Pointing at Drivers?

[bcipam]

I yelled at the top of my lungs "HEY! I'M ON A BIKE HERE! OVER HERE! NEXT TO YOU! YOU IDIOT!". Then I flipped him off after he made the turn. I have a very bad temper All the cars waiting at the light saw me and I felt like an idiot.

Gotta rein in my temper since it seems this is a typical occurrence!

Bottom line, although we both have rights to the road, cars are bigger and can hurt us so we have to be on guard all the time. If I don't think a car understands my moves, I back off and let the car have the right of way. I have many a friend who, while in the right, was struck by a car and seriously injuried. I'm just never in that big of a hurry to want to confront a car. Plus girl, riding should be about quiet quality time. No fun to ride all pissed off. Rein in that temper, go with the flow and you'll enjoy your riding more - or - take up mountain biking and get off the road!

[bcipam]

*big sigh*
Wouldn't it be nice if the cars recognised we have road rights too, such as a legal right to ride 2 abreast
*slips into daydream mode*

Is that a legal right ot ride two abreast out into the traffic lane?

Cyclists (at least in Calif) are required to ride as close to the curb as safely possible as not to impede the traffic lane and the flow of traffic. Not right (or legal) that we ride out into the lane and make cars go around us. No wonder motorists always want to cut us off. Trust me I run into stupid drivers all the time (the worse for me is when I move out of a right turn lane only to let those drivers turning right go into the lane and they still instead go around on the left and cut me off). But then again, I also sometimes do stupid things and I would hope the driver gives me the benefit of the doubt and understands I made a mistake, I didn't turn in from of them on purpose.

Think of it this way... how much nicer would your ride be if you assumed that the cars had the right of way and planned for that? No sense getting upset or angry. Better to be a good citizen so drivers aren't scared or pissed off at us. It is a two way street. How would you like it if some cyclists started gesturing and yelling at you and you had no idea or clue why? And there are alot of stupid cyclist out there. Trust me, my road club is full of them. They routinely run stop signs, make left turns on red lights in front of vehicles, block turn lanes, take up the traffic lane. No wonder motorists don't like dealing with us...

which is why I mountain bike more and more....

[jobob]

Sorry I annoyed you, Grog, it wasn't my intention. I often get too didactic. I'll reign it in.

- Jo.

[RoadRaven]

Is that a legal right ot ride two abreast out into the traffic lane?

In Aotearoa New Zealand it is legal
Bicycles should be treated with all the respect one should give a car, and riding two abreast is legal...

However, legality doesn't stop intolerance and impatience on some driver's parts

[Grog]

Sorry I annoyed you, Grog, it wasn't my intention. I often get too didactic. I'll reign it in.

No no - it's allright.

You actually make a pretty good point. Although I disagree that "the law" must be the most important factor in any decision, I am always thinking - especially when I'm commuting - that if all of those people commuting on the bike were driving cars, it would be awfully dangerous out there. Most seem to totally ignore that the traffic laws apply to them, too. Or even just basic courtesy. Stop signs, traffic lights, all of these they don't care about. Moreover, while a few of us politely wait in line at a stop light, some freak rides right in front of all of us and into the incoming car lane and often put the others in danger too. If they could just think about the law and nothing else, that would be a good start. But last time I was a cop on a bike he was riding on the sidewalk so... no motivation will come from there.

[Irulan]

Is that a legal right ot ride two abreast out into the traffic lane?

Cyclists (at least in Calif) are required to ride as close to the curb as safely possible as not to impede the traffic lane and the flow of traffic. Not right (or legal) that we ride out into the lane and make cars go around us. No wonder motorists always want to cut us off. Trust me I run into stupid drivers all the time (the worse for me is when I move out of a right turn lane only to let those drivers turning right go into the lane and they still instead go around on the left and cut me off). But then again, I also sometimes do stupid things and I would hope the driver gives me the benefit of the doubt and understands I made a mistake, I didn't turn in from of them on purpose.

Think of it this way... how much nicer would your ride be if you assumed that the cars had the right of way and planned for that? No sense getting upset or angry. Better to be a good citizen so drivers aren't scared or pissed off at us. It is a two way street. How would you like it if some cyclists started gesturing and yelling at you and you had no idea or clue why? And there are alot of stupid cyclist out there. Trust me, my road club is full of them. They routinely run stop signs, make left turns on red lights in front of vehicles, block turn lanes, take up the traffic lane. No wonder motorists don't like dealing with us...

which is why I mountain bike more and more....

funny, in this thread all I can think about is my poor 75 year old mother who lives on a narrow, windy road in Sonoma county that is heavily used by road cyclists. It is a completely common occurance for groups of roadies to NOT go to single file when there are vehicles approaching from behind. They will stay 3-5 abreast with complete disregard for the vehicles on the road. My poor mother lacks the balls to pass them on this road, (with good reason, it's a series of blind corners and she'd have to go into the other lane) which means she follows behind for a mile or more until she reaches her driveway. Groups of cyclists pulling this kind of thing is the worst sort of passive/aggressive riding. What kind of point are riders like this trying to make?

irulan

[jobob]

Groups of cyclists pulling this kind of thing is the worst sort of passive/aggressive riding. What kind of point are riders like this trying to make?

Darned if I know - all they do is tick off drivers and that's no good for any of us.

- Jo "single file" bob

[Crankin]

Interesting subjects here. I just got back from Hilton Head, SC, where they really do enforce the law that cyclists have to be on a bike path if there is one. We were in an area that had tons of paths filled with people who haven't ridden for 20 years on cruisers, joggers, walkers. It was obviously dangerous for my husband and I to be cycling on this path. We got pulled over by the cops twice and just about arrested when i told him we had the right to be on the road; went and checked on the internet and apparently we did not have the right to be on the road. I don't take well to mean redneck cops who are 50 pounds overweight. Later I took my mountain bike on the path to get to a nature preserve; talk about getting pissed off! I was going about 10-12 and had many near collisions. I swear, I never yelled so much, even though i kept saying on your left, bike passing, etc.
I live near mostly country roads, but there's a fair amount of suburban traffic where i usually ride. I have no problem putting my arm out with the stop sign if i think someone is going to do something funky. I also stop if i feel like they won't see the arm. I'm pretty lucky; there are tons of cyclists here in Massachusetts and especially in the area where i live, most people are polite. My worst thing was on a commute home from work, someone was backing out of their driveway and i knew he didn't see me, despite the fact there were 2 others in the yard who did. I yelled really loud and he stopped. I agree with the 2 riding abreast. Some towns around here are starting to give tickets to large cycling groups who do this. It's dangerous and I see their point.

[Lynne]

Bottom line, although we both have rights to the road, cars are bigger and can hurt us so we have to be on guard all the time. If I don't think a car understands my moves, I back off and let the car have the right of way. I have many a friend who, while in the right, was struck by a car and seriously injuried. I'm just never in that big of a hurry to want to confront a car. Plus girl, riding should be about quiet quality time. No fun to ride all pissed off. Rein in that temper, go with the flow and you'll enjoy your riding more - or - take up mountain biking and get off the road!

hehe...don't they say that recognizing the problem is half way to fixing it?
Yeah, I'm really not wanting to get smooshed to bits because I have a bad temper...gotta keep it reigned in. I keep picturing going down and a car tire rolls over my head and pops it like a squished watermellon...that's enough to keep my temper in check!

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.