View Full Version : Car free - Does anyone else experience abuse from car drivers?
C_LOGAN
06-11-07, 02:37 AM
I currently ride a road bike most places, and have been 'car free' for around a year now. I prefer it, because it is good exercise, and very cheap. But I have to tell you that I seen to be a real target.
A few of my experiences:
I have been yelled at by car drivers.
I have had people throw items out of cars at me.
I have had people swerve into puddles on the side of the road with the aim of wetting me as much as possible.
I have had people not respecting the road rules in relation to me, and have had a few close calls with cars when I have had right of way.
Does everyone experience this sort of thing? Or is it just me, or my neighbourhood??
I have had all of the above too
but the worst is being spat on
and this has happened in at least three countries
Is it some I did?????
george
C_LOGAN
06-11-07, 02:45 AM
I have had all of the above too
but the worst is being spat on
and this has happened in at least three countries
Is it some I did?????
george
Ahh, I forgot spitting - I was spat at once but luckily the person was not a good aim.
The Historian
06-11-07, 05:47 AM
Ahh, I forgot spitting - I was spat at once but luckily the person was not a good aim.
Poor aim seems to be a constant with the sort of cretins that spit or throw stuff out of windows.
Eli_Damon
06-11-07, 06:18 AM
I get honking and yelling all the time as well as aggressive and erratic driving, particularly, improper passing. So far, I have not had anything thrown at me.
Colorado Springs must be a pretty bike friendly town. I've only been riding again for about 4 months, so time will tell, but I have experienced no abuse whatsoever. In my younger days when my Schwinn 10 speed was my only transportation for several years in Albuquerque, I don't remember ever being abused by motorists either. Some of the horror stories on these forums about abuse from drivers and and dangerous driving are really scarey. It seems most of them are in dense urban areas or in very "redneck" parts of the country.
It seems most of them are in dense urban areas or in very "redneck" parts of the country.
I live in the densest ward of DC and rarely have a problem. I encounter rude drivers much more often in the suburbs. When I run into a jerk in my neighborhood it is often in a car with a suburban license tag.
I don't think abuse is peculiar to being on a bike. Pedestrians get splashed, and things thrown at them, too, or worse, and when I had a car, people yelled at me, cut me off intentionally, and gave me the finger for no particular reason. It's not about the bike, but about people just being assh*les behind the wheel of their cars. The same people are probably assh*les when they're not in their cars, too. The best thing to do with such people is to simply ignore them, don't allow them to intimidate you, or, if they are sincere in acting dangerously, call the police.
The same people are probably assh*les when they're not in their cars, too.
Several people have remarked that they change when they get in their cars. Just yesterday a mother remarked about her daughter picking up foul language. "The only time she hears that word from me is when I'm driving."
everichon
06-11-07, 12:26 PM
I have auto passengers randomly scream at me-- not words, but just "WAHHHHH!!!" type screaming. This has happened a few times in the last month. Very annoying.
I have auto passengers randomly scream at me-- not words, but just "WAHHHHH!!!" type screaming. This has happened a few times in the last month. Very annoying.
Come to think of it, I just had that happen last week... thought nothing of it, looked up and smiled.
However a few years from now when driving the Suburban SUV will be left only to those independently wealthy few those screams from cars will disappear and be replaced by laboured puffing as you're passing them riding their bikes uphill.
:D
I almost never have a problem, but coincidentally I just got hassled about 30 minutes ago.
I was riding on the street I live on, which has 2 narrow lanes in each direction. I always ride in the center of the outer lane. This evening a cager behind me laid on his horn and just followed about 2 bike lengths behind me, blowing on his horn constantly. There was no other traffic so he could have passed me in the other lane easily. He followed me, honking, for 3 blocks. I finally rode up on the sidewalk and let him pass me. It was 3 teenagers in a little car. I critiqued their driving as they passed. ;)
It pissed me off, but i stopped to remember that for every JAM who hassles me on this road, at least 1000 others pass me safely and courteously.
....Besides, what can you do about it?
Come to think of it, I just had that happen last week... thought nothing of it, looked up and smiled.
However a few years from now when driving the Suburban SUV will be left only to those independently wealthy few those screams from cars will disappear and be replaced by laboured puffing as you're passing them riding their bikes uphill.
:D
More likely pushing their bikes uphill! :D
rockmom
06-11-07, 06:08 PM
I mostly get smiles or ignored. I think people (even somewhat jerky people) are less likely to shout or throw things at a women with children in tow. Also there are a ton of people on bikes in my neighborhood so drivers expect there to be people biking.
kjohnnytarr
06-11-07, 06:20 PM
My town is extremely bike friendly. However, many cycelists don't obey rules of the road, and so we're not always respected by motorists. (That, and we have half-drunk students to deal with downtown at night, adding to the problem)
I try to make up for it by fimly holding my ground, even if it leaves me yelling at a bumper. If motorists give me disrespect or abuse, I send it right back.
[....]
Also there are a ton of people on bikes in my neighborhood so drivers expect there to be people biking.
There are tons of people on bikes where I live too. Most of them are on the sidewalk, however, and that's where some local drivers think I should be too. Like the honkin' JAM I described above.
MyBikeGotStolen
06-11-07, 07:18 PM
I had a guy in a big redneck truck riding in the bikelane towards me trying to scare me. he turned back into the road a few feet before he got to me (not a close call) but he wasnt expecting my big loogie to hit his passenger in the face when passing me, which it did. luckily cyclist know the "back roads" :)
Cosmoline
06-11-07, 07:26 PM
Drivers can be incredibly abusive. But you have to remember, the more you drive, the less intelligent you are.
eofelis
06-11-07, 07:40 PM
Just remember: if the drivers are pissed at you, or yell at you, it means they saw you.
Never ever got that. I suggest that you move. ;)
But then I rarely ride in the center downtown area, so I cannot say.
rockmom
06-11-07, 08:22 PM
There are tons of people on bikes where I live too. Most of them are on the sidewalk, however, and that's where some local drivers think I should be too. Like the honkin' JAM I described above.
I mostly see bikes on the road rather than the sidewalk. I'm sure that my avoidance of the busier streets also plays a role in not meeting abusive drivers.
ChipSeal
06-11-07, 09:49 PM
I was riding on the street I live on, which has 2 narrow lanes in each direction. I always ride in the center of the outer lane. This evening a cager behind me laid on his horn and just followed about 2 bike lengths behind me, blowing on his horn constantly. There was no other traffic so he could have passed me in the other lane easily. He followed me, honking, for 3 blocks. I finally rode up on the sidewalk and let him pass me. It was 3 teenagers in a little car. I critiqued their driving as they passed. ;)
....Besides, what can you do about it?
....Besides, what can you do about it?
Slow to a stop in the lane.
I had just the same incident happen to me. (On a road with two lanes each direction) When the fool failed to overtake me as traffic allowed, I slowed to a stop in my lane, turned around and asked him if he knew me. "From church right? Is that where I know you from?"
He got this panicky look in his eye, as now he is too close to me to pull smoothly into the next lane, and traffic is piling up behind him, merging and passing us and "trapping" him behind me.
I continue; "Do you know JEEESUS as your LORD and savior? You are not DOOOMED to HELLfire and DAMNation..." I did my best impersonation of a southern baptist preacher.:p
He interrupts me; "Get out of my way!" In a whinny voice.
"I will, when you apologize for your rude behavior. Would you now RE-ceive the HEEAVenly gift..."
I was able to go on in this manner for almost a whole minute before a large enough gap appeared in traffic for him to get around me. I am certain he wished he had never hassled me in the first place!
At the start, I just figured that if he didn't like me going 18 mph, how would he like 12? Or 8? I expected him to take advantage of the many opportunities to go around me, and each time he didn't, I slowed again. I think he was a slow learner! His trip was extended longer than he expected. It was just his bad luck that I had plenty of time on my hands that day!:D
Tailwinds, ChipSeal.
I've had that stuff happen to me on a bike as well as in a car. Some people are just jerks; whether they are behind the wheel, on foot or otherwise.
dauphin
06-11-07, 11:14 PM
I currently ride a road bike most places, and have been 'car free' for around a year now. I prefer it, because it is good exercise, and very cheap. But I have to tell you that I seen to be a real target.
A few of my experiences:
I have been yelled at by car drivers.
I have had people throw items out of cars at me.
I have had people swerve into puddles on the side of the road with the aim of wetting me as much as possible.
I have had people not respecting the road rules in relation to me, and have had a few close calls with cars when I have had right of way.
Does everyone experience this sort of thing? Or is it just me, or my neighbourhood??
I've had a few horns honked at me, but that is about it...I keep waiting for the bad stuff...
heywood
06-12-07, 01:42 AM
All the time dudes...not as much as I used to in the 1980's though..maybe people are actually thinking the bike isn't that stupid a form of transportation..
Cheers!
All the time dudes...not as much as I used to in the 1980's though..maybe people are actually thinking the bike isn't that stupid a form of transportation..
Cheers!
It's true - I see more and more commuters every week. Most seem to be in their mid 30's to 40's.
I like having more bikes on the road - and when was the last time you saw a pissed off cyclist? I have yet to see one, but sure do see a lot of grins as we pass each other.
dejinshathe
06-12-07, 06:01 AM
When I took up riding again, recently, I feared that I'd receive this sort of thing from drivers, but so far, it's been good. Sure, some of them have become impatient; I've had a couple of motorists really put their foot down once they're past me, but I haven't heard so much as a horn or a shout out of a window in the last six weeks.
Maybe I'm just lucky.
Tom Stormcrowe
06-12-07, 09:45 AM
I got puddled last summer on a hot humid day.....felt great and I actually thanked the driver when I caught up at the light, told him I needed a good cooldown!
He got the funniest look on his face and even though he still passes me every so often, now I get a tiny beep and a wave from him. I guess he realized I was a person instead of an annoyance. (By the way, he uses all his fingers when he waves too!):D
....
I like having more bikes on the road - and when was the last time you saw a pissed off cyclist? I have yet to see one, but sure do see a lot of grins as we pass each other.
If you never saw a pissed off rider then you never saw me! :D
nelson249
06-12-07, 11:22 AM
I got yelled at by a pair young (shall we say plus size?) women in a Pontiac Sunfire slurping on frappacinos. All I could think was, "Crap, you characters need to get out of the damned car and do some riding yourselves."
Does everyone experience this sort of thing? Or is it just me, or my neighbourhood??
does anyone not have these issues?
if not, you will sometime :rolleyes:
people get weird and mean in cars.
Artkansas
06-12-07, 02:54 PM
Never had them swerve into puddles. but I've had all the others, and been shot, and been grabbed by automobile passengers. The car that physically pushed me to the curb with his fender to steal my bicycle was the worst though.
fordfasterr
06-12-07, 03:28 PM
Never had them swerve into puddles. but I've had all the others, and been shot, and been grabbed by automobile passengers. The car that physically pushed me to the curb with his fender to steal my bicycle was the worst though.
I was once abducted by alien commuters... man, they probed me hard. :eek:
Only from the teenagers. My nemesis assumes the form of a BMW convertible occupied by five teenage boys. Nothing within sight of this nexus of pent up boredom is safe.
The adults are too lazy to lift a finger, at worst, they occasionally mutter sweet nothings as they pass. Activities which seem to be abuse I think are also laziness. Sometimes it's inconvenient to turn the steering wheel one way and then the other, or hold the weight of one's foot off of the throttle, much less lift that foot and transfer it to the pedal adjacent to the throttle.
40 Cent
06-12-07, 05:43 PM
I definitely think urban areas are bike-friendlier. I commute from Brooklyn to Manhattan every day and only occasionally get a honk. Whereas, when I venture to the suburbs (Long Island, NJ, CT, MA) all sorts of strange and dangerous behavior from motorists. The most recent: in the suburbs of MA, a pick-up pulled very close to me and my buddy and the passenger yelled "GET ON THE SIDEWALK!!" huh?
Well I had a new one yesterday....
I was locking my bike to a sign post in front of a medical building. I had my backpack on the driveway pavement, about 6 inches from the curb. A huge SUV ran over my backpack, brushing my shoulder with it's mirror. It pulled up to the curb in front of me and the occupants got out. I said, "HEY! You ran over my back pack!" the passenger, a large old man said, "You shouldn't have put it out in the middle of the road, you moron!" I pointed out (rather gruffly, I'm afraid) that it was at the edge of the driveway, and not the middle of the road. By then he was in awheelchair, waving his metal cane as he rolled right toward me. I said, "WTF, now you're gonna run me over, you old coot?" I sidestepped as he kept rolling toward me brandishing his cane, yelling "I'll old coot you! You wanna finish this in the parking lot?" By this point my rage had pretty much turned to laughter, and I just went into the store, hoping he wouldn't follow.
Pretty strange experience. he was old and in a wheelchair but still a big healthy looking guy.
...By then he was in awheelchair, waving his metal cane as he rolled right toward me. I said, "WTF, now you're gonna run me over, you old coot?" I sidestepped as he kept rolling toward me brandishing his cane, yelling "I'll old coot you! You wanna finish this in the parking lot?" By this point...
:roflmao: That could have been a scene in a Marx Bros comedy! Which old coot was Groucho?
I'm hoping that the hollering was a passing thing... happened twice in a week but hasn't since.
Occasional "get on the sidewalk!" but 'way more smiles and courtesy. You never know when somebody's gonna be a nut case, though, reveling in their perceived anonymity.
Riding in Worcester can sometimes be a little abusive. I've never had any projectiles but plenty of honks, screams, insults, etc. It's all becomes worth it when I go downtown during rush hour and get to ride 5 times faster than all the jackasses in cars and return the abuse when they get in MY way. I had a lady the other day who pulled out way past the cross-walk and directly into my path at a stop light. I skidded to a halt, with my discs screeching, about 2 feet from her driver's side door. Siezing the opportunity to 'educate' a fat motorist in a mini van, I yelled something to the effect of 'ARE YOU BLIND, D****EBAG? YOU MUST BE BECAUSE MY BIKE IS F***ING GOLD AND SHINY AND I'M WEARING A BRIGHT F***ING YELLOW SHIRT.' The guy in the car behind her actually started clapping at this point and I could tell she was sufficiently embarrassed. She quickly rolled up her window and backed up to the stop line and I gave her a on-finger wave on the way by.
It's not usually my style but sometimes it just gets to you.
Lamplight
06-15-07, 02:49 PM
I get the occasional horn honk or idiotic yelling, but it's not all that frequent. To be honest, I get harassed much more when I drive (which is almost never) because I *gasp* obey the speed limit! When I'm on my bike they can usually pass me and be on their way, but in a car they rarely can pass, so they go ballistic because they can't break the law. :rolleyes:
alicestrong
06-23-07, 06:11 AM
I'm treated much more kindly when on the bike than in the car, too. Is that because I have the demeanor of the more vulnerable one? :rolleyes: Although I must say I actually flipped off a driver yesterday ( for the first time while on the bike)
This woman had the gall to whiz right thru the crosswalk with two of us in it walking our bikes...just a couple of feet in front of me.
I felt bad about myself...like I stooped to their road-ragey level.
Where is a cop when you need one? She should have gotten a ticket. She had plenty of time to stop.
scattered73
06-23-07, 08:51 AM
Most of my road rage driver experiences are in the suburbs, but my close calls are mostly in the inner city but the drivers seem apologetic even .And in the inner city I get a lot of invites to go first at 4 way stops even when I approach the stop sign second this happens a lot usually 3-4 times a week. Really makes up for the jerks. Funny thing is a customer of mine at work claims the opposite with drivers at night and bad/inner city and good/suburbs.
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