Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Drivers act weird when I'm riding around

Anyone else notice how drivers act weird sometimes when you ride? Like when I stop at a four way stop but a car gets there first, they sit there as if they don't know what to do. Or if I'm going to cross the street the cars stop and wave me to cross even though I'm standing there waiting for them to go.

Or I stop at the crosswalk to press the cross button since there are no cars going straight, (and the light doesn't turn green unless there is a car going straight) and the car turning right looks like he's wondering if I'm gonna cross or what.

I mean, its nice that they give me the right of way even though they have it, but I just want drivers to consider me as another vehicle on the road! It seems that people don't know that's what I am.

At least they see and acknowledge you. That's a good thing. Rules of the road, be damned.

That would be a veritable bicycle Utopia in 2010 ? I had long since believed such places ceased to exist sometime in the 1960's or 1970's ?

They're so used to all the prick riders or amateurs who dart in front of them that they're not sure what to do when a bike actually obeys the law.

I honestly can't believe when that kind of stuff happens! I would be happy waiting my turn at the 4-way stop, then they make me feel awkward for not just blasting through! Then I almost get run down while in the straightest road's bike lane!

I get all of this too...while it's really quite nice of the drivers I almost feel as if things would be safer if bikes, mopeds and cars treated each other similarly. The rules of the road aren't perfect for bikes, but if the bicyclist follows them as if they're in any other vehicle, they will be as safe as any car out there. Unless he/she is an idiot and takes the bike out on the freeway. Derp smash derp.

Do bicycle utopias have bike lanes on just about every road and nicely new paved roads and nice drivers and bike racks at just about every place of business?

But yeah, it seems like most riders don't know the rules of the road, or that there are rules to begin with. Like riding at night without lights. Or riding the wrong direction. But there are the few that actually follow the rules, and the ones I've seen ride road bikes, ride on the road and their tires are inflated properly :P

Sounds like Davis. Bicyclists and pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way. And we have bike lanes almost as wide as the street...on every street.

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They're so used to all the prick riders or amateurs who dart in front of them that they're not sure what to do when a bike actually obeys the law.
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...and so I kinda help perpetuate things by blowing through stop signs if I can tell they're gonna sit there and be awkward, because otherwise they end up sitting there even longer trying to decide who should go first. If I blow the stop sign, I'm gone by the time they'd be moving along anyway.

Only time I blow through intersections is when there is no one around. I agree that drivers are very "nice". But we are expected to follow the rules of the road, like a car, so why not take turns? The same actually happens to me when I'm on my motorcycle!! Yes, it's nice, but also a bit awkward.

Just my own personal rules of the road, the most vulnerable & at risk get right of way, even if I arrive moments earlier. It saves getting the police involved when I'm driving a car. Riding a bike with a pedestrian, same thing, those on foot get to go first, I can hurt them, myself and damage a bike when world's collide. Just easier to let the more vulnerable go first. Basically I treat any situation as if there were a police officer directing traffic and the officer has hand signaled a car to stop and allow pedestrian and bike traffic to cross the street sidewalk to sidewalk, pedestrian, bike, car in order of priority.

Maybe I'm weird, but I don't think pedestrians should have any right-of-way over cars/bikes (unless they're disabled.) If I'm walking, I'd rather wait half a second for a car to go by than make them stop to watch me walk in front of them. Same goes for when I'm in a car: I don't want people slowing me down.


Do bicycle utopias have bike lanes on just about every road and nicely new paved roads and nice drivers and bike racks at just about every place of business?

I think a bicycle utopia would have bike only streets. Some of these streets would have "car lanes."

Anyone else notice how drivers act weird sometimes when you ride? Like when I stop at a four way stop but a car gets there first, they sit there as if they don't know what to do. Or if I'm going to cross the street the cars stop and wave me to cross even though I'm standing there waiting for them to go.

Or I stop at the crosswalk to press the cross button since there are no cars going straight, (and the light doesn't turn green unless there is a car going straight) and the car turning right looks like he's wondering if I'm gonna cross or what.

I mean, its nice that they give me the right of way even though they have it, but I just want drivers to consider me as another vehicle on the road! It seems that people don't know that's what I am.
haha dude this a great! I notice this allllll the time but never wrote about it but it gets frustrating sometimes makes me feel like im doing something wrong.

I know this is too much to ask for a driver, shoot, it may even be too much to ask of myself. But I wish all drivers were to act the same. Sometimes drivers will get there first, and wait, but then other drivers will get there after you and still go first, even if you've already started to move. So I never know what to do, but it always seems that they go when I go, and don't when I don't. And then people yell at you to get on the sidewalk, and then they yell at you to get on the road.

People these days. :notamused:

It seems like every time a motorist tries to be nice and "help" me while I'm on a bike, it ends up being awkward. Half the time someone ends up being inconvenienced, and sometimes things aren't as safe because of their actions.

Dear Motorist,

Instead of stopping and waving me on when it is your right of way to begin with then frowning at me when I don't cross because there is a potentially dangerous situation of other cars coming around you that you don't notice because you have blind spots and aren't paying attention, just keep going and treat me like you would if I was a car.

At least they see me. That puts them ahead of about 70% of drivers around here.

This happens to me a lot, and while I understand it could be a lot worse. But it's really annoying.

Actually tonight I rode downtown with a friend because he wanted to get a pita. On the way back we pulled up to a 4 way stop sign, waiting at the stop sign was an SUV, who had been stopped there for some time, even before we pulled up. So my friend and I rolled to almost a complete stop, more than a yield but not quite a complete stop, so we were trying to figure out what the car was going to do. The car just sits there so I assume it's not going anywhere and we roll on through, as I pass I waved and said thanks. In return I get this response "THAT WAS A STOP SIGN, BIKERS HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD TOO!" At this point I was too far gone to bother responding. While at first it annoyed me because I don't think I did anything wrong, especially considering the car still didn't go after we passed, not to mention the fact that we both had lights on and I was wearing a helmet. But after thinking about it I was just happy the guy shouted something that I agree with (even if it didn't really apply to me at the time).

I hate when a car comes up from behind, then creeps along for blocks without passing. Then all of a sudden, they sweep really wide & kick in the afterburners to shoot past you. It's better than getting too close & running you into the curb or a parked car, but it's still unnerving and annoying.

My opinion, because sometimes there are cars that will try to out gun you no matter what, is that the ones who stop and wave you on even though you're already waving them on are the ones who have almost hit bicycles / motorcycles and are very afraid to finally do it.

Or perhaps they're cyclists themselves? My drive to and from work is along a bike path and most cars drive halfway in while I'm as far from the bike lane as possible. It hurts me watching people cut the entire lane at this one corner :(

Maybe I'm weird, but I don't think pedestrians should have any right-of-way over cars/bikes (unless they're disabled.) If I'm walking, I'd rather wait half a second for a car to go by than make them stop to watch me walk in front of them. Same goes for when I'm in a car: I don't want people slowing me down.


Not weird, just dumb. If drivers knew pedestrians didnt have the right of way you'd have a lot of people getting run over. And why should they wait when you're much fast than they are? They should be first to go because they're walking, you're sitting on your ass pressing the pedal.

If you don't want people slowing you down, go live in the forest.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2mezcq0.jpg

Haha. I only blow through intersections (stop signed not traffic lighted) when there are no body around.

I rarely run red lights. Its just stupid. Maybe the boys from Monster Track can do that, but I value mylife to much.

Haha. But yeah. For the most part, bicyclists in my area are good about following laws (except the one about riding with a helmet, or about riding on the road and not the sidewalk, and riding the correct direction, and riding at night with lights, and making good signals.......)

Just my own personal rules of the road, the most vulnerable & at risk get right of way, even if I arrive moments earlier. It saves getting the police involved when I'm driving a car. Riding a bike with a pedestrian, same thing, those on foot get to go first, I can hurt them, myself and damage a bike when world's collide. Just easier to let the more vulnerable go first. Basically I treat any situation as if there were a police officer directing traffic and the officer has hand signaled a car to stop and allow pedestrian and bike traffic to cross the street sidewalk to sidewalk, pedestrian, bike, car in order of priority.

This makes sense to me, as long as you aren't stopping in the middle of the road with cars coming up behind you or creating some sort of other safety hazard. But still, like other's have said, it is awkward. Bike laws should be incorporated in drivers ed testing I thinks!

So I'm just going to go with it, since I can't really change everybody. That or I'll scream "IT'S YOUR TURN! GOOOOO!" As loud as I can.

If you ride DC then you know how crazy drivers can be there....

being a prick to them is almost mandatory. ( to stay alive)

Columbia Heights is a death trap during rush hour traffic, I sometimes feel as if the drivers are actually out to get me. For instance, one time some jackass thought it would be a good idea to swerve into the lane i was riding in nearly clipping my back wheel. Now, at first I'm thinking "well, dude just needed to change lanes", but i look back and the jackass is laughing while i have this bewildered look on my face because the mofo almost caused a really messy accident.

If you don't want people slowing you down, go live in the forest.

The Northwest is a forest, he should move here!

but i look back and the jackass is laughing while i have this bewildered look on my face because the mofo almost caused a really messy accident.
Only time I've hit a car was on Rhode Island in Shaw, sprinting away from a light in the left lane because there were cars behind and I was turning left in a block. Car in the right lane flies past wide open, cuts me off, and then slams on the brakes. At 28 mph a car stops a lot faster than a bike.

After I clip the bumper and go down, he squeals tires and turns right at the next block.

For the most part, though, I haven't noticed drivers actively trying to wreck you, just lots of angry/misinformed honking and yelling.

I live in a primarily Asian neighborhood and most of the drivers just feel scared to death of the possibility of being near anything that has wheels. So when I hit a 4-way stop its a lot of confusion. It basically forces me to stop and wave the person past because if i don't stop completely they think I'm about to ride in front of them. Worst part about it is I'm not great at track standing and my pedals and clips are super difficult to get back on once i take them off. The nylon strap is super floppy and the pedal is always at a stupid angle so i cant just slip my foot in there.

Last week was a bad day for riding, I had some dude in a Pontiac yell at me and say" nice man purse ******"
- had a can of beer thrown at me
-several people in trucks yelled at me....all types of profanity.

But the strangest was I was driving with my friend. Had just picked her up a new bike and it was on my bike hitch on the back of my car...and some ******* in a truck started honking at me, then flicked me off!! I wasn't even on my bike.

I noticed somethings though. A few things all these people had in common with each other.

-they were a driving American cars.
- they were all white males
-they were all overweight, from what I could see...

Sometimes it sucks to be a cyclist.

Socks

Last week was a bad day for riding, I had some dude in a Pontiac yell at me and say" nice man purse ******"
- had a can of beer thrown at me
-several people in trucks yelled at me....all types of profanity.

But the strangest was I was driving with my friend. Had just picked her up a new bike and it was on my bike hitch on the back of my car...and some ******* in a truck started honking at me, then flicked me off!! I wasn't even on my bike.

I noticed somethings though. A few things all these people had in common with each other.

-they were a driving American cars.
- they were all white males
-they were all overweight, from what I could see...

Sometimes it sucks to be a cyclist.

Socks

Other thing they had in common: they are all lurkers on SSFG bike forum and know you are a lawyer.

My guess is you get this kind of treatment all the time considering your profession. I'm sure there have been far worse things directed at you than what you mentioned in your post!

Sometimes it socks to be a cyclist.


har har!

Other thing they had in common: they are all lurkers on SSFG bike forum and know you are a lawyer.

My guess is you get this kind of treatment all the time considering your profession. I'm sure there have been far worse things directed at you than what you mentioned in your post!

Actually I really never get any greif for my profession. It's just a job. I chose it because I taught philosophy for 3 years at the university level and got entirely tired of being broke all the time.

For me law is just the time is spent between riding, riding, and drinking coffee.

Be happy that there are lawyers in the F upped country who aren't ******-bags like myself.

Socks

I noticed somethings though. A few things all these people had in common with each other.

-they were a driving American cars.
- they were all white males
-they were all overweight, from what I could see...
I noticed this too, actually. Once while I was touring (I believe we were in Louisiana), a white pickup truck pulled up next to us. The guy slowed to our pace and started yelling, "Get off the f--king road, you f--king motherf--kers! What the f--k are you are doing?" This continued for awhile.
We were on a one-lane back road, so by stopping to yell at us, he successfully blocked all the traffic behind him. :rolleyes:

Another time, I was riding along on a wide shoulder, not even remotely in the way of traffic. An SUV goes barreling by, and I see a CD (?!) fly across my path a few feet in front of me. Good thing they weren't good at aiming.

I just got home, some lady on a Corrolla almost brushed me when she zoomed by, she then went on and cut cross 2 lanes (signalled once) and dangerously turn into an intersection...I thought I was going to get hit for sure.

go anywhere near the greater boston area, your faith that drivers will try to run you off the road will be restored