datlas 

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?

terrymorse 

Not everyone's "CLEAR" means the same thing.

It might mean "you can make it right now if you sprint your a** off".

seypat

Pretty much a standard in running groups. "Clear" or "Car up/back/left/right."

10 Wheels

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.

Iride01 

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.

Bah Humbug

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.

CliffordK

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.

GhostRider62

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?

Maelochs

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.

waters60

Trust nobody to make that determination. I always look both ways twice before going through an intersection.

Zaskar

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.

GlennR

spelger

i told my daughter (who just got her license this past wednesday) that it is her responsibility to make sure it is clear before proceeding. she had her first solo drive today. i do hope that advice sticks.

spelger

what's wrong with just stopping at the damn stop sign? or is that taboo?

GlennR

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.

GhostRider62

It could cost you that Cat 6 upgrade.

datlas 

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.

Iride01 

Not to me. Unless he is stopped in the road checking both directions for traffic and then just reassuring the others approaching the intersection.

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.

MinnMan

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.

Iride01 

I agree that they are entrusting their safety to me and every other member of the group. But announcing "Clear" at an intersection doesn't seem to me to promote safety. If it does then shouldn't the leader be constantly shouting "Clear ahead" to let me know the road is clear further ahead?

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.

AlmostTrick

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.

spelger

seems as if my comment does not apply to this then. i come across a few intersections with a clearly posted sign along with the stop sign that states "opposing traffic does not stop." if you are the opposing traffic then by all means...carry on.

spelger

would be happy to be cat 6 but those stop signs keep holding me back. i miss england with all the roundabounts.

spelger

its not right to justify bad behaviour by pointing out bad behaviour. i ride solo unless i meet up with someone on the fly. that said, put your safety in someone else's judgement if that is ok with you. not so with me.

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.

genejockey 

Another good reason to ride solo. That and misanthropy.