My Morning Commute

[huskerdont]

Wet and windy, which is fine, but I was a little cranky because so many people have the day off. Didn’t see a cyclist, runner, or pedestrian until Key Bridge, and there were no wet tire tracks under the bridges on the Custis. Might have scored a #1 on the Rosslyn Bikeometer if it were working.

[DrP]

…was quite wet. Extra empty too, likely due to rain and Columbus Day (there are a few of us that do not work directly for the gov’t and have to work.).

And my newest, most dangerous part of my commute: The minivan that weaves all over the road tossing newspapers on my approach to the Custis. I have been taking this route for a few years and he popped up a couple of months ago. I am not sure if it was a route change or new person, but he seems to think he owns the road. There are cars parked on either side from time to time that he weaves around and frequently there are other cars that have to maneuver around him too. This morning he veered towards me, which had me yelling some unpleasant words towards him – at least he looked up at that point. It was dark and raining. From now on it will be at least dark when he does this. I have lights and reflectors, but if he isn’t looking anyway, this is going to be a constant battle. Other routes for me don’t make too much sense since this is a straight shot from my house – and he wanders like this over all the streets in the area. Some days our timing has us meet and other times I see him on the cross roads.

[scoot]

Well if he is delivering newspapers, he is at least likely to keep his windows open. So yelling might be more effective with this driver than most.

[anomad]

@DrP 166398 wrote:

…was quite wet. Extra empty too, likely due to rain and Columbus Day (there are a few of us that do not work directly for the gov’t and have to work.).

And my newest, most dangerous part of my commute: The minivan that weaves all over the road tossing newspapers on my approach to the Custis. I have been taking this route for a few years and he popped up a couple of months ago. I am not sure if it was a route change or new person, but he seems to think he owns the road. There are cars parked on either side from time to time that he weaves around and frequently there are other cars that have to maneuver around him too. This morning he veered towards me, which had me yelling some unpleasant words towards him – at least he looked up at that point. It was dark and raining. From now on it will be at least dark when he does this. I have lights and reflectors, but if he isn’t looking anyway, this is going to be a constant battle. Other routes for me don’t make too much sense since this is a straight shot from my house – and he wanders like this over all the streets in the area. Some days our timing has us meet and other times I see him on the cross roads.

Find out what paper he is delivering. Call/email them and politely tell them you are concerned that one of their delivery drivers is driving in a way that isn’t safe. Tell them the time and place so they know what route it is. Car description and license plate wouldn’t hurt either. If that doesn’t put an end to it, tell the PoPo.

[DrP]

Too warm and humid for October, but otherwise a beautiful morning. Many more people than yesterday. And, it is a sad state that I have to include this as being another part of a fabulous ride – everyone who passed me called their passes! And there were quite a few. I was shocked. Where are you all the rest of the year? (Or where did all those others who just whiz by without a word or ding go? And can they stay there?)

[Drewdane]

Stop sign enforcement op on Van Buren near EFC station. Be aware.

[Tania]

@Drewdane 166411 wrote:

Stop sign enforcement op on Van Buren near EFC station. Be aware.

Good. Too many cyclists blow through there in the am. There’s a school bus stop right there and I’ve seen a few kids almost get bowled over.

[Judd]

Tania low five this morning which helped reduce the pain of coming back to work after a three day weekend.

[Drewdane]

@Tania 166414 wrote:

Good. Too many cyclists blow through there in the am. There’s a school bus stop right there and I’ve seen a few kids almost get bowled over.

Agree, though this is actually a block away from the school bus stop, closer to the the turnoff into the park.

[dbb]

A dockless CaBi. This is likely to turn out badly for the customer.

[drevil]

@dbb 166418 wrote:

A dockless CaBi. This is likely to turn out badly for the customer.

Oooooooh, ouch! $1200!

https://help.capitalbikeshare.com/hc/en-us/articles/115007469347-My-bike-is-missing-or-was-stolen

[mikoglaces]

@Tania 166414 wrote:

Good. Too many cyclists blow through there in the am. There’s a school bus stop right there and I’ve seen a few kids almost get bowled over.

I agree. I always stop at that stop sign. Cyclist in front of me was pulled over today. I mean, the cops were waiting and she still ran it.

[Tania]

@mikoglaces 166422 wrote:

I agree. I always stop at that stop sign. Cyclist in front of me was pulled over today. I mean, the cops were waiting and she still ran it.

I admit that I’ll only stop (that is, foot down) if there are cars already at the intersection (or approaching) and no one has given me an obvious “you first” wave through. But I will always slow to a walking pace (or less). Others don’t even bother to brake coming down that hill and go through the four way stop at upwards of 15-20mph.

[sjclaeys]

@Drewdane 166411 wrote:

Stop sign enforcement op on Van Buren near EFC station. Be aware.

It is odd that they are doing this now when that portion of Van Buren will soon be closed for the bridge construction. I do not dispute that cyclists blowing through that intersection is a problem, but it is bothersome that ACPD is willing to invest resources there multiple times in response to someone in the neighborhood who somehow has extra influence, rather than elsewhere in the county where there are greater risks to safety.

[Drewdane]

@mikoglaces 166422 wrote:

I agree. I always stop at that stop sign. Cyclist in front of me was pulled over today. I mean, the cops were waiting and she still ran it.

I rarely do, though I do slow down and am prepared to stop in case there are pedestrians, school children, cross traffic, etc. In fact, I was so busy making sure it was safe to keep moving I didn’t even notice the officers standing there, so I got a polite talking-to.

[Author]

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