Comments on: Dealing With The Overly Courteous http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Othemts http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/comment-page-1/#comment-46989 Othemts Sat, 11 Aug 2007 03:18:49 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/#comment-46989 This sometimes happens when I'm waiting to turn left. Some driver will stop and motion for me to go. The less courteous drivers behind them are liable to just drive around the car that's mysteriously stopped and whack me. I always look to see if anyone's coming behind the stopped car before taking them up on the offer. Of course, if there's a big break in traffic behind the car that stopped for me, I just feel a little annoyed for their wasting their time and mine, since I would've had no problem turning left after they passed anyway. This sometimes happens when I’m waiting to turn left. Some driver will stop and motion for me to go. The less courteous drivers behind them are liable to just drive around the car that’s mysteriously stopped and whack me. I always look to see if anyone’s coming behind the stopped car before taking them up on the offer. Of course, if there’s a big break in traffic behind the car that stopped for me, I just feel a little annoyed for their wasting their time and mine, since I would’ve had no problem turning left after they passed anyway.

]]> By: Easy Rider http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/comment-page-1/#comment-46919 Easy Rider Fri, 10 Aug 2007 10:47:13 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/#comment-46919 If everyone sticks to the 'Highway Code' then everything works. People that wave you through when you don't need it - the suicide wave - are not sticking to the code, and by accepting the offer you are only encouraging them. If it were not for cars giving way to others 'against the letter of the code' then some motorists would never be let out of side-streets into busy traffic, so the motoring community 'suicide wave' each other too. If everyone sticks to the ‘Highway Code’ then everything works. People that wave you through when you don’t need it – the suicide wave – are not sticking to the code, and by accepting the offer you are only encouraging them.
If it were not for cars giving way to others ‘against the letter of the code’ then some motorists would never be let out of side-streets into busy traffic, so the motoring community ‘suicide wave’ each other too.

]]> By: Jett http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/comment-page-1/#comment-46773 Jett Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:43:45 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/#comment-46773 I've got a 16-year old daughter learning to drive. Driving with her in the car makes you super aware of the example you're setting. Knowing whether or not to override normal right-of-way is a good example to set -- if for no other reason than not infuriating any cyclists. Just trying to BE the change I want to see in the world. I’ve got a 16-year old daughter learning to drive. Driving with her in the car makes you super aware of the example you’re setting. Knowing whether or not to override normal right-of-way is a good example to set — if for no other reason than not infuriating any cyclists.

Just trying to BE the change I want to see in the world.

]]> By: Vanessa http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/comment-page-1/#comment-46393 Vanessa Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:25:44 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/#comment-46393 I totally know what you're talking about! I just unclip my Timbuk2 bag and pull it down as if I'm about to open, wait for them to pass, and quickly redo it. Thanks, but I just want to be treated like a car, is that too much to ask? I totally know what you’re talking about! I just unclip my Timbuk2 bag and pull it down as if I’m about to open, wait for them to pass, and quickly redo it. Thanks, but I just want to be treated like a car, is that too much to ask?

]]> By: red http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/comment-page-1/#comment-46366 red Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:13:18 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/#comment-46366 try this: mouth thanks, move along and then crash in front of them (pedal slip works fine, careful: balls not far!) and stay moaning on the pavement; they will probably give you a lift and if you're lucky they load the bike too and you get to mess their car with grease (keep bike nice and filthy); if you manage to bleed during the ride good on you; pewing is ok too but not always realistic after just a small fall, unless you can simulate a state of shock. works great! try this: mouth thanks, move along and then crash in front of them (pedal slip works fine, careful: balls not far!) and stay moaning on the pavement; they will probably give you a lift and if you’re lucky they load the bike too and you get to mess their car with grease (keep bike nice and filthy); if you manage to bleed during the ride good on you; pewing is ok too but not always realistic after just a small fall, unless you can simulate a state of shock. works great!

]]> By: Quinn http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/comment-page-1/#comment-46365 Quinn Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:55:45 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/#comment-46365 Here in Reno, I don't have as big a problem with the suicide wavers, I just stop and rest my forarms on my bars or jack-knife my fork, the Big problem that I have hear is the GD M-Fr's that over take me when I am going around a Big-Rig/Bus/construction zone, paying no mind to the fact that I have no safety zone or that they are in the opposing lane. Although I will add the water bottle trick and see what happens Here in Reno, I don’t have as big a problem with the suicide wavers, I just stop and rest my forarms on my bars or jack-knife my fork, the Big problem that I have hear is the GD M-Fr’s that over take me when I am going around a Big-Rig/Bus/construction zone, paying no mind to the fact that I have no safety zone or that they are in the opposing lane.

Although I will add the water bottle trick and see what happens

]]> By: JiMCi http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/comment-page-1/#comment-46359 JiMCi Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:39:06 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/#comment-46359 "I pulled up to an intersection early in my ride and a driver who had no stop sign and clearly had the right of way stopped to wave me out into my left-hand turn onto a busy street". When this happens, I stop, unclip, point at the stop sign, fold my arms and wait... Some drivers may need more time than others to get my point, but this is their problem, not mine ;-) “I pulled up to an intersection early in my ride and a driver who had no stop sign and clearly had the right of way stopped to wave me out into my left-hand turn onto a busy street”.

When this happens, I stop, unclip, point at the stop sign, fold my arms and wait… Some drivers may need more time than others to get my point, but this is their problem, not mine ;-)

]]> By: Jack http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/comment-page-1/#comment-46121 Jack Sun, 05 Aug 2007 12:20:22 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/#comment-46121 That's a genius solution. I commute on a mixed-used rails-to-trails route. Six miles straight into the office. Being mixed use, though, there are stop signs at crosswalks for cyclists, while pedestrians (by state law) have the right of way at all crosswalks, even unmarked. It makes for a confusing experience for motorists, few of whom actually understand the difference, and most of whom have one standard reaction as soon as they see someone - its either go all the time, or stop for everyone. As a result, I've often had the "no, you go" staredown with motorist who don't realize I am stopping because I have a stop sign. I appreciate their attempt to be courteous, but from now on I'll reach for the water bottle. Thanks. :-) That’s a genius solution. I commute on a mixed-used rails-to-trails route. Six miles straight into the office. Being mixed use, though, there are stop signs at crosswalks for cyclists, while pedestrians (by state law) have the right of way at all crosswalks, even unmarked. It makes for a confusing experience for motorists, few of whom actually understand the difference, and most of whom have one standard reaction as soon as they see someone – its either go all the time, or stop for everyone.

As a result, I’ve often had the “no, you go” staredown with motorist who don’t realize I am stopping because I have a stop sign. I appreciate their attempt to be courteous, but from now on I’ll reach for the water bottle. Thanks. :-)

]]> By: r. http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/comment-page-1/#comment-46017 r. Sun, 05 Aug 2007 01:43:53 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/#comment-46017 I just usually mouth, "I'm not going cuz your in MY way. I don't understand why they gave you a license in the first place." However, I never thought about the water bottle trick; I think it's a little nicer than actually having interact with the dumb***es on the road. I just usually mouth, “I’m not going cuz your in MY way. I don’t understand why they gave you a license in the first place.” However, I never thought about the water bottle trick; I think it’s a little nicer than actually having interact with the dumb***es on the road.

]]> By: Jett http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/comment-page-1/#comment-45988 Jett Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:12:14 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/08/02/dealing-with-the-overly-courteous/#comment-45988 I like this topic. This situation would make a good exercise in both driving and bike riding classes. When riding with kids I get more of the courteous vs. safe or right-of-way, and it's a good chance to educate my kids about what should be happening, both when operating a car and operating a bike. I really like the water bottle idea, and the stretches, checking tires and so on. I do many of these things as well, but sometimes I do get to point out hazards -- such as traffic approaching from another direction -- that helps distinguish being nice from being safe. The discussion has been excellent. Thanks for kicking off a good one. I like this topic. This situation would make a good exercise in both driving and bike riding classes.

When riding with kids I get more of the courteous vs. safe or right-of-way, and it’s a good chance to educate my kids about what should be happening, both when operating a car and operating a bike.

I really like the water bottle idea, and the stretches, checking tires and so on. I do many of these things as well, but sometimes I do get to point out hazards — such as traffic approaching from another direction — that helps distinguish being nice from being safe.

The discussion has been excellent. Thanks for kicking off a good one.

]]>