CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

Something Psychological

(8 posts)
  • Started 13 years ago by Wilmington's Cow
  • Latest reply from splitshift

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  1. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Rolling up to a junction to join a main road this morning, lights on the main road are red and the traffic heading from left to right is stopped. Chap in a Skoda has stopped so that people can get in and out of the junctions. Well done. Remember, he's stopped. In a queue. With a red light.

    I roll up to the junction and signal to turn right into that flow of traffic, seeing the gap you see. He turns. Sees me. Moves forward to sit behind the car in front and 'block' me. It was so blatant it defied belief. Of course the car behind him didn't omve so I rode round the back of him, then past him as the lights turned green. He roared off, cutting in on a cyclist in front of me then... stopped at the next queue. Whereupon I disappeared into the distance.

    It was the strangest thing. Sitting there actually being a polite and considerate driver, until the very moment he saw a cyclist.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. TwoWheels
    Member

    Similar experience, different country. Cape Cod, Route 6, Independence Day weekend. Motorized traffic moving 0-10 mph, TwoWheels moving at 15-20 mph along the wide berm, which also serves as a designated bike path.

    Somebody sees me coming and pulls over into the bike lane to block me. I slow down slightly, thread the needle between the car and the curb, rapping my knuckles sharply on his passenger window as I passed (Oh, what I wouldn't give for a big, fat, Masonic ring of adamantium sometimes).

    After I passed, just for good measure, I gave an obscure Japanese hand signal indicating derision and the recipient's need for immediate seppuku.

    Lovely ride, otherwise. I enjoy passing cars stuck in traffic, I don't get to do it that often.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. splitshift
    Member

    dont know why it happens, but it used to happen so regularly i was prepared. On route to work, across large round about and take second exit ( laurieston, falkirk. ) just as you enter exit , 2 lanes, ther is a filter lane entering on left. I often would wave cars out in front of me, and I would hug the n/side kerb, so as not to impede their flow. some other motorists would see me being considerate and give me a wide berth as they overtook me,only to cut back in, and do the same, hug the n/side kerb as they stopped at the next roundabout !I couldnt get through ! or so they thought ! If i was far enough back I just move to the outside lane and go past on the outside, cutting in at the penultimate car, or more often than not, just right onto n/side grass and down there, giving them the stare, cause the always seem to be watching in the mirrors ! Then they try and get past me 5 seconds quicker than me as I signal right and onto the cycle lane, into the Falkirk Football stadium car park, wher there are few bikes but lots of BMWs and other such s***e.Proffesional athletes who need a car ! never bump into them on the cycle paths, but the bmw brigade have nearly had me in the car park a couple of times !

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. SRD
    Moderator

    had a blue BMW completely unnecessarily cut me off this morning, but driving into the cycle lane as I crossed Causewayside. like you'all I don't understand why. it certainly didn't get him anywhere any faster.

    (was going to put this in the BMW thread).

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. MeepMeep
    Member

    I get this most evenings on the road between Tesco Corstorphine and the PC World roundabout at the bottom of Drumbrae. Most of the stationary cars I manage to pass there only usually catch up with me at the top of Drumbrae. It's clear they're not going anywhere very quickly but some drivers make eye contact and then move to position their cars incredibly close to those queued on their left to make it impossible for me to get past.

    Similarly, when vehicles are parked on the opposite side of the road to the way I'm cycling I always try to wave my thanks to any oncoming drivers if they've stopped to wait for me (even though I have right of way). I do the same when I'm driving and I can nearly always guarantee I'll get a reciprocal wave as opposed to the daggers I get when on my bike.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. Smudge
    Member

    It's not just bicycles, it's common for motorcycles as well. Some small minded individuals just cannot abide anyone passing them. Of course what makes it really comical is that 90% of them don't really know how wide their cars are and so I can generally get a bike through the gap, and if not, as Splitshift pointed out, they can just be passed on the other side :-)

    When passing long lines of traffic on the motorbike I have to say that in fairness, way more cars move over to make room than attempt to block.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. steveo
    Member

    I always try to move over for bikes (of all types). I've noticed in motorway queues more than any where the motor cyclists usually give wave which is nice especially since i'm not going to get any where.

    Never really understood the blocking path types, petty jealousy most likely.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. splitshift
    Member

    mororway ques, when in my lorry I try and edge over to let mobikes through, esp in glasgow , cars seem to see this and counteract my act of consideration !

    Posted 13 years ago #

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