If you are a motorist who frequently, or hell, even infrequently, encounters a bicyclist whilst driving, pretty please let me give you a few tips on how to go about this encounter.
First of all, if they're on the road and not the sidewalk be thankful. Yes, be thankful. Sidewalks are for walking and it's actually significantly more dangerous to be riding your bike on a sidewalk. Between other pedestrians and how fast one approaches the cross street on the bicycle (cars won't see the bicyclist as easily as they would see a slow-approaching pedestrian) it's just a recipe for hazard. I'm tellin' ya.
Now, a cyclist on the road should be following the rules of the road. They should be going the correct way down one-way streets, they should be stopping at stop signs and waiting their turn, and they should NOT be riding towards traffic, they should be riding with the flow of traffic on the right side of the road. If a cyclist on the road is not doing these things, then shake your head and your finger at them. Shame, shame to the non-law-abiding cyclists. They're creating more danger for themselves.
If you DO, however, encounter someone on a bike who is following the rules of the road here are a few things you should NOT do. Let's come up with a few scenarios here:
You come to a stop at a stop sign, and then the cyclist comes to the stop sign at the cross-street, STOP waiting for the cyclist to go first. Especially in the dark. I... ehhem, I mean, the cyclist, cannot see what you're trying doing in the dark. You could be waving for him to go, or you could be texting on your phone soon to hit that gas pedal and smash someones head into a bloody pulp. Sorry to be so graphic, but this is what we're dealing with here folks. Rules of the road: You get to the sign first, you go first.
Doing this makes the cyclist have to stop for an extended period of time at the sign to wait for the driver to go. The cyclist loses momentum and it's a pain in the butt to get back to it sometimes when there is, say, a hill right ahead of them.
If you see a cyclist on the right shoulder of the road... DONT PANIC! Driving slowly behind the biker because you have no clue what to do is not actually safer. Just turn your wheels slightly to the left as you gently pass by the person on the bike. It makes everyone happier, trust me. You get to go, and the biker doesn't have someone tailing them for two miles. The cyclist knows that you're an unsafe car to be around by the mere fact that you're terrified to pass him. Just pass him already.
Stop waiting for the cyclist to go first at the stop sign!
There is actually plenty of room on most roads these days for a bike on the shoulder. You may pass a cyclist and wonder why they aren't squeezed over to the side farthest away from the cars. I used to wonder that as a kid. There's PLENTY of room by the curb, right? Actually, there debris, potholes, sticks, puddles, cracks, and all sorts of other unfriendly things nearest the curb of the road. A ride near the curb of the road could mean a blown tire, and right as your passing by the biker loses control because of the blown tire and crashes into a bloody mess right under your car. No fun. Not for anyone. That is why we keep a relatively safe distance from the very edge of the road.
You see, a cyclist should follow the rules of the road. Therefore, if you come to a stop sign first and see a cyclist coming down the opposite street to where there is also a stop sign, GO. Do not go to jail, do not honk your horn, do not collect $200. Do not wait for the cyclist to just keep going. Be aware of them, but just follow the rules of the road.
There are some commonly-known hand signals that cyclist should use. If they're turning left they will put out their left arm straight to signal their left turn. If they are turning right they will put out their left arm at a right angle to signal their right turn. Pay attention.
If you see a cyclist at a stop sign, go when it is your turn. Stop looking at them as if they're just going to glide right in the middle of a four-way stop sign. It's a death-wish. They know it. And generally most cyclists I know don't wish to find themselves under your car. So, if you encounter a cyclist at a stop sign... go when it's your turn.
You have full rights to be just as road rage-y at them if they go when it's not their turn as you do at the common motorist who goes at a stop-sign when it's not their turn.
Oh, and one more. If you encounter a cyclist at a stop sign, go when it's your turn. I don't know if I mentioned that one yet.
Most people who bike on the road are not idiots. They want to keep their life, and they'd rather not be the consistency of stew by the end of their ride. Full human form is best. They are paying attention to every car on the road more than you realize. They are looking at your eyes when you leave your driveway to make sure they see you, they are trying to make eye-contact with you at stop-signs. They listen for you behind them, and they watch you in front of them. They are prepared to stop fast, doge a corner, and get out of the way. They look for your headlights and tail-lights at night. They probably more keenly aware of whats going on on the road than you are in your car. This is good to know so that you can stop treating the cyclist like they are a four-year old who just got their training wheeled taken off.
This may or may not have just come from a slightly frustrating bike ride home from work.
Good night, and good morning.
And try hoping on a bike now and then. It's good for ya'.
