I was NOT run over at the Lynn Street intersection wtih the Custis Trail this morning

[CCrew]

Bah, cars. For you we have steel plates.

Signed,
Wile E. Coyote

[Dirt]

@CCrew 5739 wrote:

Bah, cars. For you we have steel plates.

Signed,
Wile E. Coyote

Yeah. You get to run yourself over.

[baiskeli]

As I was approaching that intersection this morning, I saw that I probably wasn’t going to make it over in time, so I stayed behind a very slow rider who wasn’t going to make it either, letting the guys who were speeding up to get through make it. AFTER the light turned, this slow rider proceed through the intersection, in front of the cars desperately trying to make the turn toward the Key Bridge, still going just as slowly. No rush, slow guy.

[Dirt]

My encounter this morning involved a woman whose phone call and coffee consumption was more important than stopping at the traffic light, looking where she was going or having a hand on the wheel. After I pounded on her window, she did put her coffee cup down so that she could steer the car. I’m grateful for that.

[WillStewart]

@Dirt 5737 wrote:

I was NOT run over at the Lynn Street intersection wtih the Custis Trail this morning .

A good thing!

[americancyclo]

@Dirt 5747 wrote:

she did put her coffee cup down so that she could steer the car.

how considerate! and people say drivers have no manners!

[Dirt]

@americancyclo 5755 wrote:

how considerate! and people say drivers have no manners!

It is good to know that people still care.

[acc]

After reading about Dirt’s experience, I just had to make a trip down there to experience that thrill ride of an intersection again. And I was not disappointed. Three cars coming up the hill on Lee Hwy all turned right into the crosswalk with the blinking “walk” sign of fate going gangbusters. Each car came a little bit faster trying to beat the cyclists/pedestrians in the crosswalk. It was very exciting. This is hands down the worst intersection I deal with on a semi-regular basis. If there are others, let me know. I’d like to start a summer tour of disaster and peril.

Playing dodgeball on a bike for fun and glory,

ann

[eminva]

My whole attitude about this intersection has changed since Pete put forth the “Burmese Tiger Trap” at the Marriott driveway image in his post a few weeks back. Now when I pass through there I just think, “look out for tigers!” and I’m smiling until the Key Bridge at least. It hasn’t reduced the number of near misses, but oh well.

I’m still working on the “love and respect all mankind” thing — getting better every day, but still not there.

And Ann, come on across the Key Bridge and ride around DC! We’ve got plenty of disaster and peril here.

Liz

[Dirt]

I still love and respect all mankind. I mean that seriously. I see that what people are in their cars is not always what they are as people. There’s something to love and respect in all of us… even if people do a good job of hiding it.

It took me most of the day to get out of my road-rage-induced funk. I’m there in time to go out and play in the rain.

[Joe Chapline]

@Dirt 5767 wrote:

I see that what people are in their cars is not always what they are as people.

…or what they are as talking dogs. Here’s Goofy as a Jekyll-and-Hyde driver in a 1950 Walt Disney cartoon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZAZ_xu0DCg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZAZ_xu0DCg

[CCrew]

@acc 5763 wrote:

. This is hands down the worst intersection I deal with on a semi-regular basis. If there are others, let me know. I’d like to start a summer tour of disaster and peril.

The great Wiehle Avenue bowling lanes?

And if you get a chance to ride out that way, Belmont Ridge Road and the W&OD intersection can be sheer joy.

[5555624]

@acc 5763 wrote:

This is hands down the worst intersection I deal with on a semi-regular basis.

I agree. I usually only encounter it in the afternoon, heading west. When I rode it daily, in the afternoons, I came close to getting hit about three out of five days. Normally, the light changes and the cars go, regardless of whether someone — pedestrian or cyclist — is in the crosswalk. The change, a while back, to have the “Walk” signal lead the green light has only added tot he problem. Cars looking to make a right on red and head towards Key Bridge, see the gap caused by the cars stopping, and go, without looking.

A while back, at least five years ago, someone with the county was stopping cyclists and and interviewing them, for some cycling PSAs. (This was back when Charlie Denny was still around and he said it was not his office.) As I was waiting for the light, I told the crew that it was the most dangerous intersection in the county for bikes and they acted surprised. In less than five minutes, we watched three cyclists almost get hit by SUVs. Alas, while the interviews were filmed, they did not film traffic.

[Mark Blacknell]

Can we get an update? Did you NOT get this this morning, Dirt?

[txgoonie]

I’m honestly surprised by the bravery/stupidity of some cyclists going through that intersection. Being hyper aware of the danger there, I won’t cross without confirmation that the drivers both see me and are slowing down (and wave thankfully when they do). Apologies to the cyclists behind me in a big, fat hurry when I’m leading, but I refuse to be the sacrificial lamb so that everyone else can pass without hitting the brakes. It matters not quite often – as I’m hesitating before proceeding across, cyclists behind come screaming around me defiantly, safety be damned! I know I have the right of way and should be able to proceed without pausing. Drivers should be looking and yielding to peds and bikes crossing. But principles don’t stop cars in their tracks. I could be right and in danger, or ride defensively and keep myself safe.

[Author]

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