Going Clear?
This has nothing to do with Scientology.
In my club, supposedly it's against the "rules" to yell "CLEAR!" at an intersection. I am not sure why other than possible liability, and I really don't agree with the rule. On non-club group rides, I actually LIKE it when the first person to an intersection yells clear (or car right! etc.). Comments? |
Not everyone's "CLEAR" means the same thing.
It might mean "you can make it right now if you sprint your a** off". |
Pretty much a standard in running groups. "Clear" or "Car up/back/left/right."
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Friend did that riding with his adult granddaughter.
Clear. She was then Hit by an 85 year old driver. Life Flighted and has Never been on a bike since then. |
I wouldn't want to take responsibility for anyone's safety by what essentially is telling them it's safe for them to cross and they don't need to look themselves.
On the other hand, I don't mind shouting out "Car" if one is coming down the road as I go through the intersection. A car going a slow 45 mph is going 66 feet per second. So they can appear out of nowhere quick. |
I was just thinking this morning how there should be a different word for it, since "clear" sounds a lot like "car" when you're hoarse and there's background noise.
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When driving, there is debate about waving a person to go. A driver may simply be signalling that they have stopped, but the other driver still has to look for other cars.
Anyway, never anticipate that other cyclists will interpret traffic like you do, or will react the same as you do. |
Asked my girlfriend riding shotgun if any cars were coming as we got to an intersection. "No Cars" and as I pulled out, there was an 18 wheeler. I jumped on the brakes. Imagine the conversation. "You said, cars"
Clear sky? Why not just roll and regroup? |
Any cyclist who crosses the road without looking ..... well, no need to be mean.
I don't care if it was clear for you, or you thought it was clear for me. I care about not getting run over. As for yelling "Car," it needs to be "Car left! or "Car right!" not just "Car!" That way people cannot confuse "Car!" and 'Clear!" and also know which way to look --- First. Again, if a rider doesn't look both ways, because someone said "Car Left!" or whatever ...... Well, it is a personal choice, and not one you get to make incorrectly too often. |
Trust nobody to make that determination. I always look both ways twice before going through an intersection.
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I only call out the car - "Car left" or "Car Right". I don't call out "Clear". As said, what's clear for me, may not be for the rider I "think" is right behind me.
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Originally Posted by datlas
(Post 22146879)
This has nothing to do with Scientology.
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Originally Posted by GhostRider62
(Post 22146998)
Asked my girlfriend riding shotgun if any cars were coming as we got to an intersection. "No Cars" and as I pulled out, there was an 18 wheeler. I jumped on the brakes. Imagine the conversation. "You said, cars"
Clear sky? Why not just roll and regroup? |
what's wrong with just stopping at the damn stop sign? or is that taboo?
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Originally Posted by spelger
(Post 22147220)
what's wrong with just stopping at the damn stop sign? or is that taboo?
Not like every driver obeys traffic signs. Just today i have a SUV blow through a stop sign. |
Originally Posted by spelger
(Post 22147220)
what's wrong with just stopping at the damn stop sign? or is that taboo?
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Originally Posted by spelger
(Post 22147220)
what's wrong with just stopping at the damn stop sign? or is that taboo?
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Originally Posted by datlas
(Post 22147233)
If you are in a medium size group with poor sight lines except at the intersection you expect each rider to serially stop, even if the lead rider sees there are no cars? I suppose not doing so is “illegal” but so is driving 60 in a 55 zone. I don’t advocate clearly dangerous riding but there are times when the guy in front yelling clear is rational and helpful.
If it's the club rule not to shout clear. And this person doesn't read well enough and reason well enough to understand that rule, then how am I to trust that they will consider that a motor vehicle 132 feet away is not going to be an issue for the riders 44 feet behind them? And how many behind that rider will just simply be echoing the non-warning to pass it back without looking themselves. So at that point it's just a matter of timing between two unfortunate things. |
Originally Posted by Iride01
(Post 22146972)
I wouldn't want to take responsibility for anyone's safety by what essentially is telling them it's safe for them to cross and they don't need to look themselves.
On the other hand, I don't mind shouting out "Car" if one is coming down the road as I go through the intersection. A car going a slow 45 mph is going 66 feet per second. So they can appear out of nowhere quick. |
Originally Posted by MinnMan
(Post 22147279)
Well perhaps, but it sounds like you do go on group rides. And if you do, then unless you ride strictly on the front or off the back, you are entrusting your safety to other people. And they to you.
Or perhaps we should shout "no pot holes" to let the others know there are no pot holes in the road. Warnings should be for something that is a hazard. Not for something that isn't a problem. |
Since I have to see if it's clear with my own eyes before I'm crossing I find the clear call out unhelpful and unnecessary.
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Originally Posted by GlennR
(Post 22147224)
What if there is no sign and you have the "right of way"?
Not like every driver obeys traffic signs. Just today i have a SUV blow through a stop sign. |
Originally Posted by GhostRider62
(Post 22147228)
It could cost you that Cat 6 upgrade.
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Originally Posted by datlas
(Post 22147233)
If you are in a medium size group with poor sight lines except at the intersection you expect each rider to serially stop, even if the lead rider sees there are no cars? I suppose not doing so is “illegal” but so is driving 60 in a 55 zone. I don’t advocate clearly dangerous riding but there are times when the guy in front yelling clear is rational and helpful.
i will point out that i do a typical idaho stop and for certain stops blatantly just blow through. those particular signs are few and far between like the part time signs near me or the ones that i, in my magnanimous opinion, are just dumb. |
Another good reason to ride solo. That and misanthropy.
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