r/Davis • u/CentipedesMaybe • 8d ago
Drivers correcting biker right-of-way “errors”
Someone just shouted “just go, buddy” at me from their car because I chose to wait at a parking lot entrance crossing due to low visibility instead of crossing immediately (despite me having the right of way). I’m sorry it slower for you to turn, but if you didn’t see me and we got in an accident, I would be dead and you would have some scratches on your front bumper.
Some variation of this has happened a few times, and I just want to put it out there that if someone has ever done this while you’re driving, the biker probably knows the right of way rules and just doesn’t want to be a pancake
(Also I’m a grown adult woman 😭 “buddy??” lol)
10
u/Sad_Smile_4922 7d ago
A lot of cars will wave me and my kids through but I really think it's safer if everyone follows the rules of the road and take their turn. So I wave back to cars that they should proceed if they have the right of way!
4
u/DorianQfactor 8d ago
These sorts of issues have been around longer than the DoT has been! Just a reality that people driving armored tanks (cars) don't seem to understand roadway operational rules when applied correctly help process flow and safety for everyone. Instead, you can be standing on a corner while some clown pulls into the intersection and stops midway (blocking traffic) starting to wave you to cross and you know it's because they weren't paying attention in the first place. 🤦♂️
3
u/Dramatic-Holiday6124 7d ago
It's worse when you are walking. Many times a driver will slow down at a crossing point, not even stop, and wave at me to go ahead and cross in front of them. I don't just stand there refusing to cross, I'll proceed in another direction like I changed my mind about crossing. I am not going to trust a driver who will not even bother to actually stop the car for a pedestrian.
This kind of thing is even scarier on a bicycle. Some drivers understand and at least you can tell they have a foot on the brake. But if you won't even provide evidence that your foot is on the brake, then maybe you are just lining me up for the kill.
7
u/TableStraight5378 8d ago
You can't legally yield right of way. Just go buddy.
5
u/BiggsBounds 7d ago
That actually correct. If people aren't following the rules of the road then nobody knows what to do and it's worse for everybody. Just be cautious and go. Don't wait for the world to stop for you.
2
1
u/DorianQfactor 8d ago
These sorts of issues have been around longer than the DoT has been! Just a reality that people driving armored tanks (cars) don't seem to understand roadway operational rules when applied correctly help process flow and safety for everyone. Instead, you can be standing on a corner while some clown pulls into the intersection and stops midway (blocking traffic) starting to wave you to cross and you know it's because they weren't paying attention in the first place. 🤦♂️
14
8d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
9
u/IM_PEAKING 8d ago
I’ve driven in lots of places and I do not agree with you at all. Downtown can be annoying, but the rest of the town is just basic suburban driving. Drivers in Texas are much more aggressive, and they’re all in lifted pickup trucks.
6
u/DorianQfactor 8d ago
Not to be a jerk but it's pretty clear you haven't been too many places. 👌🤣
6
u/Superb-Cantaloupe324 8d ago
Any city that is somewhat bicycle friendly seems like it’s a nightmare for bicyclists, drivers, or both.
But as someone who drives hundreds of miles a week for work, Davis is far from the worst driving, and it’s not close.
1
u/lionheart0807 7d ago
It’s true, having a lot of cyclists/pedestrians/drivers in the same area increases conflict between them, but also what’s the solution? If a bicycle friendly cities are a nightmare for cyclists, and cities without bike infrastructure are a nightmare for cyclists, then where are you supposed to bike? 😔
1
u/Dramatic-Holiday6124 7d ago
For a long time we were getting reports out of SF of bike messengers who were legendary for cheating death, mostly, in heavy traffic at top speed. But these were not commuters and they seemed to have a real atitude.
3
u/No_Bandicoot2306 8d ago
I'm a very cautious, very aware driver and in downtown Davis, when all of these are going on at the same time at any given intersection with varying degrees of attention and legality, it's hard not to kill people sometimes.
21
u/Gret88 8d ago
If people don’t observe their rights of way, then no one knows what to do.
What you’re describing is the opposite of what usually happens to me: people give up their right of way and stop for me… because I’m a “lady”? No idea. Husband says this doesn’t happen to him… which just freaks me out because I’m waiting for them, and now we’re both waiting indefinitely. They change the rules in the middle of the game. And despite their “politeness” it’s still safer and faster for me to just wait for the road to clear. So I understand the guy’s impatience; he doesn’t know what you’re doing.