Sorry, I know this is a vent, but could you please indulge me and let me know if I’m being totally illogical? (Discussions, as always, welcome.)
There will always be dangers when cars and bikes share the same roads. This I don’t dispute. Nor do I have a problem with the one metre rule forcing cars to keep their distance from us (bike riders), and I’m grateful that a lot of drivers choose to give us an even wider berth - especially when they’re nervous, driving a truck, it’s raining, and so on.
No, my problem is with drivers who stop to let us (bike riders) cross the road. I know that sounds daft and irrational! After all, aren’t they just being helpful?
(Also, before I start, please understand this vent is not aimed at all drivers - just the ones that annoy me.)
So, imagine you’re riding a pushbike on a bike path (off of the road) and you come to a junction where you need to cross a road. You look at the traffic and decide that stopping and waiting is the best option, primarily because there’s a car about to hurtle past you and across the junction. But then the driver decides, for their own reason, that they're going to stop several metres before the junction and wave you across the road.
Of course, I understand that the driver might have stopped to be considerate - which I do appreciate, but (as usual)… I’ve already stopped a metre or two back from the kerb, I’ve put my feet down on the ground and I’m intentionally not looking at the driver. In fact, in my mind, I am in no way implying that I’m even vaguely eager to cross the road - other than, of course, for the fact that I’m in the vicinity of it.
So why would a driver stop? Do they think they’re making it safer for me? Do they think that the extra minutes will significantly impact on my day? Do they have no concept of how unsteady a bike can be to get going? Is their daily tally of considerate actions in need of a boost?
But even more so, why do many drivers appear decidedly put out when I choose not to take up their offer to cross the road?
After all, being waved across doesn’t guarantee anything is safer - personally I’d rather wait for an emptier road, than race across it in front of an unknown driver. Especially if there’s the risk of me obstructing other drivers, or (even worse) unobservant drivers! To say nothing of the occasions when I'm waiting to cross a two or three lanes of traffic and it’s a truck driver who insists he stop to wave me across. Doesn’t he realise my vision of how clear the other lanes are is obscured by his truck? And, if I should have to stop for other cars, how do I know he’ll actually see me in front of his bonnet?
I know it might seem like I’m being overly pedantic, and like I say, I understand that drivers may just be trying to be considerate. But we all know who comes off worse when a car and bike collide, so shouldn’t it be my choice when I cross the road?
No, my problem is with drivers who stop to let us (bike riders) cross the road. I know that sounds daft and irrational! After all, aren’t they just being helpful?
(Also, before I start, please understand this vent is not aimed at all drivers - just the ones that annoy me.)
So, imagine you’re riding a pushbike on a bike path (off of the road) and you come to a junction where you need to cross a road. You look at the traffic and decide that stopping and waiting is the best option, primarily because there’s a car about to hurtle past you and across the junction. But then the driver decides, for their own reason, that they're going to stop several metres before the junction and wave you across the road.
Of course, I understand that the driver might have stopped to be considerate - which I do appreciate, but (as usual)… I’ve already stopped a metre or two back from the kerb, I’ve put my feet down on the ground and I’m intentionally not looking at the driver. In fact, in my mind, I am in no way implying that I’m even vaguely eager to cross the road - other than, of course, for the fact that I’m in the vicinity of it.
So why would a driver stop? Do they think they’re making it safer for me? Do they think that the extra minutes will significantly impact on my day? Do they have no concept of how unsteady a bike can be to get going? Is their daily tally of considerate actions in need of a boost?
But even more so, why do many drivers appear decidedly put out when I choose not to take up their offer to cross the road?
After all, being waved across doesn’t guarantee anything is safer - personally I’d rather wait for an emptier road, than race across it in front of an unknown driver. Especially if there’s the risk of me obstructing other drivers, or (even worse) unobservant drivers! To say nothing of the occasions when I'm waiting to cross a two or three lanes of traffic and it’s a truck driver who insists he stop to wave me across. Doesn’t he realise my vision of how clear the other lanes are is obscured by his truck? And, if I should have to stop for other cars, how do I know he’ll actually see me in front of his bonnet?
I know it might seem like I’m being overly pedantic, and like I say, I understand that drivers may just be trying to be considerate. But we all know who comes off worse when a car and bike collide, so shouldn’t it be my choice when I cross the road?
I totally understand your dilemma! Absolute proof that common sense isn't that common.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Common sense is so underrated :-)
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