Being a nicer cyclist

[erikgarrison.livejournal.com]

What are some ways that cyclists can positively engage drivers, gain their respect, and encourage them to use caution when they are sharing the road with cyclists?

Comments

Re: Some things I do

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

how many are there?

the ones i've seen basically amount to, my arm is gesturing where my bike and i will be going shortly.

Re: Some things I do

[m00n.livejournal.com]

The one that frustrates me the most is that the "official signal" for turning right is a raised left hand. As far as I can tell the only reason it works this way is because the hand signals were originally developed for use in cars where, of course, your actual right hand would be obscured. Consequently I'm never quite sure whether I should use the intuitive method of just pointing, or if I should use the real hand signals. And since nothing is more dangerous on the road than confusion, I often opt to avoid the need for them altogether whenever possible.

Re: Some things I do

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

huh, wow, i never knew that! and most certainly would throw me off big time as a driver.

yes, usually if i see any hand signals, the cyclist raises their, say, right hand (90 degree angle bent at the elbow) and then extends it all the way out, to the right, and makes the right turn. or, opposite way and hand for switching into a more-left lane, etc.

mostly though, if a cyclist is in front of me i just let them do their thing until we're out of each other's way. just easier to always err on the side of safety, regardless of who's 'right.'

Re: Some things I do

[m00n.livejournal.com]

mostly though, if a cyclist is in front of me i just let them do their thing until we're out of each other's way. just easier to always err on the side of safety, regardless of who's 'right.'

I think if everyone would follow this model the road would be a much more relaxing place. Of course it requires a certain deference to general patience that a lot of drivers don't seem to be interested in (assuming they are capable of it at all).

Re: Some things I do

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

yeah, massachusetts is an interesting place like that i've found. i've driven in some of the "worst" places (RI, LA, etc) but mass is the only one where people literally are sometimes homicidal maniacs when they get in their cars, and i'm not exempt from this. (tho i always find it directed at other drivers - maybe i feel there the playing ground is even, heh)

still, i mostly have the patience of a saint with just about everything in life and i'd always rather wait a few extra seconds than risk killing someone. seems obvious to me, and it's sad that it isn't that way for everyone. i'll never understand all the freaking hurrying all the time, but then again, i'm late to everything and simply don't care anymore :p

Re: Some things I do

[m00n.livejournal.com]

I've found that driving more patience can actually be fun, whereas driving with impatience feels like it's taking years off my life (both immediately and down the road!)

One nice thing I've found about biking: My perpetual lateness actually causes me to get more exercise (because I bike faster) rather than just more stress.

Re: Some things I do

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

that's an excellent point!

in being blatantly honest, i wish i didn't sweat so easily & wasn't scared to death of riding a bike here!

Re: Some things I do

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Talk to pensivewombat. She sweats a lot and was terrified of riding in traffic, but I got her to make the switch eventually and now she swears she doesn't know how she lived without it.

Re: Some things I do

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

:D

this cracked me up & is simultaneously awesome.

Re: Some things I do

[ron_newman]

I never ever ever use that. If I'm turning right and I need someone to know I'm turning right, I stick out my right hand.

Re: Some things I do

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Same. It's pretty unmistakable I suppose.

Re: Some things I do

[neuroacorn.livejournal.com]

I always forgot whether left hand up was "turning right" and left hand down was "stop" or vice versa! Now I sort of know, but still may not use it..

Re: Some things I do

[erikgarrison.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this is the safest way to signal, as it's so clear. Sometimes I even do it several times.

Re: Some things I do

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

Another argument in favor of using the left hand for all the signals is that your left hand is closer to the line of sight of the driver behind you, so the person who most needs to see your signal is more likely to notice it.

There's some merit to this argument, but it doesn't really hold water in all case. E.g. if you're just changing lanes to the right, it's probably even more important for drivers on your right to see what you're doing. And at this point more drivers are likely to understand the right-hand signal intuitively than the traditional left-hand-only signals. But it's still good to know the left-hand signals (if only so you know what to do when the signal lights fail in your car).

Re: Some things I do

[barumonkey.livejournal.com]

I'll actually put my left hand in something of a "<" position, with my finger pointing to the right. I saw another biker doing this one day, and said, "hey, that's clever!"

Re: Some things I do

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I sort of wonder sometimes if that wasn't the original intent, like you're pointing to the right over the roof of your car. It's certainly a good mnemonic for folks who have trouble remembering which hand signal is which. :-)