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Last full day in the Bay Area for this trip. San Francisco, you can be fun. And you’re getting better for cyclists. But man, biking in this town can be downright scary. I’m glad that they’re putting in more Uber drop off—er—bike lanes in. But I tip my hat to the daily bike commuter in the City By The Bay. #ualbayareatripjanfeb2019 #bikecommute #bikinginsf (at City Hall) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtfA1kUgK4K/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fq2rm472poc7
Two close calls with bad drivers today. This one was on the way home at the Townsend roundabout which drivers are notoriously bad at.
I followed the taxi into the roundabout as usual, drafting on a larger vehicle that other cars can see since it's safer, especially at night. Note that I was further left than the other bikes, taking the lane to indicate I was staying in the roundabout. Then the woman in the silver car directly behind us at the roundabout went straight through, blasting past me on the left, cutting me off as I was veering left to continue around the roundabout to my turn.
She had to have seen me as I entered the roundabout directly in front of her.
If I hadn't heard her accelerate I probably would have gotten creamed. One of the reasons I don't wear headphones while biking despite how nice it would be to have a soundtrack for my ride.
Watch the taxi merge since his lane is ending and turning into a bike lane, but then decide that he needs to be back in the bike lane for some reason. Despite the fact that he didn't have a lane to switch into, his turn signal was also broken. I have no idea what he was planning to do. Luckily I noticed his front wheels turned and had my hands on my brakes.
Arrow Checker Cab S64 License #16242G1
Keep an eye on the woman on the right, we'll call her Miss Inconsiderate. We were ahead of her when we got to the light at 3rd and Townsend. There was a taxi turning right, so the line of bikes went to the left of the taxi. Miss Inconsiderate came up on the right next to us and stopped behind the taxi. (Also note guy trying to pass the taxi on the right) As we went around the taxi and into the intersection, Miss Inconsiderate muscled her way through a hole too small for her bike, making the cyclist on the left make the decision to either hold her ground and risk Miss Inconsiderate taking her out, or go into traffic in the lane to the left. Luckily there was space to get through the intersection and nothing bad happened.
However after the intersection, Miss Inconsiderate decided she was intent on passing people on the right, coming mere inches from several cyclists to her left and in front of her. To top it off, she ran the red light while there was a car coming into the intersection and pedestrians about to cross.
What should have happened: If you're on a bike, queue up behind other cyclists rather than trying to pass them. Bunching up in the front serves only to make the intersection more dangerous as everyone jockeys for the bike lane on the other side. Also, avoid passing on the right. You could get doored, you could encounter an obstacle outside the bike lane (notice the parking sign Miss I. had to slow to avoid), and you could force other cyclists into traffic. If you must pass, take the lane and pass on the left. Also, don't run red lights.
Waiting for the second of two sets of lights at the intersection of Divison St, Portrero Ave, and Brannan St. The red lights of this intersection are regularly run by cyclists. It's a dangerous intersection with cars coming from all sides. I've almost gotten hit here twice when going through on a green light. The first cyclist to blow past through the red light even had a puppy in his backpack.
What should have happened: Cyclists should have just waited for the light to change. As you can see I quickly caught back up to them.
Side Note: While the above video is of the 2nd set of lights, a lot of cyclists will ride through the first set of lights when the pedestrian walk signal is on and then wait for the next light. This allows cars to turn right onto 10th st/Portrero without trying to sneak around bikes. In my opinion, it's one of those legal grey areas where bending the rules (crossing in a pedestrian crosswalk without dismounting) is actually safer and more convenient for everyone.
Riding north on 2nd st, between Harrison and Folsom. Camera shake is due to the rough road. The white truck obviously did not look for cyclists when opening his door, as I was only a car length away. Luckily I was mostly taking the lane, so my swerve wasn't into a car.
What should have happened: Check your side mirrors people! Even when there's not a bike lane. You spend half a second checking vs a cyclist spending hours in the emergency room.
License Plate: 7X08840
Coming down 14th St towards the intersection with Mission St. The green truck changed lanes, but did not have a turn signal on to turn right, so I went past him. The black Audi did not have their right turn signal on either plus they were not in the bike lane (see Bike Lanes & Right Turns), so I assumed I could continue through the intersection, remaining in my lane. The car's last minute turn right, then blocked by pedestrians means I had to throw on my brakes to avoid.
What should have happened: The black Audi should have been in the bike lane with their turn signal on prior to the intersection.
License Plate: 6TDL496
Pulled up to the stop sign at the Townsend roundabout. Stopped, and then followed the white car into the roundabout. You'll notice the van to my left. He left the stop sign at the same time as me. He definitely saw me, I looked him in the eye, then he sped up and cut me off to take his exit from the roundabout without any signaling.
I bike this roundabout almost every day. I've learned that following a car into the intersection but immediately getting behind them so they can go straight is the safest approach. This gives me protection from both cars in the roundabout as well as ones trying to enter the roundabout as cars generally see other cars, while bikes are often invisible.
What should have happened: The van shouldn't have been a jerk. He should have maintained his speed and turned on his turn signal.
License Plate: 19390B1
