Missed connection

[Vicegrip]

@Geoff 99171 wrote:

Argh. The last thing I want is for the pedestrian ahead of me to try to “get out of my way”, because he is most likely going to jump in front of me and get us both hurt. Please just be predictable, preferably staying to the right, and I’ll pass in a safe manner.

The worst is coming up behind a group, calling my pass, and they scatter every which-way.

But you can often see this coming via profiling. Hate to say it but I tend to “size up” the person(s) about to be passed and tune my signal and pass accordingly.

[dplasters]

@Geoff 99171 wrote:

Argh. The last thing I want is for the pedestrian ahead of me to try to “get out of my way”, because he is most likely going to jump in front of me and get us both hurt. Please just be predictable, preferably staying to the right, and I’ll pass in a safe manner.

The worst is coming up behind a group, calling my pass, and they scatter every which-way.

This reminds me – To the rider on the CaBi Sunday morning after the veteran’s day 10k. You riding east along the path on Constitution.
Me and my wife and brother in law, walking along this path as well.

Hey, Hey, HEY, HEYYYYY does not tell me anything. On your left or a bell tells me something. So your dirty look was returned with an equally dirty look from me. Someone yelling Hey from behind me doesn’t exactly tell me a lot. We will ignore the part where you were riding on the sidewalk in the downtown business district and had a perfectly empty Constitution to ride down.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dplasters 99186 wrote:

This reminds me – To the rider on the CaBi Sunday morning after the veteran’s day 10k. You riding east along the path on Constitution.
Me and my wife and brother in law, walking along this path as well.

Hey, Hey, HEY, HEYYYYY does not tell me anything. On your left or a bell tells me something. So your dirty look was returned with an equally dirty look from me. Someone yelling Hey from behind me doesn’t exactly tell me a lot. We will ignore the part where you were riding on the sidewalk in the downtown business district and had a perfectly empty Constitution to ride down.

Agree that “hey hey hey” isn’t helpful, but Constitution isn’t in the central business district.

[dplasters]

@ShawnoftheDread 99198 wrote:

Agree that “hey hey hey” isn’t helpful, but Constitution isn’t in the central business district.

I’ve never ridden in DC so I don’t know the details, was just going with

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6989[/ATTACH]

I had assumed the boundaries were inclusive to it, not exclusive to it.

[Geoff]

@dplasters 99208 wrote:

I’ve never ridden in DC so I don’t know the details, was just going with

[ATTACH=CONFIG]6989[/ATTACH]

I had assumed the boundaries were inclusive to it, not exclusive to it.

My understanding is that the sidewalk on the south side of Constitution is National Park Service jurisdiction and that bikes are allowed. I and many other people ride there all the time. Riding on Constitution itself would make me very nervous.

Having said that, there are usually lots of pedestrians, and they move pretty randomly. Any rider needs to be cautious and considerate.

[jrenaut]

You: Didn’t miss, you moron

Heading east on Q St NW this morning around 16th, in the bike lane, passing a van parked (legally) next to a driveway. Some clown on his bike pulls out of the driveway without looking. I believe his forehead is what gave me this knot behind my ear. I landed on my feet in the middle of Q St and didn’t break any of the eggs in my backpack.

Best part of the story is being stopped randomly on the street by Jon from WABA later in the day to check on how I was doing. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy about the bike advocates around here.

[jrenaut]

Also, while I was talking to Jon there was this guy who wanted to park in the parking spot I was sort of pulled next to, but there was a FedEx truck blocking the bike lane and the guy, even though he had a small car, was totally flummoxed by the whole concept of parallel parking and thought I should move so he could pull in straight. I told him it wasn’t my fault he couldn’t park and he called me a bitch but, really, I think the real bitch is the guy in the Honda Civic who still isn’t able to maneuver into a large parking spot with a cyclist next to it. I laughed at him as I pulled off.

[dkel]

@jrenaut 99233 wrote:

I told him it wasn’t my fault he couldn’t park and he called me a bitch but, really, I think the real bitch is the guy in the Honda Civic

The response is always, “I ain’t your bitch, bitch!” Covers all the bases, really.

[jrenaut]

To be clear – I am not disparaging Honda Civics or their owners. It’s a perfectly reasonable (if a bit boring) car. But if you own one and are not able to parallel park it, and you want to call someone a bitch, I suggest first looking inward. I’m reminded of the Miller High Life commercial – “There was a time when a man had command over his own vehicle…”

Also, I prefer laughing at those people. It makes them madder and no one will wash your mouth out with soap.

[bobco85]

Almost heard a crash occur right behind me while crossing the GW Parkway and saw the aftermath of a crash tonight while crossing Washington Blvd tonight. Here’s where the incidents took place:

[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6998&stc=1[/IMG]

The near miss occurred after I had just crossed the GW Parkway from the MVT.

I stopped, pushed the button to activate the flashing yellow beacons (please, NPS, keep these FOREVER), waited for both lanes of traffic to stop, and waved thanks to the drivers as I crossed. Upon finishing my cross, I saw a cyclist coming towards the crossing who looked like he was about to try to make it before traffic started moving again. Bad idea, as I was past the crosswalk and traffic was starting to move again. Luckily, the cyclist stopped at the last second (I heard his brakes squeal) because I know that the drivers did not see anyone else preparing to cross and he would’ve gotten hit had he continued. You’re lucky you did the smart thing, guy.

I continued on my way and saw what looked like the aftermath of a crash when I proceeded to the next crossing.

A taxi was pulled onto the grass on the east side of the crossing, a car with what looked like a dent in its front right bumper was pulled to the side on the right lane coming from northbound Washington Blvd before the merge, and 2 cyclists had stopped. It did not look like anyone was hurt, but I did overhear one of the cyclists admonishing the dented car’s driver with, “You didn’t even stop.” I do not know any other details.

Gotta keep your wits about you with these dangerous crossings.

[peterw_diy]

Jon, I’m glad you’re OK after the Q St crash, but it sounds like you were a real jerk to that motorist. Not necessarily for not being courteous & moving a bit to help him park, but certainly for all the snark and condescension, then and now… sheesh.

[jrenaut]

@peterw_diy 99240 wrote:

Jon, I’m glad you’re OK after the Q St crash, but it sounds like you were a real jerk to that motorist. Not necessarily for not being courteous & moving a bit to help him park, but certainly for all the snark and condescension, then and now… sheesh.

He introduced himself by honking and yelling at me. I was polite in comparison. I won’t be bullied just because someone is in a car and I’m not.

[peterw_diy]

@jrenaut 99242 wrote:

He introduced himself by honking and yelling at me. I was polite in comparison. I won’t be bullied just because someone is in a car and I’m not.

Ah, I thought the dialogue began with his begging, proceeded to your critique, and then the cursing. Thanks for the clarification; it was really bumming me out to think you might have transformed into BikeSnobDC or something. What an unpleasant day you had!

[Sunyata]

You: A fellow “cyclist” in a black SUV VA plates (surprisingly) with your shiny Trek road bike in the back
Me: The cyclist that you buzzed WAY too closely (considering that was another ENTIRE lane on the left side of me for you to drive on) heading north on GM Drive just before the Route 50 crossing

When I got to your window, I was going to start the conversation with “Pretty cool bike you have in the back, as a cyclist, I just wanted to make sure that you were aware that there is a 3 foot passing law in VA to make cycling safer for everyone”, but instead, you started the conversation with “you were riding in the middle of the lane, I am a cyclist too, but you were in the middle of the road”… Unfortunately, I was unable to complete my conversation with you since the light turned green and you spun your tires as you sped off. I would like to continue the conversation and remind you (as a driver and a “fellow cyclist”) that sometimes the middle of the lane is the safest place for me to be (even if there are bike lanes), and that just because you are driving your bicycle around in the back of your giant SUV does NOT make you a cyclist.

I was really disappointed to be almost hit by someone who claims that they are also a cyclist, especially since this person should know how dangerous and rude that is. Especially since from the brief conversation I had with you, it seemed that you buzzed me on purpose because I was not riding where you thought I should have been. 😡

[DismalScientist]

Northbound George Mason before Arlington Blvd. is marked with sharrows.

[Author]

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