Bike/car cooperation

[MindDrive]

Here and there I like to remind people that bicycles and cars don’t have to be adversaries. Let me start with a minor incident this morning.

At around 8:45 on Fauntleroy just North of Edmonds I was riding the sharrows. A car pulled up behind me and started beeping. I turned to see him tailgating (less than a car length behind.) I shouted in surprise but kept my lane. With his window open, I had the chance to explain that bikes continuing on Fauntleroy belong in the right lane, not the turn lane. Of course I got flustered enough that I almost forgot to turn right myself (if that driver is reading this, disregard my original lame reason about crossing the line :-) Ultimately my only regret was missing an opportunity to cooperate with a car.

I do indeed seek every opportunity to work WITH cars. Like climbing Avalon Way closer to parked cars than normal due to low risk of a door opening injury. Or hustling through an intersection. Or riding in a parking lane when available.

There is one notable exception to that last rule, and that’s the aforementioned block of Fauntleroy between Alaska & Edmonds. When I tried the parking lane there, nobody let me back in (even signaling in advance) when the lane had parked cars Northbound, or to get out of the right turn lane Southbound, due to aggressive driving and/or people merging/figuring out where to go next. That’s why I exercise my right to the travel lane, and ask the NB traffic to merge a little early, and ask the SB traffic to pass me just after the light.

For the troubles I have on my bike, there are countless cars that do work well with me, and I greatly appreciate it

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[dbsea]

Good for you, doing what you can to not hinder others while attempting to remain safe. I think it goes along way with many people when you try not to be an obstacle in their lives. Of course there are many clueless clods out there and they’re hopeless. But demonstrating awareness of and respect for others may even encourage others to do the same. At the very least you’ll be doing the right thing.

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[kootchman]

Ouch … I got a buncha cervical discs fused and pinned…and I can no longer sustain an upright posture..sadly. I was considering a recumbent. I borrowed one… I hate to say it, but it was pretty scary. Years ago before the bike lanes, I was riding from the Alki Bike store… (b4 the newer store).. heavy traffic day. Just kid not thinking about bikes..no evil intent.. I give kudos to those recumbents…but man, the motoring public is less aware of themo n first impression..I may be overly cautious or nervous about my neck..any recumbent riders have a thought?

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[Sue]

kootchman, I haven’t used a bike in over 20 years (other than a stationary recumbent) as I can’t do an upright bike due to a knee/leg problem. I’ve considered the recumbents, but have had that fear that I wouldn’t be seen because of the low profile. I know most recumbent riders have those flags on the bike, but it still feels like it would be too invisible and risky.

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