bouncybouncy
05-23-2007, 11:02 AM
After reading Veronica's close call with a boy I decided to post a question...
On my commute this morning (a special one because hubby was able to join me :p ) I came to a 4-way intersection (2-way stop...I had the right of way) coming in the oppisite direction are 2 tractors (not really in the country but for some reason this did not strike me as odd) and a single car approaching a stop to my left (because of the angle of the streets it was unclear of the cars intentional direction after he made his mandatory stop)
I began to slow a bit because the driver of the car was NOT looking at me but in the opposite direction towards the tractor...
One tractor made a u-turn in front of me (with plenty of room) while the other turned left behind hubby & I (friendly waves were exchanged by the tractor operator and I)
My hubby asked why I was slowing. I responded "because the driver of the car had not made eye contact with me, let alone look in my direction" Hubby simply said "OK" and pedaled on...
now the questions:
Was I right to slow down in order to make sure I was seen? Is it OK to be courteous to drivers (expecially during rush hour) in order to be seen as a friendly cyclist? Do I have to hog the lane if it is safe to ride the shoulder?
btw: I am always waving at folks who wait for me to pass or acknowledge my presence on the road! In fact, today, a fellow cyclist (i could tell by his rack...hehe! and cycling stickers on his car) looked at me with such envy cause I was riding instead of driving!!! (he was in a shirt & tie and obviously wanting to be in lycra!!! I hope he gets out there...it is a beautiful day to be a cyclist!!!)
On my commute this morning (a special one because hubby was able to join me :p ) I came to a 4-way intersection (2-way stop...I had the right of way) coming in the oppisite direction are 2 tractors (not really in the country but for some reason this did not strike me as odd) and a single car approaching a stop to my left (because of the angle of the streets it was unclear of the cars intentional direction after he made his mandatory stop)
I began to slow a bit because the driver of the car was NOT looking at me but in the opposite direction towards the tractor...
One tractor made a u-turn in front of me (with plenty of room) while the other turned left behind hubby & I (friendly waves were exchanged by the tractor operator and I)
My hubby asked why I was slowing. I responded "because the driver of the car had not made eye contact with me, let alone look in my direction" Hubby simply said "OK" and pedaled on...
now the questions:
Was I right to slow down in order to make sure I was seen? Is it OK to be courteous to drivers (expecially during rush hour) in order to be seen as a friendly cyclist? Do I have to hog the lane if it is safe to ride the shoulder?
btw: I am always waving at folks who wait for me to pass or acknowledge my presence on the road! In fact, today, a fellow cyclist (i could tell by his rack...hehe! and cycling stickers on his car) looked at me with such envy cause I was riding instead of driving!!! (he was in a shirt & tie and obviously wanting to be in lycra!!! I hope he gets out there...it is a beautiful day to be a cyclist!!!)