Advocacy & Safety - Closest near crash during commute

This is the closest I've ever come to a crash on my commute. Not on the 45mph busy arterial, but on the 25mph quiet residential street approaching a school zone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt0yaxk--Is (new video never been posted)

I was traveling at 22-23mph before slowing hard. The 2nd driver missed me with about 4" to spare. That was the real hazard, the first older kid was showing off and was timing a near miss to get a rise out of me (successful). The 2nd was just following and it was lucky we didn't collide.

(note 2nd driver is only momentarily visible in the begining of video, but are out of frame when they nearly hit me. They basically took the same path as the first)

Al

This is the closest I've ever come to a crash on my commute. Not on the 45mph busy arterial, but on the 25mph quiet residential street approaching a school zone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt0yaxk--Is (new video never been posted)

I was traveling at 22-23mph before slowing hard. The 2nd driver missed me with about 4" to spare. That was the real hazard, the first older kid was showing off and was timing a near miss to get a rise out of me (successful). The 2nd was just following and it was lucky we didn't collide.

(note 2nd driver is only momentarily visible in the begining of video, but are out of frame when they nearly hit me. They basically took the same path as the first)

Al

That's really interesting. One thing this illustrates is how much we cyclists probably rely on hearing. I mean, it looks like that guy was making a genuine effort to check for traffic before accidentally (?) cutting right in front of you.

It was definitely not an accident. It was fully intentional - being there and seeing and hearing everything (including what one of the boys said) made that very clear.

Al

I would kick his little arse.

the 2nd 'driver'????

Al, you really need to get a grip. watch out for those ROW violators. maybe your lane position wasn't appropriate and they decided to 'teach ya a lesson'..... how come you didn't anticipate the ROW violation and sucessfully pulled a right fakey around said 'driver'

Sad. Why didn't you chase them down and let the air out of their tires. (but then, they'd be coming after you on every commute, likely with a gun hefted from dads' dresser....) or, you could have given them the 'bikes are vehicles spiel'

I expected something a little more dramatic. to say I'm dissapointed in your video is an understatement. and you had to post it to youtube. wow. 2nd "Driver" :rolleyes:

I usually like to give punks like those a nice scare too. Locked brakes and going directly at them when they try stunts like that.

....admit it, al...
you were giving them the VC 'steely eyed glare' because they were 'driving' on the sidewalk.

the 2nd 'driver'????

Bek - I choose my descriptors primarily for your reading pleasure. It seems to have worked.

Al

I would kick his little arse.

I almost turned around. But I didn't think I could have done anything that would have been satisfactory wihtout also potentially getting myself in trouble. Why stoop to their level anyway?

Al

I had a man on foot pull a similar stunt, although this guy yelled when he jumped out, and he didn't cross my path but rather jumped out as though he was going to.

I was confused by the fact that you referred to kids on bikes as "driver".

It's almost too bad you didn't plow into the first biker. I would never wish severe head injury on a loser like that but some road rash and bruises for him would have been just fine with me, assuming the kid cut you off intentionally.

..I bet those "drivers" haven't passed the liscensing exams yet, Al. :roflmao:

..I bet those "drivers" haven't passed the liscensing exams yet, Al. :roflmao:

Betcha right.

I'm remain very glad you are still enjoying this thread. Believe it or not, I was in a fun filled mood when I posted it, which likely influenced my choice of words.

Al

It's almost too bad you didn't plow into the first biker. I would never wish severe head injury on a loser like that but some road rash and bruises for him would have been just fine with me, assuming the kid cut you off intentionally.

With my luck I'd be the one with the road rash and destroyed bike, picking myself up from the ground while the kids, uh, I mean drivers, would be long gone.

Al

at least that 'driver' didn't honk at you for twenty seconds for taking the lane.... :rolleyes:

at least that 'driver' didn't honk at you for twenty seconds for taking the lane.... :rolleyes:

I wouldn't be surprised if this young bicycle driver growns up to be the type that does.

Al