Stopping Well
#1
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Stopping Well
Today I had the unusual experience of getting complimented by a police officer on a bike.
Was approaching an intersection where he was stopped by a stop sign observing the increased
activity of people crowding to the beach after so much rain.
Uncharacteristically, I came to a complete stop at the stop sign and heard him observe, "wow",
that's a really nice stop!" I did not have the heart to tell him that in the off-season I usually just
slowed and looked both ways without coming to a complete stop.
Was approaching an intersection where he was stopped by a stop sign observing the increased
activity of people crowding to the beach after so much rain.
Uncharacteristically, I came to a complete stop at the stop sign and heard him observe, "wow",
that's a really nice stop!" I did not have the heart to tell him that in the off-season I usually just
slowed and looked both ways without coming to a complete stop.
#2
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LOL. I admit that I do not always stop either. But if there is a chance I will be in the way of another vehicle, I will definitely yield.
#3
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I was riding up the mountain road to the Taos Ski Valley, and I notice a vehicle dogging me. I was starting to get pissed, when the vehicle finally pulled around me and I noted it was the cops. The cop rolls down his passenger-side window and says "You are riding really safe, way over on the right side of the road. And your clothing is very visible." I respond "Uh, Thanks". All the while thinking "Just get around me junior, and stop backing up traffic".
I agree with linnefaulk - I always try to ride in a way that minimizes disruption to traffic and risk of misadventure.
I agree with linnefaulk - I always try to ride in a way that minimizes disruption to traffic and risk of misadventure.
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Same for me ... walking my bike in a walk zone with a lot of kids running about. WTF?
I did take the opportunity thank the constable and ask why they fail to enforce the walk right ride left rule.
I did take the opportunity thank the constable and ask why they fail to enforce the walk right ride left rule.
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"Stopping Well"
And I thought your water supply was all screwed up.
BTW, congratulations. I also am one who slows way down or even stops and walks my bike in the presence of small children and other dangers,
And I thought your water supply was all screwed up.
BTW, congratulations. I also am one who slows way down or even stops and walks my bike in the presence of small children and other dangers,
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Having a cop noticing you doing something right is a good thing. I still want a speeding ticket.
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The areas of my safe riding strategy are to be highly visible and predictable and then to ride on the least busy roads or those with a good shoulder.
#11
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Actually I think "stopping well" a great way to distinguish yourself as a cyclist. It sets a good example for other cyclists and might even help improve some motorist's perception of cyclists.
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OK, as long as you include trackstanding, rather than necessarily having to put a foot on the ground, under the "stopping well" rubric.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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#13
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This is a huge problem -- many law enforcement officers, motorists, and bicyclists still believe we are safest "way over on the right side of the road." There are many scenarios in which positioning oneself farther left, even in the center of the lane, is the safest and most appropriate practice, but we need some more education all around on this.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#14
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This is a huge problem -- many law enforcement officers, motorists, and bicyclists still believe we are safest "way over on the right side of the road." There are many scenarios in which positioning oneself farther left, even in the center of the lane, is the safest and most appropriate practice, but we need some more education all around on this.
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Gotta admit I seldom come to a complete stop. I gauge approaching situations and try to time my arrival to the intersection accordingly, otherwise I stop. Fortunately, I live in a semi-rural area with sparse traffic.
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Easy -- I was not criticizing you or your post in any way, but I am very concerned about the officer's choice of words, which imply that he is stuck in the mindset that all of us should ride as gutter bunnies at all times. This is a highly sensitive issue right now in both San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, where cyclists are being cited for taking lanes that are too narrow to share safely side-by-side.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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So, I guess I'm going have to stop and put a leg down at every intersection. No more just sliding in as I have been doing.
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This is a huge problem -- many law enforcement officers, motorists, and bicyclists still believe we are safest "way over on the right side of the road." There are many scenarios in which positioning oneself farther left, even in the center of the lane, is the safest and most appropriate practice, but we need some more education all around on this.
#19
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Like most, when in an urban or suburban setting with other traffic about, I will always stop and when outside the city, I'll slow down and check before proceeding. I have to admit that it really pisses me off when I see other cyclists, (in the presence of other vehicular traffic), not even slowing down or looking. They just continue at their pace through the stop sign, and sometimes even red lights. I want to yell at them, "Hey! Stop at the intersection. You're giving cyclists a bad name."
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There's certain parts where bike riders don't stop at the sign and the police don't enforce. Does your community have such an area? Mine would be the Huntington Beach Main Street at the Pier. These are mostly recreational riders, with their weekend bikes, no helmets, no shoes.
#21
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The only time cars come to a complete stop in my neighborhood is when the poe-lease are watching. Motorists who think otherwise aren't paying attention.
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Not a compliment but a red faced apology from a trooper who pulled out in front of me. I stopped inches from his driver side door.
He said he was looking for drivers not using seat belts and was so focused on that he didn't see me in my screaming yellow jacket. A good wake up and a reminder that we are all human and should treat each other as such.
He said he was looking for drivers not using seat belts and was so focused on that he didn't see me in my screaming yellow jacket. A good wake up and a reminder that we are all human and should treat each other as such.