Originally Posted by burnthesheep

I don't change safety protocol for a segment, hill, or otherwise. I do the same things one way or another.

Let me explain.

-all-stop situations: If it's an all-way stop, cars get more confused with the friendly wave they give you than if you had just gone. If I'm on the bike and I get to an all-way stop, it's head-on-a-swivel and motor on through. The times I've almost been hit by a car is when I arrive first but don't blow it. I would stop, then one of two things happens. One, the car tries to be nice and wave you on despite them arriving first. Then everyone is confused, and someone else tries to go. Two, you arrive first but don't blow it. The car tries to beat you, because you're a bike and they're a ******.

-tee junctions: I judge it by the visibility. If people have even a chance at not seeing me, or me them, I stop. Period. I'll roll one if it's pan flat, zero plants or signs, and you can see for miles. Otherwise, all stop.

Even if your riding protocol is flawed, you must at least be consistent. If you're inconsistent about your decision making, that's where the problems will crop up. If you consistently do something, you at least know what to expect and look for. If you act inconsistently, you don't know what to expect.