Harassing driver, need advice.

Lets watch the language, etc.... here, gentlemen.
This isnt whine & cheese you're in.
If you've used profanity here. I highly suggest you edit it now.
 
As an avid rider, be safe. Learn the laws/ rules in your area. Maybe stick to more bike friendly areas until you're in better shape and used to riding again. After you get your legs back, then go fight the good fight. Remember that bicycles also have to obey the same laws as other vehicles. The only accident I've ever been in after years of riding, I was the driver (and I believe as a rider I am more aware and vigilant about bicyclists than a lot of others). A bicyclist flew threw a red light and into the side of my truck. Not only did he get a ride in an ambulance, he got to pay to repair the damage to my truck.
Be safe, use your head, report the idiot, and most of all don't let your temper take over. A 3,500lb car isn't going to care if you or it's driver is right as it's crushing the life out of you.
 
The poor fellow in this article was the brother in-law of a friend of mine. Your concerns are very real. It's very hard to win this battle and you aren't going to win it with force. The best advise is to report him and stay out of his way for a while. Then work with your city for bike lane formation, educating the public, etc. etc.

- - - Cycling in the News - - -

Louisville Responds Admirably to Tragedy

Excerpted from the Louisville Courier-Journal

More than 2,000 yellow-shirted bikers waited at the entrance to the Clark Memorial Bridge on August 12 to take off on a memorial bike ride for George “Chips” Cronen, a bicyclist who was struck and killed by a van on the bridge on July 3. "This tragedy has catalyzed the Louisville cycling community and city government," said League Executive Director Andy Clarke. "This crash will hasten the bicycle friendliness of the entire community." Riders included Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson; Andy Clarke, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists; and Ed Tonini, the event organizer, Cronen’s brother-in-law and vice president of advocacy for the Louisville Bicycle Club. "Louisville has very aggressive plans for bike lanes, the circle of parks, a multitude of multilane paths,” Tonini said. “We’re starting to see a more comprehensive signage plan for instructing motorists and cyclists alike as to what their responsibility under the law actually is.” Sharrows — pavement markings on the bridge indicating that motorists must yield to bicyclists — were also revealed.
 
cncpro11 said:
I didn't say anything about dicing with road rage nuts. I simply said to take up more of the lane so he is more visible to drivers, and make them move over to go around.
3 feet from the curb on a bicycle is recommended, that is common sense bicycling.

I can't imagine anyone in this thread is seriously telling the OP to resort to violence or do anything stupid, and I have no idea how you got that out of my post.
Click to expand...

You assume the person driving the motor vehicle will go around him rather than over him. These days, that's like playing Russian Roulette with an automatic. For all you know, that may be exactly what is setting this person off - having to swerve an inch out of his routine.
 
cncpro11 said:
I didn't say anything about dicing with road rage nuts. I simply said to take up more of the lane so he is more visible to drivers, and make them move over to go around.
3 feet from the curb on a bicycle is recommended, that is common sense bicycling.

I can't imagine anyone in this thread is seriously telling the OP to resort to violence or do anything stupid, and I have no idea how you got that out of my post.
Click to expand...

It's not really a problem with me being visible. It's more likely a problem with the visibility of certain anatomical features of his.

FLymon said:
Are you one of these A-holes that passes cars waiting at a red light so that the same car has to pass you twice (or maybe more times) in medium to heavy traffic?
Do you go through red lights?
If not, then you have every right to be upset, and should report a repeat offender.

I drive in the city every week day, and the few bikes I see, almost without exception, do the above two things. I always give plenty of room when passing a cyclist, but if they pass me in the 2 feet between my car and the curb when I am at a light, then that is all the room they get when I go back by them after the light changes.
It's not right to have to deal with the same bike again and again in traffic.
Click to expand...

I don't ride in heavy traffic, these are little back roads where drivers can easily go around anyone walking or on a bike.
 
FLymon said:
I drive in the city every week day, and the few bikes I see, almost without exception, do the above two things. I always give plenty of room when passing a cyclist, but if they pass me in the 2 feet between my car and the curb when I am at a light, then that is all the room they get when I go back by them after the light changes.
It's not right to have to deal with the same bike again and again in traffic.
Click to expand...

Your car is presumably stationary when he passes you at the lights. 2 tons of vehicle passing a 20mph bicycle at 30mph is a completely different proposition. Do you always drive within 6" of the kerb? After all, it's the space you leave when you park your car, if motion makes no difference, why do you need to drive in the middle of the lane? Cyclists are allowed to filter past cars queuing at the lights. Why should the cyclist have to be held up because of your inappropriate choice of transport? Medium to heavy traffic means you will be passed often by the same cyclist, Suck it up and learn to share the road, princess.
 
As a Jersey rider,I can tell you that I try as hard as I can to stay off busy roadways. Advice such as contacting local LEO's,videotaping is more useless and hassle than it's worth. The cops in my town are less than useless and would not give this a second thought unless I was literally run over.

I prefer to pack my bike into the car and travel a short distance to a great park with nice trails and bike paths.If that's not an option,then change your route.This guy has a screw loose and the last thing you should do is antagonize an idiot like this.There are crazies on the roads these days and you do not want to poke the bear.It's not being a "chicken " but simply being smarter than him.
With spring around the corner,go out and enjoy the riding and stay put of his way.
 
Last edited:
Many states have upgraded laws in recent years dealing with dangerous practices and harassment of cyclists. I agree with the picture-taking part... Document the incidents.

Yes, there are a lot of cyclists who behave badly as well. That may be annoying to motorists but it hardly justifies actions which may result in the death or serious injury of the guy on the bike.
Part of the "Effective Cycling" theory is that "Cyclists fare best in traffic when they act like other vehicles." That includes stopping at traffic control devices and signalling and all that.
It also includes "taking a lane" when necessary.
In countries where cyclists form a large share of the public road traffic, there tends to be fewer problems. Drivers are used to them and don't get all bent out of shape at a few seconds delay.
 
mwerner said:
Part of the "Effective Cycling" theory is that "Cyclists fare best in traffic when they act like other vehicles." That includes stopping at traffic control devices and signalling and all that.
It also includes "taking a lane" when necessary.
In countries where cyclists form a large share of the public road traffic, there tends to be fewer problems. Drivers are used to them and don't get all bent out of shape at a few seconds delay.
Click to expand...
Where I am this is the law. Cyclists are required to stop and signal, which most (myself included sometimes) don't. There's a three foot 'buffer' zone that drivers are supposed to respect. Cyclists are however not allowed to ride two abreast in traffic. Cyclist are also required to pull over far enough to allow cars to safely pass once three or more cars are behind them as not to impede traffic (just like any other slow moving vehicle, such a tractor). It would be nice if everyone could just get along, but sadly that's not the case. Most people seem oblivious to the laws.
That being said GW, use your head. Yes it sucks having to alter your route but it beats becoming a greasy spot on the road. Even though the incident I was involved in was different in that the cyclist was the one at fault (decided red lights didn't apply to him), it was messy. Trying to hold pressure on someones bleeding leg as they flop around with a head wound wasn't a lot of fun. It kept me off my bike for a while. Just remember that although you might be right, it's not a game and there's no reset button.
 
Mount a cam on the handle bars of your bike and record your daily commute. That way you will have the evidence at hand. The big problem is that historically roads were designed for motor vehicles, and sidewalks for pedestrians, but nothing for bikes. Cyclists should form a lobby group and ask for tax levies on bikes and bike parts and a licensing system for cyclists and pool that money into bike paths and bike infrastucture in the same manner motorists pay for their roads they use through fuel taxes, licenses and so forth.
 
nozyk said:
As a Jersey rider,I can tell you that I try as hard as I can to stay off busy roadways. Advice such as contacting local LEO's,videotaping is more useless and hassle than it's worth. The cops in my town are less than useless and would not give this a second thought unless I was literally run over.

I prefer to pack my bike into the car and travel a short distance to a great park with nice trails and bike paths.If that's not an option,then change your route.This guy has a screw loose and the last thing you should do is antagonize an idiot like this.There are crazy assholes on the reaods these days and you do not want to poke the bear.It's not being a "chicken shit" but simply smarter than him.
With spring around the corner,go out and enjoy the riding and stay put of his way.
Click to expand...

Are your local police the state police? Because with them, you're lucky if they'll even show up to a murder scene.

I used to ride through the local state park, but that stupid derecho storm flattened it and they have yet to clean up the trails. It's great If I want to go photograph woodpeckers though, it's nothing but rotting snags, woodpecker heaven. In the fall I was taking the bike out to the wildlife refuge, Sandy fixed that problem. They should have the refuge road back together soon so I should be able to get a few months of riding in there before greenhead season. I tried Wharton State Forest but I wrecked my bike after a mile and never got to try again.

jstrykr74 said:
That being said GW, use your head. Yes it sucks having to alter your route but it beats becoming a greasy spot on the road. Even though the incident I was involved in was different in that the cyclist was the one at fault (decided red lights didn't apply to him), it was messy. Trying to hold pressure on someones bleeding leg as they flop around with a head wound wasn't a lot of fun. It kept me off my bike for a while. Just remember that although you might be right, it's not a game and there's no reset button.
Click to expand...

I've seen a bicycle suicide attempt. It wasn't pretty.
 
Honestly, i'd just get the tag and call in a complaint to the police non- emergency line. If they just talk to him it should calm the situation down
 
yablanowitz said:
You assume the person driving the motor vehicle will go around him rather than over him. These days, that's like playing Russian Roulette with an automatic. For all you know, that may be exactly what is setting this person off - having to swerve an inch out of his routine.
Click to expand...

The OP is asking for advice and I gave my .02
If you are going to ride in traffic, it is your responsibility to follow all traffic laws and be as safe / visible as possible.
 
One more thing G W, I have been bicycle commuting for about 6 years, and all I can say is, you are just going to have to get used to people being jerks.

I've been cursed at, flipped off, had beer bottles thrown at me, and had bottle rockets shot at me.
I even got hit by a lawnmower. That one sent me off my bike and broke my helmet in 2 places.

Be safe out there.
 
parbajtor said:
Your car is presumably stationary when he passes you at the lights. 2 tons of vehicle passing a 20mph bicycle at 30mph is a completely different proposition. Do you always drive within 6" of the kerb? After all, it's the space you leave when you park your car, if motion makes no difference, why do you need to drive in the middle of the lane? Cyclists are allowed to filter past cars queuing at the lights. Why should the cyclist have to be held up because of your inappropriate choice of transport? Medium to heavy traffic means you will be passed often by the same cyclist, Suck it up and learn to share the road, princess.
Click to expand...

Read my post again sweetheart, I said 2 feet, not 6".

I respect bicyclists in general and give more than 3 feet when passing law abiding fellow travelers. That said, I hope there is a special place in the afterlife for most of the cyclists I see on the streets of Atlanta, and I hope they have to inhabit it "human centipede" style with all the people who don't use turn signals.

Inappropriate choice of transportation? Here in the USA (almost all) roads were built for cars and motorcycles, marked and regulated for automobile traffic, and paid for by the taxes that motorists pay. Between my car and your bicycle, it's not my car that is the least appropriate for the street. So IMHO if anyone should be "held up" it's the bicycle.

If you are comfortable with your odds of suffering severe injury, or even surviving in a traffic accident involving your bicycle and a car, by all means keep that holier than thou attitude towards cars healthy and strong. It should serve you well :rolleyes:

As for "filtering", In the state of Georgia (don't know about your country) it is not allowed. It is in fact illegal.
Bicycles here are considered vehicles, and their operators considered drivers. They are required by law to follow the same rules about passing another vehicle as cars are.
"Georgia Bicycle Law Enforcement Pocket Guide" (If you are interested)

.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top