Cyclists obeying stop signs: Car drivers think it's hilarious. (rant/long post)
08-20-09, 09:57 AM
#26
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Happens regularly. It's a minor annoyance during daylight hours but it gets extra stupid at night because I can't see if they're trying to wave me through or not when it's dark.
I'm not offended by it and appreciate the sentiment, but I wish they wouldn't do it. Sort of like the old lady at the checkout counter that refers to me as "dear" or "honey". It can be both friendly and condescending.
I'm not offended by it and appreciate the sentiment, but I wish they wouldn't do it. Sort of like the old lady at the checkout counter that refers to me as "dear" or "honey". It can be both friendly and condescending.
Last edited by tjspiel; 08-20-09 at 10:05 AM.
08-20-09, 10:01 AM
#27
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This is your problem Eric! But I can help you. Here is the protocol:
1. While you are still rolling, look them in the eyes and wave them through frantically. If they go, everyone wins (because I don't even slow down for stop signs if the coast is clear). No momentum lost =
2. They do not proceed because they have turned their attention to texting, tuning the radio, or attending to the screaming poop covered brat in the car seat behind them. If they are not even looking, I am probably going through the sign as far away from their bumper as possible, even if that means moving into the vacant oncoming lane. No lost momentum. Again -
3. They do not proceed and are actually LOOKING at me. I roll to a stop, put my foot down and LOOK THE OTHER WAY! Never EVER look at them once you stop! I glance down the cross street in the opposite direction as if looking for the next car coming (even if it is a one way street!). I look at my watch. I keep looking the other way until I hear their engine gun through the sign. I do not give the morons the chance to wave me through. I lost all my momentum, but I totally bedazzled a motorist with my legal action -
4. The motorist is chatting on a cell phone at a 2-way stop. I have the right of way. They ignore my right of way and gun out in front of me. Then, once blocking the street, they see me and slam on the brakes blocking my whole lane of travel. At this point, I either track stand or put my foot on the ground, lift my hand to my ear as if holding an imaginary cell phone. I then take the imaginary cell phone from my ear in a big sweeping arc and pretend to be jamming it up my bum. Then I point to them. =
1. While you are still rolling, look them in the eyes and wave them through frantically. If they go, everyone wins (because I don't even slow down for stop signs if the coast is clear). No momentum lost =
2. They do not proceed because they have turned their attention to texting, tuning the radio, or attending to the screaming poop covered brat in the car seat behind them. If they are not even looking, I am probably going through the sign as far away from their bumper as possible, even if that means moving into the vacant oncoming lane. No lost momentum. Again -
3. They do not proceed and are actually LOOKING at me. I roll to a stop, put my foot down and LOOK THE OTHER WAY! Never EVER look at them once you stop! I glance down the cross street in the opposite direction as if looking for the next car coming (even if it is a one way street!). I look at my watch. I keep looking the other way until I hear their engine gun through the sign. I do not give the morons the chance to wave me through. I lost all my momentum, but I totally bedazzled a motorist with my legal action -
4. The motorist is chatting on a cell phone at a 2-way stop. I have the right of way. They ignore my right of way and gun out in front of me. Then, once blocking the street, they see me and slam on the brakes blocking my whole lane of travel. At this point, I either track stand or put my foot on the ground, lift my hand to my ear as if holding an imaginary cell phone. I then take the imaginary cell phone from my ear in a big sweeping arc and pretend to be jamming it up my bum. Then I point to them. =
08-20-09, 10:57 AM
#28
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4. The motorist is chatting on a cell phone at a 2-way stop. I have the right of way. They ignore my right of way and gun out in front of me. Then, once blocking the street, they see me and slam on the brakes blocking my whole lane of travel. At this point, I either track stand or put my foot on the ground, lift my hand to my ear as if holding an imaginary cell phone. I then take the imaginary cell phone from my ear in a big sweeping arc and pretend to be jamming it up my bum. Or, I just punch the side of the truck.
08-20-09, 11:01 AM
#29
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^^^Oh Yeah. That one. His/her windows were so tinted that I couldn't tell what they were doing in there. The tint was a component of me losing it that time.
08-20-09, 11:21 AM
#30
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Contrary to much of what you may read in these forums, many motorists are more afraid of us than we are of them. Afraid that they are going to squash us. And they don't trust us because we have taught them not to trust us.
08-20-09, 11:23 AM
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I wave at everyone all the time. Whether or not I'm in the right, if someone does something vaguely considerate I wave at them. Like in a rotary, if I'm already in the rotary, and they don't pull in front of me cutting me off, I give them a friendly wave. Sure, they're supposed to stop anyways, but it makes them happier and hopefully nicer to bikes in the future.
08-20-09, 11:29 AM
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I find signalling helpful to communicate to the driver that I'm planning to stop. Yes it should be redundant to signal stopping at a stop sign, but as you say, so many cyclists don't, so its just an extra cue. (of course some drivers have leaned out their windows before to tell me they don't know what the signal means...)
08-20-09, 11:54 AM
#33
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um, if you see it happening and the driver is able to see you, why don't you wave them on even before getting there?
its also not a bad idea when a motorist is not sure to pass you but you feel it is safe to do so...
its also not a bad idea when a motorist is not sure to pass you but you feel it is safe to do so...
08-20-09, 12:43 PM
#34
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I wave at everyone all the time. Whether or not I'm in the right, if someone does something vaguely considerate I wave at them. Like in a rotary, if I'm already in the rotary, and they don't pull in front of me cutting me off, I give them a friendly wave. Sure, they're supposed to stop anyways, but it makes them happier and hopefully nicer to bikes in the future.
08-20-09, 03:58 PM
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08-20-09, 05:28 PM
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08-20-09, 07:42 PM
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4. The motorist is chatting on a cell phone at a 2-way stop. I have the right of way. They ignore my right of way and gun out in front of me. Then, once blocking the street, they see me and slam on the brakes blocking my whole lane of travel. At this point, I either track stand or put my foot on the ground, lift my hand to my ear as if holding an imaginary cell phone. I then take the imaginary cell phone from my ear in a big sweeping arc and pretend to be jamming it up my bum. Then I point to them. =
my goodness thats funny.
08-20-09, 08:16 PM
#39
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I encounter that situation as well.
One of our best advantage of being a cyclist is that we can communicate with gestures all we want, unlike those who are caged.
An extremely welcoming and exaggerated wave-through from YOU, BEFORE you reach the intersection will solve the problem.
One of our best advantage of being a cyclist is that we can communicate with gestures all we want, unlike those who are caged.
An extremely welcoming and exaggerated wave-through from YOU, BEFORE you reach the intersection will solve the problem.
08-20-09, 11:03 PM
#40
Cycle Year Round
Consider reading the Idaho stop laws for cyclist and realize that at worst, these laws that have been in effect for many years have had NO detrimental effects on cyclist safety and may have in fact improved cyclist safety.
08-22-09, 10:09 AM
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Inability to determine right of way is prevelent at any four way stop sign. Just keep on texting until the other guys go through and proceed.
08-22-09, 10:42 PM
#43
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I also always stop at stop signs and frequently encounter the "wave you on through" motorists, sometimes even when I'm driving a car! Like you, I really dislike the way it introduces uncertainty into what should be a very clear-cut, rules-based situation. It's especially annoying when I'm on my bike because I'm not very good at track-standing, so if they sit there very long I have to put a foot down or fall over. It's not pleasant having to suddenly yank a foot out of a toe clip and get it on the ground when I wasn't expecting to have to do that.
Just tonight, I was spinning up a hill slowly when someone a considerable distance ahead was backing out of a driveway, saw me and stopped partway into the road to wait. He had time to pull in and out at least two or three times while I was approaching without getting in my way at all, but instead he chose to sit there with all his passengers staring at me as I slowly toiled up the hill. I actually had to swing out further in the roadway to get around the rear of his car, and I was a bit concerned that he might suddenly get tired of waiting and pull out before I was completely clear. I'm sure he meant to be polite, but when people behave in unexpected ways on the road, it just makes me nervous.
08-24-09, 08:42 AM
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I've gotten to where I will wave the car through before I even come to a stop. I have found it saves me a lot of time.
08-24-09, 11:57 AM
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+1 This is definitely the way to do it. At least around here it signals to the car driver that (a) I really do intend to stop at this stop sign, and (b) I am paying attention to you and letting you know that I know that you have the right of way.
Unfortunately, some of them refuse to play along, and then we end up with the series of "you go ahead", "no, YOU go ahead" hand signals which culminates in me shrugging my shoulders and just getting through the intersection with a wave of thanks to the car driver.
Unfortunately, some of them refuse to play along, and then we end up with the series of "you go ahead", "no, YOU go ahead" hand signals which culminates in me shrugging my shoulders and just getting through the intersection with a wave of thanks to the car driver.
08-24-09, 04:20 PM
#46
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Your expectations are just too high. Always assume that you NEVER have the right-of-way on a bicycle over a motor vehicle. Unless an automobile driver waves me through an intersection first, I always wait for them to go first.
Your choices are to:
I usually ride a couple of feet off of the back-bumper of a car going my way. Drivers don't pull-out on top of large steel objects as often as they do bicycles.
Your choices are to:
- Assert your right-of-way rights, and maybe or maybe not get hit by a car
- Do your best to get out of the intersection as quickly and safely as possible.
I usually ride a couple of feet off of the back-bumper of a car going my way. Drivers don't pull-out on top of large steel objects as often as they do bicycles.
08-24-09, 09:55 PM
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Stop, then don't look at the driver. Fake like you're checking your cell phone, inspecting your gears (add a frowny face to emphasize your problem), or sip water. Once they see that you aren't even facing them to see their gestures, 99% of the time they go through. I do this when cycling, walking, or when on a motorcycle. It worked every single time, and it only takes a second or two to do.
I also do this because most of the time I can't see their gestures due to the glare on their windshield, and I don't want to confuse things by staring at them.
I also do this because most of the time I can't see their gestures due to the glare on their windshield, and I don't want to confuse things by staring at them.
08-24-09, 10:26 PM
#48
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In what way do you think it "protects the cyclist" to have them pass directly in front of a two ton motor vehicle that's being operated by someone who just demonstrated that they don't understand the right-of-way laws? I can see being cautious if it's not clear that the cyclist plans on stopping, but after they have already come to a complete stop there shouldn't be any doubts left.
08-24-09, 10:57 PM
#49
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I understand that the cagers are just trying to be polite, but predictability is way more important than courtesy in this case. I have a friend who does this in his car all the time - he's very thoughtful and conscientious. After several friendly lectures (from me) on why it's a bad idea, he still does it whenever he sees a bike wanting to cross or turn. He just has to go out of his way to be helpful. I think I'll show him this thread. Maybe it will sink in.
When I encounter it (which is frequently), I make like a traffic cop and point very clearly and authoritatively about what should happen. YOU go THERE. It works pretty well.
Unfortunately, I have trouble track-standing and pointing at the same time; a decent track stand requires two hands for me.
When I encounter it (which is frequently), I make like a traffic cop and point very clearly and authoritatively about what should happen. YOU go THERE. It works pretty well.
Unfortunately, I have trouble track-standing and pointing at the same time; a decent track stand requires two hands for me.
08-25-09, 12:25 AM
#50
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yeah getting the wave through is a little annoying but only because I would have rolled through an empty intersection, if I was truly following the rules of the road I would have to had to stop anyway so really I am annoyed that I couldn't get away with the roll through. I would take that over an agressive driver anyday.