Greyride

So I am riding on rural roads of Phoenix (visiting my parents). I approach a 4 way stop intersection. There is a car with their turn indicator on and stopped. I am about 20 yds out and slowing. He sits there as I approach.. and sits there. I figure he is going to wait for me... I cross the stop line and he pulls out.. I then figure he is going to turn behind me.. NOPE.. he tries to turn in front of me but misjudges how fast I am traveling. He brakes then goes behind me... Other than not coming to a full stop at a stop sign is there some kind of signal or thought pattern on that kind of thing?

teachme

My thought pattern is, don't trust the driver to do the right thing.

DnvrFox

All drivers are nuts and incompetent - at least that is the attitude you need to have - much like approaching an unknown dog or any child.

Mult47

My idea is that if I have an accident involving a car while I'm on a bike, it's my fault because I trusted the car driver too much. I ride expecting drivers to do stupid things that threaten my health and well being.

John E

If there is any potential conflict, as in your situation here, I come to a full stop.

ericm979

Motorists often have no detectable thought pattern.
It's safer to stop. That way at least your behaviour is predictable.

k7baixo

Everyone should learn to ride a motorcycle before they get a DL. A question like this wouldn't be necessary since, as a motorcyclist, you learn to ride as if you're invisible. You also learn to anticipate what a driver is going to do even if the driver himself has no clue.

Hope you enjoyed your time here BTW!

Monoborracho

He had the right of way because he was at the 4-way first. You ran the stop sign. Big mistake, always.

Stop, put a foot down, and keep waving until he comes through. If he is still stopped and makes eye contact and waves you through then he is surrendering to you the right of way in deference to your being on a bike. But still don't trust them.

Some drivers just simply get confused about rules of the road regarding bikes. Or they don't know them. Or they make them up as they go.

Treat all cars like wild animals with teeth and claws....if you touch you get hurt.

drorgo

My course of action is to stop at the stop sign regardless of what the car is doing because then they know what I am doing and it is the law.

Bob

Retro Grouch 

When a driver is acting in a goofy manner, not proceeding the way that you expect when it's his turn, I'd prepare myself for whatever he does next to be goofy too.

downtube42

Stop, put my foot down, look straight ahead, do NOT make eye contact. Eventually they will go.

You can try to figure out what the motorist is thinking, or interpret their hand gestures, or think you're making eye contact... but in the end if a collision occurs you're going to be bleeding on the ground.

Mobile 155

Think of it this way. The guy got to the stop sign first, saw you coming and remembered the last five guys caming through a stop right in front of him so he waited to see if you were going to stop. If you don't make eye contact and get a wave through stop.

stapfam

My feeling is that every one else on the road is out to get me. I try to prepare for every idiotic thing they could do.

donheff

Seems pretty obvious that a driver sitting overlong at a stop sign with a turn signal on is spacing out, rethinking his next move, or otherwise distracted. There is a good chance that he isn't even aware of your approach. I saw something like that after a light turned green (without the turning signal) the other day while driving and beeped before carefully passing on the right watching the driver throughout. Pretty common for a spaced or distracted driver to pop back into the real world and hit the gas without looking around.

bruce19

As a former MSF Instructor and long time motorcyclist I can tell you that this is EXACTLY right.

CrankyFranky

I try to picture the drivers as a young squirrel who's just about to try to cross the road the first time.

Bikey Mikey

Condorita

I've been firmly convinced for years that no one should be allowed a DL without learning not just motorcycles, but trucks, too. And yes, I speak from experience: as a truck driver with, until just a few years ago, a MC endorsement.

locolobo13 

In that situation, I come to a full stop, look at the driver, wait to see if he is going to go. If he doesn't I wave him/her on. Sometimes they then wave me on. If so I proceed very cautiously. Reminds me of the two ground squirrels in the old looney toon cartoons.

eja_ bottecchia

Krikey! A tad paranoid aren't 'ya?

bkaapcke

You need to do two things; count your lucky stars on this one and never trust a driver to make his move in a way that's safe for you. You're not part of his hurry. bk

jon c. 

I always come to a full stop in such situations and won't proceed unless the driver waves or flashes his lights. A lot of people around here do want to give deference to bicycles in such situations, but I won't go unless they make it abundantly clear that is their intent. Even while driving, a lot of people seem to want to relinquish the right of way even if they've hit the intersection well in front of you and even if they are to your right. I understand people are perhaps trying to be nice and on a bike I do give a friendly wave in thanks for the gesture. But really I wish everyone would just follow the rules and remove the need to guess.

Esteban58

I've been seeing this a lot lately. Maybe they're feeling sorry for me being out in the 'cold'? Whatever, it sure messes up with the orderly flow of traffic,
I just wish they'd take their turn.

RedC

Even the ones that wave you on can get you killed because all the other cars don't know what he/she is doing and they'll come around. The kindess thing they can do for me is go ahead and get out of the way

Rowan

The OP broke the law, and now wants validation for his reaction to a driver who was driving legally.

This is almost as funny as the OP's other thread on fellow cyclists offering him advice about his riding style.