Commuting - A fireman yelled at me in his truck!

I was taking a narrow lane at 1610 hours on april 17
truck had numbers 3130 ???
When a back seat fireman with the door open told me to move over.
I never got his name, but am sending a letter to officials.

He stated I should not impeed traffic. That was his whole agruement. I managed to tell him there was not enough room on the road and there was no 3 foot buffer. He didn't care "You're impeeding traffic".

WOW
See in his mind he was right however I am not a motor vehicle. So I get yelled at a person who is suppose to save my life because he doesn't know the laws.

28-704. Minimum speed limits; requirement to turn off roadway

* A. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
* B. If the director or local authorities within their respective jurisdictions determine on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that slow speeds on any part of a highway consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the director or local authority may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which a person shall not drive a vehicle except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
* C. If a person is driving a vehicle at a speed less than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and place on a two-lane highway where passing is unsafe, and if five or more vehicles are formed in a line behind the vehicle, the person shall turn the vehicle off the roadway at the nearest place designated as a turnout by signs erected by the director or a local authority, or wherever sufficient area for a safe turnout exists, in order to permit the vehicles following to proceed.

Why don't you post the part about yielding to emergency vehicles?

Why don't you post the part about yielding to emergency vehicles?
If they were responding to an emergency you might have a point, aside from that they're just another truck and have no business bullying a cyclist.

Non-emergency
Which is why this is so wrong

A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block...

Hasn't mentioned bicycles yet. The 5 vehicles thing does look like it applies to bikes slowing traffic down though.

Hasn't mentioned bicycles yet. The 5 vehicles thing does look like it applies to bikes slowing traffic down though.

6 lane divided road sorry

Yes, generally 'impeding traffic' doesn't apply if there's a lane to pass in. I'd definitely call in a complaint to the fire department.

How did you have this small discussion with the fireman if you were in front of them slowing them down? Did you move over and let them pass you and that is when he yelled it? Or did the truck pass you then slow/stop just so you guys could talk? Did it stop in the road or on the shoulder?

Sure I was on the 1st lane in the middle, there is 3 lanes on each side of the divided road.
The truck waited for me to pass then turns onto the road I am on no lights.
Then rides next to me in lane 2,
Guy in the back seat with open door that slides open so I can see his full body,
Starts to have conversation with me going 15mph. (Yells move over and the rest)
I slow down after I had told him about the 3 feet buffer and no room, so that he would go on and leave me alone

That help out?

Sure I was on the 1st lane in the middle, there is 3 lanes on each side of the divided road.
The truck waited for me to pass then turns onto the road I am on no lights.
Then rides next to me in lane 2,
Guy in the back seat with open door that slides open so I can see his full body,
Starts to have conversation with me going 15mph.
I slow down after I had told him about the 3 feet buffer and no room, so that he would go on and leave me alone

That help out?
You've got a legit gripe. Did you get the truck & station numbers? The firehouse would know who was in that seat at that time as well as driving, because NOTHING you described in that story is proper procedure or legal for them to do

Sure I was on the 1st lane in the middle, there is 3 lanes on each side of the divided road.
The truck waited for me to pass then turns onto the road I am on no lights.
Then rides next to me in lane 2,
Guy in the back seat with open door that slides open so I can see his full body,
Starts to have conversation with me going 15mph. (Yells move over and the rest)
I slow down after I had told him about the 3 feet buffer and no room, so that he would go on and leave me alone

That help out?

Sounds like the firemen were the ones impeding traffic.
I'd definately take it up with their superiors since it is our (your) money paying for them to do such a thing.
Public officials/servants need to understand that they work for us and not the other way around.

You've got a legit gripe. Did you get the truck & station numbers? The firehouse would know who was in that seat at that time as well as driving, because NOTHING you described in that story is proper procedure or legal for them to do
Woah!
Haven't seen you on here in a year or so. You actually suggested to me to get my Giant Rainier... never been happier!
The Tampa Bay has a good run for the cup this year, but if they meet the Redwings in the finals you know that we'll be bringing the cup home right? :D

Woah!
Haven't seen you on here in a year or so. I was away, I'm back now

You actually suggested to me to get my Giant Rainier... never been happier!
Glad I was able to help. Hopefully I didn't have to beat you up too badly in the process :D


The Tampa Bay has a good run for the cup this year, but if they meet the Redwings in the finals you know that we'll be bringing the cup home right? :D
I'm thinking not. If they both make it to the big dance that Cup is ours.

I was away, I'm back now
I see that ;)


Glad I was able to help. Hopefully I didn't have to beat you up too badly in the process :D
Nope, you just pointed out the obvious to me, thanks for that.


I'm thinking not. If they both make it to the big dance that Cup is ours.
You guys had it last, now it's our turn! And then we'll steal that little St. Louis guy from you, he's too good of a player to be in Tampa! ;) :p


We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

Nope, you just pointed out the obvious to me, thanks for that.No worries


You guys had it last, now it's our turn! And then we'll steal that little St. Louis guy from you, he's too good of a player to be in Tampa! ;) :pYou forgot about the "'Canes". Oh wait so did everyone else. If management even so much as thought about trading St. Louis (or Lecavalier for that matter there'd be a lynching at the Forum.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.
Whoops! Oh yeah! FIRETRUCKS SUCK! :rolleyes:

all those guys are usually fat okley wearing retartds

If the truck was on it's way to call, then the fireman would be in the right. Since they were either coming back from a call or out getting groceries (yes, they do that) the guy had no reason to yell at you. Bikes are traffic. Period. But car (or truck) drivers rarely acknowledge that.

Some older man told me to 'ride on the sidewalk' the other day. Some people just don't know or don't care to know...

all those guys are usually fat okley wearing retartds

I suspect they're better at spelling though.

dokie will be recanting that idiotic statement when his house is on fire. :rolleyes:
I will raise his lovely statement with a different generalization.

Most of the firemen in the Denver metro area are normal guys in very good shape. I would assume they are also a reasonably intelligent lot. I've seen a few that would give SWAT team members a run for their money.

I just think it is a misunderstanding.
The law can be confusing or you can bend it your way.
I couldn't even argue with him since he thinks I am a motor vehicle per that law up there.
I just don't understand how he thinks I am to make a left turn with impeeding traffic.

I really think these people in general are great.
However these people should be the last people to yell at me.
Note this is the worse part of my commute I get honks, yelling, and now fireman.
Yes I could take a slow side road, which cuts only 8 blocks off, but way I want to get home.
Just thought to share cagers or jams don't just ride in private vehicles

all those guys are usually fat okley wearing retartds

Maybe where you live. My brother is a fireman/paramedic, and those guys spend a fair amount of their 24 hour shifts (when they aren't doing truck maintenance or paperwork) working out. My brother bike commutes 6 miles to the station in good weather. All the guys in his station that I've seen are in pretty good shape. They need to be able to lift and carry people in paramedic and rescue situations, and in the U.S. these days that means dead-lifts of 300 pound shapeless blobs. They're pretty buff actually.

And the firemen who are also paramedics (at least around here) have done something like 1000+ hours of medical training and a medical residency. Not really a ******. Even the regular firemen I've talked to have seemed pretty intelligent guys.

Watch the width of the brush you're painting with.

about 2 years ago there was a girl at the University of Missouri campus who was riding on the sidewalk, crossed against a red light and was hit by two cars.

She lost one of her legs and it was a bad scene all the way around.

Of course bike safety was all the rage in the local media for a while after that. Later that night I was watching the news and two stations posted "bike safety tips."

One of these tips was to always ride on the sidewalk.

I almost passed out from rage. After contacting the TV stations I discovered that those tips came from a fireman on the scene of the accident.

Firemen should stick to tips like "dont use candles" and less to traffic advice.

Sorry guys, If I'm holding up anyone for more than a block, I'm getting over -even if I have to stop briefly. And I don't care whether they are responding or not, I'm yielding to any emergency vehicle. I definitely want them available and happy.

If the truck was on it's way to call, then the fireman would be in the right. Since they were either coming back from a call or out getting groceries (yes, they do that) the guy had no reason to yell at you. Bikes are traffic. Period. But car (or truck) drivers rarely acknowledge that.

Some older man told me to 'ride on the sidewalk' the other day. Some people just don't know or don't care to know...

Yeah, just what I want. My house to burn completely to the ground because some ******* fireman thought it necessary to harass a cyclist.
Thank you fire department.

Bicycles were around before there were cars, and will be around long after cars.

You said, "A fireman yelled at me in his truck!" After parsing this, I have to ask: What were you doing in his truck?

You said, "A fireman yelled at me in his truck!" After parsing this, I have to ask: What were you doing in his truck?
A fireman yelled at me from his truck.

Oh I get it your the type of person who stands at a traffic accident and starts asking why did you do this? :D
When they can't change what they did.

For me I don't drive, so I have a hard time with a motorist's viewpoint.

I don't really see that him being a fireman is relevant. Some jackass yelled at you. Just ignore him.

I don't really see that him being a fireman is relevant. Some jackass yelled at you. Just ignore him.

Yup, I've actually been buzzed (40 mph and full throtle while passing me closer than 1 foot) by a policeman in a state police car! Jag-offs are jag-offs regardless of the uniform. :eek:


... Brad

Did you let him know he was #1? :D

Did you let him know he was #1? :D

Maybe not the best idea, when you know for sure the guy has a weapon.

Otherwise, I do it all the time. Or I did, until I broke my finger recently. Now it hurts like hell every time I try to stick it up. Maybe there's some kind of karma in play.

It's funny that the truck number was 3130. In San Diego Lifeguard, Police and Fire radio codes, 3130 means mental case. No Joke.

Ok:
Let me tell you a story.
I was a Crash Crew tanker driver at Guam International. While I was still a rookie the engineer had me on top of the 3,000 gal tanker operating the turrent while we were cleaning rocks off of the road. This turret could put out about 300 psi from a 3" tube. Think a stream of water about 300 feet long, give or take. (I'm remembering back to 1973)
We had to road blocked off to keep people from driving through our job when this V.W. bus went around the blocked part and kept on coming toward us. I shut off the water and my driver yelled at the V.W. driver as he went past us. We were meeting head on and had to swerve to not hit him. He gave us the one finger salute as he went by. I was just a little upset that he would be so rude and I saw that he kept his window down. I turned on the turret again and was able to direct the stream of water into the drivers side window, there was so much pressure that he could not roll up his window. I was hitting him with all I could muster and about the time he was reaching the limit of my turret he stopped (engine was flooded I later found out) he opened his door and the water had risen up to the level of his window. When he opened his door water came out like a flood and he was mad as a wet hen. :)
Later back at the station steam was coming from my supervisors office and I had to answer for my actions..... I came up with a quick excuse like the turret was stuck and the driver just parked under my water stream (be nice).
After things settled down and I was found to be innocent my boss came and asked me "what really happened off the record". When I told him he commended me on doing a good job. My driver stuck by me all the way and we skated through.
I still remember the water coming out of the van to this day. Ahhhhhh sweet memories.
Moral of the story? Don't mess with the fire dept. But in this case maybe. :)
Steven

It's funny that the truck number was 3130. In San Diego Lifeguard, Police and Fire radio codes, 3130 means mental case. No Joke.
:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Ok:
Let me tell you a story.
I was a Crash Crew tanker driver at Guam International. While I was still a rookie the engineer had me on top of the 3,000 gal tanker operating the turrent while we were cleaning rocks off of the road. This turret could put out about 300 psi from a 3" tube. Think a stream of water about 300 feet long, give or take. (I'm remembering back to 1973)
We had to road blocked off to keep people from driving through our job when this V.W. bus went around the blocked part and kept on coming toward us. I shut off the water and my driver yelled at the V.W. driver as he went past us. We were meeting head on and had to swerve to not hit him. He gave us the one finger salute as he went by. I was just a little upset that he would be so rude and I saw that he kept his window down. I turned on the turret again and was able to direct the stream of water into the drivers side window, there was so much pressure that he could not roll up his window. I was hitting him with all I could muster and about the time he was reaching the limit of my turret he stopped (engine was flooded I later found out) he opened his door and the water had risen up to the level of his window. When he opened his door water came out like a flood and he was mad as a wet hen. :)
Later back at the station steam was coming from my supervisors office and I had to answer for my actions..... I came up with a quick excuse like the turret was stuck and the driver just parked under my water stream (be nice).
After things settled down and I was found to be innocent my boss came and asked me "what really happened off the record". When I told him he commended me on doing a good job. My driver stuck by me all the way and we skated through.
I still remember the water coming out of the van to this day. Ahhhhhh sweet memories.
Moral of the story? Don't mess with the fire dept. But in this case maybe. :)
Steven


Nice to have 300 psi at your disposal when someone gives you the bird! Great story.

Ok:
Let me tell you a story.
I was a Crash Crew tanker driver at Guam International. While I was still a rookie the engineer had me on top of the 3,000 gal tanker operating the turrent while we were cleaning rocks off of the road. This turret could put out about 300 psi from a 3" tube. Think a stream of water about 300 feet long, give or take. (I'm remembering back to 1973)
We had to road blocked off to keep people from driving through our job when this V.W. bus went around the blocked part and kept on coming toward us. I shut off the water and my driver yelled at the V.W. driver as he went past us. We were meeting head on and had to swerve to not hit him. He gave us the one finger salute as he went by. I was just a little upset that he would be so rude and I saw that he kept his window down. I turned on the turret again and was able to direct the stream of water into the drivers side window, there was so much pressure that he could not roll up his window. I was hitting him with all I could muster and about the time he was reaching the limit of my turret he stopped (engine was flooded I later found out) he opened his door and the water had risen up to the level of his window. When he opened his door water came out like a flood and he was mad as a wet hen. :)
Later back at the station steam was coming from my supervisors office and I had to answer for my actions..... I came up with a quick excuse like the turret was stuck and the driver just parked under my water stream (be nice).
After things settled down and I was found to be innocent my boss came and asked me "what really happened off the record". When I told him he commended me on doing a good job. My driver stuck by me all the way and we skated through.
I still remember the water coming out of the van to this day. Ahhhhhh sweet memories.
Moral of the story? Don't mess with the fire dept. But in this case maybe. :)
Steven
Wow, that's great, you maliciously attacked someone with a 300 psi fire hose. Anyone who's dealt with 300 psi should realize that's seriously dangerous. That sort of behavior is completely unprofessional, and the jerk in the VW should have pressed charges for assault and battery.

Based on your post, you appear to be a poor example of a fireman. IMO you should have been reprimanded, at a minimum.

Some fireman yelled at you.... Its not like he arrested you.. who cares, just ignore it like all the others who yell.

He stated I should not impeed traffic. That was his whole agruement. I managed to tell him there was not enough room on the road and there was no 3 foot buffer. He didn't care "You're impeeding traffic".

There was a case not too long ago (in OH I think) where a bicyclist pedaling up a big hill on a public road at ~15mph was cited for impeding traffic.

He fought the ticket and won. Main point being that "impeding" is intentionally going slower than you're capable of, resulting in traffic build-up behind. Obviously the dude pedaling up a hill at 15mph was not lollygaging, but in fact working hard to get up the hill.

You can't apply same impeding standards/laws developed for motor vehicles, since a bike by its very nature is always traveling significantly slower than other traffic. Ditto farm equipment, horses, Quakers, pedestrians, etc.

If the firetruck had its light/siren on, then the fireman would have had a case - but based on your description, it sounds like he was just being a jackass.

If it's any consolation to you, most firemen (and cops) are well-meaning, helpful people.

Wow, that's great, you maliciously attacked someone with a 300 psi fire hose. Anyone who's dealt with 300 psi should realize that's seriously dangerous. That sort of behavior is completely unprofessional, and the jerk in the VW should have pressed charges for assault and battery.

Based on your post, you appear to be a poor example of a fireman. IMO you should have been reprimanded, at a minimum.

You must be young. In 1973 we didn't sue each other or press charges. All conflicts were settled by men, like men. A round of fisticuffs anyone? :D

At the time I was an E-2 in the navy and the man in question was a senior enlisted and I got away with it. Not that it was right, but he broke navy rules and I am sure there was more behind me not getting in trouble.
Also I tried to make sure the water never hit the driver, just his dash, I'm sure he got wet though.
I was 18 at the time and pretty stupid but I still love the story.
Steven
By the way in my defense, I grew up and have been an EMT, First Responder, Local volunteer Fire Chief, etc... I have helped more people and along the way, and I have grown up. With that said, I still would like to think I would do it again. :)
Steven
Sorry about hijacking this thread, I'll drop it now. Again, sorry.

Next time, just wave at him . . . with all 5 fingers!

........

28-704. Minimum speed limits; requirement to turn off roadway

* A. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
...

You are not a motor vehicle. ^ does not apply to you, however, you are part of "traffic" and you move at a speed which is reasonable in regards to your type of vehicle.




........

28-704. Minimum speed limits; requirement to turn off roadway

* B. If the director or local authorities within their respective jurisdictions determine on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that slow speeds on any part of a highway consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the director or local authority may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which a person shall not drive a vehicle except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.


It is necessary for you to operate your vehicle at a normal speed (say between 10 and 15 mph) to meet the requirement of "safe operation or in compliance with the law".

If you were able to make your bike go 45 mph, that would most likely not be safe, considering that typical bicycle brakes are not very effective at this speed, so if you have to stay below 20 mph then that is fine for your type of vehicle.

Fordfasterr is correct. It's been found in court that a bicycle operating at a reasonable speed FOR A BICYCLE can't be charged with impeding traffic. You're going at a proper speed for your vehicle and that vehicle is legally allowed on that roadway. It's the responsibility of all road users to be aware of other road users and to operate their vehicles accordingly in order for everyone to remain safe. Safety is the paramount concern.

Making it to the Krispy Kreme and then on to work on time without spilling their starbucks when you left home too late is their damn problem, not yours, and they're not entitled to break the law or expect you to yield to them to make up for their laziness, procrastination or lack of planning.

No police officer would write a ticket for a bike impeding traffic unless it was obvious that they were trying to disrupt traffic flow. Bicycles are vehicle but not motor vehicles by Ohio definitions (Although some would argue that their bike had a two horse motor.)

Even fire fighters can be ignorant sometimes; they know fire fighting, but they do not enforce traffic laws, so look at the source. I would also agree that a fire truck doing 15 miles per hour to harass a bicyclist is more impeding traffic than your bike, but most police officers would not ticket them either.

Cheers

If they were responding to an emergency you might have a point, aside from that they're just another truck and have no business bullying a cyclist.


+1.

That happened to me today. I heard the sirens and was quick to get right off the road so cars could pull over. After the emergency vehicles passed myself and the cars were on our way.

Stay upright

Winnipeg, Canada

No worries
You forgot about the "'Canes". Oh wait so did everyone else. If management even so much as thought about trading St. Louis (or Lecavalier for that matter there'd be a lynching at the Forum.

Whoops! Oh yeah! FIRETRUCKS SUCK! :rolleyes:


Hate to come back to this but:

I lost my team 11 years ago this month. I still haven't adopted one!!

Stay upright

Winnipeg, Canada