Luke said:In article <[email hidden]>, catzz66
Quoted message said:bob syr said:...
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:This is becoming a real problem; I suppose I should be thankful that
these folks and making an effort to be polite, but I am starting to
dread approaching intersections with all-way stop signs. Is there
some way we can advertise to auto drivers that their politeness is
welcome, but let's not be ridiculous with it?Quoted message said:Quoted message said:Bob Syr
Quoted message said:When I first started riding, I was more rigid and would insist that
motorists with the right of way drive on, but now I accept their
generosity. Learn how to smile and give a friendly wave as you move on
and it can become your default response. It doesn't make sense to me to
do anything else. If someone is nice enough to wave me on, I
acknowledge them with a smile and wave and then go.I agree.
To the OP: Habituate yourself to timing your arrival at 4 way stops in
order to let queued cars the opportunity to proceed prior to reaching
the intersection, then rolling on through when the way is clear. That's
definitely preferable to stopping and starting.And in the cases when you, the cyclist, and a car reach the
intersection simultaneously I recommend you take the initiative. Be
assertive: slow down but don't stop; make eye contact; signal with your
hands your direction (left, right, or straight through) then, if your
intent is acknowledged and the way is clear, roll on through.No it's not a complete stop but I find the operation, done correctly,
speeds everyone's passage through a 4 way stop, and is rarely begrudged
by motorists. What drivers often resent, rightly or not, is cyclists
conveying ambiguity or unnecessarily delaying them.
Luke is right on! The idea is to speed everyone safely through the
intersection, so you must time your arrival to the 4 way stop with the
OP. That way, there is no ambiguity about who arrived first and
should therefore go first.
Just like the DMV guidebooks say about defensive driving here in
California: use S.E.E. Search! Examine! Execute! This intersection
is another example of how defensive driving actually makes dealing
with traffic go smoother, faster, and more fun!
I live in a very busy neighborhood with 4 way stops on LITERALLY every
other corner, and I encounter these friendly-hesitant-driver types
(which is a blessing) quite often. So to get to places in a
reasonable amount of time, I do exactly what Luke is talking
about...timing and courteous initiative.
I don't know if my technique will work for everyone's neighborhood,
but here it is: Before approaching an intersection I SEARCH! for
other drivers approaching the intersection, EXAMINE! what they are
about to do (ETA to intersection? do they even notice me? Do they
appear to be on a rush? ) EXECUTE! with these friendly-hesitant
types, I take initiative by the use of body language like, "ok I'm
rolling" (by looking at your path of travel, and keeping them within
your peripheral view) AND make a peace sign "Thanks" (without taking
my hand off the handlebars).
IF my path of travel and other traffic permits, I will even go behind
their bumper so they don't have to wait for me to pass. I use extra
SEE in executing this, and when done right, it saves them time, and it
saves me the annoyance of worrying about their indecisiveness.