Eriol

Today I was riding home from work doing about 20 in a 15 zone. I have about 2 miles in a 15 zone on the last leg of my journey.

Well this guy in a pickup passes me with less than an inchto spare (scared the heck out of me, I actually felt the wind from his side view mirror as it almost hit me) yelling at me, then he punches the gas leaving a cloud of deisel fumes in my face.
I'm so angry, why are people so willing to risk your life and almost kill you on a bicycle, but if you met them somewhere else they would probably be very nice.

mechBgon

Some people can't tolerate people who are different. Or maybe he's been boiling inside already because his relationship with his lady went bad, or his boss chewed him out, or whatever, and had to lash out at someone who couldn't bring it home to him. Some people even think bicycle commuters are all convicted DUIs.

If I were you, I'd report that incident to the police with whatever info you can be sure of. If you didn't get the license-plate number, see if you can train yourself to look first at license plates, drill yourself on it anytime a motorist does anything that catches your attention so it's second nature. If nothing else, that gives you a sort of closure by making the report, and a constructive outlet for the anxiety by training yourself in a way of dealing with it if it happens again. Also, if you don't have a mirror, try a helmet or eyeglasses mirror like the Take-A-Look ones so you can watch traffic behind you when you want to.

I feel bad for you because that type of stuff really bugs me too. Hang in there and keep on riding!

UmneyDurak

I see this advice often "report to police", but nothing will be done. In the end it is your word against a jack asses. They have better things to do then spent any time investigating someone endangering cyclists life. Unfortenatly it's a realistic statement.

dauphin

Not to mention that there a quite a few jackasses who clock out at the department and drive home in their pick up trucks.

nelson249

You might consider a mirror (if you don't have one already) that would permit you to move right in just such a situation. Just my tuppence. I hate people doing that crap.

Mr_H

The #1 type of vehicle that gets 'close to me' when I'm biking are pickup trucks. I've had more close calls with them then anything else. Dunno why :/

/does have a mirror.
//really needs a very cheap video camera :b

San Rensho 

Combine cowardice and a bully mentality and that explains most of the idiot cagers. I don't think they'd necessarily be nice to you if you met them elsewhere, but they wouldn't f@ck with you because then it would be one on one, they are cowards and they don't have a 3000 pound weapon to wield.

tomcryar

I'm guessing that after a few drinks, that mentality comes right back.

RocketsRedglare

sometimes you get lucky, and see the culprits vehicle in a parking lot. I find letting the air out of tires is a nice form of revenge. Ranging on the severity of the infraction, you can let the air out of one tire or all tires. If the guy was a real turd, a pair of plyers comes in handy to tear out the valve stem.

Out here in CA, it seems people that drive BMWs are the dangerous drivers

genec

That's only in Newport Beach... in San Diego it is generally black Mercedes.

saraflux

i'm in norfolk, va.
here it's school buses.
scary scary.
especially when you consider the level of training the drivers get (LOW), and the wages they are paid (also LOW). all that adds up to "i'm bigger, therefore i win" attitudes.

KnhoJ

On the slower roads like what you're describing, I've resorted to playing tag with any car I spot passing within swinging distance. A little pat on the rear fender, just to send them on thier way. It's a good reminder that the mutually assured damage rule of automotive engagement doesn't apply to a cyclist who can inflict damage for free. I've even been toying with the idea of sewing a little 36 grit sandpaper patch to the side of my left hand glove. They'd never even hear it.

Most of the roads I use are a lot faster though, 50 mph or better. Something obviously scratchy like a flash flag might get them to instinctively cringe over another foot or two at those speeds.

randya

Pickup trucks = male driver 18 to 35. Anything more need to be said?

Eriol

Agreed he was in his young 20s.

Another thing happened to me again on the way home from work today. Thats back-to-back days a new record for me.

The road was 25MPH, I'm doing about 15, the lane is so small that I have to take the lane. I'm coming up to a curve and this guy in an SUV goes into the oncoming lane to pass. What he couldnt see was someone else coming around the turn, I thought for sure it was going to be a head on collision. I slowed drastically b/c I knew he was going to swing into my lane, which he did. The thing that gets me was I pulled up right next to him at a light 50 feet away!
I was about to start yelling but he was shaking so bad and looked white as a ghost so I fiqured at least he knew what he did wrong and almost killed himeself more so than me.


Hopefully the rest of the week goes uneventful.

derath

Maybe his other car, the one on blocks in the front yard, fell off the blocks and killed his dog...

tomcryar

People who stereotype are stereotypically stereotypical enough to blame a certain segment of the population for what happens in every segment. Oh, wait........that IS sterotyping, isn't it?

Falkon 

Who the hell cares? I drove to work today and was reminded of why I bike to work. If people want war on the roadways, I'll go Mad Max with it.

tomcryar

I do, because this is turning into a stereotypicalogical argument. I don't have much use for stereotypes because I associate it with profiling, stereotypicalogically speaking, that is.......Did I leave out any forms of the word?

sbhikes

Play that country western song backwards and his dog'll come home, his lady'll come back, his boss'll give him a raise, and he'll pass you with care.

Falkon 

It has nothing to do with pickup trucks. It's all about stupid, selfish people.

LittleBigMan

I share you anger.

At least you are a happier person than he is.

alummule@yahoo.

I read paper every day in my community when ever two cars collide 99.9% of the time a ticket is issued to one of the drivers.
When a bicycle and a car collide 99% of the time no charges are filed .

R-Wells

Ticket issued and charges filed are not the same.

raleigh_fan

Hmmm... Around here at least, a lot of stupid, selfish people seem to prefer driving pickup trucks.... ;-)

flair1111

Most do it because they know you wont be able to catch them and do anything about it. If they were face to face, youre right, they would be nice. Chicken wimps is what they are.