Originally Posted by
jrickards
OK, I can understand people not noticing that they've left their turn signal on in their car—their music was too loud, they were distracted or talking, didn't hear the clicking of the signal—but on a bike? Was this person putting out their right hand and just leaving it there, forgetting that it was out there? I can't picture this.
It sounds like you did nothing significantly wrong that you deserved the thrashing he gave you.
I got a bit of a look as I passed a pedestrian from behind: I called "On Your Left" twice but no response so I waited until we reached a wider section of the plowed sidewalk and went by him on his left (his hood was up so I couldn't tell if he was wearing ear buds or headphones but, I tried to warn him).
He'd hold out his left arm, upper arm horizontal and forearm straight up, and leave it there for 5-10 seconds. He did it three or four times before I passed him. He even did it while going over some railroad tracks, where there was no turn to take. His fist was closed, though, which I don't think is part of a standard turn signal. Maybe it was a call to arms?
Sometimes I have a hard time making myself heard when I want to warn about a pass. Too many people have headphones, or they're just not paying attention. I remember calling out to another bike on a wide MUP, but he abruptly swerved and nearly hit me as I was passing, then berated me for not calling out to him.
I have a bell now. The sound stands out and carries so much better than my own voice.