Originally Posted by
noisebeam
Yeah when it is obvious the cyclist has no other choice can lead to better understanding. This can be due to weather (snow blocks sidewalk and right side of lane) or can be thru design such as a NOL. The opposite effect happens too. Road is designed with a BL, but cyclist chooses not to use it (say at intersection) the motorist may not see the reason and could be less patient.
Al
Do motorists really need an excuse to get impatient?
Seriously, though, that is a genuine point when WOL or Bike Lanes are present - although it has so seldom happened to me that I feel the benefits of the BL far outweigh the potential problems.
Back to the point - I also have found motorists more understanding in construction zones (though the "bikes use full lane" signs may have helped) and any other time the conditions are poor and/or the road is unusually narrowed.
We've had a record amount of snowfall this winter... yuck... we're lucky when the RTOL is cleared!