I thought it would be important to pause a moment and share GOOD news about big trucks. I commute 7 miles from North Portland travelling Greeley and Interstate on my way to downtown. I think we all know how treacherous this ride can be and I do my best to remain clearheaded and focused each day.
On my way into work this morning, as I pulled up to a red light on Interstate, I came upon an 18 wheeler with his right turn signal on. I stopped, scooted forward just enough so I could see his face and waved until he looked. I pointed straight to indicate my direction and he smiled and gave me the thumbs up. He got it. We both proceeded safely.
I know most cyclists use a variety of strategies to make themselves seen and to a cyclist there’s certainly nothing remarkable about what I did. But what I want everyone to know about is that smile. The truck driver seemed genuinely relieved to have made that connection and I feel very optimistic that cycling in Portland will continue to get safer and we will all thrive.
And thank you Mr. Truck Driver for recognizing my right to be there and for patiently waiting for me to head straight down my bike lane.
great story, thanks for sharing! it makes me happy to read it. i hope more people see the value in biking with that strategy in mind.
Angela-
I’m glad you got through the insane intersection in a safe and friendly and encouraging way!
Just in case you encounter right-turning motorists different from that one, though, please, PLEASE move out of the bike lane at any intersection where a motorist might turn right across it.
I haven’t met you in person, but I’m sure you’re far too valuable to the community to be casually, negligently killed or injured by the anti-bike stupidity that’s led to bike lanes.
When the law requires you to bike dangerously, ignore it!
-Vaclav Jellecicz
Thanks for the positive story Angela. Every day I see bikers that are too confident, weaving through traffic and rolling through stop-signs. I also see bikers that charge up to an intersection in anticipation of the light turning green before they have to put their feet down, without regard for whether or not the car next to the bike lane might be turning right. So I hold my breath when the light changes, hoping that in the next instant I don’t have to witness an accident that could have been easily avoided.
Thank you, Angela, for a positive story!
Your actions also exemplify the responsibility we cyclists have to NOT ASSUME that drivers can see us but to take extra efforts to be sure they are fully aware of us and our intentions.
Unfortunately I had a terrible experience this morning. A cyclist raod by me at a stop sign and shouted something at me and then proceeded to spit. He looked a little crazy, so I said nothing back, but I was not happy.
Then as I caught up to him (he was stopped at a light), he said “Why don’t you go in front of me? You have the more expensive bike.” Referring that Portland has changed and this new influx of bike commuters was not a welcomed change. Shocking! Isn’t this a good thing? I played along (probably shouldn’t have…think he was off his meds this morning) and said “no, no…after you”. But he insisted. So, I went ahead. He claimed that his bike was homemade, and since I was riding a fancy bike I was not up to par for the Portland community.
Unbelievable! Why do I have to justify myself to be riding my bicycle? Further, what contributions has this individual done to make biking in Portland better? Contributed a surly attitude and not a surly bike? I think so. That is not the way to get people to bike. Shame on this crazy! (I could say more, but I will leave it at that).
I sympathize with Jim. I am a driver…but try my best to be aware of cycles and bikers. Jim’s experience reminds me of a biker who pounded on the hood of my car because I was easing out of a store driveway, and didn’t see him speeding down the sidewalk…(on the wrong side of the street I might add). Luckily he didn’t dent it…but what if he had?? Someone else on on this site mentioned that bikes should be registered and have licenses, (a biker actually), and I believe this is a good idea…and I think insurance would be a good idea too. If bikes had license plates…perhaps the nutty few would be a bit less likely to engage in “road rage”. I’ve seen plenty of “road rage” from auto drivers…. this rage by some bikers is upsetting also, not every driver is “out to get bikers”. We all need to watch out for each other and show some tolerance!