Comment 27019

By highwater (registered) | Posted October 25, 2008 at 21:05:39

Hi Brandon,

Thanks for your comments. I know you're right about taking a lane, it's just that for a middle-aged gal like myself, it is indeed counter-intuitive to equate attracting attention with safety, but if I'm serious about this cycling thing, I know I have to try.

As far as cyclists obeying the law, I slow down for stop signs and stop lights and will only stop if there is a reason to.

This is how I treat 4-way stops if there are no cars. I usually stop for a 1-way stop, but if I'm sure there are no oncoming cars, I will just do a 'rolling stop'. I always stop at a red light no matter what, and if I may say so, I think you should too. When that gal on York proceeded through the red like the rules somehow didn't apply to her, she may not have been 'inconveniencing' anyone, but she was being discourteous to the rest of us poor schmucks patiently waiting for the light to turn. This is the kind of thing that ticks people off and pushes someone from the 'clueless' category over into the 'psychotic', endangering the rest of us.

If I can time a four way stop so that a car is crossing as I get there, I won't stop but will just cruise on through in his shadow.

If there are other cars waiting, I don't think you should do this. You really should stop and wait your turn like any other vehicle. Again, you may not be actually inconveniencing anyone, but it is discourteous to the others who are waiting their turn. If we're going to take a lane like a vehicle, we have to behave like vehicles when we get to intersections, IMO. When in doubt, err on the side of excessive courteousness. You might just bring a psychotic driver back down to clueless, or even considerate.

Godspeed. :-)

Permalink | Context

Events Calendar

There are no upcoming events right now.
Why not post one?

Recent Articles

Article Archives

Blog Archives

Site Tools

Feeds