I suppose I’d do a lot more traffic reporting if much ever happened. Most days I have a very pleasant ride downtown in the morning. I usually go back and forth between there and campus a couple of times. Then I head home in the afternoon. That works out to about 10 miles most days — all of it riding in traffic except for the MSU Bikeway.
Today was a bit different — nothing too dramatic.
On my way downtown I waved a driver through an intersection where he was trying to make a left turn. I was coming toward him in the opposite direction. I had the right of way. I was traveling at a very modest pace. He was edging into the intersection wondering what to do ( I assume from subjective clues, e.g. “edging”). I waved him through ahead of me because there was plenty of time for him to safely clear the intersection before I arrived. I do this anytime I detect a driver is having difficulty judging my speed/intentions. Saves everyone time. And it removes a potentially dangerous situation from my life.
Later, while riding east on E. St. Louis St around noon, I encountered odd situation in which a woman in a sedan was unwilling to pass me. This portion of E. St. Louis has three lanes — two driving lanes and a center turn lane. I like riding these streets because I can take a commanding position in the lane and cars can move smoothly around me using the center lane. Except for this woman. She was creeping behind me, and traffic was piling up behind her.
I was just about to wave her around when I heard a honk from the pickup truck directly behind her. I looked around. Frowned. Waved. She passes me looking stricken and confused. The driver of the pickup yells something at me. I didn’t catch it, but the tone told me he wasn’t wishing me a good day.
So this was my fault?
This is day number 2 of Bike to Work Week.