For today’s somewhat late edition of Mountain Bike Monday, Wandering “I Like Referring to Myself in the Third Person” Justin is dishing up the goods on a driving habit that puts a bunch in his chamois like few others.
At one portion of my super-idyllic ride at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, the trail crosses the main park road. Bicycliusts have a stop sign. We’re supposed to stop, look both ways and proceed when clear.
My plan was to do exactly that with minimum fuss.
However, a driver had other ideas.
He stopped 100 feet from the intersection. He smiled beatifically and benignly. He waggled his fingers to indicate I could cross.
Um, no, thanks. I jabbbed my finger at the stop sign on the trail, pointed at him, then gestured for him to get his butt in gear and clear the road.
Now, motorists, I now you think you’re being friendly and benevolent when you do this. But you’re not. You’re making things unpredictable and dangerous not only for bicyclists, but for every other driver around you. Here are the problems:
1. If you don’t obey the traffic signs, you are unpredictable. Who the hell knows what you’re going to do?
2. If I cross in front of your car, guess where it’s aimed? Right at me. I’d much rather cross the road with you headed away from me, thnxsomch.
3. Not every other driver around may sure your inclination. So do I have to negotiate some sort of seperate treaty with each driver?
So let’s do this, in the future: Show your courtesy and understanding by obeying the posted rules, and allowing cyclists to do the same. And bicyclists, you really need to obey the signs, too. Don’t be fools and/or act above the law. Be as predictable as you want drivers to be.
Got an idea or question for Mountain Bike Monday? Send a virtual carrier pigeon to wandering.justins@gmail.com!
More From wandering_justin
- Mountain Bike Monday – 5 Things About Bike Shorts
- Two Things About Phoenix That Should Be True
- Why I Should be on the Specialized Trail Crew!
wandering_justin Recommends
- Finding a pet sitter when you travel is not as easy as you think | Carrying On — Travel — The Denver Post (Carrying On: Travel Blog)
- A Few Tips For Driving In Amman (Gear Up and Play)
- I prefer the airline that gets me there safely and on time (Carrying On: Travel Blog)
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
I agree. I am more of a roadie and so I deal with this sort of thing more. Like when I slow to make a left and someone stops mid-block to let me go. It is always easier for me if you just hurry up and get out of the way.
Also I agree, fellow bikers lets obey the signs. One thing that upsets drivers and creates more anti-cyclist drivers is when we run stop signs and lights. And while you’re at it, PLEASE wear a hard hat!
So nice to see bikers who follow the rules as opposed to the ones in my neighborhood who like to pretend they are cars and ride in the lane and stay there even when I tailgate their little 1″ wheels. I have a truck…they either have balls, or are just stupid! So Thank You!
Nailed this one on the head. Not just for Bicyclists, but for other motorists as well. When it’s your turn, just go. If you don’t have a stop sign, don’t stop.
Cheers to you.
You’re welcome, Teresa. Now, you be careful tailgating those cyclists, though – in most cities, they’re allowed to use as much of the lane as they need to stay safe. There’s lots of nasty crap near the sides of roads, you know, so we’ll often distance ourself from it so we don’t puncture our tires. If you’re driving in a neighborhood, you should probably ease of the gas a little, anyway.