Sunday, February 7, 2010

Biker/Driver Relations

I bike through the city and get honked at a lot. I'm not doing anything wrong, or at least anything that would encourage someone to honk at me. There a lot of short blocks and street lights, so at least half the time and without even trying I'll catch up to the person who honked while passing me. It's awkward. I usually bend down to peer into their car window to get an idea of who it is. They never look back. I try to refrain from knocking on their window just in case they keep a gun in the car to shoot potential carjackers. Unless they recklessly endanger my life, I try not to antagonize these people since that wouldn't be helpful for cyclist/driver relations. Through an open van window, I once suggested to a driver that he need not honk when passing me. I ride in the city, so I see a lot of cars that pass me. If they all honked, it would make a lot of needless racket. He turned and looked at me, his brows knitted in confusion, and he shook his head to indicate he didn't know what I was talking about. But I know he knew. Some people are a lot less comfortable when they're not driving away from you.

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