Advocacy & Safety - Story time with Uncle Tom. Does it apply to cycling?

I'll make it a quick story. I was driving today, and had a lot on my mind. I was turning left onto a 4 lane divided road, where there are two left turn lanes. I was in the far left lane and turning into the left lane of the road I was turning onto.

When the light changed to green and we all started moving, the Jeep Cherokee to my right, also turning left, cut across the dotted lane dividers and very nearly sideswiped my car.. I mean she was a good 3 feet into my lane, forcing me to brake to keep from being hit. Of course I hit the horn to get the driver's attention, and wave the frantic "WTF" arm waves.

Now here's where it gets good. After we completed the turn, the Jeep slowed, allowing me to pull along side. The young woman that was driving mouthed "I'm sorry" with what was clearly an apologetic look on her face.

I was instantly defused. I shrugged, waved, and mouthed "it's OK" and smiled.

I wish more people could be apologetic after they make a mistake, and I wish I could be more forgiving when riding my bike. The difference in danger to my safety plays a role, I'm sure. So my question is, how does it apply to cycling, if it does?

I have both received and given apologies while riding my bike. Had things gone differently during any of these events, whether my fault or otherwise, I would likely have been the one to suffer most.

Rules for courtesy do not depend on choice of transport. Everyone appreciates it when you show consideration for others.

Most people don't have a horn on their bike.

I accidentally cut off a guy yesterday, driving, and after he pulled alongside and ripped me a new one I asked him if he felt better. He smiled and said that he did. I think a little courtesy goes a long way in letting the little stuff go. I don't think most drivers are malicious, just busy and preoccupied.

I accidentally cut off a guy yesterday, driving, and after he pulled alongside and ripped me a new one I asked him if he felt better. He smiled and said that he did. I think a little courtesy goes a long way in letting the little stuff go. I don't think most drivers are malicious, just busy and preoccupied.
You shouldn't be driving if you are too busy and preoccupied.

enjoyed a recent cable special about the autobahn system -- took me back! i spent three years in germany, having a ball w/ those roads. it's such an indescribable rush to be going 110mph, see lights flash in the rearview, and a couple seconds later see a red ferarri ZOOM! by you at 200!

the point is, they can operate a system like that because of the cultural outlook about driving -- it's serious business! it's not a time for multitasking, it's time for DRIVING.

god, i miss that.

I very rarely have the opportunity to communicate with drivers in a meaningful way. They honk and yell at 40mph but I have never been able to get them to stop and discuss the problem. A lot of the time when they yell, they're going so fast that I can't make out their words, let alone respond to them. If I ever felt like apologizing for my behavior on the road, I would never get the opportunity.

With Uncle Tom in the title I thought this was going to be another attempt to equate bicycle facilities with racial segregation.

I think people make mistakes sometimes, recognize it, and offer an apology. Accepting their apology is a good thing.

I've been honked and yelled at by a driver who then slowed down to let me catch up to them so that they could apologize for acting out for no good reason. I accepted his apology and thanked him for passing safely.

Scratching my car is a little different than ending my life, and someone should expect my retaliation to reflect as much.

enjoyed a recent cable special about the autobahn system -- took me back! i spent three years in germany, having a ball w/ those roads. it's such an indescribable rush to be going 110mph, see lights flash in the rearview, and a couple seconds later see a red ferarri ZOOM! by you at 200!

the point is, they can operate a system like that because of the cultural outlook about driving -- it's serious business! it's not a time for multitasking, it's time for DRIVING.

god, i miss that.

Same here, reminds me of blowing past an escort at 185, and a bmw m3 toasting us 5 seconds later at 260 plus. The system works when ALL follow the rules and treat driving very seriously. Miss it too.

Scratching my car is a little different than ending my life, and someone should expect my retaliation to reflect as much.

While i understand your fury, as the (potential) next cyclist that driver meets, I dont want to eat his bumper cause of your actions.

This is not, btw, a personal attack; I really do understand how angry you can get when almost squished, and have in the past gotten quite angry at someone for doing it to me. It is upon sober reflection later that I came to the conclusion that by getting so mad all I do is hand the person I am mad at victory, and make life difficult for me, and all other cyclists in the area. One of my goals this year is to avoid freaking on people's heads when a close one happens. Wish me luck ;p

One of my goals this year is to avoid freaking on people's heads when a close one happens. Wish me luck ;p

That's kinda where I'm going with this thought as well. I've always been ready to smack the living crack out of someone that desperately needs it, but this incident kinda got me to thinking about my own bad reactive behavior.

I think that it sometimes takes an instance of another driver freaking out a bit for the preoccupied driver to get the point that they should be paying attention or not driving in the first place.

Here in Miami, the driver, knowing full well she was in the wrong, would have pulled up and started screaming obscenities, giving the finger, maybe even brandishing a gun. Worst drivers I've ever come across.

For some reason I find when two cars amost collide someone is almost always appolegetic but when a car almost collides with a bike they shout obscenities and speed off. I'd be more than willing to accept an appology from just about any driver but tey never offer one, even when I catch up and talk with the person.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS! Why do people insist on turning from an inside lane to an outside lane when making a turn. This is ILLEGAL and DANGEROUS. Seriously, if you can't make a turn, your car is too big or you're just a bad driver. Either way, stop driving.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS!

Apparently not. She turned the outside lane into an inside lane. :D

ahh, so it was the other way around. I rarely see that one. The point is, you turn from an inside lane to an inside lane and an outside lane to an outside lane. Anything else is illegal.

My name is Tom, but I've only ever heard "Uncle Tom" in reference to racial issues.

http://www.uncletomscabinscreenplay.com/Uncle_Tom5.jpeg

Tell that to my niece. I mean, she's got to call me something, right?

This is how things get turned around so that a certain item, phrase, or symbol is characterized as being "racist". And for what it's worth, Uncle Tom, in that context, was considered a traitor to his race. I think any reference to it being racist is clearly based on ignorance of the book, or a desire to be offended.

You shouldn't be driving if you are too busy and preoccupied.
Thank you for the advice, Mr. Perfect.:rolleyes: Believe it or don't, "stuff" happens to even the best of people. Not every one is as clear headed as the Perfect Driver, without a thought, care or concern in the world to intrude on driving concentration.

enjoyed a recent cable special about the autobahn system -- took me back! i spent three years in germany, having a ball w/ those roads. it's such an indescribable rush to be going 110mph, see lights flash in the rearview, and a couple seconds later see a red ferarri ZOOM! by you at 200!

the point is, they can operate a system like that because of the cultural outlook about driving -- it's serious business! it's not a time for multitasking, it's time for DRIVING.

god, i miss that.
Better yet, when the red Ferrari Zoom is being tailgated by a tiny yellow Fiat, followed by a lime green Opel both flashing headlights for the dumkopf slowpoke in the Ferrari to get outta da way! Zoomy scenes like that happened all the time on the A5 between Darmstadt and Frankfurt.

Tell that to my niece. I mean, she's got to call me something, right?

This is how things get turned around so that a certain item, phrase, or symbol is characterized as being "racist". And for what it's worth, Uncle Tom, in that context, was considered a traitor to his race. I think any reference to it being racist is clearly based on ignorance of the book, or a desire to be offended.

I didn't say it was racist. Just that it made me think of the book.

If you're looking for a new name for your niece to call you , I suggest "shnazzy wolverine".

The best way to get forgiven-- look guilty then apologize.
I'll go with recursive on the UT comment.
Just be thankful that your name isn't Richard Head? Then what would your niece call you?

http://www.infoplease.com/ipd/A0709556.html
Un'cle Tom'

Disparaging and Offensive.
a black man considered by other blacks to be subservient to or to curry favor with whites. Cf. Aunt Jemima.