Advocacy & Safety - Good experiences

Greetings,

A couple of weeks ago I had started commuting to work and had posted a question regarding crossing a particularly tricky underpass (with on/off ramps, ...etc). Anyhow, I'm still commuting to work successfully and I'm refining my technique (route/handling of specific intersections, ...etc) on a daily basis.

I wanted to drop a quick line to say that I've actually had many good experiences with drivers in this area. They go fast and they're in a hurry - so I'm always on guard, but I've had many friendly nods. I've had people (and even a semi) wait and waive me past as well.

Just wanted to throw that out there.

-C

I've had similar. The waving me on thing isn't what I'd call good. More like misguided and obnoxious. I know they're trying, so I don't get mad, but it often gets in the way.

I've had similar. The waving me on thing isn't what I'd call good. More like misguided and obnoxious. I know they're trying, so I don't get mad, but it often gets in the way.

Everything is contextual. Better that they should be observing you are there, and trying to do the right thing, even if sometimes it is misconceived.

Thanks for the update, I’m glad to hear things are going well for you.

As for the wave on’s, I’ve never had a safety problem with them. If it’s safe to go, I do. If it’s not, I don’t. (and maybe shake my head) True, they can sometimes gum up the normal flow, but that never put me in danger.

I'm glad it's going well. You sound like a friendly person who enjoys interacting with the motorists, so I'm sure you get a lot of good stuff back from them. Some of the angry regulars on this forum could learn from you!

Glad to know it's working out for you. I was thinking the other day that in my area (Austin, TX), there are way more courteous drivers than discourteous ones. I do a SA morning ride by myself and much of it is on back roads. When the traffic is very light, almost everyone simply goes into the oncoming lane (no oncoming traffic, of course) to give me the max room. Way overboard to be sure, but that's fine with me. There is one section about 7 miles long that has more traffic and not much of a shoulder. Still not constant cars going by, but they can back up if they can't pass, so it's easily the most dangerous part of the ride. So far, everyone has been really good about passing safely and only when it is safe. I also try to get through that section of roadway as early as possible to avoid higher traffic.

I have had my fair share of car problems over the years, and there will always be bad drivers out there, but I do think it's a good idea to give credit where credit is due.