Have you ever been buzzed by a car while on tour?
#51
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Yes, there are drivers/passengers of all kinds of motor vehicles who have come dangerously close to my bike at all speeds. Even had pickup truck slow to my speed and kept crowding me off the road, until the car behind him layed on it's horn, and then the jerk took off like a scared rabbit. It is not unusual for a semi-truck to come within 3 feet at high speed (it's air stream will blow you out and then suck you in, and blow you out), trucks are large vehicles and they cannot make fast changes of direction like a car in order to give a bike extra clearance as they pass it, so they maintain as straight a course on the road as possiable and by necessity come close to bikes, which some bikers take as intentional harassment. I've done 9,000 miles of loaded U.S. bicycle touring, stay as far to the right of (providing road surface and tire flattening debris allow me to) whatever lane I'm in, and can't remember any truckers harrasing or threatening me. I can remember some immature/adolescents in cars being jerks though.
As for angry drivers harassing/buzzing me, there have been some. But I noticed that after I wore bright orange hunter safety vest and covered my luggage with bright colors and used blinking lights (front and rear) during the day, which enabled drivers to see me from as far away and as soon as possible, the # of angry drivers went to zero. I think that is because if a driver (by his thinking) has all of a sudden come up on, what is a hard to see bicycle and he is frightened and has to respond quickly to move away from the bike, that that fear than turns to anger toward the biker. As I said, after I have made myself as visible as possible and so have given drivers coming up on me plenty of time to safely make room for me and his car, no driver has reacted angerly towards me. No horns, shouts, middle fingers etc.
As for angry drivers harassing/buzzing me, there have been some. But I noticed that after I wore bright orange hunter safety vest and covered my luggage with bright colors and used blinking lights (front and rear) during the day, which enabled drivers to see me from as far away and as soon as possible, the # of angry drivers went to zero. I think that is because if a driver (by his thinking) has all of a sudden come up on, what is a hard to see bicycle and he is frightened and has to respond quickly to move away from the bike, that that fear than turns to anger toward the biker. As I said, after I have made myself as visible as possible and so have given drivers coming up on me plenty of time to safely make room for me and his car, no driver has reacted angerly towards me. No horns, shouts, middle fingers etc.
Yes, indeed,
I have been buzzed and hit by cars in
Austin, TX USA. Crazy place, but have
seen similar driving elsewhere. I can't
seem to get far enough out of the road
(to the right, usually) even up on side-
walks, but then a car came up on the walk--
Had I been 10 seconds further down it, I would
have been grease. Not sure what "told" me
to pause; I thought that I was just tired. I
sure woke up after that event.
--John K.--Austin, TX USA.
I have been buzzed and hit by cars in
Austin, TX USA. Crazy place, but have
seen similar driving elsewhere. I can't
seem to get far enough out of the road
(to the right, usually) even up on side-
walks, but then a car came up on the walk--
Had I been 10 seconds further down it, I would
have been grease. Not sure what "told" me
to pause; I thought that I was just tired. I
sure woke up after that event.
--John K.--Austin, TX USA.
#52
Senior Member
I had this exact same encounter. Pick-up truck with a cowboy driving and a woman in the passenger seat, both laughing. Highway 22 between Ponchatoula and Madisonville, Louisiana in the early '90s. They did not scare us off the road BTW. My touring bud was right behind me.
No doubt someone here will contest the intent of our cowboys.
No doubt someone here will contest the intent of our cowboys.
#53
Member
Whining
I am 69 years old and have bicycled twice across the USA. Yes, close calls happen on a bike as well as a car. This is a negative thread trying to bring out hostilities towards cars and trucks(which 99% of us drive). It's very senseless and ridiculous to whine about what has happened to us. Big Deal! Pay attention to what you are doing and enjoy yourself. #&%* happens crybabies.
#54
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This.
I've encountered Buzzers, Hecklers, Honkers, Throwers of Things and General Asshats aplenty here on Long Island, but can't remember any negative incidents on my tours, most of which have been in very rural places. I did get chased by a dog once north of Watkins Glen, NY.
I've encountered Buzzers, Hecklers, Honkers, Throwers of Things and General Asshats aplenty here on Long Island, but can't remember any negative incidents on my tours, most of which have been in very rural places. I did get chased by a dog once north of Watkins Glen, NY.
BTW on the local bike paths the pointlessly rude cyclists have become very tiresome. Usually not scary for me but it can upset parents w/kids, seniors etc. On nice weekends I often keep to the road just so I don't have to see that attitude, ironically the motorists are more considerate in most of the local areas.
#55
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I am 69 years old and have bicycled twice across the USA. Yes, close calls happen on a bike as well as a car. This is a negative thread trying to bring out hostilities towards cars and trucks(which 99% of us drive). It's very senseless and ridiculous to whine about what has happened to us. Big Deal! Pay attention to what you are doing and enjoy yourself. #&%* happens crybabies.
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I've never been buzzed on purpose as far as I know. It could just be because I don't use mirrors and I can't see whether the car moved closer to me before passing, though. I have been passed recklessly a lot of times, but it mostly just seems like people who are driving too fast or aren't paying attention to their surroundings. I've ridden through almost all the Northeastern US states, and I've found that PA (home state!) and MD drivers are the most courteous. The scariest place I've ever ridden was Virginia between Wardensville, WV and Washington DC. Windy mountain roads with NO shoulder, tons of blind curves, and everyone is doing 60.
Probably the most unexpected and frightening pass I've ever had was by a giant truck hauling an entire prefab house. It had "oversize load" flags on the back and took up pretty much the entire 2 lane highway. I think it was somewhere in Maine or New Brunswick.
Probably the most unexpected and frightening pass I've ever had was by a giant truck hauling an entire prefab house. It had "oversize load" flags on the back and took up pretty much the entire 2 lane highway. I think it was somewhere in Maine or New Brunswick.
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I've never been buzzed on purpose as far as I know. It could just be because I don't use mirrors and I can't see whether the car moved closer to me before passing, though. I have been passed recklessly a lot of times, but it mostly just seems like people who are driving too fast or aren't paying attention to their surroundings. I've ridden through almost all the Northeastern US states, and I've found that PA (home state!) and MD drivers are the most courteous. The scariest place I've ever ridden was Virginia between Wardensville, WV and Washington DC. Windy mountain roads with NO shoulder, tons of blind curves, and everyone is doing 60.
Probably the most unexpected and frightening pass I've ever had was by a giant truck hauling an entire prefab house. It had "oversize load" flags on the back and took up pretty much the entire 2 lane highway. I think it was somewhere in Maine or New Brunswick.
Probably the most unexpected and frightening pass I've ever had was by a giant truck hauling an entire prefab house. It had "oversize load" flags on the back and took up pretty much the entire 2 lane highway. I think it was somewhere in Maine or New Brunswick.
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I am 69 years old and have bicycled twice across the USA. Yes, close calls happen on a bike as well as a car. This is a negative thread trying to bring out hostilities towards cars and trucks(which 99% of us drive). It's very senseless and ridiculous to whine about what has happened to us. Big Deal! Pay attention to what you are doing and enjoy yourself. #&%* happens crybabies.
#59
Senior Member
I am 69 years old and have bicycled twice across the USA. Yes, close calls happen on a bike as well as a car. This is a negative thread trying to bring out hostilities towards cars and trucks(which 99% of us drive). It's very senseless and ridiculous to whine about what has happened to us. Big Deal! Pay attention to what you are doing and enjoy yourself. #&%* happens crybabies.
so yes, once in a blue mooon it happens to us on bikes and yes, we are more vulnurable, so yes, it sucks, and the consequences are a lot more serious.
to sum it up, use a mirror and all of us can do is do our best at being vigilant and hope nothing really crappy happens.
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ha, you know, I have to agree with this, when we drive our cars, once in a while there is a complete dickhead who does something just out of the blue and you wonder, what the heck what he was thinking, what a jerk.
so yes, once in a blue mooon it happens to us on bikes and yes, we are more vulnurable, so yes, it sucks, and the consequences are a lot more serious.
to sum it up, use a mirror and all of us can do is do our best at being vigilant and hope nothing really crappy happens.
so yes, once in a blue mooon it happens to us on bikes and yes, we are more vulnurable, so yes, it sucks, and the consequences are a lot more serious.
to sum it up, use a mirror and all of us can do is do our best at being vigilant and hope nothing really crappy happens.
There is a lot of negativity in this thread, but face it, there is way more negativity towards us on the road. I'm with the poster who said you need to speak up and start something if anything is going to change. Maybe we should start a GoFundMe page for some "Share the Road" billboard time or something.
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Here's one thing you can do. It's easy and relatively cheap.
Several years ago, after a ride in which my mirror saved my life, I searched and found SEE BICYCLE bumper stickers. Made by a guy who has been hit by a car. He only charges to cover the cost of printing and postage. I sent him some extra money to support his cause, and he sent me a whole pile of bumper stickers which I donated to my LBS. So buy some bumper stickers if you want to do something other than just voice your concerns here.
SEE BICYCLES
FYI, these are the nice vinyl ones that can be pealed off w/o damaging the paint. If you are still concerned they adhere to glass as well. I had one on my last vehicle for 5+ years and it pealed off cleanly when I sold it.
Several years ago, after a ride in which my mirror saved my life, I searched and found SEE BICYCLE bumper stickers. Made by a guy who has been hit by a car. He only charges to cover the cost of printing and postage. I sent him some extra money to support his cause, and he sent me a whole pile of bumper stickers which I donated to my LBS. So buy some bumper stickers if you want to do something other than just voice your concerns here.
SEE BICYCLES
FYI, these are the nice vinyl ones that can be pealed off w/o damaging the paint. If you are still concerned they adhere to glass as well. I had one on my last vehicle for 5+ years and it pealed off cleanly when I sold it.
#62
Senior Member
If blue moons happen all the time in your neck of the woods, I'll agree. I'm pretty-much guaranteed to come across at least 1 jerk driver on any given ~40 mile road ride. Whether it's getting honked at in an annoying manner, passing unnecessarily close, or even some jackass in a diesel "rolling coal" just as he passes me. And I do use a mirror and am way more respectful of cars than they are of me.
There is a lot of negativity in this thread, but face it, there is way more negativity towards us on the road. I'm with the poster who said you need to speak up and start something if anything is going to change. Maybe we should start a GoFundMe page for some "Share the Road" billboard time or something.
There is a lot of negativity in this thread, but face it, there is way more negativity towards us on the road. I'm with the poster who said you need to speak up and start something if anything is going to change. Maybe we should start a GoFundMe page for some "Share the Road" billboard time or something.
of course this is a serious topic. Im not poo pooing it.
I have memories of close passes that really gave me a fright, and I dont frighten easily, only if something is really going to kill me. I raced motorcycles a bit with first lap bunches, Ive ridden my bicycle in cities most of my life, and have toured in some tough areas, so unless something is close to killing me, I dont get perturbed.
There have been some cases where I really had to wonder that the person driving a car or truck probably was a borderline psychopath, no one on coming, yet close passes that were just WTF!
I recall clearly one from 1991 on my first bike trip, a lumber truck that scared the living carp out of me, no one else on the road, but passing so close to me, and Im sure he was chortling away to himself going down the road.
now, to a bigger picture.
Here in the part of Canada where I live, the french part, bicycling popularity has grown and grown, so more joe blow mr and mrs smith people bike.
The more people bike themselves, the more a bike culture is in the population, the more car and truck drivers WHO BIKE THEMSELVES, will be more understanding and courteous towards bikers.
This effect has noticeably improved in the last 25 years, and one sees it in France, or Mexico or whereever, places where regular folks have personal experience riding bicycles, and so dont have the quote unquote "North American Driver" attitude of "get off my road" thing---broad stroke there, but you know what I mean.
big topic here, but there are some thoughts.
#63
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You mean people should take responsibility for their own safety?! The horror!
"I rode my bicycle on a busy highway and bad #&%* happened!" "Boo hoo."
Yes. ^^This #&%* gets old don't it?
"I rode my bicycle on a busy highway and bad #&%* happened!" "Boo hoo."
Yes. ^^This #&%* gets old don't it?
#64
Senior Member
After years of riding horses on roadways and now bikes I have found it only takes a few bad apples to spoil the whole bunch. I have had a few close calls due to my stupidity but a few (on the horse-not the bike) that leave me shaking in my knees as they come too close or do stupid things. One actually ran over the dog that was trotting a foot from the horses heel in the bike lane. Never stopped. So yeah there is asswipe drivers out there. We just have to be super careful. And make sure we are seen. If they see us and still push it, then its on them not us. Don't belittle us, it will get you no where.
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now, to a bigger picture.
Here in the part of Canada where I live, the french part, bicycling popularity has grown and grown, so more joe blow mr and mrs smith people bike.
The more people bike themselves, the more a bike culture is in the population, the more car and truck drivers WHO BIKE THEMSELVES, will be more understanding and courteous towards bikers.
This effect has noticeably improved in the last 25 years, and one sees it in France, or Mexico or whereever, places where regular folks have personal experience riding bicycles, and so dont have the quote unquote "North American Driver" attitude of "get off my road" thing---broad stroke there, but you know what I mean.
big topic here, but there are some thoughts.
Here in the part of Canada where I live, the french part, bicycling popularity has grown and grown, so more joe blow mr and mrs smith people bike.
The more people bike themselves, the more a bike culture is in the population, the more car and truck drivers WHO BIKE THEMSELVES, will be more understanding and courteous towards bikers.
This effect has noticeably improved in the last 25 years, and one sees it in France, or Mexico or whereever, places where regular folks have personal experience riding bicycles, and so dont have the quote unquote "North American Driver" attitude of "get off my road" thing---broad stroke there, but you know what I mean.
big topic here, but there are some thoughts.
I think that the Montreal French culture is a bigger factor than the actual number of cyclists. In 1974 the Montreal Worlds attracted 5X more spectators than when held in USA. But even now, cyclists are a small minority of Montreal commuters.
Ironically the scariest city for bike commuting I've seen is Paris--skilled but impatient drivers that pass extremely closely in the narrow lanes. Also I've read that some Dutch drivers don't like bikers on the bigger roads.
#66
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Yes, I've been buzzed, plenty of times, in the last 40+ years. Just last week, commuting, a full sized truck passed me close and then proceeded to close in on the curb to my right, leaving me in a rapidly shrinking space. I hit the brakes. Was it intentional? I don't know, but I kinda doubt it. They have put bollards in the middle of the road along there, in an effort to slow traffic and make it safer for pedestrians, and effectively restricting the amount of space available for vehicles to pass cyclists. It was effing scary.
But other than that anecdote, I can't think of anything. It happens once or twice a year, I suppose, and I wipe it from my memory soon enough. For every ten thousand cars that pass me with plenty of space, one comes too close. And now and then one burns coal for my benefit. I'm not a fan, but I guess I'd rather have them burn coal than buzz me.
I know it's fashionable to blame the cyclist whenever it's not you, and I do not want to do that. There is no excuse for this kind of behavior. But there is a connection between how a rider rides and how drivers treat him/her. When I ride with other people, I often see a cycling style that annoys drivers, and I occasionally see a driver get annoyed at a cyclist riding in that way. In my experience, incidents of the kind we're talking about happen to the same cyclists over and over, while other cyclists are more often spared. I, for the most part, am spared. Why is that? Well, I can tell you I've had 9 flat tires so far this calendar year, which is below average for me. Cyclists who ride farther out in the traffic lane tend to get fewer flat tires.
I was riding somewhere west of Toronto last July, heading out of town during what might have been rush hour (or maybe it's always rush hour in Toronto). I was in the lead, my riding partner a little behind me. I was hugging the edge of the road as usual, he riding a little farther out. At one point a pickup truck pulled up next to me, and I saw the window rolling down. He did not honk, and he kept a reasonable distance away. I looked over and yelled, in the most cheerful voice I could manage, "Hey, what's up?" And the guy replied "Tell your buddy to move the **** over!" and then he moved on.
I don't recall what I told my buddy. I don't, in general, tell other people what to do.
But other than that anecdote, I can't think of anything. It happens once or twice a year, I suppose, and I wipe it from my memory soon enough. For every ten thousand cars that pass me with plenty of space, one comes too close. And now and then one burns coal for my benefit. I'm not a fan, but I guess I'd rather have them burn coal than buzz me.
I know it's fashionable to blame the cyclist whenever it's not you, and I do not want to do that. There is no excuse for this kind of behavior. But there is a connection between how a rider rides and how drivers treat him/her. When I ride with other people, I often see a cycling style that annoys drivers, and I occasionally see a driver get annoyed at a cyclist riding in that way. In my experience, incidents of the kind we're talking about happen to the same cyclists over and over, while other cyclists are more often spared. I, for the most part, am spared. Why is that? Well, I can tell you I've had 9 flat tires so far this calendar year, which is below average for me. Cyclists who ride farther out in the traffic lane tend to get fewer flat tires.
I was riding somewhere west of Toronto last July, heading out of town during what might have been rush hour (or maybe it's always rush hour in Toronto). I was in the lead, my riding partner a little behind me. I was hugging the edge of the road as usual, he riding a little farther out. At one point a pickup truck pulled up next to me, and I saw the window rolling down. He did not honk, and he kept a reasonable distance away. I looked over and yelled, in the most cheerful voice I could manage, "Hey, what's up?" And the guy replied "Tell your buddy to move the **** over!" and then he moved on.
I don't recall what I told my buddy. I don't, in general, tell other people what to do.
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#67
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>>> ...The more people bike themselves, the more a bike culture is in the population, the more car and truck drivers WHO BIKE THEMSELVES, will be more understanding and courteous towards bikers.<<<<
Yup.
Yup.
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Not to single you out JoeyBike, but to all who have turned this thread into an anti-driver, anti-car rant ... and to those who have not-so elegantly bashed those rants.
The thread isn't about the inevitable close encounter or the occasional bad-apple driver that we all encounter somewhat routinely. We all consciously accept those risks when we pedal out into the streets. Its also not about whining about such incidents.
The thread is about a driver purposely using their vehicle as a deadly weapon to hit or intimidate a rider. The concept of "intention" is paramount to the thread's topic, one which some have failed to comprehend. I've always thought such purposeful actions were quite rare (and still do). When it happened to me, it made me wonder how rare. For those who have chosen to piss all over the thread, I can only assume it has not happened to you or you would have shared your story. Thanks to those who did share.
#70
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I think that the Montreal French culture is a bigger factor than the actual number of cyclists. In 1974 the Montreal Worlds attracted 5X more spectators than when held in USA. But even now, cyclists are a small minority of Montreal commuters.
Ironically the scariest city for bike commuting I've seen is Paris--skilled but impatient drivers that pass extremely closely in the narrow lanes. Also I've read that some Dutch drivers don't like bikers on the bigger roads.
Ironically the scariest city for bike commuting I've seen is Paris--skilled but impatient drivers that pass extremely closely in the narrow lanes. Also I've read that some Dutch drivers don't like bikers on the bigger roads.
Im sure one could find data showng more people are into biking, and my experiences in other countries wehre bike culture is very strong and has a long history (specifically France) shows that folks in cars are just plain more patient and careful around bikes.
Also dont forget, in countries like France, grandmas use bikes and mobylettes, scooters, to get to teh village bakery or shops, so it stands to reason than joe blow french truck driver isnt going to be a dick if his grannie goes out on her bike to buy baguettes and cheese.
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...
The thread is about a driver purposely using their vehicle as a deadly weapon to hit or intimidate a rider. The concept of "intention" is paramount to the thread's topic, one which some have failed to comprehend. I've always thought such purposeful actions were quite rare (and still do). When it happened to me, it made me wonder how rare. For those who have chosen to piss all over the thread, I can only assume it has not happened to you or you would have shared your story. Thanks to those who did share.
The thread is about a driver purposely using their vehicle as a deadly weapon to hit or intimidate a rider. The concept of "intention" is paramount to the thread's topic, one which some have failed to comprehend. I've always thought such purposeful actions were quite rare (and still do). When it happened to me, it made me wonder how rare. For those who have chosen to piss all over the thread, I can only assume it has not happened to you or you would have shared your story. Thanks to those who did share.
Yes, to be sure, I have experienced aggressive behavior from drivers whom I'm pretty sure I had done nothing to provoke. It's not that common. There's nothing I can do about it, so while I recognize it as a danger, it doesn't interest me much.
Far more common, are incidents where I can't be sure whether behavior was aggressive at all. But again, there's nothing I can do about it, so while I recognize it as a danger, it doesn't interest me much.
The thing that interests me are those incidents where a driver's behavior is indubitably aggressive, and that I seem to have provoked somehow. These are the incidents I would like to learn from, in hopes of minimizing them in the future.
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I did understand that, though perhaps my previous reply did not reflect this.
Yes, to be sure, I have experienced aggressive behavior from drivers whom I'm pretty sure I had done nothing to provoke. It's not that common. There's nothing I can do about it, so while I recognize it as a danger, it doesn't interest me much.
Far more common, are incidents where I can't be sure whether behavior was aggressive at all. But again, there's nothing I can do about it, so while I recognize it as a danger, it doesn't interest me much.
The thing that interests me are those incidents where a driver's behavior is indubitably aggressive, and that I seem to have provoked somehow. These are the incidents I would like to learn from, in hopes of minimizing them in the future.
Yes, to be sure, I have experienced aggressive behavior from drivers whom I'm pretty sure I had done nothing to provoke. It's not that common. There's nothing I can do about it, so while I recognize it as a danger, it doesn't interest me much.
Far more common, are incidents where I can't be sure whether behavior was aggressive at all. But again, there's nothing I can do about it, so while I recognize it as a danger, it doesn't interest me much.
The thing that interests me are those incidents where a driver's behavior is indubitably aggressive, and that I seem to have provoked somehow. These are the incidents I would like to learn from, in hopes of minimizing them in the future.
#74
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Right! Well, it does happen. It's not your imagination. But it's not common, at least I don't remember the episodes for long enough to let them worry me.
One thing I have noticed: I clearly remember several occasionso when this happened when I was riding with other people. I think the shared experience, talking about it afterwards, raises the significance of the event in the mind. When this happens to me on my own, I forget it much faster. A corollary to that: if you can catch the offending driver and give him a piece of your mind, that too will raise the importance of the event in your mind. You will remember the altercation or the argument better than the offence itself. I've learned: it's not worth it. Let it go.
Another thing I should mention: any time you can have a positive interaction with a driver, it will improve your attitude. Just this evening on my ride home from the station, I had a rather tricky left turn to manage. Right lame goes straight, middle lane goes straight or left, left lane goes left. Car in the middle lane doesn't have a turn signal going. So, to left, should I be at the right side of the middle lane, or the left side of that lane? I simply went up to the window of the car and asked. Driver said she was going straight. I thanked her and said I was going left. All good.
Yes, that's a discussion for commuting, but it's equally applicable in touring.
One thing I have noticed: I clearly remember several occasionso when this happened when I was riding with other people. I think the shared experience, talking about it afterwards, raises the significance of the event in the mind. When this happens to me on my own, I forget it much faster. A corollary to that: if you can catch the offending driver and give him a piece of your mind, that too will raise the importance of the event in your mind. You will remember the altercation or the argument better than the offence itself. I've learned: it's not worth it. Let it go.
Another thing I should mention: any time you can have a positive interaction with a driver, it will improve your attitude. Just this evening on my ride home from the station, I had a rather tricky left turn to manage. Right lame goes straight, middle lane goes straight or left, left lane goes left. Car in the middle lane doesn't have a turn signal going. So, to left, should I be at the right side of the middle lane, or the left side of that lane? I simply went up to the window of the car and asked. Driver said she was going straight. I thanked her and said I was going left. All good.
Yes, that's a discussion for commuting, but it's equally applicable in touring.
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what I can say is mostly anecdotall, but observational--in the last 20 years or so, recreational biking is done by a lot more people than before. Lots more people commute, and lots of folks over 40 do supported tours or day rides, and I really do feel I see a diff in that the more people who ride, regular folks, it get reflected in my patience by car drivers.
Im sure one could find data showng more people are into biking, and my experiences in other countries wehre bike culture is very strong and has a long history (specifically France) shows that folks in cars are just plain more patient and careful around bikes.
Also dont forget, in countries like France, grandmas use bikes and mobylettes, scooters, to get to teh village bakery or shops, so it stands to reason than joe blow french truck driver isnt going to be a dick if his grannie goes out on her bike to buy baguettes and cheese.
Im sure one could find data showng more people are into biking, and my experiences in other countries wehre bike culture is very strong and has a long history (specifically France) shows that folks in cars are just plain more patient and careful around bikes.
Also dont forget, in countries like France, grandmas use bikes and mobylettes, scooters, to get to teh village bakery or shops, so it stands to reason than joe blow french truck driver isnt going to be a dick if his grannie goes out on her bike to buy baguettes and cheese.