tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post1689626832079497206..comments2023-12-27T22:31:19.008-07:00Comments on The Bike Nazi: Road Cavemen!Bikeboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17379272663647894409noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post-34377494493717014632008-06-30T06:23:00.000-06:002008-06-30T06:23:00.000-06:00Thanks all. I'll stick with what I've been doing (...Thanks all. I'll stick with what I've been doing (#2) until told otherwise by The Man. <BR/><BR/>I agree that most motorists are cooperative, and I've never had a problem in that spot with aggressive drivers (Too many witnesses?). I'm more concerned with <I>distracted</I> drivers trying to negotiate that intersection/on-ramp and not seeing me than with hostility. Even going under the overpass, if drivers see you making an effort to cooperate with them (Yielding when appropriate and scrambling to get past the bridge when you impede traffic), they usually cut you some slack.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post-9670938543352374822008-06-29T15:56:00.000-06:002008-06-29T15:56:00.000-06:00Scott... I'm familiar with Federal Way / Gowen, bu...Scott... I'm familiar with Federal Way / Gowen, but usually not traveling in the direction you describe, nor during rush hour. (I like to ride away from town on Gowen, then ride back in on Federal Way. And my rides out there are usually evenings and weekends.)<BR/><BR/>I'd probably lean toward your #2 approach. Ya know, the vast majority of motorists are sympathetic to cyclists - I feel that in my heart. They're willing to cut you some slack. And even the self-centered motorists who figure their schedule is the world's #1 priority will NOT run you down as long as they see you.Bikeboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17379272663647894409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post-54450874362362130672008-06-28T19:14:00.000-06:002008-06-28T19:14:00.000-06:00Scott, often-times the way to deal with a bad inte...Scott, often-times the way to deal with a bad intersection is to find a way to avoid it. But given nature of that area (more open, fewer roads), I'm not sure that is applicable. <BR/><BR/>Like Bob, I'm not really familiar with that area, but I would explore the possibility of using another route, even if it adds a few miles to your trip. Bikeboy might be able to help you build a better route.dbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09527673886975332497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post-36835183934403304622008-06-28T17:02:00.000-06:002008-06-28T17:02:00.000-06:00Scott, I wish that I could help but I'm not famili...Scott, I wish that I could help but I'm not familiar with that part of Boise. The way you described the intersection it sounds quite challenging. Glad that I don't have to deal with anything like it on my commute.<BR/><BR/>Bikeboy, I'm sorry to hear that your daughter had to go through that unpleasant experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post-38376210859315585602008-06-27T09:27:00.000-06:002008-06-27T09:27:00.000-06:00Speaking of bad intersections, does anyone have an...Speaking of bad intersections, does anyone have any advice on how to deal with Federal Way and Gowen? Heading away from the big chip plant on FW with the intent to take a left onto Gowen leaves a couple options; All bad.<BR/><BR/>1: Cross Gowen at the light, wait for the next light and cross FW. This places you between the FW merge lane and 2 traffic lanes, which immediately places you between 2 freeway onramp lanes, one of which you must cross to get into Gowen's traffic lane. Then scramble to get under the shoulderless bridge without getting run over.<BR/><BR/>2: Get in the far left turn lane on FW and take a left onto Gowen. Then ride in the Gowen turn lane past the onramp, cross Gowen, and then scramble to get under the shoulderless bridge without getting run over.<BR/><BR/>I feel much safer doing (2), but I'm not sure of the legality of this approach. Going westbound under the overpass always sucks, but I can take the lane for a couple hundred yards fairly confident that I won't be run over. Adrenaline makes you pedal faster.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post-48120342517304342092008-06-26T09:51:00.000-06:002008-06-26T09:51:00.000-06:00When I pull up to a signaled intersection and know...When I pull up to a signaled intersection and know there's a car behind me, I generally look back for evidence of a turn signal. If they want to turn right, I'll pull to the left side of the lane so they can slide up and make the right on red. Many motorists seem surprised at this move (or that a biker is paying any courtesies to cars at all), and all are grateful. This surely wasn't the situation you described -- I'm picturing her at Cassia & Orchard, a disaster of an intersection for bikes and motorists alike. I'm sure the Neanderthal's karma already works against him in hideous ways.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198843833237575122.post-6439500960844940102008-06-26T09:39:00.000-06:002008-06-26T09:39:00.000-06:00What a nuisance. I cross Orchard myself, twice dai...What a nuisance. I cross Orchard myself, twice daily, and it's often a bear to find a suitable opening.<BR/><BR/>I'd love to see your daughter get a concealed weapon license, and pull out a nice big pistol and point it at the next truck-idiot that pulls such a stunt.<BR/><BR/>Okay, not really -- but it's a funny thought! Gun-totin' cyclists, unite!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com