Originally Posted by
unterhausen
I just wave, no smile. I think it lets them know I acknowledged them and that I'm not going to change what I'm doing, because I'm not. I can count the number of times I needed to pull over in my 35 year career as a cyclist on one middle finger. And that was just because the idiot motorist refused to pass, not because they really needed me to pull over. I have been driving that long, and I've never seen a cyclist that I thought should pull over to let people pass.
Exactly!!
I haven't taken my recent log to the authorities yet, but with the helmet cam I have a score list of licenses and dates which I plan on discussing with the police since we have a law around here of 4 ft clearance. If there is no 4 ft clearance to any passed object or vehicle then it becomes a pass on double yellow(points/ticket) and passing on turn/rise/blind is another form of a points/fine that can be had. Numerous cases have been logged where people can see oncoming traffic, leave me 5 inches and make the oncoming car swerve to avoid when it was the only oncoming car in the straight stretch. No modification to the bike's route needed, planning ahead for the car driver- yes. When I am driving and pass a horse-buggy or biker I rarely have to use the brakes because I watch far enough ahead to make it appropriate. Basic efficiency theory, don't go faster than you need and don't waste it by using more brakes than you need. Indeed observation is a rare skill that is hard to come by, but is it so much to ask?