Bus stop problem. Is there a hand gesture I am missing?

[Anonymous]

I ride the bus too and from work. On the way home I get on the bus on a pretty busy 2 lane street right before the corner, maybe 20 feet ahead of the corner.

The stop has no bench, just a sign, and there’s a tree situated that blocks the driver’s view if I am not on the curb so I stand on the curb and wait for the bus, and so every day people stop to let me cross the street. Which of course I don’t want to do. They smile and wave me to go, and I smile and shake my head. In the spring or fall when windows are open I just say “no thank you waiting for the bus!” But now their windows are closed so they can’t hear me. Finally after like 20 seconds they figure something is going on and drive off and the next person comes and smiles and waves at me to go.

It’s heart warming that all these people want to help me with my non problem, but I literally stop traffic on a busy road for several minutes every day. It’s also a weird contrast to other intersections where people speed past illegally when I am in a legal crosswalk walking.

Is there some hand gesture (polite) that would clarify this?

[Anonymous]

Hold your hand up to say “no thanks”, and then point at the bus stop sign.

[Anonymous]

Don’t face the street? Lean against the tree. When you hear it approaching then turn around.

[Anonymous]

Don’t go to the curb until you see the bus coming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hold your hand up to say “no thanks”, and then point at the bus stop sign.

I've tried that. I don't think the drivers can see the bus sign. I think it's too high and they're too close.

I hold up my hand and shake my head, and they're like "No, I insist, please go ahead" in mime language. It's absurdly charming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t go to the curb until you see the bus coming.

Because of the tree, I can't see the bus coming, if I'm not on the curb, and bus can't see me and will just drive past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t face the street? Lean against the tree. When you hear it approaching then turn around.

If you do this, the bus doesn't stop, and so it doesn't make a characteristic sound. The bus has blown past me at this stop many times, unless i'm on the curb. It's a really bad design. I think they chose the location to shade the stop, but the stop should be before the tree not after.

[Anonymous]

Contact the county and explain the problem, asking that the tree be trimmed so that the bus stop is more visible.

[Anonymous]

Make your own sign that says

WAITING FOR BUS. NOT CROSSING. THANKS.

Make sure it is a bit huge picket sign. 🪧

Hold it up when someone stops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Contact the county and explain the problem, asking that the tree be trimmed so that the bus stop is more visible.

So sensible. Better than a picket. I was going to post for her to have it laminated for rainy days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Contact the county and explain the problem, asking that the tree be trimmed so that the bus stop is more visible.

This.

[Anonymous]

Just look down, away from the street. People won’t think you want to cross if you’re standing casually looking at your phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just look down, away from the street. People won’t think you want to cross if you’re standing casually looking at your phone.

OP here, the opposite is true.

I have another place I cross regularly where traffic doesn't stop if you look at them. Because they figure they can bully you into letting them past, even though the pedestrian has the legal right of way there. But if I pull out my phone and look at the screen, they stop because they think I might step into traffic randomly. It works like 90% of the time.

At this spot, where ironically it wouldn't be legal for me to cross, looking at my phone doesn't help or hurt, since they all stop anyway. I don't know why this particular suburban MD street has all the polite, but slightly clueless drivers, whereas the one on the other end, also on a suburban MD street gets people who like to play chicken.

[Anonymous]

Stand where you’ve been standing, but turn around so your back is to the curb. You should still be able to see the bus. If you’re facing the road, an approaching bus is 90 degrees to the side, same if you turn fully around. I think you’ll feel and look silly, but it’ll work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just look down, away from the street. People won’t think you want to cross if you’re standing casually looking at your phone.

OP here, the opposite is true.

I have another place I cross regularly where traffic doesn't stop if you look at them. Because they figure they can bully you into letting them past, even though the pedestrian has the legal right of way there. But if I pull out my phone and look at the screen, they stop because they think I might step into traffic randomly. It works like 90% of the time.

At this spot, where ironically it wouldn't be legal for me to cross, looking at my phone doesn't help or hurt, since they all stop anyway. I don't know why this particular suburban MD street has all the polite, but slightly clueless drivers, whereas the one on the other end, also on a suburban MD street gets people who like to play chicken.

Haha especially if they’re residents where they see you everyday. They have a neighborhood pool going for the first to make you cross over.