I love honk reports. I love them because they remind me and all my readers just how rare these little moments of rudeness are in Springfield. I was last honked at while walking in a crosswalk on 26 January. But you have to go all the way back to 12 November for the last time I was honked at while riding my bicycle.
So there I was, minding my own business, when all of a sudden a guy in an SUV honks at me. And for what? Well, you decide:
I was heading east on Walnut Lawn. I signaled and changed lanes to make a left turn onto Jefferson. The light was red. I waited behind a car and the honker in the SUV was behind me.
When the light turned green and it was safe to make the left, the car in front of me proceeded into the intersection. I followed. The pace was slow. I was matching the speed of the lead car in the turn.
Jefferson at this point is a wide, residential road. As the lead car proceeded north, I was able to keep up pace for a few more seconds. I positioned myself roughly where the right tire track is. The lead car pulled away. And the SUV guy made his move to pass. Remember: wide, residential street. I mean really wide. And few parked cars. None near us.
- Keeping pace. Check
- Good lane positioning. Check.
- Plenty of room to share. Check.
Beep.
He honked at me!
Wow.
Comments 7
I’m inspired. Coincidentally, I have a honk report of my own that I took special pains to collect today. Psychic alignment and all that…
Posted 30 Mar 2010 at 9:53 pm ¶Steve… Psychic alignment is cool
Posted 31 Mar 2010 at 12:29 pm ¶I’m jealous. I haven’t gotten a single honk since I started utilitly cycling last May.
I’m almost angry at how polite the drivers are when you ride properly (tongue firmly in cheek).
Posted 01 Apr 2010 at 8:37 am ¶It’s been about a month and a half since I’ve been honked at. Though I did have some jerk in a jaguar purposely pass me within a couple inches on my residential street a couple weeks ago.
Sunday, Lisa & I took a trip out to the sprawl zone to check out a route for someone who wants to try commuting. All motorists were courteous, one even waved and offered a peace sign when we moved over to let her pass before a median-separated section of road.
Posted 01 Apr 2010 at 10:31 am ¶A.J and Keri… Excellent. Slowly but surely things are getting better
Posted 01 Apr 2010 at 1:24 pm ¶I’m not attractive enough to get honked at, Andy.
Posted 01 Apr 2010 at 1:43 pm ¶Matt… Try one of these: http://www.wigs.com/product_info.php?products_id=417
Posted 01 Apr 2010 at 6:01 pm ¶