Originally Posted by wALDO<><

I agree with Chris W 100%. You had room to let him pass. Why take the entire lane especially when there wasn't that much traffic? The driver honked to let you know he was there, that he wanted to pass & but you didn't. You continued in the center of the lane.

Cyclist/commuters should always be courteous & respectful of vehicles. Experience is a great teacher, if ever one has a physical collision/impact with a vehicle, it eventually sinks in. Cars are bigger, heavier & the littlest ole lady can be the biggest bully behind the wheel. It's not worth your life out there.

Remember, "You might be right, but you might be Dead right"...

Also, Flipping someone off in essence means that they will probably take it out on you next time or on the next cyclist they see. What if that was you little brother, sister or your child (anyone you love)? We should always strive to wave at drivers (a sarcastic gesture at worst) or shake your index finger at them & grin. Their conscience will let them know what they did. Humor always seems to work best & a wave tends to disengage & eliminate any possibility of escalation. "A wise man over looks insults, this is to his credit." Sometimes in the heat of the moment it can be difficult but ya gotta swallow the ole' pride at times & man up while on the bike.

I always mouth the words thank you, give a wave or smile to any vehicle that acknowledges my presence on the bike. Eventually this ripple will come back to you. When riding my MTB on the sidewalk & cars see me coming, 90% of them back up so as not to block my forward progress on the sidewalk. If they don't, I jump curb, go round, stop &/or continue unless traffic does not allow this.

Now days, the cyclist biggest threat are folks that text & drive. DWT - I digress.

Another major threat when using sidewalks are cars that hurd you into corners, cut you off at an intersections or turn in front of you after passing or barely passing the speeding cyclist. Sorry, I need to start a new thread, my bad.... gettn excited, 1st post & all...

wALDO

Originally Posted by Doohickie

Agreed. Like I said, not very smart on my part. And I think I've only done it once... maybe twice.

I am trying to develop my zen, Master.

Originally Posted by nycphotography

Just because you say it, doesn't make it so.

I expect the cars to accomodate me, but let me assure you, I full well expect to be invisible at all times, and I will guarantee you that I do everything I can to stay the hell outta the way.

Taking the middle of the the lane to prevent a right hook? That's your story? Seriously??

Dude, the car passed you, drove to the intersection, pulled over, got out, and was standing around WAITING for you to eventually get there. He couldn't possibly have right hooked you because he would have been long gone before you got anywhere near that intersection.

Here's a scenario that happens over and over and over again every time you ride on a public road. You are riding along and two cars come up on you from behind, one behind the other.

Where is the smartest place to be, dead in the middle of the lane to establish your territory? Or all the way on the edge line, if not outside if it?

Hint: The cars are rolling along at 55mph. Front driver sees you, never lets off the gas, and flows around and past you. Second car never sees you. WHAM!. Good thing you staked out that lane to prevent the non-fatal right hook that you could have seen coming a mile away. Good thing you didn't leave room for them to "buzz you" in case they didn't see you in time. Brilliant!

Originally Posted by mikeshoup

That lane is not wide enough to share for both cyclists and cars.

Originally Posted by Doohickie

Ugh. I couldn't listen to more than 10 seconds of that video, lightningcow.

Originally Posted by wheeldeal

+1. I agree with this guy. Maybe it's a NY thing.


IMO, that lane is MORE than wide enough for a bike and a car. In Queens (NY), that lane would be a TWO WAY STREET. TWO WAY. Those who live in Queens (or have visited know what I'm talking about).

I think the OP need to develop better bike handling skills and learn how to share the road (or lane). Here's an example of how well traffic flows with cyclist & cars sharing the road (lane). No one honks. No one gets pissed off. Smooth flowing traffic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrPOKNU5Ds4


EDIT: Most of you will say those guys are messengers and they do this for a living. How about this video of an Average Joe doing the same thing. Cars pass him MUCH closer on a lane MUCH narrower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kttyjT2YfQ

Originally Posted by knobster

This. It sounds like to me that the OP was picking a fight.

Edit: and then was too much of a coward when he called you on it.

Originally Posted by Digital_Cowboy

What did the zen master say to the hot dog vender? Make me one with everything. Sorry couldn't resist.