Good Drivers

[maillotpois]

We have a lot of well-deserved threads about the bad drivers out there, but after my ride this afternoon, I feel compelled to write about the GOOD drivers:

1. I was doing speed work on a windy narrow road (Paradise). Speed limit 25. This bit was rolly and I was going between 20 - 27 when I became aware of a car behind me. He was hanging pretty far back, and there was simply no place to pass. Finally a straight block long length of road, and he started to pass me, but I saw a car coming from the other direction which he could not see, so I put up a hand to stop him. He stopped. Finally another straightway and he passed. As he got by me, he gave a friendly horn toot. Older guy. Nice.

2. I hit an intersection and needed to turn left. Only way to trip the signal was to climb up the curb and push the ped button. So I did that, and of course it immediately turned and I still had to get clipped in and going. A car facing me was going to turn left, and between my trying to get rolling and my bad arm I wasn't able to immediately signal left turn so she could go. She gestured to her right with with her thumb and I nodded and finally got a hand up to signal and she turned left. She waited til she knew what I was going to do before she went. 99% of cyclists would turn left at that intersection, but she did not assume.

3. And a special thank you to the Tiburon Town Police Dept who did not stop me for my pause and roll through the vacant stop sign in the center of town. I think for sure I can chalk that one up to the Amici Veloci kit.

3 pretty nice drivers in only a 20 something mile ride. What a good day!

[kelownagirl]

Well I can honestly say that over 95% of the drivers I come near are very cautious and courteous. I really don't worry too much about the cars coming up behind me, even when I am crossing a narrow bridge. I make eye contact and they are rarely too impatient as to put me in danger. I appreciate all the good drivers out there! (Now the other 5%... )

[Starfish]

This is a great bit of positive! Thank you for posting.

[OakLeaf]

Yes, good point. I almost posted the other day. I was at a stoplight when an electrician's van pulled up next to me. I was intending to go straight, but I hadn't claimed the lane because there's a very broad shoulder at that intersection, and hardly anyone turns right there.

It turns out the van did want to turn right, and I hadn't seen his turn signal because of the lane positioning. What I did see - in his side mirror - was the driver looking carefully at me and letting me go once the light turned green. I was so impressed! I wish I'd paid more attention to what company it was so I could give them proper kudos and/or future business.

[maillotpois]

Nice one, Oakleaf.

[mimitabby]

On my daily commute, i share the road with hundreds of vehicles. Usually ALL of them share the road with me. A few signal their impatience by gunning their engines as they get around me, but even these folks are giving me enough space.

Yesterday I had to go 2 blocks in a semi-paved area (they are doing 1 lane at a time and they have only the substreet down so far) and I know the cars behind me got a great view of me bouncing up and down on the really rough surface. They gave me lots of room.

thanks for starting this thread.