Just when you think you've seen pretty much everything you can see from a bike, something new pops up. This morning, I was passed by a motorist as I rode to the espresso stand. What was unique was that I was passed as I came to a stop at a stop sign. In the motorist's defense, he DID make a full lane change to pass me at the stop sign. After my stop, the motorist was looking a little bit confused and I wasn't sure about the stop line protocol. Having stopped first, I probably had the right of way, but I didn't feel real good about making a left turn to the right of a salmon motorist even IF I was in the proper position. Luckily, the guy accelerated and removed the conflict.
What would YOU have done? No, I didn't think to get the license number of the white Toyota. Myself, it seems odd to pass somebody AT a stop sign...
What would YOU have done? No, I didn't think to get the license number of the white Toyota. Myself, it seems odd to pass somebody AT a stop sign...
5 comments:
I've had that happen when I was signaling for a right turn. I watched the motorist in my mirror, and could tell he wasn't a threat as he moved left then ran the stop sign. Had I been signaling a left turn I would not have executed it.
Your experience (I take it he did stop?) suggests a motorist less clearly driven by the Must. Pass. Bicycle. principle. If he stopped I would assert my ROW if I could stare him in the eyes as I turn AND have an "out" in case he is a wanna-be murderer.
Normal defensive driving.
As I think about it, I'd be somewhat more assertive as a cyclist than in a car because I have much better visibility and more "outs".
More details: the stop sign was at the end of a street where traffic could either turn left or right. The motorist, as is typical, did NOT make a full stop, and probably did not understand my stop signal, followed by a left turn signal.
Then I'd do the same. KE=1/2mV^2.
People ALWAYS pass me at stop signs. It's unusual if they don't. I never use the stop signal, because no one knows what it is. Likewise, I point right with my right arm (legal in NH) to signal right turns, rather than use the crooked-left-arm signal designed to be stuck out the left window of an automobile. It is often mistaken for a flip-off. Also imparts an uncomfortable bend when I am forward on the bars.
The crooked-left arm signal also hurts my never fully healed dislocated left shoulder whereas a regular left turn or stop signal are not painful. I find pointing right (AKA the "alternative right turn signal") really DOES work AT LEAST AS WELL as the crooked-arm one. I still do the crooked-arm one occasionally despite the pain just to stay in practice. Mostly I do it when I don't think any motorists are around to get confused.
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No Need for Non-Robot proof here!