Maybe it's because it's been really hot this week. Maybe it's because I wore spandex to work instead of my usual tank top, but I got honked at twice today. This is a personal daily record. In the first case, Keri Caffrey may have kept me from my first car-bike collision ever. In the second case, sometimes it just isn't worth arguing.
Case #1 Roughly about where the line is if you pass your mouse over the picture, while I was riding along to work, came a big air horn and a big red pickup with an "OU" sticker in the back window going by. I waved (thanks Keri) to let the guy know I knew he was there. The guy then STOPS in the middle of the road ahead of me. I stop behind, asking "what did you say?" The guy wants to know why I gave him an insulting gesture, but I honestly replied "I just waved after you went by." Perplexed, the guy drove forward instead of jamming into reverse and crushing me like a bug. "Accident" avoided due to Keri Caffrey.
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Case #2 Almost home, with the thermometer at 100F, some yahoo decided to honk at me & gesture over toward the "Safe Route to School Path" on Pool Road (a pretty prosaic four lane road). I just gave another Keri wave & didn't even bother changing my usual route to catch up to the dweeb at the upcoming four way stop. At least all the cops were friendly today.
Several other Keri waves along the way were needed to encourage motorists to do things like continue along so I could change lanes after they went by, to take their durn turn at the four way stop sign, or to thank the 18 wheeler guys when they yielded their right of way gracefully for me to change lanes. I think I'm getting that wrist action down pat...
6 comments:
I dunno, sounds like the wave might have been what made him stop in the first place.
I tend not to wave at people who honk as they're passing. I consider it territorial and/or provocative, so I pretend not to notice. There is a subset of sociopaths who are trying to pick a fight and they're just itching for us to escalate.
If someone comes up behind me and honks, I'll wave to indicate there is another lane for them to use (or signal them to wait if it isn't clear to pass)... but I acknowledge them to make clear that I know they are there and am not moving over.
Some people honestly think they're supposed to honk and the slow vehicle is supposed to move over (it's actually in the statutes). But oddly enough, even when they have to wait a few seconds for the oncoming lane to clear, they pass safety. I think it helps to acknowledge them and maintain the assertive position, it suggests that I know what I'm doing and not just wandering around in the middle of the road.
Keri may be correct (I think she is), but an open-handed wave was certainly a lot better than any rude gesture as a "surprised instinct response." Getting honked at in the morning is just not something that happens. In fairness, the guy DID pass with lots of clearance.
Continuing the learning process, Keri's point in her third paragraph is a gem to mull over. I note that she did NOT indicate she would signal if she thought it was clear the trailing vehicle to pass. I would not trust such a signal, either on my bike or when driving. I myself got hit (while in a car) by someone trusting a "go" signal. Only the operator of the overtaking vehicle should make such a judgment since he's the one facing any consequences from a mistake.
Steve, what were you doing riding in such an aggressive lane position? Being arrogant? /sarcasm
In the spirit of 551.101 you were complying with the slow moving vehicle law. That is, driving as close to the curb or edge of the roadway as practicable for a standard size vehicle. Such a vehicle would occupy at least that much of the roadway.
None-the-less, when driving in a substandard lane (>14.1 feet) the operator of a bicycle may use any part of the lane as he sees fit.
I just imagine a 14' wide green stripe with sharrows painted down the middle of the lane! :)
P.S. I know you know that. I just like saying it aloud!
Sarcasm aside, that stretch of road is one of the more relaxing portions of my morning commute. Less so on afternoons.
Interestingly, and I didn't mention it, but the road is only a block north of a City of NRH official "On-Street bike route." I tend to avoid the bike route, which now has bike lane paint on the unimproved shoulder, and which I've seen motorists use as a "ad hoc" right turn or passing lane on frequent occasions. It's also slower for where I want to go.
The MUBL (Multiple Use Bike Lane) on that road is better than the crappy dedicated bike lane?
Whocouldaknowed?
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