Cyclists obeying stop signs: Car drivers think it's hilarious. (rant/long post)
08-19-09, 11:46 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Cyclists obeying stop signs: Car drivers think it's hilarious. (rant/long post)
I don't read or post here very much, so apologies if this has been discussed.
I live in a midwest college town whose police don't give a crap about enforcing traffic rules and the cyclists (mostly college students) ride their bikes the way they walk around campus: in whatever way is most convenient for them, and as if automobiles, even on roads, didn't exist (they genuinely don't seem to care whether they live or die; it's really weird, but maybe it's just one of those developmental/brain science type of things). The students ride up and down streets and sidewalks in any direction they desire.
Now, I'm not writing to complain about /them/. They are merely a product of (apparently very poor quality driver's education) and a complete lack of socialization about how to use a vehicle (what a bike is under state law), which includes the total ignorance of traffic law and safety for cyclists by our city police (we've had a couple of deaths since I've lived here of cyclists doing things like going the wrong way down a one-way street and getting smucked by a truck turning into the lane, but police NEVER enforce traffic rules for cyclists).
I would describe myself as a raging vehicular cyclist with a very large and puritanical chip on his shoulder. I learned the rights and responsibilities of cycling under our state law when I was in driver's ed in high school. And, frankly, it's not that hard.
For example, if you see a stop sign, stop. First person to the intersection goes first. A simple rule that makes traffic flow smoothly. When I'm driving my car, the only time this causes a problem is when someone doesn't see the other car (or is just a jerk, or is drunk), or everyone arrives at the same time. We've all been there. But, face it, MOST of the time, the fact that we all know and follow the same simple rules allows us all to proceed relatively without question, and certainly without need for elaborate additional communication (beyond the occasional nod and wave). The information encoded in the rules obviates the need for such communication.
HOWEVER!!!!! Take the exact same situation. Same drivers. The first driver, in his or her ICE automobile, arrives at a four-way stop as a second vehicle operator approaches the intersection. There is a good, solid, 2-4 second interval before the second vehicle reaches the intersection. Normally, it would be beyond clear to either driver or any observer what should happen next. The second vehicle should come to a stop. At exactly that moment, or slightly after, and perhaps even well before, the first driver would proceed through the intersection, secure in the knowledge that mutual understanding of the rules, a general expectation that others will adhere to these rules, and signs that both are intent on following the rules (e.g., the first driver's being stopped and the second's rapidly decelerating) means that everyone understands his role in the system.
Now, it's not like this behavior is mere good manners or even an integral social norm, though it is both. It's the FRIGGING LAW, AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT!
BUT WAIT!!!!! What if the second vehicle is a bicycle? The whole thing goes to hell!!!!! Here's what frequently happens to me. I mean, every single day, sometimes more than one time on the same journey across town.
The first vehicle reaches the intersection, clearly first, as described above. But they do not proceed through the intersection, though I am still a quarter of a block away and rapidly decelerating. They wait. And wait. And you can't blame them, I guess. Many cyclists blow through intersections if cars are stopped. I would never blame a cyclist for some of the real aggressive automobile driver behavior--which is sometimes even murderous (and typically, it seems, neither acknowledged or avenged by the law)--that happens out there. But let's face it, many cyclists act as if they are first class citizens and everyone else is an annoyance. I would be cautious if I were the driver, too. You are wise to treat cyclists like unknown wild animals, because you can't predict their behavior. And most people don't /want/ to flatten a cyclist, at least in order to avoid scratching the chrome on their truck. I understand this.
HOWEVER!!!! Back to my story. So the cyclist (me) approaches the intersection (let's say it's a four-way stop sign-type intersection), decelerating, and I come to a crisp stop right before the crosswalk marker, and I put my right foot down on the ground. I--believing that I am a vehicle operator with the same rights and responsibilities as an automobile driver (except for a few exceptions spelled out clearly in the law), because, well, I AM--expect the driver to treat me that same way, and the interaction to proceed as if we were both in cars. You know, according to the rules that we all so well and intuitively understand.
Now, here is the point of this endless post: Sometimes (somewhat frequently, as I mentioned), this scenario plays out like this:
1. I come to a stop, as described, and I look the driver in the eyes, and I wait to see what he or she is going to do. I fully expect that he or she will proceed into the intersection (and, often, this happens). I get a great feeling of validation when this occurs. It's the feeling you get when you're being treated like an equal, and you are making your contribution, and others are giving you your due. It's a feeling of respect--both for you and for the rules by which we all agree to live. It's the feeling of security you get when you feel that the institutions of society are functioning, and there is a balance of fair play, mutual rights and responsibilities, and equity. It is a feeling of justice. It is an essential experience of citizenship. Plus I'm a sort of greenie social democrat type, and we get off on that stuff.
2. But in this situation, the driver does not proceed. Instead, he or she just looks at me for a second. I'm sure he or she is wondering one of two things: "How will this creature behave? Should I go?" or "Why is he stopping?"--the latter is the thought of someone who's experience of mutualism is so degraded that he or she genuinely doesn't expect others to follow any of the rules that he or she follows. Meanwhile, I am thinking. "GO, DAMMIT! DON'T YOU KNOW HOW TO OPERATE A STOP SIGN? WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU SITTING THERE STARING AT ME FOR?" (In my thoughts, I end whole sentences with prepositions.)
3. Then the most extraordinary thing happens, the event that is the point of this entire post: The driver of the car WAVES HIS OR HER HAND TO INVITE ME TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION FIRST.
WHY****************************************************************************************************************************************************************???
THIS DRIVES ME UP A BRICK WALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I hadn't wanted to stop, I would not have done so. There's no point in my going first, now, I'm already stopped. It takes effort of the will to stop. Who would not rather maintain his or her momentum and not have to re-accelerate his or her 60-lb electroforged Schwinn Speedster to cruising speed again. I certainly don't relish it. And it's a lot more difficult for me to accelerate than for you. All you do is gently press the gas pedal.
By stopping, I MADE A FRIGGING SACRIFICE to help maintain this system that keeps us all safe, and that reinforces the bonds of mutual obligation with each iteration, rebuilding our society afresh. I"M FOLLOWING THE RULES. THE RULES THAT BOTH YOU AND I KNOW APPLY TO BOTH OF US. THE LEAST THING YOU COULD DO FOR ME IS TO HONOR MY EFFORT BY FOLLOWING THE SAME RULES!
WHAT THE BLEEDING HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!
4. I respond to this bizarre and unwarranted offer consistently by shaking my head firmly (and maybe a bit theatrically) "NO." As I'm sure you can tell, I am always angry at this part of the interaction. Then I point to the driver. Often I also say, "No. You go first." Maybe sometimes I smile, like when the driver is an attractive woman--I'm only (a heterosexual) human (male). However, usually, I'm firm, like one must be when dealing with a child.
5. Now, here's the part of the story that gives this post its title, and it's the strangest part to me. Very often, like, 60% of the time or more, the driver responds with a big smile (even when--or maybe because--I use my meanest, sternest "No. You."). The smile is often accompanied by laughter. I'm talking about great cheer, here. Good tidings of great joy, etc.
THESE PEOPLE THINK IT IS COMPLETELY HILARIOUS THAT I SHOULD EXPECT THEM TO ENTER THE INTERSECTION FIRST WHEN THEY DID IN FACT REACH THE INTERSECTION FIRST.
This happens to me almost every day.
I've read somewhere that evolutionarily, laughter is a social symbol that a perceived threat has turned out to be insubstantial. Perhaps they are responding to my not running through the intersection--laughing, because, in fact, the social order is still intact. The threat of disorder caused by the wild cyclist has receded. Let us rejoice together.
Thoughts? Discuss.
Eric
I live in a midwest college town whose police don't give a crap about enforcing traffic rules and the cyclists (mostly college students) ride their bikes the way they walk around campus: in whatever way is most convenient for them, and as if automobiles, even on roads, didn't exist (they genuinely don't seem to care whether they live or die; it's really weird, but maybe it's just one of those developmental/brain science type of things). The students ride up and down streets and sidewalks in any direction they desire.
Now, I'm not writing to complain about /them/. They are merely a product of (apparently very poor quality driver's education) and a complete lack of socialization about how to use a vehicle (what a bike is under state law), which includes the total ignorance of traffic law and safety for cyclists by our city police (we've had a couple of deaths since I've lived here of cyclists doing things like going the wrong way down a one-way street and getting smucked by a truck turning into the lane, but police NEVER enforce traffic rules for cyclists).
I would describe myself as a raging vehicular cyclist with a very large and puritanical chip on his shoulder. I learned the rights and responsibilities of cycling under our state law when I was in driver's ed in high school. And, frankly, it's not that hard.
For example, if you see a stop sign, stop. First person to the intersection goes first. A simple rule that makes traffic flow smoothly. When I'm driving my car, the only time this causes a problem is when someone doesn't see the other car (or is just a jerk, or is drunk), or everyone arrives at the same time. We've all been there. But, face it, MOST of the time, the fact that we all know and follow the same simple rules allows us all to proceed relatively without question, and certainly without need for elaborate additional communication (beyond the occasional nod and wave). The information encoded in the rules obviates the need for such communication.
HOWEVER!!!!! Take the exact same situation. Same drivers. The first driver, in his or her ICE automobile, arrives at a four-way stop as a second vehicle operator approaches the intersection. There is a good, solid, 2-4 second interval before the second vehicle reaches the intersection. Normally, it would be beyond clear to either driver or any observer what should happen next. The second vehicle should come to a stop. At exactly that moment, or slightly after, and perhaps even well before, the first driver would proceed through the intersection, secure in the knowledge that mutual understanding of the rules, a general expectation that others will adhere to these rules, and signs that both are intent on following the rules (e.g., the first driver's being stopped and the second's rapidly decelerating) means that everyone understands his role in the system.
Now, it's not like this behavior is mere good manners or even an integral social norm, though it is both. It's the FRIGGING LAW, AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT!
BUT WAIT!!!!! What if the second vehicle is a bicycle? The whole thing goes to hell!!!!! Here's what frequently happens to me. I mean, every single day, sometimes more than one time on the same journey across town.
The first vehicle reaches the intersection, clearly first, as described above. But they do not proceed through the intersection, though I am still a quarter of a block away and rapidly decelerating. They wait. And wait. And you can't blame them, I guess. Many cyclists blow through intersections if cars are stopped. I would never blame a cyclist for some of the real aggressive automobile driver behavior--which is sometimes even murderous (and typically, it seems, neither acknowledged or avenged by the law)--that happens out there. But let's face it, many cyclists act as if they are first class citizens and everyone else is an annoyance. I would be cautious if I were the driver, too. You are wise to treat cyclists like unknown wild animals, because you can't predict their behavior. And most people don't /want/ to flatten a cyclist, at least in order to avoid scratching the chrome on their truck. I understand this.
HOWEVER!!!! Back to my story. So the cyclist (me) approaches the intersection (let's say it's a four-way stop sign-type intersection), decelerating, and I come to a crisp stop right before the crosswalk marker, and I put my right foot down on the ground. I--believing that I am a vehicle operator with the same rights and responsibilities as an automobile driver (except for a few exceptions spelled out clearly in the law), because, well, I AM--expect the driver to treat me that same way, and the interaction to proceed as if we were both in cars. You know, according to the rules that we all so well and intuitively understand.
Now, here is the point of this endless post: Sometimes (somewhat frequently, as I mentioned), this scenario plays out like this:
1. I come to a stop, as described, and I look the driver in the eyes, and I wait to see what he or she is going to do. I fully expect that he or she will proceed into the intersection (and, often, this happens). I get a great feeling of validation when this occurs. It's the feeling you get when you're being treated like an equal, and you are making your contribution, and others are giving you your due. It's a feeling of respect--both for you and for the rules by which we all agree to live. It's the feeling of security you get when you feel that the institutions of society are functioning, and there is a balance of fair play, mutual rights and responsibilities, and equity. It is a feeling of justice. It is an essential experience of citizenship. Plus I'm a sort of greenie social democrat type, and we get off on that stuff.
2. But in this situation, the driver does not proceed. Instead, he or she just looks at me for a second. I'm sure he or she is wondering one of two things: "How will this creature behave? Should I go?" or "Why is he stopping?"--the latter is the thought of someone who's experience of mutualism is so degraded that he or she genuinely doesn't expect others to follow any of the rules that he or she follows. Meanwhile, I am thinking. "GO, DAMMIT! DON'T YOU KNOW HOW TO OPERATE A STOP SIGN? WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU SITTING THERE STARING AT ME FOR?" (In my thoughts, I end whole sentences with prepositions.)
3. Then the most extraordinary thing happens, the event that is the point of this entire post: The driver of the car WAVES HIS OR HER HAND TO INVITE ME TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION FIRST.
WHY****************************************************************************************************************************************************************???
THIS DRIVES ME UP A BRICK WALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I hadn't wanted to stop, I would not have done so. There's no point in my going first, now, I'm already stopped. It takes effort of the will to stop. Who would not rather maintain his or her momentum and not have to re-accelerate his or her 60-lb electroforged Schwinn Speedster to cruising speed again. I certainly don't relish it. And it's a lot more difficult for me to accelerate than for you. All you do is gently press the gas pedal.
By stopping, I MADE A FRIGGING SACRIFICE to help maintain this system that keeps us all safe, and that reinforces the bonds of mutual obligation with each iteration, rebuilding our society afresh. I"M FOLLOWING THE RULES. THE RULES THAT BOTH YOU AND I KNOW APPLY TO BOTH OF US. THE LEAST THING YOU COULD DO FOR ME IS TO HONOR MY EFFORT BY FOLLOWING THE SAME RULES!
WHAT THE BLEEDING HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!
4. I respond to this bizarre and unwarranted offer consistently by shaking my head firmly (and maybe a bit theatrically) "NO." As I'm sure you can tell, I am always angry at this part of the interaction. Then I point to the driver. Often I also say, "No. You go first." Maybe sometimes I smile, like when the driver is an attractive woman--I'm only (a heterosexual) human (male). However, usually, I'm firm, like one must be when dealing with a child.
5. Now, here's the part of the story that gives this post its title, and it's the strangest part to me. Very often, like, 60% of the time or more, the driver responds with a big smile (even when--or maybe because--I use my meanest, sternest "No. You."). The smile is often accompanied by laughter. I'm talking about great cheer, here. Good tidings of great joy, etc.
THESE PEOPLE THINK IT IS COMPLETELY HILARIOUS THAT I SHOULD EXPECT THEM TO ENTER THE INTERSECTION FIRST WHEN THEY DID IN FACT REACH THE INTERSECTION FIRST.
This happens to me almost every day.
I've read somewhere that evolutionarily, laughter is a social symbol that a perceived threat has turned out to be insubstantial. Perhaps they are responding to my not running through the intersection--laughing, because, in fact, the social order is still intact. The threat of disorder caused by the wild cyclist has receded. Let us rejoice together.
Thoughts? Discuss.
Eric
Last edited by Roll-Monroe-Co; 08-19-09 at 11:59 PM. Reason: Wow. I feel so much better having gotten that off of my chest. I have been ruminating about it for months, maybe years.
08-19-09, 11:52 PM
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You are insane. Putting my foot down and coming to a complete stop at every stop sign is a huge waste of time/energy, and isn't necessary to give right of way to motorists. If I see a pensive motorist up ahead at an intersection, I'll wave he/she through before I end get to the intersection. That way, no one is held up, and I can comfortably roll through the intersection safely at 10mph.
BTW, where do you go to school?
BTW, where do you go to school?
08-19-09, 11:58 PM
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I do the same thing as the OP... even with roller blades. People look at me strange but when i first started blading back in 87 the cops told me i was the first one on the block and i better stop at every stop sign, stop light etc. And I did even at the bottom of a steep incline. A drag? Yes, of course. But I tell you what served me well though many times. Especially one time when i was blading in orange county, CA and came down this long, steep hill only to have a busy intersection at the very bottom. Luckily i knew how to stop in a sharp second flat........ (sounded like a wreck waiting to happen.. pretty funny... but i stopped on the dime) I was wondering at the time why people were staring at me with their eyes wide open when cruising like a mad lady down the hill... when i got to the bottom i understood.. ugh. Better safe than sorry, in my opinion.
08-20-09, 12:09 AM
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If you track stand at the stop sign it confuses them even more. They just sit there and stare, like they're too stunned to wave you through.
08-20-09, 12:28 AM
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I like the way you think Roll... We need more of you in the world. I have the great honor of riding my bike to work then hopping in a tractor trailer and driving all around the city. So I get to see the two extremes of vehicle size and the total lack of common sense and kindness we give each other when everyone is on foot face to face.
08-20-09, 02:07 AM
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this is a fairly common theme in A&S. At a 4-way, I might go ahead. If a motorist is yielding their right of way improperly, I never go. I usually look at my feet or twiddle my thumbs. Improperly yielding the right of way was endemic in rural Pennsylvania at one time, it's still relatively common.
I do a track stand at stop signs most of the time. Motorists don't have to open the door and put their foot down to stop, neither do I.
I do a track stand at stop signs most of the time. Motorists don't have to open the door and put their foot down to stop, neither do I.
08-20-09, 05:59 AM
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Same thing happens to me. If there is traffic present, I stop completely, foot down. If I can't see any cars at all, I kill all my momentum, get one foot unclipped, come to pretty much a trackstand for an instant, then proceed.
When I stop sometimes I have a hell of a time making the driver with the right-of-way take it. I don't back down from it though; not following right-of-way rules (giving a cyclist ROW when they don't have it) is dangerous as hell to cyclists.
When I stop sometimes I have a hell of a time making the driver with the right-of-way take it. I don't back down from it though; not following right-of-way rules (giving a cyclist ROW when they don't have it) is dangerous as hell to cyclists.
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08-20-09, 06:09 AM
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Well... I am one of those cagers that waves cyclists through an intersection... and I do it for a couple of reasons... one of which is to try to protect the cyclist... I am of the opinion that they are disadvantaged due to the fact that they don't have a cage around them and anything I can do to protect them soothes my conscience. Right or wrong that is what I think and do. The second reason is that I don't trust the cyclist, most I see blow through traffic controls (just like I do when I bicycle commute), and I'd rather get them off of my "things I have to deal with while driving a car plate" because if I'm involved in an accident with them they will lose big time and I'll feel like crap forever.
08-20-09, 06:16 AM
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Discuss in A&S, please. Commuters are pragmatists; thus, the "you must obey the exact letter of every traffic regulation" argument smacks of religious fanaticism divorced from real world considerations here.
08-20-09, 06:24 AM
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Well... I am one of those cagers that waves cyclists through an intersection... and I do it for a couple of reasons... one of which is to try to protect the cyclist... I am of the opinion that they are disadvantaged due to the fact that they don't have a cage around them and anything I can do to protect them soothes my conscience. Right or wrong that is what I think and do. The second reason is that I don't trust the cyclist, most I see blow through traffic controls (just like I do when I bicycle commute), and I'd rather get them off of my "things I have to deal with while driving a car plate" because if I'm involved in an accident with them they will lose big time and I'll feel like crap forever.
08-20-09, 06:46 AM
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Anyone have the Cliff Notes version of this post?
08-20-09, 07:07 AM
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cyclist gets all huffy puffy
08-20-09, 07:18 AM
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I've had people stop right in the middle of a block going straight, with traffic behind them, to try to wave me to turn while I was waiting in a left-turn lane. That's crazy dangerous. I'll unclip and dismount my bike before I'll take an offer like that. Eventually they give up and proceed.
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08-20-09, 07:22 AM
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Do you have a job as a writer or a politician? That was quite the post...not in a bad way of course. I think a lot of people that don't ride bikes are merely trying to be nice by waving you through and letting you go first. They don't realize that you just caused more work for yourself by trying to obey the law. Another reason is because there are seldom few who do follow the law when they're on a bike, I know I personally don't always stop at a stop sign but I wont just blow through and pray for the best, I'll slow down scan the intersection and if all is clear keep on my way.
ps the cliff notes post was hilarious
ps the cliff notes post was hilarious
08-20-09, 08:38 AM
#16
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Thread Starter
You are insane. Putting my foot down and coming to a complete stop at every stop sign is a huge waste of time/energy, and isn't necessary to give right of way to motorists. If I see a pensive motorist up ahead at an intersection, I'll wave he/she through before I end get to the intersection. That way, no one is held up, and I can comfortably roll through the intersection safely at 10mph.
BTW, where do you go to school?
BTW, where do you go to school?
OK. I AM obnoxious.
As I mentioned, traffic is an information system, a semiotic system, that allows us to predict each other's behavior. I'm not sure what's insane about following the spirit and the letter of the law. A "rolling stop" is not a "stop"; it's a "go."
///
Indiana University; but I might be lying to prevent you from running me down the next time you encounter a male cyclist on a Speedster who insists that you proceed into the intersection when you were there first.
BTW, while you view my stopping behavior as a waste of energy, I view it as part of my fitness regimen. It's all about attitude.
08-20-09, 08:44 AM
#17
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08-20-09, 08:49 AM
#18
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Thread Starter
Well... I am one of those cagers that waves cyclists through an intersection... and I do it for a couple of reasons... one of which is to try to protect the cyclist... I am of the opinion that they are disadvantaged due to the fact that they don't have a cage around them and anything I can do to protect them soothes my conscience. Right or wrong that is what I think and do. The second reason is that I don't trust the cyclist, most I see blow through traffic controls (just like I do when I bicycle commute), and I'd rather get them off of my "things I have to deal with while driving a car plate" because if I'm involved in an accident with them they will lose big time and I'll feel like crap forever.
The question is how we can reduce the uncertainty of the situation and make it safer and smoother for everyone. Clearly my solution would be to bring cyclists into the same system that makes car-car interactions much more smooth.
08-20-09, 08:54 AM
#19
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Thread Starter
Yes, this is actually an interesting point that I would like to address. However, since you don't want to discuss it, except to attack me, I won't.
08-20-09, 08:55 AM
#20
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Are you possibly interested in editing my dissertation?
08-20-09, 08:56 AM
#21
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Thread Starter
I knew it was an error to have an opinion on an internet message board. 
Also, if all I had posted was, "I got all huffy puffy when I came to an intersection," people would think I was a pervert.
Also, if all I had posted was, "I got all huffy puffy when I came to an intersection," people would think I was a pervert.
Last edited by Roll-Monroe-Co; 08-20-09 at 09:15 AM.
08-20-09, 09:03 AM
#22
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Do you have a job as a writer or a politician? That was quite the post...not in a bad way of course. I think a lot of people that don't ride bikes are merely trying to be nice by waving you through and letting you go first. They don't realize that you just caused more work for yourself by trying to obey the law. Another reason is because there are seldom few who do follow the law when they're on a bike, I know I personally don't always stop at a stop sign but I wont just blow through and pray for the best, I'll slow down scan the intersection and if all is clear keep on my way.
ps the cliff notes post was hilarious
ps the cliff notes post was hilarious
Anyway, of course you are right. Most drivers are not conducting an analysis of the consequences of their actions. My point:
Of course the car driver's intention is to be nice. However, I don't understand why I should go first when they would almost never do that for another car. It makes the situation more confusing and dangerous, rather than making it better.
Cliff's please.
08-20-09, 09:06 AM
#23
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Stop, then don't look at the driver. Fake like you're checking your cell phone, inspecting your gears (add a frowny face to emphasize your problem), or sip water. Once they see that you aren't even facing them to see their gestures, 99% of the time they go through. I do this when cycling, walking, or when on a motorcycle. It worked every single time, and it only takes a second or two to do.
I also do this because most of the time I can't see their gestures due to the glare on their windshield, and I don't want to confuse things by staring at them.
I also do this because most of the time I can't see their gestures due to the glare on their windshield, and I don't want to confuse things by staring at them.
Actually, perhaps you have described the path the Buddha would choose--and one that is heart-healthy to boot.
08-20-09, 09:29 AM
#24
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1. While you are still rolling, look them in the eyes and wave them through frantically. If they go, everyone wins (because I don't even slow down for stop signs if the coast is clear). No momentum lost =
2. They do not proceed because they have turned their attention to texting, tuning the radio, or attending to the screaming poop covered brat in the car seat behind them. If they are not even looking, I am probably going through the sign as far away from their bumper as possible, even if that means moving into the vacant oncoming lane. No lost momentum. Again -
3. They do not proceed and are actually LOOKING at me. I roll to a stop, put my foot down and LOOK THE OTHER WAY! Never EVER look at them once you stop! I glance down the cross street in the opposite direction as if looking for the next car coming (even if it is a one way street!). I look at my watch. I keep looking the other way until I hear their engine gun through the sign. I do not give the morons the chance to wave me through. I lost all my momentum, but I totally bedazzled a motorist with my legal action -
4. The motorist is chatting on a cell phone at a 2-way stop. I have the right of way. They ignore my right of way and gun out in front of me. Then, once blocking the street, they see me and slam on the brakes blocking my whole lane of travel. At this point, I either track stand or put my foot on the ground, lift my hand to my ear as if holding an imaginary cell phone. I then take the imaginary cell phone from my ear in a big sweeping arc and pretend to be jamming it up my bum. Then I point to them. =
08-20-09, 09:40 AM
#25
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^^^^ lol!
Seriously, I run into this same situation maybe once or twice a week. I use my best judgement every time. If someone waves me through AND it's safe, I proceed through. Don't waste the energy on getting angry, just ride safely.
Seriously, I run into this same situation maybe once or twice a week. I use my best judgement every time. If someone waves me through AND it's safe, I proceed through. Don't waste the energy on getting angry, just ride safely.