skanking biker

Here is my grrrr for the day

Since i have been commuting this past week i keep running into the same reoccuring problem. I stop at all stop signs/lights and give vehicles the right of way (when they have it) at intersections. However, at least 4 times this week i have been approaching a stop sign, slowing down, and there has been a vehicle to my left. I clearly signal my itnent to stop by pointing my left hand down to the ground. As I slow down and get out of my straps, the vehicle does not move--it just sits there. I come to a stop, get out of my pedals and then now that i am fully stopped and out of my pedal, the driver waves me through.

A few times i have just shaken my head and gone on. Other times I shake my head and waive them through, as they have the right of way.

2 questions.

1. How to respond to the "wave-through"--Do i go through or waive them and wait (as legally they have the right of way)

2. How do I avoid this. Other than what i am doing, i see my only alternative as just blowing through the intersection (not particularly safe or legal)--i just hate the whole business of slowing down, getting my foot out of the strap, stopping, leaning over, putting my foot on the ground, and THEN having them waive me through. There has got to be a better way!!!!

JohnBrooking

If they are already there as I approach, I usually tilt my head in the direction they're going, look right at them, and mouth "go ahead", as I slow down. This is one area where I guess using normal pedals helps, because I can easily just lift my foot off the pedal and hold it close to the ground, which I imagine to be a much clearer visual cue to them that I'm stopping than any kind of hand signal. (Besides, my hands are busy with the brakes, especially the left/front.) Then I don't continue until either they have gone, or they wave me through anyway, as they sometimes will do. If they do, not much you can do except grumble. Some drivers, possibly accustomed to ruder cyclists in the past, are just too considerate or overcautious for anyone's good!

skanking biker

I dont mind that they waive me through---its just that they wait for me to stop--i mean if they are gonna waive me through why not do it as i am approaching?

Primevci

this all seems like a pointless post because a stop sign is a stop sign u half to stop at it...

skanking biker

yes--but there is a stop----and then there is a STOP


besides---most stop signs here are outlined in white--i though those were optional

Allister

It doesn't happen to me often at intersections, but I do occasionally get people not taking their right of way, or at least they are hesitant about it. It's usually doing something like a lane change. I give them the chance to go through while I'm waiting to move into their lane, but if they hesitate I'll take the spot in front of them. If it means they get stuck behind me they've only got themselves to blame. This is generally what I'd do in the above situation. I'm not intereseted in playing the 'no YOU go first' game. They get their chance and if they don't take it I'm going. I certainly wouldn't thank them for it though.

I suspect the hesitancy is often born from extensive observation of other cyclists running stop signs or sweeping across lanes without looking and so on, so I don't dwell on it or assume they're stupid or anything. It's just traffic. Frankly I'd prefer them to wave me through than to not see me at all and t-bone me or something.

skanking biker

Well thats why i feel bad about slowing a bit and then goign through b/c it perpetuates the stereotype

pedex

When they look like theyare gonna do that I usually either yell for them to go, or wave at them to go while I either trackstand or roll very very slowly at the stop in question.Sometimes you have to be a traffic cop as well as a rider.

Then there's the stereotypical minority driver common in my neighborhood that insists on FORCING anyone anywhere near the intersection(read within eyesight,even over 1/2 mile) to come to a stop before they will assert their right of way and actually move, those people I usually just take advantage of them and just ride right on thru, law or not, I dont have much patience for that kind of thing.If the coast is more than clear enough for them to turn or go thru an intersection and they dont do it, then I leave them sitting there looking foolish.

lilHinault

The ones I "love" are the ones who will wave a pedestrian to go ahead across their lane, but the next lane has cars speeding along, I guess they want to see if you're dumbsh*t enough to trust 'em then they get to watch you get turned into hamburger.

pj7

It happens to me too.
In most cases, after I have stopped and unstrapped my foot and THEN the motorist who was there waives me thru, I shake my head "no" and point to them. In almost all cases they wave a thanks to me and go on their way.
But legally, a person who stops before you at a stop sign MAY yield to you, and if they do you have the legal right to go on thru the intersection. I've gona ahead and done this before, and thank the driver as I cross them.
IMHO either way is fine and legal. Just be glad that there are motorists out there overly willing to yield the right of way to a cyclist instead of ignoring them all together.

Erick L

I put my foot down and wait.

thechrisproject

I do this too. I will make eye contact and make some sign that is clearly a "go ahead" sign. It almost always works.

billh

This happens at least once a commute since St Louis has stop signs up the wazoo. I think there is even a program to get rid of unecessary stop signs. Anyway. It is nothing short of a sell-out to take the wave-through if it is there turn to go. Do NOT take it. Come to a complete stop and INSIST that they take their turn. I feel very strongly about this. Otherwise, they are patronizing you. Basically saying, "You are not my equal on the road". Stay there as long as it takes. They will eventually go. Point to your stop sign, then wave then through. Of course, it is nice if they just go and you can just slow and go, but some people are conditioned by cyclists who habitually blow signs or they have the patronizing thing going. Either way, it is our job to re-habituate them and/ or convince them we are their equals.

vtjim

While I agree with the sentiment of insisting that they go, I've given up trying. I don't wave or thank them in any way. I don't shake my head. I just go. If they want to be stupid and delay themselves needlessly, that's their problem.

It's unfortunate because they only do it because so many riders blow on through and the cagers are too scared to run 'em over. (I'm kidding... Sort of...)

Dr. Moto

This seems overly harsh. Sometimes people are just being courteous. At least that's how it happens around here (sometimes). I usually try to take a situational view. If I'm tired and feel like resting a second, I'll refuse the wave-through. If taking the wave-through is dangerous to me in any way, such as putting me in the path of other moving vehicles, again I'll refuse. But if it's a 4-way stop, and there's potential ambiguity about ROW, I'll go ahead and take it and give a quick "thanks" wave.

Cerberusgl

I usually get the waive through just as I reach the line but I do a track stand so starting up again isn't a problem. I still look around to see what other cars are doing. Yesterday I had a guy waive to my as he slowed down so I could cross a freeway on-ramp but the ramp has an extra car-pool lane and nobody signals when they enter it so I had to cross real slow until I could see past the guy that was waiving me across.

Cycliste

I second this reply. Assertiveness and good communication is key, there is nothing worse for a motorist than an undecisive cyclist and/or who is not communicating his/her intentions. Thanking with a wave or just a nod of the head, wether you take or refuse the ROW, not only confirms your intention but will gain you (and other cyclists) the motorists' estime.
Another important thing to remember while approaching the intersection is to shift in lower gear, a too high gear will slow down the manoeuver or can even make it unsafe.

recursive

That is not true. The only theory I can muster is here: https://www.geocities.com/SiliconVall...307/may00.html

I'm curious where you heard this, but it's definitely not true. Ask a cop.

jamesdenver

yes - happens all the time to me with "too nice" drivers

i'll carefully slow down but cruise through a stop sign if no one around. but other cars i always am safe and want to make good impression.

if i'm approaching a neigborhood intersection (4 way stop) from a block away, NOT a major thorougfare, i wish the motorist would just go, or turn or whatever, and i can have the intersection clear for myself.

most often they see me, (and maybe EXPECT i'll blow through it in front of them). so i stop. they wave. and i end up going in front anyway. (when i could've cruised through, but won't do whever other cars around).

last week i stopped at 4 way, and a car just sat there. she had dark tinted windows. and we both sat there for 10 seconds. i was pretty sure she was waving from inside of her car, but she finally realized and rolled down her windows, i gave a nice wave and moved on.

yeah i often give a wave to cars to "just go" as i'm approaching an interection. but i'll never blow through a stop sign if someone waiting at stop sign.

Erick L

I never checked up close but I'm pretty sure it's just reflective material. It stands out better, even daytime.

Ebbtide

Unfortunatley that clearly means nothing to most people. Take advantage of the wave and ride thru, I do.

timmhaan

i just pretend i don't see them. if they are waving me through at a light, i'll sometimes just stop and grab a drink from my water bottle or look down and fiddle with my bike. 99% chance they won't wait for me then.

noisebeam

! What? I sure hope you don't also drive a car.

Al

mrisis

If I am at a 4 way stop I usually take my place in line, and wait my turn.
If I see someone who looks like they are in a hurry I wave them through.

vtjim

I've tried the drinking thing and looking the other way for a while.

Eventually I give up and look at the driver, and I get an irritated wave through. Whatever... Vermonters are a polite and patient bunch. Mostly.