Bike Forums - What do you do when cars block intersections?

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I like to go around the back end, slap their car real loud as I pass and say "Nice move, dumbass!"

Enunciate my dirty words so they can read my lips, stink-eye them, and roll.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnny99 (Post 18475980)

You have a legal right to proceed through the intersection when you have the green light,

Depends on where you are. Here it's illegal to proceed unless you can clear the junction. It's not enforced much outside of winter but they're increasingly enforcing it during winter.

Hi All, I bike commute to work in San Antonio. I encounter one such intersection which is blocked during peak hours. I just get on the side walk and pass all the vehicles in front of me and cross the intersection whenever there is a gap in traffic to do so ( Regardless of the traffic light). This takes practice but it is one of the perks of being on a bicycle.

Bright flashing light in their face as I cross in front of them is my favorite solution. With luck they'll be blinking for another two light cycles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrickards (Post 18478481)

Apparently, in Montreal, you do it just once. If you gridlock an intersection in Montreal and the light turns green in the other direction, cars will pull up right beside yours and the drivers will lean on their horns for the entire time that you're there.

If I'm blocked by gridlock, I'm going to do the same but ring my bell continuously, that'll teach them.

In your dreams; nothing will teach them...

Quote:

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 18475967)

If I thought about all the times I had to do stuff like that, I wouldn't have time left to think about other things. It sounds like you live in a generally orderly place. I live in New York City.

Man that's dog eat dog whether you're driving, biking or just walking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiabloScott (Post 18479364)

I like to go around the back end, slap their car real loud as I pass and say "Nice move, dumbass!"

Yeah, I usually make it a point to touch their car in some obvious form. I don't care about the legality of it. But I think it annoys them that someone dare encroach on their protective steel cage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoodat (Post 18490606)

Man that's dog eat dog whether you're driving, biking or just walking.

You could say that, but there is method to the madness. Each area has its own method. I look at it as a dance. You have to learn how the dance goes by careful observation. Then you can join the dance. I realized this when I was visiting Paris. I grew up in NYC and then lived in Boston for three years. Then I visited Paris. My hosts said that even though I was an experienced cyclist, they didn't recommend I ride in Paris traffic, and I agreed. It looked frightful. Then after a few days of walking around, I understood the dance. I got on my wheels, and it went just fine.

NYC is tough and sometimes irritating, but unless I'm imagining it, it's actually a bit kinder and gentler than it used to be. I still don't like driving a car here, but I'm just fine riding a bike, most of the time. It helps to predict how others will behave and also be predictable to others. It also helps to understand people's motivations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 18490639)

Well put. Unfortunately I'm a social misfit. I don't even understand the dance at a party. :(

I just say "Oh these times. How they try me." Then smash the side glass and run the hose......

Oh. That's backdraft. Nevermind.