Western Canada - Edmonton Driver

Well this morning I had it out with my first Edmonton driver. Just riding to work and going through a small one lane construction zone. Also the sidewalk was closed. Well after we get through the guy (in his 40's) behind me in his minivan starts yelling at me as he drives by. So I throw my hands in the air at him. (No fingers mind you) So the guy lock up his front tires and swerves at the curb as to cut me off. I'm a bit back so I just coast by him. So He speeds back up and starts driving beside me and yells at me to have respect for people. I'm thinking "I'm the one just trying to ride to work" So I starting yelling back, I couldn't hold it in anymore. So he swerves at the curb again but this time try's to get out of his door and starts yell at me to stop and asks why I being such a ***** and not getting off my bike. Again he gets back in his MINIVAN and rolls up beside me again yelling at me to stop so he can try to fight me. I simply tell him I'm just going to work and i can't stop. After a second he says me to and peels off.

So after he is gone and I get to the next light I feel that I'm just shaking.... haha. Also I start thinking dam getting a plate number might have been nice. So I continue my ride to work and when I get there and minivan is in the parking lot next to the building and it's the same color as the guy's from earlier. I walk over and grab the plate number but I don't think it's his.

So Now I get to think about if said "driver" will be back on the ride home or tomorrow morning. And if I should have any plans for him....

Hey sorry to hear about that... i hate that kind've thing. I'd be pretty tempted to just let it go, there's really nothing to be gained from confronting a driver. Although, i myself have been known to loose my temper in those situations.

Edmonton drivers just don't quite 'get' bikes on the road. Most people here ride on the sidewalk if they ride at all. (personally, i never use the sidewalk, and seldom use the bike trails)

I'll keep my eyes open for any hostile minivans :p

http://www.outdoorpros.com/images/prod/5/Benchmade-551-rw-10576-3052.jpg

i have been ridin for a few yrs in a lot of different cities,,,when that stuff happens to me,,,i forget about it seconds after it happens,,,im not gonna let some dick ruin my day,,,enjoy the ride,,,

i seldom use bike trails to..,i find them boring

Edmonton drivers just don't quite 'get' bikes on the road.

Which isn’t too surprising since I find it very common that Edmonton Drivers don’t get four-way stops, left turns, or other vehicles?

I've only come across hostile drivers in completely bizarre situations, such as honking at me because I was riding strait past a right hand exit/merge lane, or to get around me to the line of cars at the stop light 25 feet in front of me.

To be fair, mostly I have found drivers give me a wide berth whenever possible, even if it isn’t at all required.

The weather is getting fun though.

TNO

I have been riding a ton and I haven't had a problem again. Also I did move and my ride to work is now only 2.5km.

Start carrying a digital camera.

Take his picture, and one of his license plate.

Call the cops, and report agressive driving.

Meh.. nothing will happen. I doubt that the Police would even follow up on it unless the driver actually did something that caused harm to the cyclist.

I'm with trustnoone, the vast majority of Edmonton drivers are very good about being courteous to cyclists. Unfortunately, the few drivers who are not are out there and we have to deal with them.
Don't be cycnical about reporting a dangerous driver, chances are if he is acting irrationally, he's impaired. Call the hotline. The least that will happen is that he'll receive notice of being reported, which might tone down the bad behavior in the future.

Here's (http://edmontonbikes.ca/brb/2008/12/its-worth-calling-it-in/) some info about reporting drivers in Edmonton (amongst other things).