Positive experience with a driver
 

We tend to hear a lot of complaints about drivers. I've posted my own bad experiences but I find the majority of drivers to be conscientious and courteous.

Today someone pulled up alongside me and rolled down his window. He then said "Excuse me sir, but you're about to lose your checkbook. Just thought I should let you know." I thanked him and tossed the checkbook in my messenger bag.

It was also a good reminder not to keep my checkbook in my back pocket while riding. I almost never carry a checkbook anymore and I rarely wear regular clothes to work so it's not something I usually have to worry about.

Today was a bit unusual in that I stopped by the License Bureau to renew my license. They don't take credit/debit cards. I should have gone with my initial instinct and got my license picture taken in full kit and helmet. I decided that riding my bike to renew my license was enough.

I bet you a sign blank check that driver is also a bicyclist ;)

I come along a few nice and courteous driver. I find those are usually the one who seem more family oriented.

The irony of biking to the DMV has not eluded me :thumb:

No bet here.. I rarely have any big issues with drivers in my lil' town aside from rednecks buzzing me. For the most part drivers have been safe and courteous. My least favorite part of my commute is a four lane overpass that is at the bottom of two very large hills where I need to merge into the left lane of the bridge in order to get out of a turning lane. Cars are typically coming down the hills very fast here and it can be tricky to merge and once I do there is no good place to really ride and still allow drivers to safely pass me so all I can do is take the lane and pedal my arse off. This is where I get buzzed by drivers the most. They shoot past me going left of center and then need to get back over as there are cars racing down the opposite hill.

The other day though I'm pedaling my heart out on this section and watching my mirror for the car behind me to pass. Instead they are keeping a very safe distance behind me and riding in the middle of the two lanes essentially blocking traffic from passing me on either the right or the left. So I'm thinking thanks, but geez, that ain't necessary. When I got past the turning lane and got back over to the right the car finally passed me. Bike rack fully loaded on the back and the car is completely plastered with share the road with bicycle bumper stickers.

It was weird.. I was kind of thankful and annoyed at the same. Nice to not get buzzed in this section, but I don't think they did anything at all to improve other driver's feelings towards bicycles on the road. Plus the whole scenario made me feel like I was going extremely slowly (which I wasn't by any means).

Please don't post such mythical stories. We the cyclo commuters reject any notion that these cagers are nice. They just want to lull you into their headlights like poor Bambi. Then WHAM! You're roadkill. :mad:

When a driver pulls up and rolls down the window this image flashes through my mind:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d9...biddogcopy.jpg

:eek:

I guess you know you've been commuting awhile when you know how to get to the closest DMV by bike but aren't sure how to get there by car. This one is new and happens to be right on the greenway.

In the past I've ridden or walked to the one downtown over lunch but the wait times are ridiculous.

I had someone give me a heads up that my On-Guard cable was dragging the other day. I really appreciated that because I've already had to replace it once when it fell off the bike. One of these days I will learn to secure it better.

Most motorists that cause me any grief generally won't take the time to roll down their window, and usually they just let their vehicle or horn do the talking. I've had more positive encounters than negative when it comes to conversations between myself and motorists who do roll down their windows.

I had one the other day.. a car rolled up next to me slow and I see the window roll down. I'm out in traffic.. so I'm thinking "Great, what is this guy going to say". Then I hear "good morning". I say good morning back, look over, and realize it's a co-worker. It was still a nice way to start the day.

Around here usually they're trying to showcase their wit. It is typically a short presentation! I do get my fair share of morse code.

http://www.funnytheworld.com/2009/Jan/lassie.jpg

Wholeheartedly agreed. And to be frank, quite a few motorists have more sense than the ninja and beer-belly/fair-weather cyclists you see around this time of the year.

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