Dear Etiquetteer:
In your recent column about what does, and does not, fall under our perception of etiquette, you mention driving. This reminded me of a particular problem that I frequently encounter on the road.
I do not own a car; I travel the city by bicycle. As such, I know that I am supposed to follow the rules of the road for driving (not walking) and am quite compliant. Being compliant often puts me in positions on the road surface that make motor vehicle drivers anxious; especially when I need to make a left turn. Like any driver, I make a left turn by going to the furthest left lane, signaling, and waiting for opposing traffic to clear before I make my turn. A cyclist standing in the middle of the road is an uncomfortable situation for all. As I am exposed on the road surface, drivers in my direction have to either stop or go around on my right, and oncoming drivers are spooked by this guy in yellow with his left arm sticking out. As a result, it is not uncommon for oncoming drivers to stop and wave me on.
Sounds polite, no? Yet it is dangerous. The oncoming car that stops, out of politeness, is actually blocking my view of oncoming traffic. I cannot see if another vehicle is on his or her right. If I accept their good intention and take my turn, I run the risk of getting hit by another vehicle. If I stay put and hand signal that they have right-of-way, it usually winds up with them feeling unappreciated, at best, or cursing me out, at worst.
The rules of right-of-way along our road system are pretty clear, and considering the number of vehicles navigating our streets, they work quite well. When a motorist encounters a cyclist following those rules correctly, the polite thing to do is to slow down, in consideration of the relative heft of a car versus a bicycle, but continue to follow the proper right-of-way. Don't honk at a cyclist who is properly following the rules of the road. Don't signal special treatment for me. Violating right-of-way in favor of some perceived generosity to cyclists actually makes the situation more dangerous.
Dear Cycling:
Etiquetteer, no cyclist, has witnessed similar behavior from motorists offering right of way for pedestrians at green lights, and even for vehicles making left turns. Etiquetteer finds it infuriating; while the motorists believe they are being courteous to the Person for Whom They Have Stopped, they are actually behaving rudely to motorists behind them who just want to go about their business. They are paving their Roadways to Hell with Good Intentions, and they ought to stop it at once.
Or ought they? Your query led Etiquetteer to find out what established opinion might be on the subject. First off, Northeastern University Police back up everything you say in this instructional video on bicycles making left turns in urban traffic. So that’s good. MassBike, a statewide organization in Massachusetts, writes in its section on Laws: “Motorists must yield to oncoming bicyclists when making left turns. The law expressly includes yielding to bicyclists riding to the right of other traffic (e.g., on the shoulder), where they are legally permitted but may be more difficult for motorists to see.” This sounds like it means the motorist is making the left turn, not the bicyclist, which is not at all what you’re asking about. But the MassBike website has a great deal of useful information.
In the meantime, Etiquetteer totally supports you in not making that left turn until you’re good and ready (but is not responsible for the consequences if law enforcement you encounter do not). If you have to suffer the ungracious behavior of motorists, alas, that is part of a Perfectly Antagonistic Driving Environment, especially in Massachusetts, which seems defiantly proud of that very thing. Aggressive driving is so - how to say this? - so affectionately considered a local characteristic that there’s a vulgar nickname for it. Once upon a time flashing the peace sign made a difference. Perhaps now it might be like flashing a red cape in front of a bull . . .
In conclusion, it is very sad that more drivers* are not more committed to associating manners with driving. Unfortunately in Massachusetts, that is more often seen as a sign of weakness than strength. Etiquetteer wishes you a safe arrival at your final destination.
*And bicyclists, particularly those who do not remember their responsibility to yield to pedestrians.