Bearminder

So much for good intentions….I thought after reading here I would take the “high road” with rude/crazy/bad driver. You know, just a smile and wave to any less the bike polite folks. That was until yesterday and my first real time, real life run-in.

My 6 year old just starting riding 2 wheels. We went to the park so he could practice some more on the nice wide deserted paths. Coming home we wait at the crosswalk, get the walk signal, check for cars, and walk our bikes across. Our of a nearby business come a little red Honda, through the red light, and straight at us pedal to the metal- (did I mention yacking on her cell phone.) Fortunately, I saw her blow the red and yelled to my son who drops his bike and run/jumps to the curb. Smarter than me that kid. Daddy doesn’t have sense enough to drop his three week of Specialized- nooooo I run to the curb with my bike.

I make it in time to turn, see her miss the kid’s bike by inches, and proceed to scream the foulest barrage of profanity to exit my lips since my time in the military. I quickly regain my calm and see a police cruiser enter the intersection light flashing. The office stops-tells me to get the bike, and stay where we are. Then he takes off after the Honda. Five minutes later another office shows up, takes our info, asks if we and the bikes are OK.

We’re fine, the driver is busted for several violations, and we are given a number to call to be witnesses. Yea for the Phoenix finest –yea to my kid for being sensible enough to run- and a big boo to me (poor judgment – poor execution – poor reaction.)

Stacey

Glad it was a miss and that you'll be instrumental in her prosicution. Gonna suck getting all those words out of your young sons vocabulary.

Blue Order

Excellent outcome! Makes you wish the cops could always be there at moments like that, doesn't it?

oilfreeandhappy

There were a number of times I cringed when my children were younger, and cycling on the roads with us. I couldn't believe it, when I saw cars come with 6" of my young children. My wife had some real choice words with a female driver after one of these close encounters.

We got through those years without any accidents. I know how much many on these boards are against bike lanes, but they sure were nice to have when the kids were younger.

nelson249

I am glad you and your son are ok despite the efforts of the silly person behind the wheel. Don't beat yourself up too much about your reaction as it was triggered by someone trying to do you and your boy in.

Dchiefransom

She was using a deadly tool improperly, and you reacted. If it had been a firearm, would you be as upset about your reaction? People take the use of motor vehicles waaaay too lightly.

trackhub

Amen, those officers are OK in my book.

Yes, it's nice to say "I'll take the high road, and not to that person's level". But, this is the real world and all too frequently, taking that high road is not an option. At times, I'm reminded of the advice mothers used to give their sons, when a school bully problem came along: "If you just ignore them, they'll go away". No, they won't.

What is the deal with these Honda chicks? Are they the result of some lab experiment gone horribly awry, or what?

Bikepacker67

Bahhhh!

This biyatch will only get a moving violation and a few points on her insurance.

That's the problem... motor vehicles are not looked upon, by the legal system, as the deadly weapons that they are.

Tom Stormcrowe

Three points:
1: Your reaction was natural, I'd have done the same or worse!
2: You taught your kid well! Good job!
3: Kudos to the local PD!

FlatTop

You got your kid out of harm's way! All the rest is french pastry.

picpatch

You did what any good parent would do. I'm an elementary teacher in downtown Boston where we have to walk kids on busy roads to the playground, many a time my co-teacher and I have tried, I repeat tried, to keep our cool with people driving the like maniacs through the crosswalks. Finally a cop is around when you need him. Glad to hear you're both ok!

tomcryar

Bearminder, don't be so hard on yourself. You reacted normally, I believe.

donnamb 

Yes indeed - you're a good parent! Those protective instincts aren't easy to short circuit.

JohnBrooking

Glad you're both okay, and that the police were in the right place and time to do something. It's nice to hear a happy ending story here for once, even one that was certainly not happy while it was happening.

Here's my take on young kids and language, FWIW. At some point, they're gonna hear it. Not ideally from you, but okay, it happened. My feeling is that strong words are for strong situations, and are diluted by overuse in everyday conversation. Maybe you could try to explain that to your son, that Daddy lost his temper and used some of those strong words, but you know he (Daddy) doesn't normally use them, and he (son) shouldn't either. I generally believe in not making too big a deal out of this kind of thing, but maybe in this case it should be explained, since silence can signify being a big deal too.

My 6-year-old tried out M*F* on my wife the other day. He had heard it from a friend with a teenage brother. Then he tried out "f*cks" with me, and said it was a word he made up in his own language! (It meant something totally different, I forget what.) I just said it sounded a lot like a bad word and he shouldn't use it.

Caspar_s

If she'd yelled at you to get on the sidewalk and you'd yelled back at her, that would be losing your cool. Attempting to run you down and not even noticing is not the same situation.

Good job on seeing it and warning the kid and on him getting out of there over looking after the bike.

Lot's Knife

+1 on all the supportive comments. As much as I have beefs with the local police, I like to see the black-and-whites along my commute. They have a "calming" effect on cagers.

wheel

Yea Phoenix has a problem with that and stopping for people in crosswalks.

With out kids of course. I use my crap bicycle and shove it out in the crosswalk to get them to stop. Works wonders.

EnigManiac

I've reacted similarly Bearminded when my son was put unnecessarily at risk by inattentive, reckless and dangerous drivers and I've similarly been ashamed of my verbal response, but an honest explanation to your son that you were frightened for him that you reacted in a strong way. After reminding him that only under extreme circumstances could such an outburst be possibly tolerated and impressing upon him that calm, rational reactions are far more effective, he'll understand. You've got a smart kid and he'll get the picture. Happy holidays. Tomorrow is a special day: you're able to spend it with your son who is safe and healthy as a result of your alertness.

zippered

interesting story, happy ending... but that was your first experience with a bad driver? i only wish i could say the same!

AndrewP

Your kid will hear plenty of bad language before he grows up - you just showed him when it is appropriate to use it.

SingingSabre 

Narco-posting!

cudak888 

^
Same thing with those b!tch3s driving VW Jettas.

-Kurt

TO11MTM

I'm convinced that collecting statistical data on saftey of drivers versus make and model would lead to strong correlations.

... Alas, I'm in Detroit and EVERYONE drives like an idiot.

cudak888 

Well, some that I can think of as being hazards to both cyclists, motorists, and peds alike would be, in addition to the Jetta and Golf; mid-late '80s Mercedes SL-series drivers; and the Ford Focus (generally not the hatchbacks, but the 4 and 2 door models).

-Kurt

bh357

It sounds like they need to charge her with this: https://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/01201.htm