Pacific Northwest - New Commuters - Be Aware!

I've seen many new commuters out there which is fantastic! If you are new, be careful and remember to head-check before you cross lanes of traffic, I don't want to see you splattered in the street. ;)

Example: Monday, approx. 4:30pm, intersection of Eastlake Ave/Stuart St/I-5 Exit/REI. I was stopped at the light, in the right lane at the head of traffic waiting for the green. You (female, college student I'm assuming? on new Novarra?) came up the lane on the right, pulled ahead of all of us and leaned onto the curb. To your credit, you didn't run that dangerous light (high speed traffic off the freeway). Once the light turned green, we both took off. I stayed in my lane, which turns into the middle lane of Stuart - at first it seemed like maybe you were going to turn into REI (nope), then it looked like you were going to continue down Stuart using the right lane (NOPE!), at this point, I was slowing down as was the Prius to my left who saw everything (thank you good driver!). You then turned rather sharply into my lane - without so much as a glance to the left and eyes directed across the entire intersection, another 2 whole lanes across! Impact was imminent as the Prius swerved left and I yelled, "Hey, BABE! Where are you GOING?!" You abruptly took off to the right (likely again not looking before you did so, crossing back over the two lanes) and I didn't see you again. Hopefully you made it home OK. And I hope this was a lesson learned for you. Look before you turn, make your intention of direction known and for god's sake don't attempt a perpendicular crossing like that at that location ever again. :twitchy:

Dear Another New Beginner,

Please be aware that there are other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists all around you, especially while using the MUP that boarders Alaska St/Alaskan Way Viaduct. I was following you a good distance yesterday and want to make sure you are aware of what you were doing. You ran one solid red light, just barely hesitating, without nary a glance to the left at the traffic oncoming from that very direction. At least they waited for you to pass through, you were lucky to not even get a honk. I was amazed that you decided to practice riding without hands (don't worry, your wobbles gave you away) on this busy stretch, keep both hands on the bars next time - I simply was not comfortable enough with your handless riding to even attempt to pass you! When passing others, don't wait until the very last second to say "on your left!" That poor older gentleman you startled was trying to pass a pedestrian and was moving to the left to do so, you should have waited for him to clear the ped first, then to pass him. Oh, I forgot, you were practicing riding with no hands. Then at a clearly marked crosswalk, you decide to come to a complete and total quick stop to let the cars by (of course, my almost rear-ending you was my fault as I was not expecting it from your run of a previous red...I shoud have slowed down). Don't let those cars by - that marked cross is for us! Be assertive at the appropriate times. I'm sure your skills will improve with time, just be aware of what's around you. :rolleyes:

Riders like that are why I always take the road down Alaskan. It amazes me how many people riding the MUP seem to think that they don't need to stop at intersections when the lights are red, that they have the right of way over pedestrians, and generally don't have to practice good riding skills. At least on the road I usually know from whence the danger is coming.

Yeah, sometimes I take the road, sometimes the MUP. Depends on my mood. Yesterday I was just enjoying the sun and going slower than normal. :thumb: