lane change and... stop?

Five bad decisions in a few seconds:

1. Black Cayenne SUV accelerates towards obstructed intersection (why?).
2. Lexus pulls into shoulder (w/o signal) to avoid car turning left at intersection and is probably surprised by the blue minivan turning left in front; Lexus then slows to a crawl as if about to stop just past the intersection (w/o signal).
3. should the minivan have realized that the Lexus might have used the shoulder to pass on the inside? Perhaps.
4. cyclist assumes Lexus is stopping and passes on left (my bad?).
5. Lexus starts to pull out, earning a "what are you doing man?" Lexus then pulls into the road behind the SUV (again, w/o signalling. There's a red Montclair fire truck right behind her too).

Why the deceleration as if stopping? Answers on a postcard! Perhaps the Lexus driver was freaked out by the unexpected minivan and my dual rather bright flashing NiteRider UltraFazer 5.0's ? Did the driver think I was law enforcement (I was also wearing a dayglo and black jacket)?

NiteRider UltraFazer 5.0: http://www.niterider.com/prod_ultrafazer5.shtml

Btw, I'm only posting this so my friends in Albion can see that it rains here too -- sometimes.

p.s. Note that these clips show relatively rare events. I log hundreds of miles of riding that you don't see on yt and most of my rides are without incident. In fact, most motorists I encounter on my suburban route are considerate, law-abiding, patient, skilled drivers with the ability to judge speed and distance. It's a shame about the other 1%.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• road
• bike

[meadvale]

Mark - remember that there is always a possibility that the driver is unstable/high/drunk. He could get out of the car and ruin your day - or worse (esp in US) My advice would be never to shout at a motorist - (even though you want to)

Take it from a fellow cyclist who was chased and knocked unconscious by a mad porche driver

[xchopp]

@meadvale Drivers around here are a joy in comparison to British drivers -- I know this from watching hours of yt video from gaz545, kmcyc and other UK cyclists. Just occasionally you see some weird behavior, like this stop by this Lexus lady: maybe she thought my rapidly flashing ultraphazers were a cop pulling her over? Also: "what you doin' man?" is pretty tame. I agree it's better not to shout -- that's why I use my "horn" instead.

[meadvale]

Mark - remember that there is always a possibility that the driver is unstable/high/drunk. He could get out of the car and ruin your day - or worse (esp in US) My advice would be never to shout at a motorist - (even though you want to)

Take it from a fellow cyclist who was chased and knocked unconscious by a mad porche driver

[xchopp]

@meadvale Also: I had to let her know quickly that I was there on her left as she had started to pull out unexpectedly.

[xchopp]

Yes indeedy!

[mulletmanFOWfan]

You missed bad decision number 1.

Buys Porsche Cayenne. ;-)