Was riding home, this Friday before Christmas. Good time to be on a bike – the freeway was packed, the main roads were jammed, and many drivers were desperately trying their secret back ways to get through the press and meeting little luck. But on a bike, with plenty of bike lanes, it’s the usual commute home.

South on 1792, down an endless lane of traffic. Up in the seat, watching over the roofs to make sure nobody is getting waved through (love that trick). And up ahead, I see a big FUV who’d played the timid game (or set himself up for no good reason for a distant right turn) and who is now sitting squat in my bike lane. Just great. I’ve got another car nosing across the sidewalk so I can’t go up and around that way. I’m just taking in the angles, seeing if maybe I can swing out between him and the car behind him, down his left, and back around his hood (done that before and with motionless traffic it’s just maneuvering around big obstacles).

When suddenly, the FUV tucks its wheels hard left and wiggles over, clearing my lane.

That amazed me – first, that a motorist was paying any sort of attention at all, especially down their right side at an overtaking bicycle. And second, that they would put themselves out in the slightest to make it easier for me.

I did what I always do in those occasional times that motorists take an interest in alternative transportation (read as: yield the road to a cyclist) – I gave a big friendly wave as I went past, as open, honest, and thankful as I can. After all, it’s pleasant when motorists are nice, even if its maybe only because it’s Christmas.

But thanks all the same!

>>>CYCLING IS DANGEROUS. I COULD BE KILLED. GET MY BOOK BEFORE MY DEATH DRIVES IT TO PROMINENCE!<<<