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Got A Compliment From A Motorist Today...

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Old 08-03-17, 11:10 AM
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Got A Compliment From A Motorist Today...

...and anybody who has been on BF for over 5 years should get a good laugh out of this.

I was riding to work this morning in a light drizzle, knowing I was going to be late but not a problem, just putting along at 17-19mph in a painted bike lane on Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans. Traffic was slower than usual and I was keeping up for the most part. First red light I caught was at Broad (4-Lane artery) and cross traffic was heavy enough to make me just put a foot down and wait for a green - something I am OK with so long as I have someplace to be (painted bike lane) when the light changes.

While I stopped there a woman driving a Jeep pulls up next to me on my right and says: "You are a great biker! Thank you!" without a hint of sarcasm. Not sure why. I was running a super bright daytime flasher in the rear so she likely saw me a long way off, and I stopped for the red light BEHIND the white stripe where no motorist ever stops at NOLA intersections. I have no memory of anything special going on the last minute before the stop.

Then, before she makes her right-on-red she says to me: "Now if some of these drivers would just give a turn signal...." because she waited longer than she had to due to a bunch of turning traffic on the cross street not signaling their turns.

The kudo really tickled me. If only she knew!

Last edited by JoeyBike; 08-03-17 at 11:13 AM.
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Old 08-03-17, 12:43 PM
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I have had about half a dozen compliments from motorists over the past decade during my cycle commute. Some for my signaling, some for my bright jersey, some for my athletics, some for my regularity... I've also twice had motorists pull up next to me to offer a cold drink.
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Old 08-03-17, 01:12 PM
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It sounds as though you ride courteously. This is always appreciated by drivers, whether they tell you or not. It's nice to be appreciated.
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Old 08-03-17, 01:22 PM
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Whatever it was, it had to be more than just stopping for the light!
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Old 08-03-17, 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by wphamilton
Whatever it was, it had to be more than just stopping for the light!
Not sure about that. I could easily be the first cyclist in NOLA she witnessed stopping at a red light year to date! Nobody on a bicycle stops here. I feel lucky that SOME of the cars stop. I very rarely stop myself on a bicycle. So I guess the irony of the situation is lost on many here. I even created a YouTube video in 2008 called "Red Light Running Tutorial" (BF Thread). Check my sig line. The irony is hilarious!

Last edited by JoeyBike; 08-03-17 at 03:34 PM.
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Old 08-04-17, 11:03 AM
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Did you ask for her digits?
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Old 08-04-17, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Did you ask for her digits?
Exactly. Get the phone# and ask if she wants a ride.
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Old 08-08-17, 06:07 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeyBike
I very rarely stop myself on a bicycle.

Okay.., maybe not.
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Old 08-08-17, 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Did you ask for her digits?
Never thought of it. They usually ask for mine.
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Old 08-08-17, 11:45 AM
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obviously never saw your videos. was she cute?
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Old 08-08-17, 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeyBike
Never thought of it. They usually ask for mine.

And I saw a unicorn during lunch.
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Old 08-08-17, 12:42 PM
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I've not received a compliment yet. But do get some feedback on stuff like my rear tail light. A motorist that pulled along side me today commented an how bright and easy to see the tail light was. A cyclist earlier in the year mentioned that the same light bugged him a little and to try another setting. So you can't keep 'em all happy now, can you? I'm just glad that the tail light is bright and works. Can't be too bright, IMO. Cyclists following me be damned...
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Old 08-08-17, 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by noisebeam
I have had about half a dozen compliments from motorists over the past decade during my cycle commute. Some for my signaling, some for my bright jersey, some for my athletics, some for my regularity... I've also twice had motorists pull up next to me to offer a cold drink.
Whenever I traverse a roundabout or the like and a car gives me right of way I always nod in thanks, often I get a nod back. I have seen too many images here of bike mashed under cars and trucks to be anything but grateful whenever a driver notices me
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