Pointing at Drivers?

[ACG]

Wow! Did I learn a lot, good post! I live in Los Angeles, really the burbs, east of it. Lots of areas that are full of homes then smatteries of businesses. Near Pasadena. Lots of traffic. I follow all the traffic rules for cars. I 1/2 way wave when I signal. Stop at all lights, stop sign, etc. I do not yell at drivers (I just think evil thoughts). Don't want to get shot at! Joke. Anyway, you have all given me good advice.

[betagirl]

Yeah that's just rude to ride so wide cars can't pass you. When I ride with my club we ride 2 abreast on low traffic roads, but are constantly communicating when a car is coming up behind us or from the other direction. We try to fall into single file if we can if there's a car back, but usually they pass us before we can. On heavier roads we ride single file.

When I ride alone I basically am a car in my mind, except more like a Yugo in terms of being able to survive a wreck

/rant on

What is up with people who are afraid to pass you on roads where they obviously CAN pass you (wide enough, no traffic coming on a straightaway, etc.)? Then you get this funeral procession behind you of angry drivers when it's not your fault, you're over to the side as far as you can go. No really I know you're there, I'm waving you by, I'm not going to go in front of you! PASS ME!

/rant off

[latelatebloomer]

So far the drivers I'm dealing with have been really courteous, but I did get very nervous when, as I was puffing up a hill, an oncoming car full of teenage boys slowed, a window rolled down, and a kid shouted at me -

"You can do it!"

As a newbie, I'm taking to heart the advice to be bold and firm about drivers noticing me. I'm a "nice girl" but I can emit a very South Philly "YO!" when needed.

[Grog]

So far the drivers I'm dealing with have been really courteous, but I did get very nervous when, as I was puffing up a hill, an oncoming car full of teenage boys slowed, a window rolled down, and a kid shouted at me -

"You can do it!"

I am quite sure many drivers actually do that sort of things to be nice... but when it (or similar) happens to me, I always feel like replying:

"Can you?"

And I HATE it when some honk as a way of expressing their support/cheering.

[betagirl]

And I HATE it when some honk as a way of expressing their support/cheering.

I had a guy tap his horn then wave out his window at me as he drove by. At first I was expecting the ol' bird, but it was a wave for about 5 seconds. I was drinking some water at the time and was like WTF is he waving at me for? I guess I'm too cynical also

I hear stories of people getting stuff thrown at them on the road all the time, but I've (knock on wood) never had that happen. I've been yelled at a few times. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU OWN THE ROAD?! Um, yeah I do actually. Or my personal favorite. GET ON THE F**KING SIDEWALK! Ok but there is no sidewalk. Not that I'd ever ride on a sidewalk. But nothing thrown. Everyone I've heard this from is a guy. Any of you girls had this happen?

[Technotart]

My son has had a full coke can, a handful of large bolts and various other sundry items thrown at him by what I refer to as "the bubba factor" (Not my fault they all happened to be driving beat up old pick up trucks!) Now mind you - this was early in the morning on VERY low traffic roads where there was NOONE else on the road. These were just incidents of pure aggression for no good reason.

I know some people honk to be friendly but I sure wish they wouldnt it! I just about pee my shorts everytime!

In Texas, if there are two lanes or more in each direction, you are better off riding two abreast and having the cars move into the 2nd lane to pass you if traffic is light. If you try to ride real close to the curb, they will try to skate by you, giving you as little room as possible. If Im riding alone in the street, I take up the right lane for the most part. If the road is heavy with traffic, I hang at the curb at the light and let most of the traffic go by before I cross the intersection. Basically, if you want to be treated like traffic, you have to act like traffic and that includes following the laws, being courteous to vehicles, and using your turn signals and brake lights as it were. Sharing the road goes both ways.

[tatormc]

And I HATE it when some honk as a way of expressing their support/cheering.

My hubby does this just as a way to say hi to other cyclists.

[Grog]

My hubby does this just as a way to say hi to other cyclists.

I am sure it is well intended but just warn him that it can frighten or surprise some of us enough to fall off the bike. Especially if I am climbing and very concentrated on my front wheel, I don't pay much attention to the noises around me and a loud honk can really be brutal at that moment...

I guess this is true when coming from behind. When coming in the opposite direction, I probably would not mind as much and wave hello in return...

[skibum]

Rant time...

I had an incident happen just this morning that fits right into the discussion here. I was riding down the road and noticed ahead of me a car wanted to turn left out of an apartment complex. I slowed down because the driver was looking away from me. I like to make eye contact so that I'm sure the driver sees me. The driver looked my way, we made eye contact, I held my hand out in a way to indicate hold on I'm coming by and he pulled out in front of me anyways. Luckily, since I had been slowing down in case he didn't see me, I was able to brake hard and not run into him. He had his window down so I yelled at him that I had the right of way.

Why, oh why, are drivers in such a rush and time is so important to them that they can't wait for 10 seconds for you to pass by them? I know this guy saw me. I really think that he just didn't want to wait for me so he figured he could pull out before I got there. Well, it worked out okay this time because I was paying attention. What if I hadn't been?

[emily_in_nc]

/rant on
What is up with people who are afraid to pass you on roads where they obviously CAN pass you (wide enough, no traffic coming on a straightaway, etc.)? Then you get this funeral procession behind you of angry drivers when it's not your fault, you're over to the side as far as you can go. No really I know you're there, I'm waving you by, I'm not going to go in front of you! PASS ME!/rant off

God yes, this bugs me to no end. Why is it that drivers either seem to be too hurried, too aggressive, too disrespectful...or the opposite extreme, won't pass, just ride behind you forever, making you nervous, and holding up other drivers as well??? It's quite curious.

Emily

[snapdragen]

What is up with people who are afraid to pass you on roads where they obviously CAN pass you (wide enough, no traffic coming on a straightaway, etc.)?

I have a funny (at least I think it is) story. When I did the AIDS ride in 2000, we were out in the farmlands of California- flat as can be. A mess of bicycles and one car, she was afraid to pass the lead cyclists. Pretty soon, there is this car, about 100 cyclists bunched up behind her - kind of a surreal Highway to Hell. I think the cyclists in front finally just pulled over so she'd go by. It tickled my warped sense of humor.