apple_quit

So my friend and I are enjoying an urban ride at night in Atlanta. We both had full lights. We pull into a Kroger parking lot because I needed to buy some stuff. This car pulls in too ahead of us. The driver appeared to have noticed us, and stopped to let us go our way in the parking lot. So I thought to myself, "hey what a nice person." as I started to go in, the driver came over to us and practically yelled at us "hey...I have the right of way...I know you guys are on bikes on and all...but I have the right of way...blah blah blah." So we apologize. Thinking that it was over, I go and buy my stuff and come back out at about the same time the driver does. But THIS time she goes up to my friend and said "next time...I'm gonna run you over!" Had I not been so dumbfounded that she would actually make a comment like that...I would've pulled out my phone and called the cops. At least the rest of the ride occurred without incident. A taxi driver even gave us both some bottled water. Complimenting on how we were exercising, getting the blood flowing and all that. But the incident at Kroger basically ruined the rest of the ride for me. I couldn't get over it.

pseudobrit

When someone yields, be they pedestrian, driver or cyclist, they forfeit their claim to the right of way.

lilHinault

I think a lot of these suburbanites are trapped in their house a lot of the day (work at home, take care of their brats, er, kids, etc) and they get a little loony.

dee-vee

They need more blood flow to their brains!

skanking biker

i tend to piss a lot of people off

cc_rider

I was always taught that no one HAS the right-of-way, but that the rules delinate who is suppoed to YEILD right-of-way.

I can't tell from your post exactly what the traffic situation was, but it sounds like he yeilded to you. Unless you ran a stop sign, he shouldn't have anything cause to complain.

madbiker555

Whoever gets there first has right of way...at least that's the rule everyone I know goes by.

operator

Get over it, there will be many more incidents like that. If you let yourself be affected by everyone of them your life will be very short indeed.

oaxacarider

what do you think a cop would do?

ostro

I had a similar expereince in GG Park today. Some woman driving a BMW with Arkansas plates through a traffic filled park, (not like she could go anywhere) became irrate when I took the full lane infront of her. As if i was doing something extremly illegal or even rude. She floored the gas pulled up next to me and beared a hideous mug with a poignant middle finger. I yelled at her to go back to arkansas...sheesh... come to my town and bully me around on MY roads.

SecretSatellite

i dont know how militant you are but you could have told her what you would do the next time. (the sweet spot of the windshield is near the top corner on either side, hit it with a u-lock and it should crack)

baj32161

Some drivers just suck....I live in New Jersey and I am quite used to it. I don't like it but I am used to it. More's the pity.

Brian

apple_quit

probably nothing, but it might have freaked her out.

apple_quit

i realize that. its just that this was the first time i had ever received any kind of animosity while on my bike. when back home in dallas, people have always been nice to me. they wave me through stop signs, give me plenty of room while passing me, etc. i guess i've just always been lucky.

Stubacca

Yup, right of way is always something you yield, not take.

Typical caged loser, getting all hot under the collar just because someone dares to be on a bike. Probably doesn't matter what you had done, she still would have been pissed off with you for some reason. Don't let it get to you too much, but next time maybe jot down their plate number just in case.

chicharron

I agree. Life is too short to be affected by everyone on the street. When we are out on the street on bicycles, we are putting ourselves out there, vulnerable to all kinds of human contact, good and bad. Just be careful out there, and let it go.