As a bicyclist how do you communicate in a constructive manner to a driver that just did something unsafe or illegal to you?
On my way to downtown Kirkland a man pulled out from the curb in front of me cutting me off. While I could have braked and cursed under my breath I decided to ride along the driver side so he could see that he had just cut me off. I was planning on doing the "what in the world are you doing look" but the "I can see you so why can't you see me look" came off. He only saw me after his two passengers said something. He slowed down and let me pass.
I don't want to come off as a dick but if I was going faster or he merged out faster we could have had a collision. Drivers need to get feedback when they do something wrong (a honk for example) but bikes don't have horns. So then bicyclist are left with hand gestures or yelling. Both of which don't really engage people. I guess what I'm saying is next time you have a conflict with someone on a bike try to engage them and understand, don't just assume they hate you.
I agree completely that a lot of drivers are dicks and are in their own world when driving.
ReplyDeleteBut on the other side, and I don't want to start a huge argument, some bicyclist annoy me when they side by side and are going 10 miles per hour under the speed limit and I can't pass them. There are another couple examples of how bicyclists annoy me but I think the answer to our problem is that the city needs to spend some money to making the city more bicycle friendly.
I can't completely speak for someone else but I can assure you it isn't because the bikers wants to annoy you. I don't think *anyone* enjoys having a 1+ ton machine traveling just behind them at 20 MPH.
ReplyDeleteFor me I'll take a whole lane when I need to turn left or I feel there isn't room for a car to safely pass me (3+ foot buffer). I'll also take a part of the lane if the shoulder is covered in debris. I don't think many drivers notice how dirty shoulders can be. Most bicyclist (esp. ricers) have narrow tires that can easily get punctured by glass, sharp rocks, plastic, nails, etc. And don't forget about the door zone. I have a family friend that commutes on this bike and he has had 3 drivers open their door into him. It's extremely dangerous when bicyclist are traveling quickly on a downhill grade.
So while it might seem that bicyclist are doing things for no reason there likely is a good reason for it, if not they need to know it is confusing and annoying to drivers. Next time a bicyclist does something you don't understand try to ask them why. If it was stupid on their part they will more than likely never do it again, if they had a good reason you'll learn what it is.
There's no easy answer to that. How CAN a cyclist communicate to motorist that they did something unsafe. I don't know.
ReplyDeleteBut I'll tell you this, as a motorist, I always appreciate clear signals and verification of eye contact from a cyclist before they make their move. Any time a cyclist looks at me, verifies eye contact, and points to where they are going, I'll always hit the brakes. It's easier for me to regain momentum with the gas pedal than it is for them.
But yeah, that's a tough one. If the windows are down, and you're at a stop light you can always try speaking with hands held palms out (the international sign of 'hey, i'm not trying to argue') and say "hey buddy, you didn't see me there. Try and watch more carefully for cyclists."