thenomad

I cycle to work daily and road ride on the weekends. When I do drive I am keenly aware of cyclists and try to drive so that we can both 'flow" together on the road. I may change lanes, give wide berth or simply *gasp* slow down when I predict they'll need space or turn etc.

What got me thinking about it was an experience yesterday at the Tour of California. Supposedly everyone there would be in a "celebrate cycling" mood. I rode part of the course towing my 5 year old on a trail-a-bike. Cars were few and far between.

On a section of road that was essentially one lane a minivan came up behind and instead of slowing till the road widened the car just had to pass on my left and force me over. This wouldn't have been so bad if it were'n for the fact that the driver was trying to "time it" due to an oncoming car!

I sensed/predicted their intent and the whole situation ahead so I was able to get into a safe position and slow to make sure they had enough room to get over and not head on the oncoming car (who had slowed way in advance when they saw me ahead). It would have all "flowed" perfectly fine if the van was willing to dab the brakes and stay behind momentarily till we were all clear, but instead chose to jump left and push over into my area just to pass!

So much for 'celebrating cycling' and at least being courteous to a fellow cyclist because of an unwillingness to slow down for a second. I was more pissed because I was on 'high alert' for my kid's sake.

Other times when riding I've had cars with bike racks or bikes in tow, driving just as blindly as all others. So for most people are all bets off once behind the wheel? Is there really that much of a disconnect between the two?

Savagewolf

I'm overly courteous when I drive. I try to drive and treat cyclists like I would want them to treat me. If there is no oncoming traffic, I veer far away from them when I pass. If it's a tough hill and they are struggling I say "Good job! You can make it!"

travelerman

I observe the Golden Rule when driving... I can't expect fair treatment from motorists when I'm riding if I do not offer the same courtesies when behind the wheel...

Mike F

Im an extremely bike friendly driver. When I can, I acknowledge them making right turns so they know I wont clip them, yield my turn at stop signs with a hand gesture - traffic permitting (clip factor), give them plenty of room etc.. But on the other hand it makes me sad when I see a roadie driving with no regards to his safety.

mulveyr 

I don't see the presence of a bike rack or bikes on the car as any particular indication that the driver has any sense of what constitutes safe driving around a biker. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the majority of people who cart their bikes around on racks never ride on the road - just MUPs, etc, and therefore have no idea of the impact of unsafe driving on cyclists.

andrewclaus

Once a motorist came close to hitting me at slow speed. He stopped and got out of the car, explained he was a serious cyclist too and was mortified at what he'd done and begged forgiveness. I'd hate to be in that same position, so I'm very careful around cyclists when I'm driving.

But, I'm afraid I'm pretty critical of other cyclists when I'm driving. When I cycle, I try to make room for motorists. On winding narrow roads if a vehicle is behind me, I'll turn off the road when safe and allow it to pass, and always get a friendly wave. At red lights, if a motorist is behind me and signalling a right turn, I'll edge left to allow the turn and usually get a "thank you". So it gets me a little mad when I'm driving and cyclists don't show that kind of simple courtesy.

thenomad

You know, not to be too one sided, but I had forgotten that about 5 min earlier from the incident there was a car that slowed behind me and hung back following. We were already on the right but moved to the white line (essentially where the dirt starts) and gave them a little wave to pass, everything worked perfectly fine so I guess it all balances out.

I do agree that i'm critical of cyclists and can spot a wobbly newbie or someone who probably won't hold their line (they glance back and I anticipate a leftward drift). Just makes me give even more room.

david58

Cycling has tremendously changed my driving. I drive slower, don't try to "time" passes just to squeeze by, and catch myself dodging gravel patches and man hole covers, too.

Velo Vol 

I don't often encounter cyclists when driving.

sevenmag

I make sure I treat other cyclists even better than I'd like to be treated. My daily rides can be brutal in my neighborhood with all the 4 way stop signs and 2 little league ball parks. It's amazing the prevailing attitude that I have no business being on the road with cars. Those little league moms are the most dangerous drivers on the planet.

caloso

I realize that more and more I drive like I ride. I try to pass "in the flow" and I tend to disregard centerlines when it's safe. It always amazes me how many drivers refuse to put half a tire over a yellow line even when it's a mile clear up the road.

BikinPotter

I try really hard to be a courteous driver. Pretty amusing since I'm a very impatient person, in general. It's sort of a discipline. I practice being kind instead of being selfish. I ride on two wheels almost exclusively, either on my bike or motor scooter, so I am more aware of cyclists, and give them bigger breaks because I know what they're dealing with. I try to be courteous to my fellow car drivers, too. Using turn signals (seems to be a lost art), letting cars into my lane when traffic is heavy, that sort of thing.

rufvelo

Been there done that too, had to scold and remind myself that I'm a cyclist too on that occasion, otherwise a generally cyclist friendly driver. Though, probably since I know the rules, it does irritate me when I see the two abreast chatters ride home after a workout ignoring the commuting traffic completely.

milkbaby

I became much more vigilant a driver after starting cycling regularly. Always looking back before right turns so I don't right hook anybody, give even more room while passing, etc... Almost been run over when cycling and running, so I try to give others the respect I would like to receive in turn...

DS113

I too have found myself increasingly conscious of cyclists when behind the wheel, and much more willing to stop for oncoming cyclists at trail crossings, especially when they look like they're in the zone. That being said, I anger more quickly now at uncourteous cyclists like the guys who keep struggling at 2-3 mph up the center of a local hill in the intervals where there's space for them to move over to allow for safe passing, or those who bomb through stop signs.

OldsCOOL

I drive with biking in mind at all times, even in the winter with snow covered roads

When passing bikers I'm looking at the bikes (as we all do, I'm sure) and even when I'm out on the highway and passing a lone biker I'll honk and give them a thumbs up.

dnuzzomueller

I most definitely am a cyclist friendly driver. Part of this though is because I was a city cyclist LONG before a driver's license was even a glimmer in my eye. On top of that my earth hugging ways prompt me to hyper-mile so I have a tendency to drive at considerably slower speeds, I probably freak more cars out then cyclists.

Drag

I'm exceedingly courteous to cyclists (and pedestrians in general). Hopefully others who observe me will mimic the behavior.

mvnsnd

Always courteous to my colleagues on two wheels!

kookaburra1701

+1 - since I took up cycling my driving habits have completely changed. I was always a "good" driver - never sped, no at-fault accidents (I was sideswiped by a hit and run driver once), never been pulled over and only one parking ticket. But I never realized how zoned-out I could get until I started cycling. I now drive like I cycle, constantly scanning the road, looking at my mirrors, etc. And my whole mindset has changed, I'm never in a hurry to get anywhere anymore, I enjoy the journey.

roccobike

I have a decal on the back of our SUV that says "Bike Freindly Vehicle" and I make sure I live up to it.

Right Said Fred

I go out of my way to be an ******* around bikes when I'm in my car. Just because I survived my last bike ride doesn't mean those other people on bikes deserve a free ride.

fuel0707

I don't know what I could possibly add to this discussion after that...

Right Said Fred

If you can't come up with something, you will never survive here in the 41.

jeepseahawk

I have come to the conclusion that cyclists and drivers have equal percentage of idiots, azzholes and just plain stupid behaviors. I have gone out of my way to merge for cyclists but some will not reciprocate. Vice versa on vehicles and me riding.