fordfasterr

to let drivers know that I need space when they pass...

All I do is stretch out my left arm, and swing it up and down (at the shoulder) with my fingers pointing forward (As not to confuse the signal with a left hand turning signal)...

So far, after about 2 weeks of doing this, I have noticed a slight improvement...


The only drawback is that I can't seem to focus as much on my riding and I can't really crank it hard with one arm sticking out waving up and down ! LOL

Anyway - Just FYI .... it has worked well for me... and it seems that as soon as I put my arm back on the bar, I get buzzed again ! LOL

LittleBigMan

If I'm getting buzzed (rare,) I move left to give myself more space.

Bekologist

I use a 'tickle fingers' hand gesture to get more lane clearance. also, the 'wave off' which is more aggressive and probably pisses drivers off.

i use hand signals even while moving left and sometimes from the middle of the lane. just moving further left is not enough or even wise in some scenarios (approaching potential left hookers while in the middle of the lane and cars are STILL trying to pass, fer instance..)

galen_52657

I usually use the 'wave off' (moving left hand/arm from strait down to out about 45* with a little flick of the hand at the end) to encourage a wider passing clearance, but usually after someone has put the squeeze play on me. The next car(s) will invariably give me more room.

LittleBigMan

I've used the left signal at times when a car passed too closely, it seems to communicate reasonably well to the next motorist behind me that I need more room then the last guy gave me. Also, waving my sword in the air seems to give me more space...

galen_52657

I always wanted to get one of those carbine holsters that the cavalry had and strap it on the bike. With a 45 cal. carbine of course......

John E

When walking or jogging contraflow on the road shoulder, I often motion to motorists, particularly those preparing for a right turn, to give me a little berth. I find doing so whilst cycling much more challenging, because of the lack of eye contact (because I am going in the same direction they are), and because it's just one more distraction from the task of cycling predictably and safely.

SSP

I thought that's what the middle finger was for?

genec

I too have used a sweeping left hand move to get more room... This has been primarily on Miramar Road here... a 50MPH arterial that has incomplete BL.

The lack of a complete Lane for the length of this road poses a bit of a problem for cyclists moving along with 50MPH+ traffic. At 2 points the lane gives way to a "bike route,*" which is a NOL, meaning the cyclist must take the lane... while convincing motorists who have been driving along side the cyclist that cyclist now has no room. There is also a diagional RR crossing which too requires more room.

So far the only way I have seen to do this is to ride with my arm out... waving wildly as I approach these pinch points. Most motorists figure it out... although about a month ago a large (OK HUGE) trash truck decided to stay in the right most lane, in spite of the other two lanes to the left being empty. (jerk!)

* The whole solution of ending a BL and starting a Bike Route for about one city block just smacks of road engineers being totally unaware of cyclist's needs. (and is a pet peeve of mine) HH insists that the Bike Route really is the entire length of the Bike Lane and that it is just the BL ending and beginning... the BR has always been there. Gee great... SFW. The cyclist is still left dangling and having to deal with 50MPH traffic in the middle of what was a usable BL. This also occurs in other areas of town... so clearly there is some misunderstanding by traffic engineers of what they are providing or about what cyclists truly need.

I would love to see some road engineer try it on their own... on a low powered moped, during the height of traffic. I bet it would change overnight.

Shiznaz

WHen a car buzzes me I shake my head and make a gap between thumb and forefinger and wave it at them showing how much room they gave me. When I hear cars coming up close behind me, getting ready to pass me unsafely, I'll either more more left, or I will stick my hand outwards, palm out, and move it as if I were pushing a box to the side. If they are tailgating me I will also wave them back. It usually works but if it doesn't I take the lane more forecefully and make them wait. This has led to some close calls from aggressive motorists trying to pass me while I am in the middle of the lane. Pretty crazy actually. Most of the time after I do this they will give me more space, but the times when they buzz me anyways I either slap the car as its going by, or catch up to them at the next lights and just stare through the window with a big sh*t eating grin on my face.

LittleBigMan

Motorists who intentionally pass too closely too fast should be punished by forcing them to lie down in the middle of a busy road, protected only by orange safety cones.

urbanknight

Same here. Seems to work ok.

derath

Hehe "Spirit fingers"

I actually do a "wave on" motion generally. One that says "Go ahead and pass me" In doing so (they are gonna pass me anyhow) they know that I am aware they are back there. Otherwise if there simply isn't enough room to pass I just motion like a left turn and take more of the lane.

-D

CommuterRun

Yep.

Pulling a trailer also seems to help mitigate close passing.