Bicyclist Peeves

I've been compiling a mental list of pet peeves while biking to work and thought I'd jot them down. The overarching pet peeve is behaving unpredictably - whether a car, another cyclist, or pedestrian. Unpredictable actions too often lead to close calls! So, in that vein:

Motorists:

• Please use turn signals so I know you are going to suddenly change lanes or turn.
• This one sounds weird, but please don't try to "be nice" by stopping where there is no stop or slowing down for me - I'm paying attention to you, really! and planning ahead based on your rate of speed, stop signs etc. Your kindness doesn't always make my ride easier.
• That being said, no need to purposely be an ass either.
• Do you really think you can text and drive safely?!?! Or make that left turn in the busy intersection while chatting away on your phone?!? Answer: no, you cannot.
• Don't cut off bicyclists. Ever. But especially in rain or snow - our brakes are less effective then, so really really don't cut us off.
• Please obey traffic laws. Simple as that.

Bicyclists:

• When passing another bicyclist, whistle, cough, say "on your left," yell "yahhoooey!" - anything. Just let them know you're there!
• If you're a slower bicyclist, please stay to the right-ish and don't elbow your way to the front of the pack at the light just so everyone has to pass you. Again.
• Don't ride the wrong way in the bike lane. I will play chicken with you - and win.
• Please obey traffic laws.

Pedestrians:

• Don't stand in the bike lane. Seriously. Some chick swore at me when I pointed out she was standing in the bike lane - would you stand in the middle of the street??? No???? Then don't stand in the bike lane.
• If you're going to jaywalk, hustle your ass across the street, don't saunter. And try looking to the left, where the traffic is coming from. Why do half the pedestrians I see look right before stepping into the street? They can't all be from the UK/Australia/Japan/Hong Kong.
• Don't start crossing the street when the countdown is on "4." You know you won't make it and that everyone is going to want to mow you down when the light turns green.
• Don't walk into a bicyclist's path. Some of us do go fast. And it will hurt (both of us!) when we hit you.

I'm sure I have more... what it really comes down too is being aware of all of the other users of the road and respecting everyone. And that goes for bicyclists, too; this isn't a harangue against "cagers" (i.e. drivers). I see illegal, rude, and stupid behavior by every mode of transport every day. But if we are all more aware and more courteous, we can all be a lot safer out there.