Originally Posted by
Moe Zhoost
..... I have resigned myself to wait for a window to cross. Some days are difficult, but some days I arrive at the intersection just as a window opens up. And some days (like in the video) I get some help from motorists.
This is the right answer. It's a situation, and you won't change it, so you just need to deal with it one way or another.
One approach (from a New Yorker, where we have to do this), is to be more assertive. Wait for an adequate gap in the near lane, and head out. If you're not sure, be ready to jump back. Once you have your side of the road secure, you can wait for a gap on the far side and complete the crossing. In most cases, once drivers in the far lane see you're already in the road, they'll stop and let you cross.
Of course some motorists won't be happy waiting while you block their lane, but it won't be long, and they'll forget about it momentarily when they catch back up to the the guy ahead of them. (ie. no actual time lost)