Comments on: How To Understand Motorist Signals and Gestures http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/ It's like reality TV. Except it's real. And there's no TV. Fri, 04 Mar 2022 03:21:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Greg http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/comment-page-1/#comment-515887 Greg Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:07:25 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/#comment-515887 Genius, Fatty, Pure genius! Genius, Fatty, Pure genius!

]]> By: Motorist to Cyclist Talk – What those Signals Really Mean | Aushiker: Bicycling & Hiking in Western Australia http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/comment-page-1/#comment-515525 Motorist to Cyclist Talk – What those Signals Really Mean | Aushiker: Bicycling & Hiking in Western Australia Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:06:10 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/#comment-515525 [...] To learn more about those signals and motorist to cyclist communication, click through to the Fat Cyclist. [...] [...] To learn more about those signals and motorist to cyclist communication, click through to the Fat Cyclist. [...]

]]> By: Motorist to Cyclist Talk – What those Signals Really Mean | Aushiker: Bicycling & Hiking in Western Australia http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/comment-page-1/#comment-515526 Motorist to Cyclist Talk – What those Signals Really Mean | Aushiker: Bicycling & Hiking in Western Australia Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:06:10 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/#comment-515526 [...] To learn more about those signals and motorist to cyclist communication, click through to the Fat Cyclist. [...] [...] To learn more about those signals and motorist to cyclist communication, click through to the Fat Cyclist. [...]

]]> By: rjb http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/comment-page-1/#comment-515445 rjb Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:06:53 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/#comment-515445 I thoroughly enjoyed one group ride when a pickup truck hauling a couple of large (500 gal??) water tanks on a trailer decided to rapidly accelerate, squealing his tires just to make sure he got out of our way as fast as possible. Unfortunately, his rapid acceleration caused the two (fortunately empty) containers to fall off the trailer and slide harmlessly across the road and into the woods. We were very pleased that the driver exhibited that kind of control to be able to deposit said containers on the opposite side of the road, and thus not "bowling" us over (quite apt analogy). We stopped and gasped in amazement, chatted about the kind display amongst ourselves for a few seconds, and then decided that perhaps we should take the next turn just in case the friendly driver wished to return and explain to us just how nice he was to get out of our way so fast. While we would have appreciated the gesture, we were indeed very selfish and did not wish to delay our ride with idle chit-chat. I know, how rude of us. Truly a kind act. We salute you, water tank-carrying pickup-truck driver! I thoroughly enjoyed one group ride when a pickup truck hauling a couple of large (500 gal??) water tanks on a trailer decided to rapidly accelerate, squealing his tires just to make sure he got out of our way as fast as possible. Unfortunately, his rapid acceleration caused the two (fortunately empty) containers to fall off the trailer and slide harmlessly across the road and into the woods. We were very pleased that the driver exhibited that kind of control to be able to deposit said containers on the opposite side of the road, and thus not “bowling” us over (quite apt analogy). We stopped and gasped in amazement, chatted about the kind display amongst ourselves for a few seconds, and then decided that perhaps we should take the next turn just in case the friendly driver wished to return and explain to us just how nice he was to get out of our way so fast. While we would have appreciated the gesture, we were indeed very selfish and did not wish to delay our ride with idle chit-chat. I know, how rude of us.

Truly a kind act. We salute you, water tank-carrying pickup-truck driver!

]]> By: Jim http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/comment-page-1/#comment-515395 Jim Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:38:47 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/#comment-515395 Reference situation one: car honking at you as they pass. I used to think the same way you've noted above, until I began studying for my North Carolina driver's licence test after we moved here in June 09. Much to my surprise, I learned that in keeping with universally acknowledged Southern hospitality the NC traffic law states "If it is safe to pass, signal to alert the vehicle ahead and behind you of your intention so they can plan their moves accordingly. Give a left-turn signal so the driver behind you will know that you are about to pull out and pass. BLOW THE HORN (emphasis added) to signal the vehicle ahead. The horn signal places the driver of the vehicle you are passing under a legal obligation to help you pass. The law requires at least two feet of clearance between your vehicle and the vehicle or bicycle you are passing." How about that? I now believe/know that every horn blow is really the result of a driver in willing compliance with the law of our great state. I therefore now acknowledge all these fellow law abiding road travelers with a friendly hand wave of thanks for their courtesy and to help them safely pass too! I also secretly pray they don't hit me!! :-) Reference situation one: car honking at you as they pass. I used to think the same way you’ve noted above, until I began studying for my North Carolina driver’s licence test after we moved here in June 09. Much to my surprise, I learned that in keeping with universally acknowledged Southern hospitality the NC traffic law states “If it is safe to pass, signal to alert the vehicle ahead and behind you of your intention so they can plan their moves accordingly. Give a left-turn signal so the driver behind you will know that you are about to pull out and pass. BLOW THE HORN (emphasis added) to signal the vehicle ahead. The horn signal places the driver of the vehicle you are passing under a legal obligation to help you pass. The law requires at least two feet of clearance between your vehicle and the vehicle or bicycle you are passing.”
How about that? I now believe/know that every horn blow is really the result of a driver in willing compliance with the law of our great state. I therefore now acknowledge all these fellow law abiding road travelers with a friendly hand wave of thanks for their courtesy and to help them safely pass too! I also secretly pray they don’t hit me!! :-)

]]> By: Dan http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/comment-page-1/#comment-515346 Dan Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:14:25 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/#comment-515346 Situation Four: They could be stating you are #1 in their life... Situation Four: They could be stating you are #1 in their life…

]]> By: Jeff http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/comment-page-1/#comment-515342 Jeff Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:55:18 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/#comment-515342 Smile and wave, boys... just smile and wave. My approach is to kill 'em with kindness, giving the finger just reinforces their behavior. You've got to break the cycle somehow. Smile and wave, boys… just smile and wave.

My approach is to kill ‘em with kindness, giving the finger just reinforces their behavior. You’ve got to break the cycle somehow.

]]> By: Frank http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/comment-page-1/#comment-515335 Frank Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:41:59 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/#comment-515335 You also forgot to mention the meyhem we riders cause to the "drivers". I ride a recumbent and I know that my superior riding machine caused so much distraction to 2 "drivers" that they decided to rapidly decelerate into each other so they could discuss my method of transportation! You also forgot to mention the meyhem we riders cause to the “drivers”. I ride a recumbent and I know that my superior riding machine caused so much distraction to 2 “drivers” that they decided to rapidly decelerate into each other so they could discuss my method of transportation!

]]> By: GJ Jackie http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/comment-page-1/#comment-515332 GJ Jackie Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:37:18 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/#comment-515332 At least on a mountain bike trail, my life is in my own hands. I still love road riding, but now I find myself happier on the trails and away from the oblivious, texting, eating, reading, putting on make-up drivers out there. At least on a mountain bike trail, my life is in my own hands. I still love road riding, but now I find myself happier on the trails and away from the oblivious, texting, eating, reading, putting on make-up drivers out there.

]]> By: Sansauto http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/comment-page-1/#comment-515331 Sansauto Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:32:37 +0000 http://www.fatcyclist.com/2011/02/23/how-to-understand-motorist-signals-and-gestures/#comment-515331 Two points. 1) I miss the 60-something ladies that would flip me off in Utah County. In a place where almost everyone is Mormon, it always made me wonder. 2) You completely missed what drivers who shoot at you with shotguns really mean. Oh yes, riding along with a group in Utah County, we got peppered in the butt with bird shot. While his intentions may have been good, it seemed to me that he just might not like me. for the simple reason that I was on a bike. Two points.

1) I miss the 60-something ladies that would flip me off in Utah County. In a place where almost everyone is Mormon, it always made me wonder.

2) You completely missed what drivers who shoot at you with shotguns really mean. Oh yes, riding along with a group in Utah County, we got peppered in the butt with bird shot. While his intentions may have been good, it seemed to me that he just might not like me. for the simple reason that I was on a bike.

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