gwd

First the good:
Yesterday I visited a subway station during working hours that I hadn't been to at that time of day in many years. A decade ago there would be maybe 4 bikes parked there. Metro has added new racks since then and the numbers have been increasing. Yesterday, there were many more bikes than official spaces. They were locked against fences signs and railings. The weather forecast was for scattered showers too.
People are learning about bikes as transportation.

Now the bad:
Yesterday some woman layed on her horn and screamed curses at me when I wouldn't let her muscle me out of an intersection. The thing is, I was totally obeying all traffic laws, she wasn't. This kind of thing rarely happens to me. It made me feel like I was visiting the suburbs. My pointing to my green light seemed to infuriate her more. Some people have yet to learn about bikes as transportation.

gerv 

In my experience, it doesn't happen often either. But it is annoying when it does. I guess you just need to develop a thick hide.

Dahon.Steve

The motorists in major cities are traveling at bicycle speed or less. This is why the road rage is getting worse each year as more cars enter the same limited highways. We are not building more superstructures but making millions of new cars.

Roody

I agree with both of your observations. More people are ridng bikes, and a few cagers still don't get it.

In my experience, when you ride assertively in traffic, you will have fewer problems than if you try to cling to the sidewalk or the edge of the roadway.

gwd

I was taking my lane, no car behind me. I think that is what flipped her out. Most drivers show you more respect when you do that, this one seemed to think I shouldn't even be in the road. Seeing all those bikes at the train station gave me hope that ignorant car drivers can become extinct.

Roody

Well I don't imagine ignorance will ever become extinct, but maybe car drivers will. As for honkers, God bless them--maybe they think they're doing us a favor. When I catch up with them I ask if they need something, but they're usually at a loss for words.

Dahon.Steve

I think you should buy a "Take A Look" mirror and start seeing what's happening behind you. It's possible she was in your lane but grew tired and swiched.

Since I purchased this mirror, few cars have been beeping me. Why?

I now see what's going on behind me and traffic starts to pile up, I'll move over and let them pass. I used to be one of the most anti-mirror person on this forum and can't stop praising this device.

gwd

No, she was a left turner who couldn't wait for me to go through the intersection. In DC left turners are supposed to wait for the thru traffic.

I've used mirrors for a few years till they break then not use them. The last one was a helmet mount but when it broke I didn't miss it. As far as traffic piling up, the traffic laws around here say something like "pedal to the right as far as practicable" or "keep to the right". But, like you I will sometimes relinquish my rights to avoid a violent confrontation even if the person isn't wielding deadly force.

I actually don't mind a short beep from overtaking cars, I think of it as a "heads up hold your course and speed" similar to when I use a bell to warn peds on multi use paths. I respect their right of way but I don't want to scare them so I give a little pling with the bell.

SimonEd

Get an offical looking T-Shirt that makes you look like a cop coming off duty, better yet, get a S.W.A.T one and carry a rifle case with your sandwiches and brolly in it

Cyclaholic

I love the way your mind works ...no law against waging a little bit of psychological warfare

gwd

This actually works with some populations. The police here used to wear yellow bike jackets, now some wear blue. I got on the Metro with my bike and yellow jacket a few years back. A bunch of rude teenagers were in the car. They immediately calmed down. Then one girl asked if I were an police officer. As soon as I said "No" they pulled their junk food out and cranked up their obnoxiousness.
I think the really bad guys have a six sense for police to the extent that I'd just make myself a target by playing dress up.