Now what’s up with all the honking today?
#1
-=Barry=-
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Baltimore, MD +/- ~100 miles
Posts: 4,077
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Now what’s up with all the honking today?
Today I must have gotten at least 7 cars honking at me when I road home. Generally on the Friday commute home I might get 3 car honks but that’s about max, but generally it’s not more then one.
I’m cruising down a city street, keeping up with traffic and the two cars ahead of me turn right leaving a nice gap ahead of me so I try and close the gap but I am maxed out at ~2mph faster then traffic. This obviously this is not fast enough for the guy behind me as he kept laying on the horn, after his third horn blast I motioned for him to change lanes and go around (but he can’t do that as that lane is full of cars that I am slowly passing.) I hope he got the message that I was not the problem but all those other cars, but I doubt it. (And FWIW I had no road margin to pull over on to let him pass.)
Other times I was going up hill (slower then traffic now) on a two lane one way street and it seemed that after the main pack of cars passed me the lone car who is trying to catch up has to blare their horn and swerve into me as they pass to intimidate me off the road when the other lane is totally empty. This got real annoying after the third time in a 5 mile stretch (all different cars.)
Other times I’m riding in a “multi use” lane that is soon to be just a parking lane so all traffic has to go single file anyway and I’m just making them merge a few hundred feet sooner and for that they have to get their knickers all in a knot. The best one was when one motorIST did the “teach that cyclists swerve” and almost rear ended the parked car up ahead as he came back into my lane. (I got to pass him as he waited at the light in all that traffic and he never was able to catch back up with me.)
Anyway thanks for letting me vent.
I’m cruising down a city street, keeping up with traffic and the two cars ahead of me turn right leaving a nice gap ahead of me so I try and close the gap but I am maxed out at ~2mph faster then traffic. This obviously this is not fast enough for the guy behind me as he kept laying on the horn, after his third horn blast I motioned for him to change lanes and go around (but he can’t do that as that lane is full of cars that I am slowly passing.) I hope he got the message that I was not the problem but all those other cars, but I doubt it. (And FWIW I had no road margin to pull over on to let him pass.)
Other times I was going up hill (slower then traffic now) on a two lane one way street and it seemed that after the main pack of cars passed me the lone car who is trying to catch up has to blare their horn and swerve into me as they pass to intimidate me off the road when the other lane is totally empty. This got real annoying after the third time in a 5 mile stretch (all different cars.)
Other times I’m riding in a “multi use” lane that is soon to be just a parking lane so all traffic has to go single file anyway and I’m just making them merge a few hundred feet sooner and for that they have to get their knickers all in a knot. The best one was when one motorIST did the “teach that cyclists swerve” and almost rear ended the parked car up ahead as he came back into my lane. (I got to pass him as he waited at the light in all that traffic and he never was able to catch back up with me.)
Anyway thanks for letting me vent.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Reisterstown, MD
Posts: 3,249
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh that was me. Just trying to introduce myself.
Seriously though, with the level of congestion and driver frustration (due to congestion) I am surprised you don't get honked at more often.
-D
Seriously though, with the level of congestion and driver frustration (due to congestion) I am surprised you don't get honked at more often.
-D
#4
Isaias
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 5,182
Bikes: Ridley X-Fire (carbon, white)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've had an increase in honks this week during my bike commute. Don't know what has sparked this spree.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 991
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse 5c, Scattante XRL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have to laugh, because if the OP hadn't started this thread, I would/could have. I too had a bunch of honks today, more than usual.
__________________
"Everyone is entitled to an opinion" is only half-right.
Everyone is entitled to an informed opinion.
"Everyone is entitled to an opinion" is only half-right.
Everyone is entitled to an informed opinion.
#6
8speed DinoSORAs
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxford, UK or Mountain View, Ca
Posts: 2,749
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I got honked this morning by a Range Rover. In the way apparently, even though there was another queue of traffic at the next stop sign. I'd have let it pass except the driver was enjoying a telephone conversation. This combination of circumstances happened to draw my thunder
Ed
Ed
__________________
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.
#7
Slow ride, take it easy -
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Corn, corn, corn, corn, corn, corn, soybean, corn fields of Illinois
Posts: 252
Bikes: 98 Mongoose Cambridge with Xtracycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Perhaps it has something to do with today's full moon.
#8
Isaias
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 5,182
Bikes: Ridley X-Fire (carbon, white)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I wished I had my Delta Air Horn (formerly known as the AirZound) installed. There was an older gentleman in front of me at a light. There's 2 lanes going the same way each way. Light turns green--with a stiff tailwind, I motor-paced him at around 30+ MPH for about 1/2 a mile. He finally pulled out of the right lane and into the left as if he thought he was impeding my progress. I could have given him a shot of the air horn. LOL! <just kidding>
#9
-=Barry=-
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Baltimore, MD +/- ~100 miles
Posts: 4,077
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It turns out there was a convention in town, 15,000 people, ether a lot of them have never seen a cyclist before or the locals are just a bit more on edge because of the increase in traffic.
From: Brown, David - DOT
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 3:39 PM
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation would like to alert motorists of the high volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic expected in the downtown area.
On Wednesday, April 4, 2007, First mariner Arena will host a "Get Motivated" seminar. The seminar will attract approximately 15,000 people. In the past, this event has caused substantial congestion particularly along I-95, 395 and Russell Street. Commuters who normally use I-95, 395 and Russell Street are strongly urged to use alternate routes to reach downtown such as, Hanover Street, Wilkens Avenue or U.S Route 40 West.
Patrons attending the event are advised to utilize light rail, metro, or local transit to reach the arena. If you must drive, please park at the stadium lots where free parking is available and free shuttle will be provided to the event.
Motorists driving in downtown Baltimore are advised to proceed with caution especially when approaching pedestrian crosswalks. The Department of Transportation Special Traffic Enforcement Officers (STEO's) will assist with the facilitation of traffic in the downtown area.
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 3:39 PM
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation would like to alert motorists of the high volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic expected in the downtown area.
On Wednesday, April 4, 2007, First mariner Arena will host a "Get Motivated" seminar. The seminar will attract approximately 15,000 people. In the past, this event has caused substantial congestion particularly along I-95, 395 and Russell Street. Commuters who normally use I-95, 395 and Russell Street are strongly urged to use alternate routes to reach downtown such as, Hanover Street, Wilkens Avenue or U.S Route 40 West.
Patrons attending the event are advised to utilize light rail, metro, or local transit to reach the arena. If you must drive, please park at the stadium lots where free parking is available and free shuttle will be provided to the event.
Motorists driving in downtown Baltimore are advised to proceed with caution especially when approaching pedestrian crosswalks. The Department of Transportation Special Traffic Enforcement Officers (STEO's) will assist with the facilitation of traffic in the downtown area.