Damned if I do, damned if I don't.

[Flying Grype]

The other day I was riding my bicycle on residential streets to work.

I had to make a left turn at an uncontrolled intersection with little to no traffic, so I signalled left and moved to the left of my lane with plenty of time before I actually got to the turn. A guy in a POS minivan roars up behind me, yelling "get the f*** out of the way!" out his window. Sorry dude, just trying to be legal. I think what I said was "Kiss kiss, darling!" as I made my turn and left him behind.

On the next left turn, which was at a light where traffic was lining up to turn, I rode on the right-hand side until I got close to the light, then signalled and moved between two cars to get to the left side of the lane. (There's room for a bike in there even if there's no room for a car.) As I turned, the driver I'd moved in front of said "That was a really great move there".

If I try to do things legally and predictably, I get cussed at. If I try to be sneaky I get snarked at. Oh, and in this city it's illegal for grownups to bike on the sidewalk, so yes, I do in fact belong on the road.

[Lyse]

Gah. I'll see cyclists coming up to an intersection that slow down and start looking over their left shoulder. What's the correct thing to do then? Slow down, because they need to move over to make a turn and aren't surrounded by half a ton of metal and plastic.

[Slayer]

Here cyclists tend to use the pedistrian signals for crossing the street. I'd freak out if a bike ended up turning left with us lol.

[Ponder]

I always follow the highway code and get few complaints from other drivers... except bus drivers who seem to think I should be on the pavement rather than the bus lane...

I do have the odd occasion when I encounter idiots but I can show these off now because I've got a helmet camera

Like this idiot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4XBPgLAZQY

[Raveni]

Closeups of cars are great, but stay safe out there!

Unlike this idot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_DP-glXAcU

(I know, not a bicycle...)

[Ponder]

OUCH! Slight lack of forward planning there. He left enough gap but didn't respond when the truck braked until it was too late! (Distracted by looking down I expect).

[PepperElf]

Gah. I'll see cyclists coming up to an intersection that slow down and start looking over their left shoulder. What's the correct thing to do then? Slow down, because they need to move over to make a turn and aren't surrounded by half a ton of metal and plastic.

I would say watch their hands. If they're planning to move they should signal.


and yes, there's always some asshole that feels bikes shouldn't be on the road and will honk at you cos you're in their way. fuck them.

[Lyse]

They usually do signal with their hands before the actual merge into the lane and then the turn, but once I start slowing down and leaving a gap it helps them to know that they've been seen and I've noticed them checking traffic.

[BlaqueKatt]

Gah. I'll see cyclists coming up to an intersection that slow down and start looking over their left shoulder.

I do that to judge when it's safe to take the lane, Myself and many other cyclists will do this to cut in behind a car(or cars) rather than accidentally cut one off(I'll even stop and wait for an opening). Just like a car driver (should) check their rearview mirror for an opening before changing lanes, a (law abiding) cyclist does the same, and will usually wait for an opening in traffic before signaling and taking the lane. So slow down and wave them in if you don't mind, or get past them, if they're looking they likely won't cut in front of you.