35
Misunderstood hand signals may put cyclists in danger (www.futurity.org)
submitted 9 months ago by to c/fuckcars@lemmy.world
14 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

As more Americans turn to biking for commuting, exercise, and recreation, the roads are growing more crowded and more dangerous as cyclist fatalities have risen sharply nationwide.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 2 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Please don't let one idiot ruin it for you! One time I was wanting to turn at an intersetion but it was a busy'ish road and I slowed, pulled over, checked behind and then pulled into the centre and signalled my turn. It took some time to do all this. In the meantime a car that was on a STOP sign, pulled out in front of me (they were probably unclear what my intentions were) and stopped in the middle of the road, leaned over to wind down the opposite window and yelled at me. Again, they were on a STOP sign but no, I was the problem!

Did I stop biking forever after? No, I recognised that they were an idiot that massively over reacted to a simple misunderstanding and put everyone at risk to have a tantrum in the middle of the road!

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago (1 child)

    I am going to get a bike trainer so I can ride in my garage safely or take the bus to a park and ride the trails. There was a pretty big accident in my town that killed a cyclist in an RCMP charity ride near me this past summer and it really stuck with me. The drivers will bowl over anyone and you never know who's intoxicated. I don't want to ride in traffic anymore.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago

    Of course, your safety and the feeling of being safe should be prioritised. I was knocked off my bike by a car running a giveway/yield sign and that did cause me to massively change my cycling habits and choose safer routes even if it means going well out of my way. As a result I have minimised time in traffic dramatically, but I am in a city where that's an option. Sadly not the case in most places :-/ I know it would be hard not being able to continue biking in a way that felt safer to do so.

    Enjoy the trails you do have and keep the pressure on your local council representatives every chance you can to try and get more!

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent