Commuting - Punk cyclists

Several times over the past few weeks, I've been encountering a group of what appear to be 16 year olds on bmx when I'm crossing this particular bridge. Being adolescent morons, they take the whole path and pretend they don't notice oncoming pedestrians and cyclists. When they pass, I always have to ride about an inch from the wall while having some Beavis and Butthead wannabe miss me by a couple inches on the other side.

I'm normally pretty mellow, but I'm getting tired of these punks. They always come at me head on and they always pretend not to notice me whether I get over as far as possible or I hold a reasonable position and swerve when they get too close. I think they are trying to get me to crash.

What do people recommend? They know what they are doing, so I doubt that asking politely or telling them off would accomplish anything. Should I hold my line and clip one of them? Forget about it and keep dodging? Call the cops (do they deal with brats)? I'm usually outnumbered 4 to 1 so I wouldn't be able to defend my bike adequately if I were stopped. Also, it is possible that one or more of them may be armed with something -- they act a bit like they think they are part of some cool gang.

Air horn
http://urbanscooters.com/cgi-bin/urbanscooters/AirZounds.html

video tape it and take the video to the cops.

Clip 'em and keep going.

video tape it and take the video to the cops.
Yea, so they can call a Whaaambulance for you.

Ride a mountain bike and hit them if they get too close.

Thats what I'd do, but I dont take abuse lightly.

I had a gaggle of children around that age, doing the same thing, I yelled heads up twice quite loudly,
they chose to ignor my warnings, the third time I yelled was right in one of their ears, the child jumped
and said I head him say "that guy scare the .... outta me...." I said you children should watch where your going...

I killed a man once for calling me a "punk cyclist." With a broken plastic spork and a bag of potato chips, even.

True story.

One less zit on the a$$ of society.
Nice Job.

Kids like that want to be recognized as real cyclists. They actually want your approval, I bet. Call them over and treat them like peers -- you know, let them in on the biker code. Unless there's some class/racial/social divide that makes this impossible, befriending the punks sort of deflates their self-image as badasses, don't you think?

Kids swarm and carry knives now.

Kids like that want to be recognized as real cyclists.

Forgot the [sarcasm] tags?

pissing you off is the only influence they have over you, or probably just about anyone else. i wouldn't advise running into them, it'd probably be the most exciting thing to happen to them all month. if one seriously gives you reason to worry about your safety, get your cellphone out (always keep it handy) and dial the cops.

i also often run cross (knobby) tires, so i can swerve off the path. it's more for strollers, dogwalkers, and obese tourists, but they might come in handy in your situation. remember, they're bored, and probably pissed that they're ineffectual, do what you've got to to stay safe, but remain calm, they're trying to get a rise out of you.

EDIT: bklyn's advice is much better. mine only applies once you're sure they're not going to be won over.

Ied.

Accelerate to ramming speed! (On your beater, of course.)

Not that I tend to deal with punks all that calmly, but next time I saw them coming, I'd just stop and fake adjusting my helmet or something, in their way, and acknowledge them (a nod, "hey guys" or something) and stand there making them move around you. Kind of a passive version of standing your ground vs. clipping them.

They hit you with no instigation, you got something for the cops, if not, no assault charges for the adult that should know better. You're not asking for trouble, just eliminating the circumstances of their game (i.e. you needing to pass).

Yell "MOVE!" while accellerating. It works with just about any vehicle you're using.

I was walking to lunch and an older teenage guy was riding his BMX bike down the sidewalks. People kept stepping out of his way for the whole block. about ten feet away we locked eyes. He didn't move, I didn't move, and at the last second he swerved into a table and knocked over a couple of chairs. I won.

+2 for airhorn

Tear gas usually will disperse a crowd

Ahhh... teenageers, summer vacation and too much free time.

I'd just let things slide and go on my way. But then that's only because I don't want my route to be covered with broken glass and nails the next day. Hey, I'm greedy like that. I admit it.

Not that I tend to deal with punks all that calmly, but next time I saw them coming, I'd just stop and fake adjusting my helmet or something, in their way, and acknowledge them (a nod, "hey guys" or something) and stand there making them move around you. Kind of a passive version of standing your ground vs. clipping them.
I think I might try this. I don't think they are actually dangerous, but rather that they just want to make a show. This sounds less confrontational.

For those who have suggested accelerating or not flinching, I thought about that. However, I just bought new wheels 2 months ago and pitched the old ones. Also, guys my age should have better things to do than butt heads with idiot kids.

My route is already littered with broken glass so I don't care about that. Sometimes I feel like the bums must have beer bottle breaking contests. Fortunately, my Marathon Plus tires are highly resistant even to glass.

mount a cow catcher on your bike.

Carry a paddle called "Discipline". Use as necessary.

mount a cow catcher on your bike.

Best suggestion... ever.

a cheerful "Excuse me, BONEHEADS!" works for me. :)

I have run into this behavior before more than once.
I simply yell "coming through" or "heads up" and keep going straight. They may talk ***** as they jump out of the way at the last second, but they do get out ot the way.

I'm not going to waste my time arguing with them. But, the paths are mine to use as much as theirs and I act accordingly.

I refuse to empower rude people.

I refuse to empower rude people.

Exactly.

And what is with the spate of threads recently about kids intimidating folks? Be assertive. An assertive adult is what tends to scare them most.

i killed a punk cyclist in reno, just to watch him die....

i killed a punk cyclist in reno, just to watch him die....

Post of the day.

i killed a punk cyclist in reno, just to watch him die....

Weird, I didn't see that in the news. I'll have to watch at 11 tonight (I am in Reno right now...). Wonder if rgj.com has a blurb on it....

Ied.
I never imagined laughing at those 3 letters. Best response so far.

Wow, is this the Schwartzenager thread? :rolleyes:

Dude, a squirt in the face of the most convenient target from your water bottle, just as they pass you, should be enough to 'train' them after a couple of times. Snot rocket or a loogie works too, but their mommies might call the cops on YOU then, to have you checked for rabies, or gleep, or whatever panics their minds that day. :D

Edit: this reminded me of a story. A friend of mine did just that, squirted some roadies who always passed him too close for comfort and made snide remarks. They confronted him, "hey man, what'd you squirt us with your water for?"

He gave them a smile and laughed "Water? Heck I had to piss in my empty bottle a few miles back, and I didn't want to carry a full bottle of it home with me!"

Time to revive the ancient sport of jousting.

I've encountered something like this on two occasions while driving (a car). Kids walking home from middle school, on a residential street. I made a left turn onto the street, then was barely able to clear the intersection before I would have hit about five or six of them if I didn't stop. The whole street was blocked with a swarm of them, half crossing (leisurely), half just walking straight down the middle of it. I slowed to about 5mph to avoid hitting them, while many of them still didn't move out of my path, acting as if I wasn't there (they were walking away from me).

The first time this happened I just waited patiently, and after about 5-10 seconds the "cool" kids finally got dragged out of the way by their classmates to let me by. The second time I used the horn, which helped a little, though if I'd had a bit more nerve, I would have really laid into it, rather than just tapping it politely.

I'm not sure why stupid = cool in the mind of so many people (is it just the youngest generation, or has it always been this way?). That kind of behavior leaves me speechless. Stupid = stupid. What more can I say?

Carry a paddle called "Discipline". Use as necessary.
In my day, that was called the "Board of Education." :D

Just in case a visual is necessary:

Time to revive the ancient sport of jousting.
Good idea!

What do people recommend? They know what they are doing, so I doubt that asking politely or telling them off would accomplish anything. Also, it is possible that one or more of them may be armed with something -- they act a bit like they think they are part of some cool gang.

I have to agree with the fellow who recommended making videos.

A couple of decades ago, while commuting in downtown L.A. I was climbing a hill and overtaken by a teen on a bmx. (Higher gears were useless) He cut me off and slammed his rear wheel into my front, sending me down. I was pissed. Checking that the bike was okay I pursued him. I saw that we were coming up to a parked truck and passed him, blocking him just as he realized he had to pull out to avoid the truck.

So rather than slow down, he strong armed me into traffic, almost under another truck, pushing the rear end of my bike around 45 degrees and finally my rear wheel tacoed, taking us both down. And of course as I was asking him why he did it, he gave me that mexican shrug that said that he understood what I was saying but he was damned if he would admit it.

Work was very strict about lateness, so I had to settle for locking my bike inside of the Art Center campus and walking the rest of the way to work. I also had to commute that way everyday and figured that calling the cops on him could well be extremely hazardous to me.

Yes, you should assume that they are trying to get you to crash, and don't discount the possibility that when you do crash they will set on you and cause further injury and loss of property. I've had similar happen 7 years before this event.

You have a potentially very serious situation there. Can you find an alternate route till summer's over?

is it just the youngest generation, or has it always been this way?

In my limited experience, it's always been that way.

I was that way when I was young. I did it all. My friends and I never carried weapons though. Except for that medieval mase. Hell I drove around with an air horn when I was 16. At the time I was thinking it was the funniest thing ever to see peds and bicyclist jump. Now I am amazed I was never arrested or fined for it. Remember how a 13-18 year old boys mind works and what their world is. If they are late they may get told to be on time. They don't understand that an adult being late could lead to an adult being homeless.

I would call the "whambulance" and have the police clear them off the bridge once or twice. When I was a kid we would stop hanging out anywhere where cops would "babysit" us after about the 2nd or 3rd time. Lets be honest you don't want them to get out of your way you want them off the bridge.

I was a punk kid once, and I had a great time. Whatever you do, recognize the fact that one's ability to be a punk kid diminishes with time, and is to be savored while its still somewhat acceptable. Not that you should let them get in your way. Just don't take it so serious.

I wouldn't be aggressive with them, nor would I let them 'win" (so to speak). Try acknowledging their presence with a nod or a 'hey' a few times. They may get used to you and start giving you a little room. Running into them will only aggrivate them and lead to future trouble. In fact, any 'attack' can provoke them (airhorn, water bottle). If they are indeed being 'punks', they are looking for a negative response from you. If you never give them one, they may give up.

Now, if they go to far, don't hesitate to call the authorities. I wish problems could be settled on the spot like in the past, but these days people carry a grug for a long time. Still, I may still mount a nice stick (tambo for the martial arts crowd) to my ride, just in case. :)

-Dave

And of course as I was asking him why he did it, he gave me that mexican shrug that said that he understood what I was saying but he was damned if he would admit it.

I'm sorry...I must have missed the memo. I was unaware that Mexicans had a special shrug. I guess I'll have to ask my family in Guadalajara about it.

Please leave racism out of your posts. I expected more from you based on your past posts.

I'm sorry...I must have missed the memo. I was unaware that Mexicans had a special shrug. I guess I'll have to ask my family in Guadalajara about it.

Please leave racism out of your posts. I expected more from you based on your past posts.

Yeah, can we get off of the racism thing and go back to the ageism thing where we assume that all young people are inconsiderate as*holes? That was much better.

Accelerate to ramming speed! (On your beater, of course.)

:eek:

Actually, that's what I would do ... come at 'em at speed with a stone cold expression on your face ... "COMMING THROUGH PUNKS". I wouldn't swerve in their direction, just go through like they aren't there (leaving an escape route for yourself).

Of course, the bigger you are, the more effective this is. ;)

jw

I was a punk kid once, and I had a great time. Whatever you do, recognize the fact that one's ability to be a punk kid diminishes with time, and is to be savored while its still somewhat acceptable. Not that you should let them get in your way. Just don't take it so serious.

That's a very good point, and one that's often overlooked. We were all punk kids once I suppose.

:eek:

Actually, that's what I would do ... come at 'em at speed with a stone cold expression on your face ... "COMMING THROUGH PUNKS". I wouldn't swerve in their direction, just go through like they aren't there (leaving an escape route for yourself).

Of course, the bigger you are, the more effective this is. ;)

jw

Wait til you get about 30 feet from them and yell "WATCH OUT!! I HAVE NO BRAKES!"

I'm sorry...I must have missed the memo. I was unaware that Mexicans had a special shrug. I guess I'll have to ask my family in Guadalajara about it.

Please leave racism out of your posts. I expected more from you based on your past posts.
He was not being racist. What he is talking about is a real thing. I have seen it 1000 times. There is no way to verify it case by case at the time. What he is talking about is the "no speak English when its not a positive time for me shrug” If he had said "the guy shrugged” I would think he was saying "I don't know why I shoved your bike over” by saying the "Mexican Shrug” I know he meant to say the guy "suddenly decided to not understand English when he had to justify his actions” My friends who are 5th generation Americans with a blood line to Mexico, who have never spoken a word of Spanish in their life do the "Mexican shrug". I guess since you are Mexican they don't do it to you. If you ask you family in Mexico about the "Mexico shrug" they will say "you mean the "green grow shrug? The one where tourist suddenly forget every ounce of Spanish even though they have lived or spent the winter here for the past 3 years?"

Stop looking for racist comments and you will stop seeing them. Sometimes things happen and there is only one way to explain them. This is a forum where you must write and you cant exactly tell the story orally. By writing the "mexican shrug" he painted a very clear mental picture. If he was to say the "european tourist stammering I don't understand" would that be racist? Or just paint a clear picture?

He was not being racist. What he is talking about is a real thing. I have seen it 1000 times. There is no way to verify it case by case at the time. What he is talking about is the "no speak english when its not a positive for me shrug" If he had said "the guy shrugged" I would think he was saying "I don't know why I shoved your bike over" by saying the "Mexican Shrug" I know he meant to say the guy "suddenly decided to not understand english when he had to justify his actions" My friends who are 5th generation americans with a blood line to mexico who have never spoken a word of spanish in their life do the "mexican shrug". I guess since you are mexican they don't do it to you. If you ask you family in mexico about the "Mexico shrug" they will say "you mean the "greengrow shrug? the one where tourist suddenly forget every ounce of spanish even though they have lived or spent the winter here for the past 3 years?"

Stop looking for racist comments.

I wasn't going to say anything... but.... I agree. It might not be politically correct to say "the mexican shrug" but having experienced this a number of times I know exactly what they're talking about. Its not racist, its a fact. And if we're going to get agism in the mix too, then I can tell you that 90% of the kids on bmx bikes down at the skate/freeride park by my house ARE punks. I've watched them. The other 10% are awesome riders who I really enjoy watching because they are good at what they do.