What do you do when cars block intersections?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 8,896
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
What do you do when cars block intersections?
Twice in the past week cars have blocked large intersections while trying to squeeze past red lights. You sit at a light waiting sometimes 5 minutes for it to change, and then some jerks block other cars (and bikes) from crossing the road when they finally get a green light. In both cases, I went ahead and proceeded through the intersection very cautiously, weaving my way through the offending vehicles. I put my headlights on flash mode and made a point of glancing at the drivers of offending cars. There's no way I was gonna sit through several light cycles while riding in sub-freezing temperatures.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Kent Wa.
Posts: 5,332
Bikes: 2005 Gazelle Golfo, 1935 Raleigh Sport, 1970 Robin Hood sport, 1974 Schwinn Continental, 1984 Ross MTB/porteur, 2013 Flying Piegon path racer, 2014 Gazelle Toer Populair T8
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 396 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
They're a pain when driving a semi around town, but I've never had a problem getting around them safely, and easily on a bike so I find it amusing rather than annoying. They're stuck in traffic, I'm not.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I give these self-centered jackwagons the side eye and ride through.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Kent Wa.
Posts: 5,332
Bikes: 2005 Gazelle Golfo, 1935 Raleigh Sport, 1970 Robin Hood sport, 1974 Schwinn Continental, 1984 Ross MTB/porteur, 2013 Flying Piegon path racer, 2014 Gazelle Toer Populair T8
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 396 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
#5
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,471 Times
in
1,435 Posts
If I thought about all the times I had to do stuff like that, I wouldn't have time left to think about other things. It sounds like you live in a generally orderly place. I live in New York City.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 10,879
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 104 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
You have a legal right to proceed through the intersection when you have the green light, but these drivers have already proven themselves to be idiots. Choose your line very carefully.
#7
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
Happens everywhere. Some intersections are worse than others, so if it seems to occur in the same intersection routinely and not others in the same city, blame poor traffic engineering. Report it to the city, maybe they can adjust the light timing or other stuff to minimize the problem. But if it's endemic throughout your area ... well, then technically it's systemic, it's still a traffic engineering problem and there's no competent engineer or government interested in solving the problem.
Give 'em the stink eye and roll on.
Give 'em the stink eye and roll on.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 8,896
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I agree that it's more of an annoyance when you're on a bike because you can weave through the offending vehicles. However, that does pose a safety issue in the event that a driver doesn't see you or deliberately tries to block you. I find it even more annoying when it happens while I'm driving my car because the blockers sometimes prevent other vehicles from crossing the intersection.
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: 312
Posts: 18
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
make eye contact and pass in front of them, its safer than going out into the middle of the intersection that has the green light
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
13 Posts
Just proceed through with as much caution as possible. If the traffic is actually stopped as they should be if they're actually blocking the intersection, then it's unlikely that someone will actually run into you.
You're on a bike. You can get through places where cars cannot. So while cars block the intersection, you can get through while motorists cannot. Revel in the glory.
Personally I find it awesome to be able to get through a traffic jam easily. In some places I hope for a traffic jam because the traffic will be moving very slowly.
You're on a bike. You can get through places where cars cannot. So while cars block the intersection, you can get through while motorists cannot. Revel in the glory.
Personally I find it awesome to be able to get through a traffic jam easily. In some places I hope for a traffic jam because the traffic will be moving very slowly.
#12
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,398
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,698 Times
in
2,518 Posts
it depends on how likely they are to start moving. Doesn't happen much around here though
#14
Bonafide N00bs
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 442
Bikes: 2015 Cannondale Quick CX 4, 2014 Fuji Sportif 1.3C Disc, 2012 Fuji SST 2.0 Ultegra Di2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 43 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I almost got ran over twice yesterday. One girl was so busy looking to squeeze a red intersection going right that she gassed it while I was less than 6 feet close to her. Fortunately, having some "experience" with crosswalks, I was cruising really slowly (about 3mph) across the crosswalk, not too sure whether or not she noticed me.
The most dangerous place on my commute is the cross streets. A lot of caution goes a long way. Unfortunately, the stink eye and/or finger wagging is probably the only civil recourse a cyclist has. Screaming at/kicking/spitting on their car, etc. is a losing proposition on many levels.
The most dangerous place on my commute is the cross streets. A lot of caution goes a long way. Unfortunately, the stink eye and/or finger wagging is probably the only civil recourse a cyclist has. Screaming at/kicking/spitting on their car, etc. is a losing proposition on many levels.
#15
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
I assess the situation and choose the best option that presents itself. Sometimes that means turning onto the blocked street. Sometimes I zigzag between the cars and head on my way. The only sure thing is I'm sitting at my desk now, and can only speculate what I'll do the next time this occurs (which, I predict, will be at about 2:35 this afternoon).
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#16
Keepin it Wheel
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,432 Times
in
2,539 Posts
#17
LET'S ROLL
Vehicles blocking the intersections happens everyday here; I just go around the offending bus/truck/car(s):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0slP...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0slP...6zPoymgKaIoDLA
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: La La Land (We love it!)
Posts: 6,301
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 273 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
This kind of stupidity is common here in L.A., the home of the selfish and entitled.
I yell "HEY!" real loud so they look at me and I know they have seen me, then I ride through the intersection...
I yell "HEY!" real loud so they look at me and I know they have seen me, then I ride through the intersection...
__________________
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 7,244
Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Gitane Gran Tourisme, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '80 Colnago Super, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 834 Post(s)
Liked 2,126 Times
in
555 Posts
I go around, glad that I'm on a bike.
#21
Senior Member
Get off your bike and scream like a 5 yr old, then huff and puff while everyone laughs at you.
Totally difusses the situation by making you look like a assshat
Or you can take the coward's way and just ride through, knowing at least you can thread through traffic without being blocked by bad driving.
Totally difusses the situation by making you look like a assshat
Or you can take the coward's way and just ride through, knowing at least you can thread through traffic without being blocked by bad driving.
#22
Senior Member
Apparently, in Montreal, you do it just once. If you gridlock an intersection in Montreal and the light turns green in the other direction, cars will pull up right beside yours and the drivers will lean on their horns for the entire time that you're there.
If I'm blocked by gridlock, I'm going to do the same but ring my bell continuously, that'll teach them.
If I'm blocked by gridlock, I'm going to do the same but ring my bell continuously, that'll teach them.
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What's even worse, when driving -- a few times I've stopped at a green because there wasn't room to get to the other side of the intersection. Then some jerk behind me passes, blaring his horn, and pulls right in front of me (blocking the intersection of course), then the next guy behind does the same thing.
I watch for that now, and as soon as they start passing I pull up, forcing them to be in the other lane (and therefore having to pull off the road when cars are coming). Just kidding.
I watch for that now, and as soon as they start passing I pull up, forcing them to be in the other lane (and therefore having to pull off the road when cars are coming). Just kidding.
#24
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,105 Times
in
1,369 Posts
I guess I'd just muddle through!
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 2,014
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I squeeze through and give them the ole stink eye.