Advocacy & Safety - Containing Road Rage?

I have had alot of bad incidents with motorists in the past while riding my bike. And it seems like everyday I have to make some new move to save my a$$ from getting run over by some driver who thinks it's ok to take a right in front of me with a few feet to spare, after riding alongside me for a full mile, passin me a couple times ect...I've been riding more and more careful but I ride alot and these things happen because as you know many motorists are ignorant morons. There is no escaping these people who should not be on the road, I'm fine with avioding collision because I am aware they are aiming to kill me. But the anger when we are both left still at a red light, I could use a little help here...:mad:

Carry a gun on you.

Or flip them the bird. Most people hate seeing "******y" cyclists do that.

Earlier this week I was riding on a road with one lane going each way, and no shoulder. I took a lane since I was about 50 feet away from making a left, and a car zips around me, into the other lane, just to pass me and wait in line at a stop light.

I flipped them off and it felt good. I realized it was my boss, and I felt even better.

Moral of the story, flip off everyone

--Aaron

Speak softly and carry an expandable baton...?

Speak softly and carry an expandable baton...?

I have looked into the expandable baton option a little, do you have any recomendations and/or know the laws on these things? I go through some areas where people really hate me for riding a bike. The other day I took out my allen wrench and started unscrewing my bullhorns because I thought I was about to get jumped and needed some help, they ended up burning rubber instead(I'm sure that made them feel better).

Learn karate. It'll teach you to avoid conflict. ;)

I have looked into the expandable baton option a little, do you have any recomendations and/or know the laws on these things? I go through some areas where people really hate me for riding a bike. The other day I took out my allen wrench and started unscrewing my bullhorns because I thought I was about to get jumped and needed some help, they ended up burning rubber instead(I'm sure that made them feel better).

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/batonssl_bfjg.htm

i think their legality varies from state to state though.

Take a lane and let them move around you...that is all you can do...the reactions mentioned do very little other than minor psychological damage to you...remember if you take your concentration away from what you are doing you may hurt yourself (run into a curb, parked car, lamp post...) and that would piss me off 1,000,000 times more than getting cut off or almost killed.

I know your rage...I ride in chicago. Take a lane and let other people *uck themsleves...its too difficult to *uck someone while on a bike while riding...trust me, I've tried. Anyway when do cyclists ever win a verbal argument with a dumbass? Afterall, being correct has nothing to do with it...

...oh yeah, I have an expandable baton. I don't carry it anymore. You are better off working on your accleration.

Not meaning to get off topic, but anyone see the Mr T commercial where he is sitting in traffic at a light and the guy ahead of him is yakking on his cell phone?

Mr. T gets out of his car, walked up to the guy, snatches the phone away and tosses it. Then says the sentence I would love to have on the back of a jersey: "You don't own the road fool, you share it".

I have had alot of bad incidents with motorists in the past while riding my bike. And it seems like everyday I have to make some new move to save my a$$ from getting run over by some driver who thinks it's ok to take a right in front of me with a few feet to spare, after riding alongside me for a full mile, passin me a couple times ect...I've been riding more and more careful but I ride alot and these things happen because as you know many motorists are ignorant morons. There is no escaping these people who should not be on the road, I'm fine with avioding collision because I am aware they are aiming to kill me. But the anger when we are both left still at a red light, I could use a little help here...:mad:

Another sad story from FL....Is there another route you could take?

Be aware that in FL you need a concealed weapons permit in order to carry a baton.

If you are caught with one in your pocket, or anywhere on your body without the permit you go straight to jail. If you use it in a crime, the penalties are much steeper.....

I have pondered almost all of these things.... Your best option is to work on the rage. I know... its difficult, albeit much safer for your wellbeing.

Work on lane position. Don't give drivers the chance to easily buzz you.. take more of the lane so that you are visible from further away - this can result in 2 or more situations....

Scenario: Cager sees a stupid bicycle in the middle of the road -

1. takes evasive action and moves out of the lane !
2. honks, pulls up right behind you, keeps honking...

I hate it when they honk, but a good point is that if they honk, you KNOW THEY SEE YOU !

IF they see you, they are less likely to run you over for no reason.

Good luck !

My best argument to date against a motorIST who is trying to intimidate me off the road:

Me: Excuse me but if you think I am doing something illegal call the police. If you try and take the law into your own hands I will call the police.
MotorIST: Bs… blah blah F*** you.
Me: [Pulling out cell phone] nice talking to you [license plate number.]

Thanks for the advice, I needed to vent, not getting a baton. I do generally take a full lane when things are tight but of course this is one of those things that really piss them off especially when you keep up with them, that really seems to infuriate people. I like the "accelerate faster" advice, I'll work on that. I gotta see that Mr T commercial sounds classic:D Surprised no one mentioned the most obvious advice, Move! South Florida stinks.

who thinks it's ok to take a right in front of me with a few feet to spare, after riding alongside me for a full mile, passin me a couple times ect...

Does that mean that you passed him, on the right, a couple times?

Guess you'd have to check to see if this was legal in your area, but maybe a paintball gun, strapped across your back, in view of the motorist, might make them think twice about cutting you off? If they think their car might get paintballed, it might deter them. (and it would make it easy for police to spot-but you might get charged with damage of private property). PS-for now at least, I'm strictly a trail rider and stay off the road for the most part. Used to have a motorcycle, and had a number of friends killed by careless drivers.

Does that mean that you passed him, on the right, a couple times?


I think it does mean that, an acceptable practice in Florida, with the standard disclaimer that it be done with care.

Section 316.084, F.S.)

---> Overtaking on the right is permitted upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement, not occupied by parked vehicles, of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving traffic in each direction. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety.

An airzound horn might help. It does seem to equalize things a bit. Plus nobody expects that much noise from a bicycle.

An airzound horn might help. It does seem to equalize things a bit. Plus nobody expects that much noise from a bicycle.

Ha!!! I love it...!!!
...any lawyers out there know if this is also legal in most states?

Does that mean that you passed him, on the right, a couple times?

Absolutely.

A concealed baton wont prevent them acting aggressively. A heavy chain and lock hooked onto your belt so it can be seen, may make them think twice. A chain that looked heavy - constructed from steel tubing - would be just as effective

Thanks for the advice, I needed to vent, not getting a baton. I do generally take a full lane when things are tight but of course this is one of those things that really piss them off especially when you keep up with them, that really seems to infuriate people. I like the "accelerate faster" advice, I'll work on that. I gotta see that Mr T commercial sounds classic:D Surprised no one mentioned the most obvious advice, Move! South Florida stinks.

That reminds me. Last week I was biking to work and at a red light I know I made contact with a large woman in a little Kia hatchback. Well, light turns green and we head off. From 0 - 20mph I'm accelerating significantly faster. She literally has her foot on the floor, because there's no way a bike must be faster. I just think it's funny that every time I accelerate faster, cagers feel the need to push it to the floor. Penis envy anyone?

Absolutely.

What's the point of passing on the right in congested traffic situations?

I have had alot of bad incidents with motorists in the past while riding my bike. And it seems like everyday I have to make some new move to save my a$$ from getting run over by some driver who thinks it's ok to take a right in front of me with a few feet to spare, after riding alongside me for a full mile, passin me a couple times ect...I've been riding more and more careful but I ride alot and these things happen because as you know many motorists are ignorant morons. There is no escaping these people who should not be on the road, I'm fine with avioding collision because I am aware they are aiming to kill me. But the anger when we are both left still at a red light, I could use a little help here...:mad:


Just a friendly question Chillyrider, when coming up to a red light (or stop sign) do you ride right up to the stop line between the vehicles and the curb?

If you do, and that is done in succession a few times, I think this will anger the motorists because they have to pass you yet again.

Now, that's no reason for them to harrass someone, but some people are not able to control themselves, so we (cyclists) have to try and not create the situation.

I'm not saying you DO this, and I'm not trying to say it's your fault, but perhaps SOME of the flak you get is a result of this?

Digger

P.s. I also use to do this, but found that if I pull left (signalling of course) to take the lane when coming to a stop sign or light and waiting my turn, I get less trouble. But of course, there sometimes is the twit behind you who just can't stand having a bicycle in front of them, even if your going the same speed.

Ha!!! I love it...!!!
...any lawyers out there know if this is also legal in most states?
Of course the Airzound is legal. It is a horn. It has the appropriate amount of decibels. And it comes with a warning not to use it against pedestrians or people on bike paths.