Commuting - Good drivers

I just thought, since we are fair folk (and we all drive sometimes), that I would like to mention that probably 99% of the drivers I deal with (except that they still can't read a speed limit sign, something I have been able to do since I was about 5 yrs. old) are careful and courteous to me when I'm riding that strange two-wheeled thing. (Is he really serious, out here with us on the actual street?)

You know, with the comments I used to get at work (You don't ride all the way; You should stay off the street; You've lost too much weight; Cycling causes prostate cancer), I know they are really envious.

I'm going to give them a good reason to change.

You're right, Pete, actually I very seldom have problems with cars, I guess it's just when you do, it really gets your attention!
I try to set a good example by following the rules myself, although I'll admit to going through the odd stop sign when there isn't any traffic. There are a lot of cyclists out there who don't seem to care though, and that's what car drivers remember about us.

Originally posted by Pete Clark
I would like to mention that probably 99% of the drivers I deal with [...] are careful and courteous to me when I'm riding that strange two-wheeled thing.


Agreed, Pete. Most of the cars I see during my commute are the same ones I see every day, and most are sufficiently considerate, especially given they aren't cyclists. What I think many cyclists fail to appreciate is how inconsiderate motorists are in general (tail-gating, cutting other cars off, driving fast in slow lanes, or vice versa). It's so common, that even fellow motorists take it for granted as accepted practice. What if somebody jumped in front of you at the grocery store because the line moved and you didn't step forward fast enough to block them?

A few crazy drivers go a long way toward giving the whole bunch a bad rap.

Aero, Newt, you are "in the zone". Maybe it's a state of mind. Do we drive cars, or do they drive us?

And cyclists, are we also falling under the spell?

Anyway, like Newtbob said, they get used to us sharing the road with them. I wonder if, inside a car on a cold morning, a lady is asking herself, "Where is that cyclist today? Funny, he's usually here about this time. Oh, there he is! I wonder what it's like to be pedaling out there in this cold. If he can do it almost everyday, maybe I can ride a little on the weekends. Hmm. I do need to exercise. And I remember riding when I was younger..."

Thanks, fellas.

Well, I'll agree with the fair folk part, but I personally never drive. Heck I was even riding in a lightning storm with torrential rain that caused flash floods today. However, you are right, the majority of drivers (God, it hurts to say this) are reasonably competent. Although I still make the point that the incompetent should be yanked off the road at ANY AND ALL costs.

Chris

Yes, Chris man, I agree with the "yanked" part. Sentence them to one year of cycling to work, it would make better drivers out of them...hey, what am I saying? It would make true cyclists out of them!

> "I just thought, since we are fair folk (and we all drive sometimes), that I would like to mention that probably 99% of the drivers I deal with [..] are careful and courteous to me when I'm riding that strange two-wheeled thing. (Is he really serious, out here with us on the actual street?) "

The majority are, yes. Yet. there is hardly a week that passes without some guy in a car making a "really funny joke" like taking his head out of the window and screaming real loud or horning to surprise me. Which btw is really quite dangerous in a high circulation road.


And btw I also never drive and always ride. Even under snow storm (with hindsight that was perhaps not so clever after all).

That's not too funny, P.B. I guess the modern world with all of its wonders still has its share of wild animals.

That's really great that you and Chris L. never drive. You're not missing much.

That reminds me, one day (actually this has happened several times), a car passed me and a guy was hanging out the window, waving his arms wildly and saying something like, "RrrraaahhHHH!!!!", trying to scare me.
But I couldn't really hear him that well, so he looked kind of silly.

Another time, two little kids were playing in the street, and the bigger one ran out towards me waving his arms and saying, "RRRaaaaaahhhh!!". But since he was right there in front of me, I was not suprised. But I tried to encourage him a little by saying, "Wow, man, you really scared me!" (Little jerk!@#$#%)

I was riding to work in the dark one morning when I saw a jogger. To warn him, I said "Hello" as soon as I thought I was close enough for him to hear me. He jumped in the air and spun around, all in one martial arts type motion, swinging a large stick and shouting, "Haaaahhhh!". I could tell he was on the edge of temporary insanity, so I said, "Sorry, sorry!" I learned then that people are only trying to scare me back.

It doen't help me, though.

Originally posted by PapeteeBooh
...there is hardly a week that passes without some guy in a car ... taking his head out of the window and screaming real loud or horning to surprise me.
:rolleyes:
Yep. Been there, done that. Vehicle usually contains 2+ young males. Add a female and they get really pumped.

So what do ya do? If you react, it usually only encourages them. Personally, I go out of my way to ignore them, and give the impression that I didn't even notice them. Sometimes, I'll wave... ha ha, pretty funny, guys. They're always a source of heartburn, but usually they aren't the ones that I see regularly.

An incident that I find disturbing, in a different way, is when I ride past a child playing with a toy gun in his yard, and as I drive by he takes careful aim and shoots me. Hey, mom, your kid's getting off to a bad start.

I usually just treat the screaming idiot with the contempt they deserve. I did once give one of them the "thumbs-up" and got the thumbs up back. Strange.

Chris