Originally Posted by
HawkOwl
I agree the overwhelming majority of drivers are courteous and look out for cyclists. In fact some are way too helpful; thus causing a problem.
I was riding in a local area where there are many STOP signs. All of them faced me with none on the crossing street. With approaching cross traffic I didn't bother to unclip. Instead I did a track stand, intending to proceed after the motor vehicle. that had the right-of-way passed. I was foiled and darned near fell into traffic when I had trouble unclipping and simultaneously balancing the stationary bike when the driver came to a halt. Don't know about other folks; but I found it difficult to balance a stationary bike, not crash and wave him on; all at the same time.
Apparently experience had taught that driver cyclists couldn't be trusted.
I used to have the same problem. I finally started putting one foot down which helps, but does not totally alleviate the problem.
My wife and I were sitting in a brew pub in Eugene, Oregon last night having dinner. It is a bike town, and it was a busy time. We had a window seat where I had a good view of a 4-way stop intersection. During the time we were there, I saw at least 2 dozen cyclist blow right through the stop sign. A few did a half second pause or a very short track stand, only one took the lane, stopped, put his foot down, and then moved across.
Experience has taught this cyclist that a lot cyclists can't be trusted to obey the traffic laws, which means you really can't any. Last week a guy blew through a stop sign in our small town and a car smacked into him. The cyclist was cited for failure to yield the right of way. I'm not sure if it was before or after they took him to the hospital.