What do you do when cars block intersections?
 

Twice in the past week cars have blocked large intersections while trying to squeeze past red lights. You sit at a light waiting sometimes 5 minutes for it to change, and then some jerks block other cars (and bikes) from crossing the road when they finally get a green light. In both cases, I went ahead and proceeded through the intersection very cautiously, weaving my way through the offending vehicles. I put my headlights on flash mode and made a point of glancing at the drivers of offending cars. There's no way I was gonna sit through several light cycles while riding in sub-freezing temperatures.

They're a pain when driving a semi around town, but I've never had a problem getting around them safely, and easily on a bike so I find it amusing rather than annoying. They're stuck in traffic, I'm not.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/240/5...8538125a35.jpg

I give these self-centered jackwagons the side eye and ride through.

I do the same, but its probably a good idea to not be too cocky about it, and keep in mind its just as illegal to enter a blocked intersection as it is to block it. ;)

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.

You have a legal right to proceed through the intersection when you have the green light, but these drivers have already proven themselves to be idiots. Choose your line very carefully.

Happens everywhere. Some intersections are worse than others, so if it seems to occur in the same intersection routinely and not others in the same city, blame poor traffic engineering. Report it to the city, maybe they can adjust the light timing or other stuff to minimize the problem. But if it's endemic throughout your area ... well, then technically it's systemic, it's still a traffic engineering problem and there's no competent engineer or government interested in solving the problem.

Give 'em the stink eye and roll on.

I agree that it's more of an annoyance when you're on a bike because you can weave through the offending vehicles. However, that does pose a safety issue in the event that a driver doesn't see you or deliberately tries to block you. I find it even more annoying when it happens while I'm driving my car because the blockers sometimes prevent other vehicles from crossing the intersection.

get off my bike and walk around them .

make eye contact and pass in front of them, its safer than going out into the middle of the intersection that has the green light

Just proceed through with as much caution as possible. If the traffic is actually stopped as they should be if they're actually blocking the intersection, then it's unlikely that someone will actually run into you.

You're on a bike. You can get through places where cars cannot. So while cars block the intersection, you can get through while motorists cannot. Revel in the glory. :D

Personally I find it awesome to be able to get through a traffic jam easily. In some places I hope for a traffic jam because the traffic will be moving very slowly.

it depends on how likely they are to start moving. Doesn't happen much around here though

This is probably the safest and most legal thing to do. As a pedestrian you have the right of way. Then you can give the offender the dirty look, head shake, and finger wag.

I almost got ran over twice yesterday. One girl was so busy looking to squeeze a red intersection going right that she gassed it while I was less than 6 feet close to her. Fortunately, having some "experience" with crosswalks, I was cruising really slowly (about 3mph) across the crosswalk, not too sure whether or not she noticed me.

The most dangerous place on my commute is the cross streets. A lot of caution goes a long way. Unfortunately, the stink eye and/or finger wagging is probably the only civil recourse a cyclist has. Screaming at/kicking/spitting on their car, etc. is a losing proposition on many levels.

I assess the situation and choose the best option that presents itself. Sometimes that means turning onto the blocked street. Sometimes I zigzag between the cars and head on my way. The only sure thing is I'm sitting at my desk now, and can only speculate what I'll do the next time this occurs (which, I predict, will be at about 2:35 this afternoon).

ftfy

Vehicles blocking the intersections happens everyday here; I just go around the offending bus/truck/car(s):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0slP...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

This kind of stupidity is common here in L.A., the home of the selfish and entitled.

I yell "HEY!" real loud so they look at me and I know they have seen me, then I ride through the intersection...

I go around, glad that I'm on a bike.

Get off your bike and scream like a 5 yr old, then huff and puff while everyone laughs at you.
Totally difusses the situation by making you look like a assshat

Or you can take the coward's way and just ride through, knowing at least you can thread through traffic without being blocked by bad driving.

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.

What's even worse, when driving -- a few times I've stopped at a green because there wasn't room to get to the other side of the intersection. Then some jerk behind me passes, blaring his horn, and pulls right in front of me (blocking the intersection of course), then the next guy behind does the same thing.

I watch for that now, and as soon as they start passing I pull up, forcing them to be in the other lane (and therefore having to pull off the road when cars are coming). Just kidding.

I guess I'd just muddle through!

I squeeze through and give them the ole stink eye.