIN they recognized I was there. Never assume anything, as the old joke goes, and you can finish it in your head.
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03-23-17, 10:28 AM
#103
genec
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Wow, this thread has gone on much longer than I expected. It may be the longest thread I've ever OP'd...anywhere. But I like the way 'genec' put it above...where there is more than one motorist in the scene the cyclist has no idea if the other motorist(s) are clued in to what the 'over-polite motorist' is doing. Nor even if that motorist is aware of the cyclist's presence.
As far as the pedestrians...well, I don't think any motorists wants to hit a pedestrian (or cyclists). That would almost always end up in the favor of the pedrestrain/cyclist. But it's just good practice to have established rules, and designated zones for doing "whatever" where 3000+ lbs moving vehicles are concerned. Just like other motorists should be...cyclists and pedestrians should be 'predictable' for their own safety.
Dan
As far as the pedestrians...well, I don't think any motorists wants to hit a pedestrian (or cyclists). That would almost always end up in the favor of the pedrestrain/cyclist. But it's just good practice to have established rules, and designated zones for doing "whatever" where 3000+ lbs moving vehicles are concerned. Just like other motorists should be...cyclists and pedestrians should be 'predictable' for their own safety.
Dan
03-23-17, 12:44 PM
#104
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have experienced what op is talking about. sometimes its best to just stop momentarily and let them pass with a friendly wave. Act like your adjusting something, then move on
deescalate
deescalate
03-26-17, 09:31 PM
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The OP had a point... some motorists offer ROW that can actually put a cyclist in danger... The classic is the motorist that stops in the left lane for an oncoming cyclist wanting to turn left.
If the cyclist is lulled into taking the invitation, there are two danger spots... one is right in front of the stopped car, as a later arriving motorist may not see that the first vehicle stopped and they plow right into the stopped vehicle, pushing it forward.
The other danger spot is to the right of the stopped vehicle, where an impatient motorist may overtake the stopped car... either on the shoulder or in a right lane.
Motorists that yield ROW and stop at stop signs also present a hazard in that they can throw other motorists out of sync with the correct order... and again the risk of an impatient motorist passing on the right.
Sure, the "over-polite" situation works just fine when the cyclist and motorist are the only road users within decent visible range... such as on a residential street or out in a rural location... so it is not always a failure... and sometimes it is nice to be nice and wave at that friendly neighbor.
Oh yeah, and the whole thread went on a tangent while discussing the hows and whys of stopping for crossing pedestrians.
If the cyclist is lulled into taking the invitation, there are two danger spots... one is right in front of the stopped car, as a later arriving motorist may not see that the first vehicle stopped and they plow right into the stopped vehicle, pushing it forward.
The other danger spot is to the right of the stopped vehicle, where an impatient motorist may overtake the stopped car... either on the shoulder or in a right lane.
Motorists that yield ROW and stop at stop signs also present a hazard in that they can throw other motorists out of sync with the correct order... and again the risk of an impatient motorist passing on the right.
Sure, the "over-polite" situation works just fine when the cyclist and motorist are the only road users within decent visible range... such as on a residential street or out in a rural location... so it is not always a failure... and sometimes it is nice to be nice and wave at that friendly neighbor.
Oh yeah, and the whole thread went on a tangent while discussing the hows and whys of stopping for crossing pedestrians.
As I keep saying, don't use the center of the road. Use the side, watch for and yield to cars that might be turning and cross when it is safe to do so. Stay back from the intersection util you can be sure where the cars in your lane will travel If you cannot turn directly go to the corner and cross that section to complete your change of direction. Treat it as you would if you were a pedestrian.
The only thing I glean from over-polite is that somebody isn't paying attention or they aren't where they should be and are chagrinned. It's not personal. Just pay attention and get through traffic.
Your one true responsibility is to get there safely. Don't blame it on somebody else's behavior, you are not them and all that Zen.
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