Rich Clark <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
|
| "J Asking" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
|
news:[email protected]...
| > If it's OK for cyclists to ring bell on their bicycle as they approach innocent walkers on the
| > footpath, then is it OK for car drivers to honk their horns as they approach cyclists?
|
| These are not analogous relationships.
|
| Assuming you're really talking about a multi-use path, where both cyclists and pedestrians are in
| fact entitled to be, then the rules of the path are applicable. What defines "OK" are the posted
| rules, plus courtesy and
safety
| considerations. (If it's really a "footpath," then a bike shouldn't be on
it
| at all.) Signalling peds that you're approaching is often either required or indicated.
|
| On the road, almost everywhere in the US, both the car and the bike are governed by traffic laws.
| The cyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as any other vehicle. The car driver who
| honks when approaching a cyclist is making it clear that he doesn;'t really
understand
| this, since it's the responsibility of the passing vehicle to do so safely or not at all, and the
| rules and methods for passing are clearly laid out
in
| the traffic code. If a vehicle is passing safely, warning the vehicle
being
| passed should not be necessary, and may cause confusion.
|
| RichC
|
To me, the distant horn tap from the approaching motorist is a welcome sound, which I will typically
acknowledge with a friendly wave. Almost instantly, many things are communicated: There is a
car/truck approaching( at a distance I can somewhat judge) The motorist sees me, and with my
acknowledging wave, knows I am aware of their presence.
(S)he has an understanding of safe bicycle/motor vehicle encounters.
(T)he is not going to sneak up on me and (undeservedly) lay on the horn, or intentionally do
something to surprise me.
I find it to be an act of great courtesy on the part of the motorist, and one I extend as a motorist
to other cyclists.
Of far greater import than: "...governed by traffic laws.... cyclist has the same rights and
responsibilities as any other vehicle.. ...the traffic code." is the desire on my part, as well as
most motorists to remain safe, which can be maintained with greater efficacy by simple, common
sense, human courtesy beyond the observation of legal responsibilities which enforce only the
lowest common denominator of any behavior. ED3