When to honk at a bicyclist

Dear fellow Bellevue residents:

I ride every day through our city to and from work. Despite what some
Seattleites say, this is a great place to ride. But lately, Bellevue
motorists have been honking at me. I'm not quite sure why this has
happened -- maybe the election is getting people worked up? Anyway, I think
I need to review with you all when to honk, and when not to honk, at a
bicyclist.

When not to honk:

1. When you just happen to be passing by the bicyclist. Believe me, I was
aware of your Esclanade a long time before you even thought about honking.

2. When I am at or in the intersection. Initially, I can accelerate faster
than a motor vehicle in an intersection. I am not slowing you down any more
than if I were in a car. So chill.

3. When I am going approximately at or above the speed limit. Yes, you might
want to go 40 mph down the hill by Phantom Lake, but the speed limit is 30.
If I am descending the hill at 32 mph, I am going to be in front of you. You
wouldn't honk at a car more or less obeying the speed limit, would you? So
why honk at a bike?

4. When I am going the same speed as the rest of traffic. So, we're going
down Eastgate Way at 30 mph and the speed limit is 35. So you honk at me.
But LOOK, there's a Metro bus in front of me. The reason why you and I are
both going 30 mph is because the bus is going 30 mph. Even if I somehow
miraculously vaporized at your honking, the Metro bus is still going to be
in front of you going 30, and you aren't going to going any faster. Got
that?

When to honk:

1. When someone is facing imminent death, and you think that honking might
somehow avert a fatal accident.

2. When you're my good friend, and you want to catch my attention so we can
wave at each other. (Hi Kathy!)

3. When you want me and probably everyone in the immediate vicinity to know
that you are a complete, brain-dead, total, doofus.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope to never hear from you
(except those good friends -- you may continue to tootle so we can wave at
each other) again.


--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
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Home of the meditative cyclist:
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