uncadan8

With all the negative threads about cars vs. bikes, I thought I would bring up a positive story. I ride in some fairly congested areas during rush hour, which makes for some pretty interesting riding. And by interesting, I mean incredibly dangerous situations where I have to be pretty aggressive and establish my position. It's the East Coast after all.

As I was heading into one area with a non-existent shoulder and only one lane with oncoming traffic coming down the opposing lane, I could hear a large diesel-type engine coming up behind me. With nowhere to go but the exact line I was already on, I just hoped it would end well. As the truck came around me, I noticed the passenger pushing his side mirror back out. So not only did he give me the three feet safety zone, but the driver must have also asked his passenger to pull the mirror in just in case.

Usually, I wouldn't make much of someone giving me space, because that is what they are supposed to do, but pulling in the mirror showed how much the driver was paying attention, I thought.

Huzzah

Lucky you! I bet there are more stories like this than people take the time to write up. I had a good experience the other day as well. I was riding backup up a dip in the rode, short but relatively steep. Just ahead the rode curved off to the left so visibility for the driver was limited. As I'm riding along I could hear that there was a car behind me patiently waiting for a safe opportunity to pass. As I could see clearly that nobody was coming the other way I waived the driver on and waved to thank them for their patience. I figured one could turn deserved another!

Little Darwin

It is nice to read.

Unfortunately we might be less likely to even notice some of these than their opposites.

However, I wanted to note that I enjoyed the interesting choice of titles with the derogatory term in contrast with the positive act. It is almost like painting the enemy as a human being.

flip18436572

I would like to add to this. I was in Tennessee at my in-laws and riding in some hilly areas with a lot of corners and no passing zones. I was going around a long blind corner and heard the car coming up behind me. They slowed down and paced me at about 25 for quite some time, and then I could see far enough ahead to let them know it was clear. I sat up on my bike and made eye contact and then waved them past. They went by me honked and waved.

I also had my first blowout going down a hill on the highway. There was one driver of approximately 50 that stopped to ask if I needed help. Actually he passed me, turned around about a 1/4 mile up the road, asked me multiple times if I was OK, and then turned around again and headed towards town. I was about 9 miles from me home at the time.

uncadan8

I love a little irony now and then.

talleymonster

That is a nice story. It kind of reaffirms my belief that there are actually good hearted people in this world.

bautieri

The driver might have been a cyclist, that or they didn't wan't to break the extendable mirror off. Those things are expensive, ask my brother .

Glad to hear a good story, I guess I am just lucky enough not to run into (or notice) too many a$sholes on my rides.

sdastroguy

I would think that we, as cyclists, would certainly behave in a similar manner when we're the ones in the cage. Not everyone that is in a cage is the enemy.

garydogwood

i hope i don't jinx my luck but it seems that car drivers in my area are more considerate than before. i also try to contribute to this by obeying traffic laws (at least when there are witnesses). if coming up to a stop sign and there are other cars present, i definitely fully stop and let them know they have the right of way or sometimes wave them through even if i arrived a second or so before them. they seem to appreciate it. maybe just my imagination but i even see most other bicycle riders obeying (most) of the stop signs / lights. if there are no other cars around, i may do a "rolling" stop through a stop sign (but never a stop light). been getting a real good feeling about getting along with other road users this summer. having said that, hope i don't get killed this weekend by some idiot.

gw.

BikEthan

On the nice driver note I've been trying to make a concerted effort to smile and wave (when conditions/situation allows) at motorists who are considerate of me. It's easy to get caught up in the day to day as a commuter, but hey the more we acknowledge people being polite they more likely they are to be polite!

Stujoe

In general, around here I have many more considerate than inconsiderate or inattentive drivers. Sometimes it can actually be a little irritating. Like when I come up to 4 way stops and they are there already stopped in the crossing lanes and still want to wave me to go first. I always think...just treat me like a car and go already. lol But, it is much better than the alternative of bad drivers.

Bionicycle

I drive a motor vehicle and I ride a bike, and vice-versa… When I’m in my Jeep, and see a bicyclist on the road, I always think in terms of how that bicyclist would like to be treated… When I’m on my bicycle, I always think in terms of how would a motorist react to what I am doing, and act accordingly.

I think one of the biggest problems is, that many non-driving bicyclist forget what it’s like to be a motorist, and many motorist forget what it was like trying to ride a bike on the street with a bunch of motorist. In my opinion the best of both bicyclist, and motorist are the ones that both ride, and drive… that way they understand the demands of both.

As someone else said... maybe the driver was a bicylist as well.

uncadan8

The last several posts certainly point out the the possibility that people are becoming more considerate or at the very least more aware that we exist out there. Being polite will certainly encourage others to be polite; and I think that is truly the way to win over the drivers. I certainly keep in mind what the cyclist feels like when I am out there driving.

Btw, yesterday, I got cut off by a towtruck. sheesh He did the right hook on me. I figured it had to come sooner or later.

Big Scott

A buddy and I were riding down Peachtree (we have like 100 of those) and noticed an old Dodge dart with a flat tire on the side of the road with two older ladies in it. We stopped and asked them if they needed help then we proceeded to change the tire and they were on their way... they never even got out of the car. The driver offered me money but I declined. Last week I saw a guy in a cooks outfit walking with a gas can... I asked him if he needed a ride (I was in my car), I took him to the gas station and then to his car. When I see a car with a tail light out I make it a point to inform them if/when I see them at a stoplight.

Do right by others and they may do right by you or someone else in their time of need.

-Scott

Steve_Reno

You know when it comes down to it, if you really pay close attention the good things that drivers do outnumber the @ss@ h0les 1000 to 1

uncadan8

Absolutely, bro! That's one of the reasons I wanted to start this thread. It is too easy to focus on the negative, and we can all do with a little more positive thinking!