I remember last year that it seemed there was an increase in the number of motorists unnecessarily---and unusually---executing endangering, threatening or reckless maneuveres in either May or June that could have resulted in serious injury or worse had I not taken evasive action. I even posted a thread about it.
I first considered whether I was doing anything different in my daily commutes that might have been exposing me to more perilous situations and decided I was not. I still took the lane as I usually do when necessary, took the same routes that feature calm traffic or bike lanes, still stopped at lights and slowed or stopped at stop-signs and wasn't riding any more frequently in spite of the pleasant weather as I tend to ride from March-January anyway, so it wasn't that I was on the road more and therefore encountering dangerous situations more often. The frequency of dangerous situations seemed to drop off dramatically later in June or early July (summer vacations? more people out of the city at their cottages?)
This year, I am noticing the same thing. In just 7 days, I've been very nearly hit no less than three times. Last Friday, on the secondary arterial road I live on, a car veered from the left lane to the right while I was climbing a short hill and came within inches of side-swiping me at a high rate of speed. There was no traffic on the road at the time and I was well lit-up so there was no need for the driver to do what he (yes, I briefly saw the driver and saw he was male) did and have concluded what he did was likely intentional as the move seemed so abrupt and inexplicable.
On Saturday, while riding on a narrow one-way street bordered by a concrete-lipped garden/island and parked cars with little escape room, a motorist raced up behind me, slowing as he sat inches off my back tire and blasted his horn for me to get out of the way, not recognizing that I had the right of way and nowhere safe to move to. The fool sat on my back tire until we reached the intersection where I confronted the idiot coward, but of course now he wouldn't even acknowledge me, looking away or at his equally nervous male passenger as I challenged him. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a macho tough guy or anything and wasn't trying to pick a fight, but I am no shrinking violet either and will defend myself or confront those who seriously threaten me.
And yesterday, near the same spot as Friday's incident, a van came swinging around a car in the left lane just as I was proceeding down a treacherous underpass with a rail-bridge above me and almost slammed into me. I was forced to swing right and my frfront tire banged hard in a swerer grate as the van sped past me within inches. My son was right in front of me and the JAM almost hit both of us. Maybe we'll use the sidewalk at that spot for the next while and if challenged by a cop, tell them to inforce the rules of th road for motorists in the area before hassling me.
So, is it just me, or is it getting worse? Is it just the time of year and everything will calm down in a week or so? Is it just because now the ranks of cyclists have swelled because of the nice weather and motorists are getting frustrated that 'their' roads are being shared? Do we just hope we're not killed before it gets better again?
Sheesh.
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
I have been biking on roads since 7th grade (over 17 years) and I have *never* been honked at or harrassed (other than 12 year olds yelling silly stuff out of car windows). I have been yelled at on trails several times, though. And I ride in an urban area, with my distance now reaching 30+ miles a day. (My wife got honked at during her first time out, though. Once the guy who honed at her realized she was with me, he changed his tune in a hurry.)
I am not sure what I do differently or what it is that I don't to. I do know that I plan my routes in a maticulous way, and I often give up my right-of-way because being right doesn't matter if that means you will be harrassed or end up dead.
That being said, I do see *other* bikes get honked at or have close calls, but thankfully I have never been included in that.
Az B
It comes and goes like waves, but it's definitely slowly getting worse.
Be patient. I think change is coming.
Az
maddyfish
For me last year was worse.
stevesurf
Yup, I do believe "it" is getting worse here in the Northeast, from congested roadways requiring earlier commutes to road rage to reduced funding for bike commuters and cycling paths. I read this as a very dark time for us environmentally; meanwhile, I am greatly encouraged by some universities offering new curricula including geosciences so the kids can attempt to repair what we've f'd up.
road monkey
I think that for me, this year has been worse than last.
dynodonn
Motorists in my area are fairly courteous, but I did receive my first horn honk this year, just yesterday, by a woman in a large van. It seems that I was blocking her from pulling into the gas station next to me while I was waiting in a small line of cars at an intersection. Being courteous, I pulled up tighter to the car in front of me, and let her pull into the gas station. My guess since she was driving a large van, and her fuel gauge was probably hanging on empty. ;) I wonder if she would have honked her horn if it was a big Ford F800 truck in her way instead of somebody on a bicycle?
nightc1
I wonder if she would have honked her horn if it was a big Ford F800 truck in her way instead of somebody on a bicycle?
Of course she wouldn't have. You had the ability to help her out... it's not like a big F800 (or heck F150 even) could move up enough to do anything.
Then again, when driving if I see I can move up a foot to let someone make their turn i'll do it. No honk needed. I keep an eye on what everyone around me is doing.
Around here it seems the roads are actually less congested. On Friday's driving home it used to be so bad that the left turnlane I use could be blocked for 2 light cycles due to people being backed up going through and ending up stopping. I haven't seen that happen again for a while.
Also less kids on the road in the morning since schools are out :) . I think that's one thing that hasn't changed around here.. kids on summer vacation sleep in.
Overall it seems a bit better. But more delivery trucks are out than usual... but that makes sense with the warmer weather.
Falkon
^^ That could have been an attention getting honk like "Hey, do you mind if I come through here?" Yes, it was impatient, but I've come to expect such things.
CaptainTandem
No problems here. Motorists are calm and collected.
tlc
From browsing the forums, I don't think we have quite the same level of hostility by motorists towards cyclists here in the UK as you do in the US. People might get slightly annoyed if they're held up for a while, but that's it. Hell, I get annoyed myself when some noddy is taking up the lane when there's a perfectly good cycle-track a meter to his left.
Mostly I just have to look out for driver incompetence, which I suppose is rife everywhere. As an ex dispatch rider though (motorbike and cycle both) I'm used to simply assuming that every other road is blind, drunk, an idiot, or some combination thereof, and ride accordingly.
This quote from the road forums had me in stitches though:
It always amazes me how fat guys in Hummers seem to think they can take the average in-shape cyclist in a fight... like somehow the combination of their giant SUVS and our gay-looking spandex will create a magical parallel world where fatties beat up athletes...
Helmet Head
I have been biking on roads since 7th grade (over 17 years) and I have *never* been honked at or harrassed (other than 12 year olds yelling silly stuff out of car windows). I have been yelled at on trails several times, though. And I ride in an urban area, with my distance now reaching 30+ miles a day. (My wife got honked at during her first time out, though. Once the guy who honed at her realized she was with me, he changed his tune in a hurry.)
I am not sure what I do differently or what it is that I don't to. I do know that I plan my routes in a maticulous way, and I often give up my right-of-way because being right doesn't matter if that means you will be harrassed or end up dead.
That being said, I do see *other* bikes get honked at or have close calls, but thankfully I have never been included in that. I'm guessing you know what you're doing in traffic, you're comfortable in traffic, and thus you LOOK competent and comfortable riding in traffic, like you belong there, so it doesn't occur to the yahoos to honk at you.
Either that, or the honking happens so rarely and is so inconsequential to you that you have forgotten about it by the end of the ride.
Or perhaps some of both.
Helmet Head
I don't think we have quite the same level of hostility by motorists towards cyclists here in the UK as you do in the US. And this is why we vehicular cycling advocates seek to promote vehicular cycling - so that riding a bike in traffic gains in cultural acceptance, even if that means sometimes having to change lanes or slow down for cyclists.
This is also one of the reasons for why we tend to oppose (most) bike lanes, because bike lanes serve as an official endorsement of the notion that bicyclists should get and stay out of the way of motorists.
But, then, there is a vehicular cycling forum for this topic, so that's all I'm going to say on it here.
timmhaan
i *think* it may be getting better here (in the city). there are definitely more cyclists now than there were just 5 years ago.
Jinker
This year I've been doing most of my street riding with my little girl in the trailer.
Between naturally choosing less congested/risky routes as well as generally being less assertive/aggressive, I have to say I can't remember any instances of people really aggravating me this year.
I'm sure the trailer has a lot to do with it.
I know for certain I'm paying at least as much attention to the actions of the drivers around me, and my comfort threshold for boneheaded driving (passing closely, aggressive unnecessary maneuvers) is MUCH lower than last year, yet I'm still not getting my heart rate up nearly as often.
Not a great example as my biking habits have changed radically, but it's nice to notice, and was nice to think about my bike experience this year in those terms.
Thanks!
mwrobe1
The only thing I do notice, on a bike, and in a car, that, there are less teenagers on the road in their riced-out junkers cruising around aimlessly and polluting the air with the thumpity thump crap that passes for music.
I see it as a positive consequence of higher gas prices. :D
bike2math
I think Ohio is getting better. Basically everyone knows a cyclists or two at this point. Once a driver connects the activity to someone in their family I think they are likely to behave far better.
On the flip-side, I've been getting far more static than I used to when I drive from other drivers that don't like the way I drive (read: "slowly") and think I am holding them up.
Also I'm now known in my neighborhood as "that guy,..., you know,..., the one who was biking when it was -16 and a level three snow emergency had been declared." So my neighbors have become pretty respectful.
Blue Order
From browsing the forums, I don't think we have quite the same level of hostility by motorists towards cyclists here in the UK as you do in the US.And this is why we vehicular cycling advocates seek to promote vehicular cycling - so that riding a bike in traffic gains in cultural acceptance, even if that means sometimes having to change lanes or slow down for cyclists.
This is also one of the reasons for why we tend to oppose (most) bike lanes, because bike lanes serve as an official endorsement of the notion that bicyclists should get and stay out of the way of motorists.
But, then, there is a vehicular cycling forum for this topic, so that's all I'm going to say on it here.I think you might've missed one of his next sentences:
Hell, I get annoyed myself when some noddy is taking up the lane when there's a perfectly good cycle-track a meter to his left.:lol:
Winter76
Only thing I've noticed that there are more new cyclists on the road this year. It could be these new inexperienced cyclists that are raising the ire of drivers. That being said I've only been honked at once when a driver thought I should have been turning right at a red light when I wanted to go straight. I moved over and off she went.
timmhaan
That being said I've only been honked at once when a drive thought I should have been turning right at a red light when I wanted to go straight. I moved over and off her went.
i'm sure she had very important things to do.
trackhub
It has definitely gotten worse since I started riding as a young adult, back in the early 70's. Back then, I could ride to school in Boston, lock my Raleigh Record up at the BU bike racks, and ride home with no problems to speak of. Oh sure, once in a great while I might hear a horn, but that would be it. Bicyclists getting threatened, and sometimes assaulted, either by having something tossed from a moving vehicle, or other means, just didn't happen.
Compare this to today. But, this is a nation where people will get into a fist fight over a parking space, or into a beat down in the grocery store, because someone in line has more than the maximum number of items. This didn't happen thirty years ago either. A lot of people try to rationalize this behavior. They say things like "Well, everyone is so stressed today, that's why". I don't buy it, not for a picosecond. Something else is going on.
Is this how societies start to fall apart?
ralph12
I've noticed more yelling and road rage recently.
genec
It has definitely gotten worse since I started riding as a young adult, back in the early 70's. Back then, I could ride to school in Boston, lock my Raleigh Record up at the BU bike racks, and ride home with no problems to speak of. Oh sure, once in a great while I might hear a horn, but that would be it. Bicyclists getting threatened, and sometimes assaulted, either by having something tossed from a moving vehicle, or other means, just didn't happen.
Compare this to today. But, this is a nation where people will get into a fist fight over a parking space, or into a beat down in the grocery store, because someone in line has more than the maximum number of items. This didn't happen thirty years ago either. A lot of people try to rationalize this behavior. They say things like "Well, everyone is so stressed today, that's why". I don't buy it, not for a picosecond. Something else is going on.
Is this how societies start to fall apart?
I wonder about the same thing... although no doubt some of our 1890s forefathers probably had similar comments regarding the length of skirts and the advent of the automobile (which perhaps harkens to exactly the decline we are discussing here).
I too had few problems cycling in the mid to late 70s, and feel that the aggressiveness started some time in the mid to late 80s and ebbs and flows from that time. Could it be that the repeal of the national speed limit around 1986 has lead to some feeling of "entitlement" by motorists who cannot get the satisfaction they are seeking and thus lash out? Pure speculation on my part.
What is the history of road rage? Does it coincide in any way to the mid '80s? or to the mid '70s gas crisis?
ralph12
It has definitely gotten worse since I started riding as a young adult, back in the early 70's. Back then, I could ride to school in Boston, lock my Raleigh Record up at the BU bike racks, and ride home with no problems to speak of. Oh sure, once in a great while I might hear a horn, but that would be it. Bicyclists getting threatened, and sometimes assaulted, either by having something tossed from a moving vehicle, or other means, just didn't happen.
Compare this to today. But, this is a nation where people will get into a fist fight over a parking space, or into a beat down in the grocery store, because someone in line has more than the maximum number of items. This didn't happen thirty years ago either. A lot of people try to rationalize this behavior. They say things like "Well, everyone is so stressed today, that's why". I don't buy it, not for a picosecond. Something else is going on.
Is this how societies start to fall apart?
I agree in that I don't think people are that much more stressed today than they were in the past. A whole lot of things now are a whole lot easier. Sure there are different things to worry about than way-back-when, but people in the past had a lot on their plates too...
I think this kind of aggression and violent behavior is getting ridiculous. Either that, or it's been that way for years and now the news just reports it more.
Blue Order
It has definitely gotten worse since I started riding as a young adult, back in the early 70's. Back then, I could ride to school in Boston, lock my Raleigh Record up at the BU bike racks, and ride home with no problems to speak of. Oh sure, once in a great while I might hear a horn, but that would be it. Bicyclists getting threatened, and sometimes assaulted, either by having something tossed from a moving vehicle, or other means, just didn't happen. My experience too. Right down to the 1970 Raleigh Record I rode everywhere...
Az B
Back then, I could ride to school in Boston, lock my Raleigh Record up at the BU bike racks, and ride home with no problems to speak of. Oh sure, once in a great while I might hear a horn, but that would be it. Bicyclists getting threatened, and sometimes assaulted, either by having something tossed from a moving vehicle, or other means, just didn't happen.
We're about the same age.
However, I've got many stories from the commuting war as far back as 1982, and on recreational rides in the country from the mid 80s. Things like people picking fights, some guy leaning out the window and trying to grab my handlebars as he passed, etc. (BTW, I caught the guy leaning out the window at the next red light and hosed him down with my water bottle. He didn't see me coming either... payback and all that. He almost got out of the car until he realized I was about twice his size and four times as crazy)
I haven't had anything like those instances in years. However, there is more yelling and a lot more buzzing.
Az
sbhikes
I don't deny that your experience indicates things are getting worse. I mean how could it not be getting worse? People's salaries haven't kept up with inflation, but corporate executive get multi-million dollar bonuses even when their companies go bankrupt, congestion doesn't show much sign of improvement, cost of gas has gone up, cost of food and other necessary expenses have gone up. Things in general aren't getting better.
But my personal experience is such that I can't say they are getting worse. I changed jobs and now commute on a pristine bike path most of the way. The rest of the way is pretty absent of traffic. It's heaven.
Wino Ryder
My take on this!
I think for the most part America is more health conscious than ever before, so more and more people are getting into exercising of all kinds, which includes cycling. There are more people riding bikes now, and when you couple that with the escalating population, urban sprawl, and the fact that people now are more out for themselves (and to hell with you), then its only inevitable there's going to be more friction between the two.
Motorists today are more numerous, aggresive and busy in their lives than ever before, and to witness that trend all you have to do is see how much faster they're driving on the roads, all within the safe confines of their cars. People today drive much faster than they did in the 70's ands 80's, and with more bicycles on the road, coupled with their own selfishness, and increased intolerance of anybody or anything that could slow them down, then there's going to more horn blowing and aggressive acts of stupidity on their part, all of it aimed at us because we are the ones in their way. Unfortunately, us cyclists are the receipants of this behavior, no matter how safely we ride, or how lawful we are to the written rules.
Cyclists that dont adhere to these rules, or ride aggressively in traffic any way they want, only compounds this problem even more, and really makes it harder for us all. But its not them that I exclusively blame. Nor do I exclusively blame the average motorist, or even society as a whole. I blame our local and national government. They are the ones responsible for the advocasy of safety and awareness in our society. It is their responsibility, through awareness and driver education (and cycling education) that these factions co-exist smoothly, for everyones benefit. But I also recognize the fact that they have an almost impossible job making this work in a "free" society. America is certainly not without its growing pains, thats for sure.
People today are allowed to stray too far from the moral guidelines set forth by our fore fathers, all in the best interest of our "free society".
That said, I think its time for a beer. :D
Paul Barnard
We are a spoiled, egocentric society that wants what we want and right now. I don't see that changing soon.
banerjek
From this cyclist's viewpoint:
BETTER: acceptance of cycling and attitudes towards cyclists. Roads have been improving too, even if they are more crowded
WORSE: driver attention to the road and emotional control
Overall, I think things have slowly been improving. There seems to be some interest in making roads safer for cyclists. I messed up a wheel in a pothole on May 31 (normally I go around it, but an unusual traffic condition and my own impatience led to me hitting it at speed. I couldn't bunny hop because I was on a bent).
I called the DOT to report an unsafe condition for cyclists saying that hole had messed up my wheel and might cause an inexperienced or inattentive cyclist to crash. It was fixed within days.
bhtooefr
Actually, that branches off to another point.
More population, more urban sprawl, longer commutes, more time in the car, more traffic, more frustration. And a 15 MPH bike in the way just makes it worse.
trackhub
I don't deny that your experience indicates things are getting worse. I mean how could it not be getting worse? People's salaries haven't kept up with inflation, but corporate executive get multi-million dollar bonuses even when their companies go bankrupt, congestion doesn't show much sign of improvement, cost of gas has gone up, cost of food and other necessary expenses have gone up. Things in general aren't getting better.
But my personal experience is such that I can't say they are getting worse. I changed jobs and now commute on a pristine bike path most of the way. The rest of the way is pretty absent of traffic. It's heaven.
Valid point, but I think that's another entire discussion, for another entire forum.
It isn't just involving motor vehicles. This "I will prove how tough and bad I am" is popping up all over the place.
check out this dandy story from May (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/13371148/detail.html)
oilfreeandhappy
Normally it's been great here, but in the last 3 months I've been "cut off and run into" by a right-hand turning driver. I was unhurt and my bike was fine. This motorist admitted that he should have yielded, and apologized, saying that he had just worked the midnight shift. I accepted the apology, but sternly told him that he's going to hurt or kill somebody.
Besides that, I've been seeing cars doing stupid things lately - quick U-Turns without even looking. Parking on the wrong side of the road, and then pulling out in front of me, head-on. In general, I would agree with others - drivers are simply rushing.
SU100
trackhub said: "Is this how societies start to fall apart?"
Alas, welcome to Rome.
;)
Groundhawg
I'm very lucky to live in a rural area. I ride in town and on side streets and the cemetery.
I only ride for exercise and sometimes run a few errands. People in this town are very friendly.
Their is the occasional teenager who will stick his head out the window and holler something. But that's about all. Never had anything thrown at me. People have been pretty courteous overall. However, I live next
to a state highway. It has a pretty wide shoulder, but I never ride on it.
Drivers are to busy with cellphones, Putting on makeup, Reading the newspaper, picking up their drink or cigarette they just dropped to drive safely. Police officers are being hit doing traffic stops now. I've saw this on tv 3 or 4 times in the last 5 or 6 months. They will have a car pulled over. And here will come some idiot and side swipe them. If they will side swipe the cops. What will they do to a cyclist? A point to ponder.
I know that bicycles have as much right to the road as a cager. However, a 16-30 pound bicycle is no match for a 2 or 3000 pound car. The cyclist will always be the one to die, if it's a serious accident.It doesn't matter who's fault it is. The cyclist will die whether it was his fault or the cagers.
I like living to much to ride on a busy highway. Just my 2 cents.
Forgot to answer your question. It's definately getting worse.
mike
I haven't noticed it getting worse when I bicycle. Yesterday, though, I had to drive in after-work rush hour traffic which I had not done in a long time. THAT, I thought, was crazy. I was seeing a lot more aggressive and dangerous driving than I remembered from previous years.
Some lady in a mini-van came zooming past me, weaving in and out of 70 mph traffic at frighteningly close proximity. Then, she got blocked and tail-gated some poor guy in front of her with only about 3 feet of space between her car and the guy in front of her. That was at 70 mph. Man, one touch of the brakes and it would have been all over the road. I moved into the next lane and dropped back just waiting for it to happen. Nothing did, but holy smokes.
What was interesting was a motorcyclist (no helmut) riding four cars back oblivious to the danger ahead. If that woman had clipped the guy in front of her, the cars behind her would have had no chance but to plow into it. The guy on the motorcycle wouldn't stand a chance.
Often, we are at risk and not even have a clue as to what danger surrounds us.
ghettocruiser
Well, to the original question, I think that the problem is that summer is here.
In a 3 km stretch of Hwy 7 Friday night I had 2 different motorists attempt to initiate a confrontation with me. One of them pulled up next to me at the light (in a different lane even) and starting yelling. One started honking and screaming at me from a car stopped along the side of the road.
Unsurprisingly, both of these motorists were young men. I was in too much of a hurray to even try to identifiy what the issues were in each case.
bragi
I do think it may be getting worse out there generally, in the sense that more people seem to lack the mental development and maturity to control their baser impulses, but for bicyclists, at least in large urban areas, it may actually be getting better over time. There are more of us now, more motorists are getting used to seeing bikes on the street, and developing the skills to drive around us wihtout incident.
comoto
My take
I find that more people drive these new (faster and more agile) cars than years ago. And they think
they can go as fast as the car can go without consequence. I have a vw that is a regular rocket ship
and I find I drive faster in that car than in my 81 mercedes benz diesel with a wopping 88 hp.
(VO powered) I hardly drive the VW anymore as I really like the MB. Its a gentlemans car and I find myself driving as such. Anyhow the market will "legislate" the large/fast cars out of existence for
the most part. Europe will be the example for our cars. Most are small microcars and public transport
will be the rule. This is when fuel hits about 5 to 6 $ a gallon. I love the fact that most people there use scooters for daily transportation. Germany still primarily uses the car but their light rail
and bus systems are first rate. You could easily travel around germany without a car.
Many people ride their bikes to the train station to commute and they have covered and
secure parking for bicycles. During the week hundreds of bikes can be seen there.
There are many solutions to our problems. The political will is not there.