In a different thread I commented on being in control of my response to drivers. Well, this happened early this afternoon. I'm still steamed. So much for Zen-like calm; time for a good dose of unfettered angst.
I was riding on a four-lane road, approaching an intersection with a green light. I was riding on the right of the right lane. To my right was a right turn lane. The traffic lights were on a traffic island formed where the right turn lane veered away. The traffic island created a curb along the right side of my lane. As I drew next to the curb, an asspod in a pick-up truck the size of Rhode Island towing a travel trailer the size of New Jersey pulled along side of me, missing me with the truck's huge side mirror by inches (I hope I don't offend anyone with this term. I believe in using words to mean, and this term means exactly what I want to mean. Mods can change it if they must). As the trailer came next to me, AP slid a little further to the right, giving me what felt like less than a handlebar's width between the trailer and the curb. I had to coast with my right pedal at 12 o'clock; otherwise, it would have hit the curb.
I am ok, just angry still. I caught up with AP where he turned into a strip mall parking lot. He was still in his truck when I stopped along side of the driver's window. Mrs. AP was walking toward the stores. The conversation we had went something like this:
Me: It was not necessary for you to be so close to me back there.
AP: There was a car next to me. I didn't have any room.
Me: You can wait.
AP: There was a car behind me.
Me: You can wait. That car would not run into you. If you slow down, that car will slow down.
Mrs. AP: Besides, bicycles don't have the same right to the road as cars do.
Me: (I am definitely not whispering) Bicycles can be on any road except interstate highways. You don't squeeze another car out of a lane, you don't squeeze a motorcycle out of a lane, and you don't squeeze a bicycle out of a lane.
Mrs. AP: We don't have people bicycling where we come from. Besides, there are bicycle paths.
Me: Bicycles have every right to the roads as cars do.
AP: You should be more careful.
Me: Your mirror missed my head by inches. Do you know what happens if your mirror hits my head? I'm dead. Just plain dead. Do you want to kill people? You don't squeeze a car out of a lane, you don't squeeze a motorcycle out of a lane, and you don't squeeze a bicycle out of a lane. If you keep driving like this you will kill someone.
I'm afraid I fail to get across my emotional intensity or Mr. and Mrs. AP's clueless ness. I was steamed. I employed all my available social graces to keep myself from cursing a blue streak. I batted the outside mirror with my hand to make my points. The APs eventually apologized, but I doubt I really got through to them.
I realized I made one big mistake: as I approached the intersection I was too far to the right. Had the light been red, I would have automatically moved toward the center of the lane to keep any cars behind me from squeezing me out of the lane before the light changed, but with the light green, I just kept a constant line. Away from intersections the road has a wide shoulder, and I usually ride just to the left of the edge stripe. I also realize I handled the bike well enough to avoid the truck and trailer.
I can't vent this to my wife because she worries too much about me cycling and does not believe me when I tell her I can ride in ways to optimize my safety. Thanks for letting me vent here.
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
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Originally posted by Prosody
I'm afraid I fail to get across my emotional intensity or Mr. and Mrs. AP's clueless ness. I was steamed. I employed all my available social graces to keep myself from cursing a blue streak. I batted the outside mirror with my hand to make my points. The APs eventually apologized, but I doubt I really got through to them.
This sort of thing is the reason that I never bother trying to reason with drivers when I'm out on the road. Most of them are totally clueless about a cyclist's rights on the road, and it doesn't help that the driving test requires no knowledge of this to pass (nor that the driving test never has to be taken a second time to maintain one's skills, but that's another thread).
When I encounter these situations, I either ignore it and move on, or if it's really serious, I just pay a visit to my friendly local law-enforcement officer. I don't argue with brick walls, so I'm not about to argue with a driver with a lower IQ and more predictable responses.
Originally posted by Prosody
I realized I made one big mistake: as I approached the intersection I was too far to the right. Had the light been red, I would have automatically moved toward the center of the lane to keep any cars behind me from squeezing me out of the lane before the light changed, but with the light green, I just kept a constant line.
Yes, but make sure it's a calculated move when you go across, and that you're aware of what's behind you. I always find that a hand signal does wonders in these occasions. It tends to force a decision from a driver. The drivers who are prepared to slow down at that point will do so. Those that aren't will accelerate and be gone by the time I move across the lane.
The other advantage about being wide from the kerb is that it automatically gives you an escape route if you need one. If a driver tries to squeeze you while you are in the centre of the lane, you can always move back toward the kerb to get away from them. If you're against the kerb and they try to squeeze you, you basically have nowhere to go.
Prosody
Originally posted by Chris L
This sort of thing is the reason that I never bother trying to reason with drivers when I'm out on the road. Most of them are totally clueless about a cyclist's rights on the road, and it doesn't help that the driving test requires no knowledge of this to pass (nor that the driving test never has to be taken a second time to maintain one's skills, but that's another thread).
When I encounter these situations, I either ignore it and move on, or if it's really serious, I just pay a visit to my friendly local law-enforcement officer. I don't argue with brick walls, so I'm not about to argue with a driver with a lower IQ and more predictable responses
If I have to opportunity to talk to the driver, I will. I have been calmer other times, but I will not pass up a chance to let someone know he has nearly killed me. If a driver I talk to eventually does hit a cyclist, it won't be because he didn't know he was dangerous. All of them try to rationalize with a statement about bicycles not belonging on the roads. This couple also used the rationalizations: "there was a car next to me so I couldn't move over" "there was a car behind me" and "there are no bicyclists on the roads where we come from." If I haven't gotten through to them, maybe, at least, the next time they come up upon a cyclist on the road, they will remember the large, frightening man on a bicycle who yelled at them and give the cyclist some room so the same thing doesn't happen to them again.
I suppose that's the best hope: I turn something that has happend to me because of a driver's actions into something that has happened to the driver. A driver won't remember that he almost killed a cyclist, but he will remember that a cyclist told him that.
greg360
Actually Mr. Prosody, you come across as remarkably composed, considering what you had to deal with.
Your actions and attitudes are much more likely to beget a positive outcome than this fellow (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30108), although he has my sympathies as I know what it's like to be that frustrated (and often am).
Keep up the good work; you've set a good example for us.
dumpstervegan
Oh man, I totally feel for you! This is a chronic problem in Chicago for sure. Taxi-cabs trying to get fares is the worst! I've found that one of the best ways to get a drivers attention is to POUND on their window with the butt of your hand (not tap, but POUND and pound hard) and then they'll realize that you are there and mean business. Granted there are always situations in which this doesn't work, as it sounds like in this situation where you're too precarious to try anything like that for falling.
I dunno, I'm also not averse to punching off mirrors if people don't watch how they're using them...
Guest
Taxis in Chicago will run you down for a $3.50 fare- and they don't give a crap about you when they suddenly swerve over 2 lanes and jump in front of you for some yokel who doesn't care about the cyclist riding correctly in the right lane. I can't stand taxis.
If they're close enough, I'll slap on their window, but they're usually too far, but I'll catch their attention by cursing loud, long and hard at them (and anyone else) and that usually works too.
Yesterday, I had a driver almost hit me REALLY hard- the idiot was looking in the other direction and didn't see me coming, and I had the right of way, but they turned and missed me by seconds- I cursed like I've never cursed before, and that stopped EVERYONE at the intersection, except the @sshole who almost hit me in the first place. It was a strange day yesterday- the second half of my ride was marked with near misses and people crowding me to the side, but the first half was like butter- oh well!
Nowadays, I'm so concerned with getting my speed up, I wouldn't seriously stop to talk and reason with some idiot driver- I usually curse them out and keep rolling. I know it's not the christian thing, but hey- it's all I got out there!
Koffee
mechBgon
Wow :eek: I think you did an admirable job of your conversation with the clueless people. On a practical note, if you don't have a helmet mirror, you might consider one... mine lets me spot these types of situations developing and take command of my lane if that's the right solution.
Sorry to hear you had a frustrating and unsettling experience like that. I hope your next ride is flawless :) You might want to memorize the number 307.188, which is the Missouri law granting you all the same rights as other road users:
If you can memorize the text of it for quotation, that's even better :D I run Washington State's version through my head frequently :)
Chris L
Originally posted by Prosody
If I have to opportunity to talk to the driver, I will. I have been calmer other times, but I will not pass up a chance to let someone know he has nearly killed me. If a driver I talk to eventually does hit a cyclist, it won't be because he didn't know he was dangerous.
No, it will be because he didn't care. Unfortunately most cyclists make the error of presuming all driver actions to be either accidental or deliberate. The fact is, around here at least, most of them fit into neither category. They're just reckless, basically, the driver doesn't give a toss either way. If they did, they wouldn't have behaved in that manner in the first place.
Originally posted by Prosody
If I haven't gotten through to them, maybe, at least, the next time they come up upon a cyclist on the road, they will remember the large, frightening man on a bicycle who yelled at them and give the cyclist some room so the same thing doesn't happen to them again.
Personally I think they're more likely to remember the big, frigtening copper who gave them a lecture about "road safety". In the close calls that I've reported to the police, this is what they've done - and the cop has the advantage of actually having the power to stop them from driving again. Having said that, I'm not exactly a large, frigtening man by any means, so you might have more hope than I would in talking to them yourself.
Originally posted by Prosody
I suppose that's the best hope: I turn something that has happend to me because of a driver's actions into something that has happened to the driver. A driver won't remember that he almost killed a cyclist, but he will remember that a cyclist told him that.
Again, I believe the biggest battle isn't so much getting them to remember it, it's getting them to care either way. Sadly, I believe that many drivers simply don't. :( Having said all that, I give you credit for the way you handled the confrontation. It would have been very easy to lose control and make a fool of yourself, but you managed to avoid that. Well done.
RiPHRaPH
prosody: this would never have happened in creve coure!! seriously, you did good. even @sswipes eventually put their head on the pillow at night and take stock of the events in their lifes. i believe that you made a difference for the next cyclist he happens upon.
Falchoon
Originally posted by Chris L
This sort of thing is the reason that I never bother trying to reason with drivers when I'm out on the road. Most of them are totally clueless about a cyclist's rights on the road, and it doesn't help that the driving test requires no knowledge of this to pass (nor that the driving test never has to be taken a second time to maintain one's skills, but that's another thread).
Chris, did you happen to catch the National Driving Test on the box the other night with Eddie Maguire and Catriona Rowntree?
Cyclists score the second lowest score in the Types of Transport Category! There is a minimum sample size for the variables represented so there may of been only one cyclist taking the test. My result (I didn't officially submit it) was 37/55.
To be honest, Falchoon, no I didn't. However, I've seen enough blatant misinformation from Channel 9 in the past to be more than a little cynical about any "results" they display. Chances are they just screwed up the actual results and posted something that might keep the TV viewers happy. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.
Pete Clark
Originally posted by Prosody
As I drew next to the curb, an asspod in a pick-up truck the size of Rhode Island towing a travel trailer the size of New Jersey pulled along side of me, missing me with the truck's huge side mirror by inches...
The law requires three feet clearance when passing. He was not operating his oversized vehicle responsibly.
I realized I made one big mistake: as I approached the intersection I was too far to the right.
Perhaps. I like to be sure I have plenty of room to spare on my right, as long as safety is not compromised. It's better for cars to slow down and pass me in the next lane than for them to try to pass me within the lane.