_ForceD_

It (the letter in my OP) was in the Newport Daily News. (I live in Portsmouth.) Being from Aquidneck Island you must be well aware of how widespread “niceholing” happens around here...not only to bikes. Which seems to be a complete ‘one-eighty’ from the “M*******” drivers that come across the state line. Like others have indicated above...I will frequently put my foot/feet down as a signal to the driver that I’m not accepting their yield. And still they’ll sit there waving and flashing their headlights trying to get me to go in front of them...all the while cars zooming past in all directions...the nicehole driver totally transfixed on me standing still, and oblivious to everything else happening.

Dan

Darth Lefty 

“We “ cyclists call it... the WAVE... of DEATH!!

flangehead

This came up in a thread a few months back and livedarklions suggested shaking your head in a "no" fashion. I tried that some with mixed results.

Since I'm already stopped with at least one foot down, I have taken to crossing my arms for the last month or two. It appears unambiguous and, so far, has been effective every time as a "nicehole" intervention.

Kat12

I tend to just wave them on. And keep doing it until they go.

astrodust

A couple of years ago I was on the local mup trail when I came to a road. There was another rider on the other side waiting too. A car came to a stop and waved us through. We both started crossing the road and when the other cyclist cleared her front bumper she took off and missed hitting me by inches.

Paul Barnard

They were out in force yesterday. I just look down at the ground.

Trakhak

Yes. Or make a slow, theatrical business of pulling your water bottle and pretending to take a swig.

Vismund B

I guess it can be considered a wave of death of sorts; around here I often experience the traffic agents who help direct traffic at congested / busy intersections waving the cars through without fully checking to see if any bikes are coming.

Just the other day, the agent had his back to the bike lane, which had the green light, and started to wave the cars through despite them having a red light. Luckily I had enough time to stop but if the timing was slightly different it could have been a different outcome for me and the other bikes around me.

EviLDORK

It's unclear if the cyclist was waved through, but there was a fatal collision at a multi-lane crossing here under similar circumstances. Both drivers were cited for minor violations as one is not supposed to yield for pedestrians and cyclists until they're already in a crosswalk in this state.

https://www.fox6now.com/news/da-no-c...lled-bicyclist

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/...he/4314157002/

MostlyClueless

I had an accident in this situation. Stopped at a stop sign with a crosswalk (which unfortunately many interpret that on my bike I'm waiting to go through the crosswalk). As the driver to my right on the cross street stopped and waved me on, I went across and a car came up behind them and passed to their right on the shoulder. We both swerved and did not quite miss--I took his side view mirror off with my rib cage. He should not have gone around the first car that was stopped.... but I also did feel like I made a mistake in not looking more carefully behind the stopped car (which I usually do).

downhillmaster

I guess I am fortunate that I have functioning frontal lobes that enable me to simply ignore strangers attempting to wave me into dangerous situations

livedarklions

The problem is that drivers don't put themselves into the perspective of the rider or pedestrian in this situation and do not understand that their car blocks the view of traffic behind them and of the lane on the side away from the crosser. I don't know of any statistics on how many cyclists get hit in this situation, but I know there are substantial numbers of pedestrians getting hit when they step out on the other side of the yielding car. Uncontrolled crosswalks on 4 lane roads are actually quite dangerous to pedestrians statistically.

​​​​

Koyote

I don't know if it's still the case, but in at least one state (MN), it used to be illegal to direct traffic from behind the wheel.

Since we do live in a second-best world, and we have to make quick accommodations, I will take the "wave" if I am turning left off of a two-lane road and the oncoming car is waving me through. It's easier than getting into a standoff while I'm hanging out in traffic.

I also occasionally give a wave through to motorists. I ride out in the country on rolling hills, and most motorists are savvy (and considerate) enough to slow down and slow roll behind me, rather than passing me, as we are coming to the top of a hill -- since passing could put the motorist in the path of an (unseen) oncoming vehicle. So, when I crest the hill and see that it's all clear, I will wave the motorist on through. Seems like the least I can do.

ClydeClydeson

Certainly a pet peeve of mine. THe challenge is to refuse firmly but politely with hand gestures then don't look at them so you can't tell what their response is, and they eventually get the message.

This reminds me of a situation I often see that I call a Canadian Traffic Jam - a four-way stop intersection with four people all yelling 'No, YOU go!'

flangehead

For the past few months I’ve adopted arms folded and it seems to communicate effectively. They seem to get the message faster. It is unambiguous.

livedarklions

Also, both feet on the ground is good.

flangehead

Yes. I’ve not mastered track standing with folded arms. Probably shouldn’t even try....,

Notso_fastLane

Around here, cars like to stop for the MUP crossings when they have the right of way. If I know it's not safe, I make a point of looking the other direction (you know, at the oncoming traffic they are waving me in to...) and sitting and waiting. That usually gets the point across, but they will often sit and wait anyway.

Maybe they just want to get a good look at my velo....

bikebikebike

I get the WoD a lot , and since here in Texas we have heavily tinted windshields, it is almost an invisible gesture, or at least ambiguous.
Nicehole is sort of appropriate name for it, since it mostly just makes the driver feel good.
If I want to yield, or, um, actually obey the law, I come to a full stop,
both things not often done here in my native state.

JoeyBike

"As a cyclist, I'm one of the most vulnerable people on our roads..."

^^THIS can cause an argument around here. Advocacy and Denial. No more dangerous than taking a bath, or so I've heard.

livedarklions

Is this your new shtick? Literally, no one argued with that statement. Your absurd "war zone" rhetoric, on the other hand....

genec

Ironic isn't it... we have come to a point in society where we are angry that people can be "too nice."

Chuckles1

Nice letter. I got the wave of Death yesterday when I was stopped at a yield sign on my ebike waiting to merge onto a main street from a road that leaves town. The guy who had the right of way braked to a stop and waved me on. I had one foot on the ground, and my only movement was shaking my head "no." I might have gone had I been in a car in the same circumstance, but on a bike, no way. On a bike, you have to be right 100% of the time.

livedarklions

It isn't really anger, more frustration and a need to remember not to let one's self get drawn into dangerous actions. People are trying to be nice, but they're actually creating danger.

I think it's good to remind drivers and cyclists that the car in this situation can easily be screening the view of other vehicles.

randomgear

Otherwise known as "The Double-Threat".