biker86

Ok so I was out biking the other day and having a grand old time. Most people in cars and motorized bikes will generally be respectful to me and overtake me granting at least 5 feet or so (35-40MPH roads) of space.

Then there are the ones that just don't seem to care. I was riding down this backstreet along my route to the very far right as I could go before it was dirt and a group of I think 19-20 year olds in an SUV came up behind me yelling at me and just about clipped my left arm with the passenger side mirror.

How does one deal with drivers that do this? Should I just let it slide and go about my business, try to catch their plate numbers (either visually or taking a picture with a camera) and report it to police or should I make the attempt to catch up to them and have a word with them?

wphamilton

Dodge. But I admit that I chased one down a few days ago. Not to catch him and confront him but so that he'd know that he couldn't always pull that and get away. It was funny but I doubt that it really accomplished much.
I think so. My working theory is: don't engage the crazies.

bronco71

Especially not a group of crazies.

kickstart

Just let it go, you can't fix stupid, and there's an inexhaustible supply.

Shimagnolo

Well, in CO this would violate two state laws:
1. 3-foot clearance of cyclists.
2. Harassing cyclists.

Wear a camera, capture the video, and file a complaint with the local PD.

jfmckenna

If I catch them at the light I pull out my phone camera and say, 'Smile for the Sheriff.' Get the plate too. The more complaints they get the more action will be taken.

CrankyOne

In tens of thousands of cars passing me I never have this happen... When I'm on a protected bikeway.

In decades of trying we've not been able to get drivers to stop killing each other, why do we think we can change their behavior with regard to folks riding bicycles? Write your elected folk and local papers and stay on top of them to install protected bikeways. They work.

FBinNY 

It's over. If you're so inclined you might try to get a plate number and report it, but I doubt it'll make a difference except to make you feel like you didn't take it lying down.

As I said, it's over, and nothing you do will make a difference, so move on and be happy that these jerks are the exception, and not the rule. The longer you think about it, the longer you won't be enjoying life, Move on.

Chris516

I got a camera. Because, I was tired of 'just letting it slide'.
My GoPro Hero 4, via a Chest Mount Strap, is on my chest.

ItsJustMe

Move left until they stop. Even if they still drive close, at least now you have somewhere to go other than falling over.

Chris516

Ditto

bovine

Lift and ride bare chested until they don't do it anymore. I'm a lover, not a fighter, but a-holes in cars don't know that. They just see a pretty big guy with large arms and a fixed blade knife mounted to his belt at the small of his back and tend to steer clear.

I'm not trying to peacock. This is serious advice. Make people think twice before effing with you for ****s and giggles.

Edit: That said, don't get into an altercation (physical or verbal) if someone does something like this. Let it wash over you and away. Life is too short to carry grudges about things like this, and there's no need to make it shorter by either raising your blood pressure or engaging with people who might elevate the situation to violence.

biker86

I'm honestly not much of a lifter, never really have been. I've only got average upper body strength. A lot of my physical power is lower body in my legs, lots of mountain climbing helped with that.

I'm not wanting to get into a physical or verbal altercation. I'd only resort to physical in self defense. The most I would have done is probably gotten them to roll down their passenger window and say something like "Hey could you please watch where you are driving?". Elevating to violence already happened when they not only put my life in danger, but they technically committed multiple crimes (due care to cyclists, as well as attempted vehicular assault).

Again, I wouldn't yell, scream or swear at drivers. I'd be courteous and respectful towards them no matter what they do. Only resort to being physical for self defense. I don't go riding on empty streets or roads, I stick to where there are always people in sight, since there are usually a lot of police driving around on the main road as well.

dynodonn 

I had a incident with a carload of teens, except that I was taking the lane and being tailgated. I must have stole their thunder when I pulled over to the side of the road and waved them by, since the whole lot of them went quiet as they passed by. For the most part, I've found that problem motorists will tailgate at a greater distance than what they will pass by me at.

BobbyG

Ditto on the camera. Ditto on non-engagement. One time I had a guy swerve towards me and yell aggressive threats. I pointed to my helmet camera and he took off in a flash. But last week against my own policy I engaged. I was biking up a through-street where all the side streets had stop signs. I was approaching an intersection with a city vehicle approaching the same intersection on my left and signaling a left turn which should have had him pull in behind me after his stop. I had the right of way as he had a stop sign and I had none. But he quickly stopped then gunned it to beat me through the intersection coming within 5 feet of me. As the city employee lot was only two blocks away I pedaled over there and caught him as he was exiting his car (with a fence between us). "Didn't you see me?" I asked. "Hey, I gave you way more than 3 feet!' he said angrily and left. Boy, oh boy I thought, I have got this guy dead-to-rights on video with his car number and angry tone. I spent the rest of my commute considering how to proceede. When I got to work I watched the video. Yes, it was an impatient, a-hole move, but he was more like 25 feet away. And his angry tone was not angry, but patient and friendly, (and in reviewing the video, he was correct). So, I guess that was another instance where my video camera caught an angry, territorial vehicle operator...me!

Dave Cutter

It is never safe to ride that far right! That behavior encourages motorist to crowd cyclist. Get out of the gutter. If your not confident enough or fast enough to take the lane.... at least get far enough into the lane of traffic to be safe.

Groups of young people in cars can be pretty loud. Odds are very much that their "yelling" had nothing to do with you. It always makes me smile to see people out having loud and rambunctiously good times. That's just one of the things that makes cycling enjoyable... we aren't so separated from people.

Ride safely! Get yourself out there where it is safe! Learn to understand and like the other people with which you share the road (and life in general). Then accept that accidents DO HAPPEN.

Todays bicycle ride... may be the last ride you ever take... you might actually never return. Of course... the same thing can be said about todays shower. Slipping and falling in the shower, or on the stairs are common causes of death and disability. Almost any object-interaction could cause a minor injury/infection that could become... fatally serious. Or even just airborne infectious material from pets, trash, or other people. Risk... often much greater risks than cycling... are everywhere.

I'd recommend the best way to "deal" with life's minor irritations.... is take the time to learn to enjoy life.