Originally Posted by
Keith99
Really strange war.
I've had at least as many problems with motorists trying to be too nice.
Staying well back of me in a left turn lane (where the light will never change until they close up).
Not taking their turn at a 4 way stop and confusing everyone.
Waiving me through where I have poor sightlines for other oncoming traffic (but would have good sightlines it they had just kept going as they should have).
And a few where motorists were quite helpful. A lift when I had a serious mechanical problem.
Yes, It is strange. The 'nice motorists'' are the ones' to watch out for. Because, They are the ones that, aren't expected to be stupid. Just like the guy who gave me more than 3ft. a couple days ago, then he side-swiped the curb.
Originally Posted by
degnaw
Why, almost every time I ride, I have drivers accelerate while passing me. This is clearly indicative of a deep rooted hatred of cyclists and a desire to intimidate me.
</sarcasm>. Seriously, I generally go upwards of a thousand miles between notable bad-driver encounters.
Do you see a motorist accelerate at a great speed, when a motorist is going at a speed that is close to the posted speed limit? Sure there are the 'road hogs' who do that sort of thing. But I have noticed more than once, when a motorized vehicle is traveling the speed limit, as opposed to a cyclist, the motorist will more than likely wait to pass. But when it is a cyclist, it is a whole different dynamic. Motorists' don't want to wait.
Originally Posted by
unterhausen
there is no war. There are a few bad actors out there. I definitely have encountered fewer problematic drivers in the last few years than I did in the past. I think we are getting down to the point where the only people that cause problems are people with diagnosable personality disorders which fortunately is a small portion of the population.
And to say that cyclists have to change to get better treatment from that group is just Stockholm syndrome.
That is subjective to the region you live in(Portland compared to the DC-Metro region). Yes, You are right about those with personality disorders.
Originally Posted by
spare_wheel
I agree completely. Motorists are becoming accustomed to sharing the road.
The problem is still the pervasive attitude, in a given region. In the DC-Metro region, when it comes to road users, cyclists are definitely in the minority. Because there is still a pervasive attitude of needing something/needing something done, by yesterday. That attitude is transferred into a person's 'transportation' attitude. So, If a person is a cyclist and/or pedestrian, they are considered 'less than human' in this region. Because it is all about getting things done ASAP, Post Haste, PDQ