Defuse anti-cyclist road rage

I would add making turn signals obvious. Many car drivers ae nervous about cyclists especially when they turn left. Give them as much information as clearly as you can

lists like this frighten me - It somehow makes it seem like rage against cyclists is due to the individual acts of cyclists. There are times were this may be the case, but lost track of the number of times I've had obscenities hurled at me for no apparent reason. One of my recent favorites was "get the FCK in the bike" while riding on Danforth where, you guessed it, there is no bike lane.
Driving rage is the result of the cognitive dissonance of automobile operators being conditioned to believe that cars are "freedom machines." Instead they find them selves sitting *in traffic, complaining about traffic *and neglecting to consider that they *are traffic.
Lists like the one presented here also highlight a big concern of mine - a lack of basic education about cycling both to cyclists and motorists. We need education in the schools that cultivates a respect and enjoyment for cycling from an early age. For individuals who come to cycling as adults we need accessible, affordable, fun cycling education. While CAN BIKE is a good start - how many people are going to give up three Saturdays to take it? How many more can't sign up for a course because it is not offered in thier language, a location that's convienient or can't afford the cost or time associated with taking it. (not to mention one could not take one right now anyways because of the strike).
In tandem - we need to make getting a driver's licence as challenging as the skills required to drive safely and respectfully as well as reflect the true cost of doing so. (I'd be really curious to know if the fees of the liscensing process cover the operation of the entire process)

While individual acts will make a difference, it's bold actions that require political will that bring the best changes for cycling.

I'm not super concerned about driver road rage...if it's serious enough that I feel threatened, I'll call the cops. It's driver carelessness that freaks me out. The three times that I have been struck by cars this year, it was due to a driver entering the bike lane without looking. I swear I could be wearing a moisture wicking chicken suit (apologies to BikesnobNYC) and a driver would tell me that they didn't see me. Rule number one for cycling in the city is keep your head on a swivel.

That and the police need to start seriously enforcing the cell phone rule, and busting other minor traffic infractions (which turn out to not be so minor when contact with a cyclist or pedestrian is involved).

That's what a list like this is. The only reason we have traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and rigid **driving **rules is because cars are life-threatening: bikes and shoes are not. Before the car these rules largely did not exist, because speed and mass was low enough that they were unecessary. The ideal solution is to be rid of cars, but the species isn't equal to the obvious solution for human and environmental health.

So, instead of the ideal solution, cycle predictably and defensively, make yourself visible, cycle away from confrontations, and realise that few people are going to be on your side in a collision, including the police who drive in from homes in the 905. The exception is if some idiot in a white SUV jumps on you bike in Kensington.

Staying out of the door zone on Queen St. W is not possible, unless you want to ride between the streetcar tracks. This poses a whole other set of issues.

The funny thing is that I've ridden along Queen W from Spadina to Roncesvalles hundreds of times, daytime and evenings, and survived unscathed. It was on Royal York south, a quiet street with bicycle lanes, where a car hit me recently. (I don't think I'd ever been hit by a car in the previous 30 years. I did rear-end a car in about '83, when I thought I could blow a stop sign and the car in front of me stopped again for some traffic.)

The other funny thing is that I really haven't seen a whole lot of road rage directed my way. Perhaps even no rage. The last time I remember someone yelling "get off the road" was somewhere in east Mississauga in the 1980s. I certainly have seen clueless and aggressive driving, but I see the same thing if I'm walking or driving my 1970s Pontiac, so I don't think it's "anti-cyclist road rage" but general idiocy.

My recent riding includes taking the curb lane on busy industrial arteries such as Kipling, Islington, or Evans in south Etobicoke. I also use left-turn lanes to turn left, which is quite a challenge on the Queensway by the 427 (six busy lanes wide) or West Mall at Evans.

By the way, while I don't particularly enjoy riding on Queen West, or along Kipling or Islington, there are not a whole lot of "quiet side streets" that are an alternative. At least not if my goal is to get somewhere.

1. Follow the basic rules of the road. I see too many bicyclists flip flopping between operating as a bike and then a pedestrian, i.e. crossing traffic with pedestrians then flipping back to being like a car. this is very confusing for cars making right turns for example to have a car spring from "traffic" into a pedestrian crossing and then back
2. Signal clearly and early
3. Wave and smile when a car notices you to acknowledge they noticed you (I find they appreciate the fact that we appreciate it)
4. Just don't do anything sudden. Every movement smooth, deliberate, and communicated early through signals or body language.

I think a few have covered things here....

Respect the rules of the road, not necessarily the law - this is akin to cars driving at 120 on the highway, even though the limit is 100 - it's safer to follow suit.

Having awareness for everything around you - you're riding on the road, don't be all daydreamy - save that for the bike paths/parks (though, best not to there either!) - respect the fact you're riding alongside big boxes of metal that can quite easily crush/injure/kill you.

Anticipate actions/behaviour and read the road ahead - plan accordingly. If you see a turn signal for a right turn, don't hug the curb, get the hell away from that turning car and go around to the left (assuming it's safe) - right-hooks are so easily avoided yet so many hug that curb/bike lane like it's going to protect them - it won't, and a lot of drivers don't use their mirrors.

Ride well away from the door zone, around 3 feet is good where possible, it allows you to adjust an extra 6-12" away if someone flings their door open.

Be courteous - if you see someone waiting for you to cross a light, even though you have total right of way, thank them - I like to make this gesture as a "thanks for seeing me" - similarly for people who check their mirrors before opening doors - re-enforce good behaviour.

Ride predictably and confidently, but not aggressively - use your signals where safe/possible (sometimes it's safer to leave your hands on the bars - don't jeopardize your safety for signals) - body language can often signal for you - shoulder checks and lane positioning, etc. help when making left turns or lane changes. If you ride predictably it will help assure drivers you're not going to do something crazy and erratic.

Riding in traffic scares a lot of people, rightly so, education for both sides would hopefully mitigate the fear and create a safer environment for everyone (let's not forget cars get in the way of each other too, there's no "bike vs. car" scenario - it's almost like a gauntlet run regardless, only cyclists have less protection for the "battle".

It'd be nice to see enforcement, but that works both ways - cellphones for all, rolling stop signs, etc. - and I don't see the TPS doing a great deal of enforcement other than their mandatory "bike blitz" each year. In my experience I've seen a good lack of general safety enforcement, even when I've blatantly broken traffic laws in front of officers myself. It would be nice, but I don't see it happening.

Of course, all of this is somewhat moot as a lot of the "cyclists" that cause problems on the road aren't interested in reading cycling websites - we're basically preaching to the choir here - we need education on both sides, possibly a cycling proficiency course in highschools to teach children the basics of road handling and traffic awareness skills.

These lists sure as hell won't stop people riding down my one-way residential street (Roncesvalles village) the wrong way ALL THE TIME, when there's a parallel street in the other direction 15 metres away, nor will it stop people riding on the sidewalks, or barreling along on the wrong side of the road expecting YOU to move into traffic to avoid them. Make a point to correct these people, I've been trying - as futile as it may seem, I always make a "wrong side" or "wrong way" comment where I can.

Here's my contribution. Don't proceed if you can't see any of the traffic lights.
This one caught me yesterday. I was behind a large cube van making a right on a green but waiting for the swarm of pedestrians. There was no way I was going to pass on the right as it wasn't safe (or apparently proper). The truck was already angled part way into the crosswalk. I checked over my left shoulder and waited for a gap to move left. At the time I turned my head and proceeded into the intersection, I realised I couldn't see any of the lights except the pedestrian signal and light off my left which was still red. I had to appologize to the pedestrian who needed to stop for me to get out of her way. Whoops.

You have to balance off your own safety vs. road rage. Of course a driver is going to have more road rage towards a cyclist riding in the middle of a narrow lane than they are if the cyclist is cowering in the gutter where if they are lucky they can squeeze by their shoulder without crossing the white lane. Is this safe? No.

So I'll trade off a bit more comfort for a little more rage.

Some people will get upset at the stupidest things and there isn't much you can do about it. Some people are also inconsistent in what they expect. WHAAAA why are you taking up a lane instead of riding at the edge? WHAAAA why are you passing me on the right at a red light? (well what do you want? cyclists to ride in the gutter or ride like vehicles?)

Often time people will get upset at a cyclist taking a lane in traffic when its so congested that the cyclist is braking continually. ****

Dear random E-cyclist
here's a great video explaining the Idaho Stop Law http://www.vimeo.com/4140910
from a random pEdal-cyclist

I should note that there's a city-wide bike path (some of which are actually bike lanes on streets) that you can use to circumvent Queen St W along the lake - the Martin Goodman Trail. If you don't want to ride on the roads between downtown and Roncesvalles, ride on the MGT - there's a bridge connecting the King/Queen/Queensway/Roncesvalles intersection with the path, and you can hop on it from anywhere - either on Queens Quay or further east when it becomes a sole path near HMCS York.

Another alternative could be College St, this has a bike lane from Bay St. right up until I think Euclid, and from there becomes a similar situation to Queen West.

It should be of no surprise there are massive disconnects in the bike path/bike lane network - and they're not going to put bike lanes everywhere to appease cyclists - riding on the road has to be done at some points, and we just have to live with that.

I personally prefer to take a more direct route, which the bike lanes/paths often don't provide (a bike lane on King or Queen is highly unrealistic and I doubt will ever happen) - so I ride on those roads, and regularly. There was a time I'd stay far far away, but over time I've become used to how to ride on those roads and how to effectively deal with crossing the tracks as needed - sometimes it's a hassle, but there's nothing preventing you from slowing down and stopping when faced with obstacles, instead of tackling the tracks/traffic. Motorists often have to do the same, there's nothing wrong with patiently (or not!) waiting until the way clears.

"I should note that there's a city-wide bike path (some of which are actually bike lanes on streets) that you can use to circumvent Queen St W along the lake - the Martin Goodman Trail. If you don't want to ride on the roads between downtown and Roncesvalles, ride on the MGT - there's a bridge connecting the King/Queen/Queensway/Roncesvalles intersection with the path, and you can hop on it from anywhere - either on Queens Quay or further east when it becomes a sole path near HMCS York."

Yes, the waterfront is an alternative. But it has limitations, so maybe I should have said "no really good alternative to Queen St."?

The major limitations are:
- getting from the waterfront trail to your downtown destinations and vice-versa: navigating the railway underpasses at Yonge, York, or Bay is not for the faint of heart, Spadina is an awful connection because of the Gardiner ramps, and the pavement on Bathurst is in terrible shape (I used Bathurst anyway)
- snow and ice: when I was riding downtown regularly, the trail wasn't cleared and was impassable from December to March
- plain bad weather is worse on by the lake: on a windy, rainy October night I'd rather be on Queen
- ya takes yer chances after dark: just because you have a light doesn't mean you'll see the unlit cyclist or jogger or bollard you crash into (riding westbound from Jameson is the worst, because the headlights of adjacent eastbound Lake Shore traffic are dazzlingly bright)

In fact, except when the path was impassable due to snow, I would use the waterfront trail west of Roncesvalles, out to Park Lawn, in any case. (The Queensway would be okay if the bicycle lanes were swept clear of glass and sand, but they're not.)

The real problem is that there are a lot of work, shop, and entertainment destinations in the Queen corridor, and a fair amount in the King corridor. Most of the destinations along MGT and Queens Quay are more weekend or recreational in nature. MGT is a great part of a ride on a nice day, but it isn't often the only part of a ride, therefore it's out of the way.

College can be useful for some people, although west of Euclid it's the same narrow street that Queen is. I've only ridden on Dundas a couple of times, but it seems like the narrowest and worst of all. (The rail corridor trail will be a great alternative)

Anyone riding from west of High Park has to go around it either to the south or north (or I suppose use some of the pedestrain accesses north of Grenadier Pond to cross to Howard Park or High Park Boulevard). Those who go around the south end are faced with MGT/connector, King, or Queen.

I've walked the length of Argyle St., and it's full of four-way stops and awkward intersections with N-S arteries. It'll be significantly slower riding, and cyclists will still have to connect with Queen to get to their destination as the Golden Turtle seems to be the only place on an Argyle route that I'd stop at. And anyway, an Argyle corridor does not extend the whole length of the Queen St. corridor, while obviously Queen St. does....