How Was Your Commute Today?

[Ana]

On my usual route (on the street, mind you), the construction in one particular intersection has been completed so the opposing lane has opened up. Waiting to turn left because of oncoming traffic tends to delay my arrival a bit and left turns in general make me a bit apprehensive. A car pulled into the “right turn” lane in the opposing traffic lane at the light with the turn signal on indicating a right turn. The lights are timed such that the oncoming traffic light down one block on the other side gets a green light before my intersection does.

The light at the intersection turns green but the car hesitates. Since the road has two lanes, I turn left into the left-most lane and wait until the car figures out what is happening and decides to turn; then I signal and move into the right lane. This car stays in the right lane (so it wasn’t trying to turn into the left-most lane). I often move toward the right side of the lane in case any of the drivers feel overly inclined to pass me. This woman decides to pull up next to me, roll down her window and say “have you ever thought about riding on the sidewalk?” to which I responded “No, I just ride on the road.” She said, “you’re going to get killed out there” to which I responded, “Yeah, well it hasn’t happened yet.” Mind you, I have both front and rear lights as well as a florescent yellow jersey…so it’s not like I’m in a black hooded sweatshirt here. She mumbled something after that, which I did not catch. I didn’t get defensive because I was uncertain of her intent. It may have been a genuine concern for my safety, an annoyance that I’m interfering with her driving or a combination of both. I know that I have a right to ride on the road and that my choice to turn into the other lane of the two-laned road might not have been the most prudent but still...

I’ve learned my lesson: wait for the unsure drivers when turning left

How common are instances like this?