Don't Honk at Me---It's Illegal & RUDE!

I cannot believe the ignorance of people sometimes. It clearly states in the Nebraska Driver's Manual, "Do not blast a vehicle's horn when approaching a bicyclist." I got honked and yelled at twice yesterday! Those people only succeeded in making themselves look like asses because of their ignorance. And because they were the only one breaking any laws.

Bullying a bicyclist must feel really powerful to those that do it.

As it states in the NE driver's manual, "A person riding a bicycle has all the same rights and responsibilities as a driver of a motor vehicle; bicyclists must obey traffic laws."

Here's how to think of a cyclist: They are a tractor.

Since bicycles are typically slower than cars, trucks, etc., think of them as a tractor. They are still a vehicle but they are incapable of going as fast. So what should a driver do? Wait until it is safe to pass and go around. Simple.

Remember though, when you go around, give 3 feet of room to the left of the cyclist as also stated in the NE driver's manual, "Motorists overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction should leave a safe distance of no less than 3 feet clearance, when applicable, when passing a bicycle and shall maintain such clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle."

A bicyclist is no match for a vehicle weighing thousands of pounds and it sucks a cyclist cannot stop a vehicle from taking chances with their life. The value of that life is more important than valuing getting to a destination 8 seconds faster. More people need to be patient, fair, and show respect for the fact that cyclists who commute have the right to use the road and should be able to do that as safely as possible.