Commuting - Cigarette flicked at me!

I was cruising home tonight at about 9:00, and i was riding behind a car, the car was about 20 feet in front, and the passenger pitched a cigarette butt out the window!! I saw a shower of embers all around my front wheel, and some climbed up my leg! BASTARD!! So i ride up to the car, they are a buch of dumbass college guys and they're laughing, so i make them roll down the window and i ***** them out about how that could have injured me, etc. It ended with them flexing nuts and acting all cool, so i kick in the side of the car and duck down an alley really fast and out of site. I normally would just shrug it off, but i hate it when people laugh at me like that. Anyone ever get a butt thrown at them?

that sucks. sorry to hear that. i've had a beer bottle thrown at me once. that was the worst so far. although the other day a couple of kids threw snaps at me!

No. But one time at a stoplight some kids nailed me with a water bazooka.

I think i am going to start carrying a pocket full of small rocks to throw.

Flicking a cigarette = Assault with a deadly weapon :)

Flicking a cigarette=rocks thrown at windows!

Did you kick their car with the riding shoes that have those little metal cleats on the toes?

I am in no way advocating violence. But it seems that next time, they might catch up to you again if its your regular route for your commute...

I got hit in the back with a full can of beer once while riding. It drew blood and split the can open, showering me and nearby traffic with spraying beer. It happened all too fast for me to get a license tag number; best I could do was flip 'em the bird. Terrible waste of good beer.

I got hit in the back with a full can of beer once while riding. It drew blood and split the can open, showering me and nearby traffic with spraying beer. It happened all too fast for me to get a license tag number; best I could do was flip 'em the bird. Terrible waste of good beer.
Abe Lincoln referred to the, "better angels of our nature." This, and the cigarette butt flicked on purpose,
are examples of the, "darker angels of our nature" that some Radio DJ's would love to fan the flames of.

I'm glad to say that 99.9% of motorists I ride with are good people.

i would have memorized their licence plate number and call 911 and say that this car is driving recklessly and also littering. then tell police where they are at now and have the police come bust them.

Anyone ever get a butt thrown at them?
Kinda OT, but about 10 or 11 years ago Billy Joel was doing a concert in the city I lived in. I was at a redlight in my car and this limo pulls up and the back window is close to being equal with my window. I look over and there's like a party going on in there and there's Billy Joel! So I'm like "Hey! Billy Joel!" and he says "Hey kid! CATCH!" and he flicks a lit cigarette at me! So I tossed a half full paper cup of fast food soda at the limo and caught the antenna on the trunk lid. What a prick!

Did you kick their car with the riding shoes that have those little metal cleats on the toes?

No, just regular shoes. I kicked so hard it tacoed thier door panel in. Like i said, i normally wouldn't do this, but the way they were laughing about it, i just lost control.

Next time you kick in someone's door I hope you don't get shot. You weren't hurt, were you? Let it go.

Seeing that the car was 20 ft. ahead of you, do you really think they were trying to flick the cigarette AT you? Did they even know you were behind them? Since I wasn't there, I cannot tell, but if they weren't doing it on purpose I would say you overreacted.

Considering how many "Oh someone did something bad to me" posts are on these forums, I'd say that my fellow cyclists have just as short a fuse as most drivers. People, both in cars and on bikes, just need to get over it. Most "attacks" are nothing more than rudeness and lack of awareness. I doubt they even knew you were there, but you reacted like an animal. You're lucky they didn't just smear you on the road.

Paul

Well, they DID know i was back there, because i could see them look at me BEFORE they flicked the butt in my direction. The driver was the only one smoking, and somehow the butt came out of the passenger window!I was next to them at a stop sign too. Anything else?

Well, they DID know i was back there, because i could see them look at me BEFORE they flicked the butt in my direction. The driver was the only one smoking, and somehow the butt came out of the passenger window!I was next to them at a stop sign too. Anything else?

Interesting additional information; why didn't you include that in your first post?

Even if assuming it is correct, I still am surprised that your tantrum didn't get you shot or run over. Road rage on the part of cyclist is just as stupid as when driver does it.

Paul

Interesting additional information; why didn't you include that in your first post?

Even if assuming it is correct, I still am surprised that your tantrum didn't get you shot or run over. Road rage on the part of cyclist is just as stupid as when driver does it.

Paul

I just didn't think i would have to add it at that point, and i was still pretty pissed. I know road rage is a bad idea, and they did try to chase me, but I am more manuverable on my bike than their car. Like a said before NUMEROUS times, that is not usually how i handle things, and i did try to ask for an apology in a grown up way, but they just laughed at me. THAT is when i got pissed. It wasn't just me trying to be a hard ass or anything, i DID try to handle it in an adult fashion. Did you read all of the posts? Or did you just see the end part where i said i kicked the car?

You want sympathy and reinforcement and you're not going to get it from me. Personally, I think your behavior rivaled or exceeded the people in the car. Not much point in continuing with this pissing match, so I'm going to bow out and allow you to have the last word; enjoy.

Paul

so i kick in the side of the car and duck down an alley really fast and out of site.

Man, thats mature. The running away part just adds to it.

Do you people read posts before you reply? Did you miss the part where i tried to talk to them?

Do you people read posts before you reply? Did you miss the part where i tried to talk to them?

No. But then again, I'm also prone to taking action without thinking about the consequences. I also like to escalate acts of littering into incidents of property damage.

Im sorry, but this act of "littering" was an attack. I really DO NOT like being patronized.

In reading the post the part where you got them to "roll down the window and ***** them out"? Was that the adult way of asking for an apology you mentioned in a later post?

I would have been pissed too, but I would not have dented the side of their car, espeically on the streets of Cleveland, if that's where it happened.

I think you will find people have in fact read the post, or enough of the post to form their opinion since it is the same one I have seen over and over and over around here. Some folks are offended as cyclists, being represented by such actions of another cyclist. Some might agree with the actions and cheer you on, but I have never seen everyone be of the same opinion in such an incident.

They suffered dollar damages as a result of your reation to their action, you suffered emotional damages as a result of their action. Do you think the court would side with you who inentionally kicked in their door, or do you think the court would side in favor of them, when they say, we didn't realize he was back there and it was an accident? Could you use as your defense that I accidentally kicked in their car after I ***** them out, and would it stand up in a court against however many witnesses they have on their side in the car? Did you teach them a lesson or did you sour them against cyclists? My guess is you did nothing more than release some frustration, and improve the bottom line for whoever has to repair their car.

Sometimes as they say, discretion is the better part of valor, sometimes shrugging it off is the way to go.

1. It was In Bowling Green
2. I realize that i should have just left it alone
3. I use the term "bi*ched them out" as a figure of speech, to describe my telling them how i could have been injured and to show respect to cyclists.
4. I don't want to be cheered on or encouraged, and I don't see my self as some hate filled time bomb waiting to go off.
5. I handled it, in the heat of passion, the wrong way. End of story.

I was cruising home tonight at about 9:00, and i was riding behind a car, the car was about 20 feet in front, and the passenger pitched a cigarette butt out the window!! I saw a shower of embers all around my front wheel, and some climbed up my leg! BASTARD!! So i ride up to the car, they are a buch of dumbass college guys and they're laughing, so i make them roll down the window and i ***** them out about how that could have injured me, etc. It ended with them flexing nuts and acting all cool, so i kick in the side of the car and duck down an alley really fast and out of site. I normally would just shrug it off, but i hate it when people laugh at me like that. Anyone ever get a butt thrown at them?


I'm against violence too like some people who replied to this post. But, it's my personal opinion that someone has to speak out to the offenders, or else we'll all be thrown cigarette butts at. Men gotta act like men at times especially if your offenders are laughing at your suffering. Just be careful next time, however.

Isn't speaking to them the job of the police? Let's face it, bashing on car doors or calling them names is a pretty good example of p!ssing into the wind. It might make you feel better momentarily, but it really isn't going to stop their behaviour. In fact, it will probably encourage it, as they can laugh at you to their friends afterward.

I don't recall the guy who got fined for throwing an egg at me was doing too much laughing about it.

It may have been wrong to do, but I can't help but to chuckle everytime I think of Mr. FlickButt trying to explain to his daddy how the side of the door got bashed in.

I'll bet his buddies are still giving him a hard time about getting whipped by a cyclist.

Except that his daddy probably paid for it in the end anyway, and his buddies are probably still laughing at how riled up the cyclist got.

so i kick in the side of the car and duck down an alley really fast and out of site.

Man that was kind of dumb to do something like that. With them being in college, they could end up telling their friends what you look like and to keep an eye out for you. I am not saying they will do anything bad, but they could really harrass you in the future. It's best to just ignore and let them get their laugh, otherwise, you are really asking for it. You got away this time, but there is no guarantee there will not be another time! You know, you are a 20 pound bike against a 2000-3000 pound vehicle!

Hey trekkie, I feel sorry for ya. But also for the guys who got their door tacoed in. First of all, if they threw a cigarettebutt at you, and u attempt to talk to them, they best way to deal with it, is to have like your water bottle, spray it INTO the car...That would be wonderful. Or...You could carry a bar end with you and smasht he roof or something. OR maybe bring one of them cheap HEAVY stems and smack it at their hood ornament.


Superintendent Chalmers: ITS NOT A HONDA ACCORD WITHOUT THE H!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Worst tahat's happend to me: I was at the front of my school, and there are these stairs and ledges around the stairs which are attached to the school. I bring my bike over, to the front to talk to some frineds, then ride away to my home. But then a kid, leaning on a ledge, spits at me, misses me, I get off my bike, push him over the ledge, steal his cap and throw it onto a road (its a Ottawa Senators cap). 5 minutes later, the kid retreives the cap, all flattened and black. By that time, I had just turned around a corner, and saw him pick up his hat. Ever since he don't mess wit me no more.

You all gotta give Trekkie a break. I doubt all you criticizing would have acted SO much more maturely in the same situation. Get off your high horses and give the man some sympathy. That is a damn crappy situation and I think the guy deserves some props for standing up for himself, even if it wasn't the smartest way to handle the situation.

Besides, I don't about Australian police, Chris L, but American police pretty much won't do a thing unless it's a felony of they see it themselves. The cops wouldn't be much help unless they were there when it happened.

Take it easy, you don't want to damage the reputation of cyclists any more.

Do you people read posts before you reply? Did you miss the part where i tried to talk to them?

Oh! talking to them and 'trying' to handle it in a adult fashion made it OK to kick thier door and duck out..... I get it......

Listen to the others, you were/are lucky. Your reaction was as bad as thier action. I can see how angry you would get, but....

Well Folks,,,, needles to say I'm inCleveland too (not something Id make up!), and being here I tend to believe Trekkie. Way too many are very rude and ignorant. We have one of the nation's highest smoking and obesity rates too; both a reflection of stupidity. :eek: Ive had people deliberately move into the intersection and just sit there to
block my way (usually pick up trucks, honest), others see how close they can get without actually making contact, verbal abuse, etc...you all know the rest..... That's why I like to ride at night. :)

oh yeah BTW, get a good mace gun, I did! :D (CS Military Tear Gas) rules! honest...........lol

Well Folks,,,, needles to say I'm inCleveland too (not something Id make up!), and being here I tend to believe Trekkie. Way too many are very rude and ignorant. We have one of the nation's highest smoking and obesity rates too; both a reflection of stupidity. :eek: Ive had people deliberately move into the intersection and just sit there to
block my way (usually pick up trucks, honest), others see how close they can get without actually making contact, verbal abuse, etc...you all know the rest..... That's why I like to ride at night. :)

oh yeah BTW, get a good mace gun, I did! :D (CS Military Tear Gas) rules! honest...........lol

Finally someone can back me up on how it is cycling through the greater Cleveland area. I think in addition to the smoking and obesity rates, laziness abounds everywhere. I told someone from Cleveland that they should try riding thier bike to work, as they only live about three miles away, they could be there in just about 30 min(at the most), all I got was a dirty look and a "Man, do you realize how early I would have to wake up to do THAT??". I just shook my head

Finally someone can back me up on how it is cycling through the greater Cleveland area. I think in addition to the smoking and obesity rates, laziness abounds everywhere. I told someone from Cleveland that they should try riding thier bike to work, as they only live about three miles away, they could be there in just about 30 min(at the most), all I got was a dirty look and a "Man, do you realize how early I would have to wake up to do THAT??". I just shook my head


Trekkie,

Trying to talk people into cycling to work is very hard indeed. Over here weather is really not an excuse (hardly a few days of freezing weather in winter, mostly sunny spring thru fall).
There's this new craze for SUVs that increasing numbers use to show off the wealth they do - or don't - have.
Riding a bike inevitably makes it look like you can't afford a car [sigh]!

We definately are in the middle of the SUV boom here in America, as I'm sure you already know. I also think that people feel that people who ride bicycles are just a bunch of freaks who can't afford a car, or we are labeled "tree huggers". I actually did some math on how much selling your car and riding a bicycle everywhere would save you. Insurance(for me) is $100 a month, so there is $1200 in savings. Registration is $60 a year, I figure $200 a year for oil changes, another $200 for basic, general maintenance, $4,000 if I sell my truck, $1200 for gasolene. These are just guesses, and modest ones at that. Total savings: $6460 dollars a year. Thats a vacation right there, or a really sweet bike, or any number of things.

We definately are in the middle of the SUV boom here in America, as I'm sure you already know. I also think that people feel that people who ride bicycles are just a bunch of freaks who can't afford a car, or we are labeled "tree huggers". I actually did some math on how much selling your car and riding a bicycle everywhere would save you. Insurance(for me) is $100 a month, so there is $1200 in savings. Registration is $60 a year, I figure $200 a year for oil changes, another $200 for basic, general maintenance, $4,000 if I sell my truck, $1200 for gasolene. These are just guesses, and modest ones at that. Total savings: $6460 dollars a year. Thats a vacation right there, or a really sweet bike, or any number of things.

The biggest plus of all is keeping yourself healthy!

Another benefit is saving the environment

I agree with the SUV boom! I still have to say that I hate SUVs because most, not all, there are a few that drive faster, are so slow on the roads, when I am driving my car! When I drive, I like to go fast and those SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks will inevitably be in the left lane going under the speed limit. GOD, it eats me up!

You know what i really hate is when I am riding along the parking lots around here and an SUV is jockeying into a parking spot. Since they are the size of Texas, they can't see me coming on my bike, and I end up piking them as they back out of the spot to straighten themselves. People suck so bad at driving as it is, they DO NOT need the added pressure of driving a monster truck.

We definately are in the middle of the SUV boom here in America, as I'm sure you already know. I also think that people feel that people who ride bicycles are just a bunch of freaks who can't afford a car, or we are labeled "tree huggers". I actually did some math on how much selling your car and riding a bicycle everywhere would save you. Insurance(for me) is $100 a month, so there is $1200 in savings. Registration is $60 a year, I figure $200 a year for oil changes, another $200 for basic, general maintenance, $4,000 if I sell my truck, $1200 for gasolene. These are just guesses, and modest ones at that. Total savings: $6460 dollars a year. Thats a vacation right there, or a really sweet bike, or any number of things.

Even though most SUVs are advanced diesels over here I still think that people will rather drive themselves broke than use a bicycle as a vehicle.

Think about it: gasoline here costs about three times as much as it does in the US (approximately 5$ to the gallon). Apparently that's not enough to put drivers off SUVs...

Wow, that is incredible. My father visited france once and told me about how clogged the streets of the cities are, and the cars were tiny! I can't imagine that only with your "advanced diesels". I think the only people in america that commute by bicycle are on this board!

Wow, that is incredible. My father visited france once and told me about how clogged the streets of the cities are, and the cars were tiny! I can't imagine that only with your "advanced diesels". I think the only people in america that commute by bicycle are on this board!

It's true that on average cars in Europe are small, no V-8 engines or big F-1/2/350 pickups here. Still, 4WD vans and other off-roadish trucks are catching on (allegedly their drivers can see above the herd and feel safer). What I mean by advanced diesels is a new breed of engines, developed in the last 10 years, that include electronically-controlled high-pressure direct injection and supercharging. These double fuel mileage as compared with gasoline engines of equivalent power output.

I must admit that these engines no longer stink the way they used to, but increased efficiency does not help promote alternative means of transportation, even though fuel prices are stratospheric.

With France's awesome network of public transportation, I don't see why anyone would drive over there...

I think you should give Trekkie a break. He lost his temper. Maybe he didn't act in the best way, but that is the way I would have acted in the heat of the moment. I really have a very low tollerence for disrespectful people. If a driver does something to me by accident, it is one thing and I don't do anything. But if some idiot throws a cigarette but at my on purpose, I'd loose it to. As someone mentioned, squirting your water in the window might have been smarter, but he really didn't have time to think in that situation.

Yeah, I agree with trekkie losing his temper. You people who are like "Oh yeah, you shouldn't of done that you immature kiddo" I doubt that you would have acted a lot better. Probably nicer...but still as angry and disapointed. You're commuting on a beautiful nite and some jack@$$ decides to throw a cigarette butt at ya. You do nothing about it.

YEAH RIGHT! I BELIEVE SO MUCH

You would at least try to catch up and talk, and given that they give yout he same attitude, you'd probagbly either
1)swear back
2) throw the water bottle in their car
3)kik the door
4)Punch them
5)Take off your loosly attached bull horn bar end and smash something of theirs
6)be unhappy and carry a grudge only to have more and more events liek that.

There's no way you can actually handle that by saying: Oaky don't do that agian :D. NO WAY. If you cann you have some problems, a chill pill or you got knkocked out by that person b4 u could do nething.

I'm going to have to agree with trekkie also. I also live in bowling green. I have to say we must have some of the stupidest college students in the country here. Furthermore, a lot of these frat type boys are the ex-jocks from high school that don't know what to do now that they aren't friday night heros ;). As a result you get a lot of posturing *******s. I have to say that unless they're drunk they generally don't give me a hard time when I'm out running or biking. However, when my girlfriend runs alone she often has to deal with these *******s making rude sexual comments to her. I have to say that this type of posturing towards someone you don't know always bothers me. But when it is directed towards someone that is obviously smaller than you, or a minority type person (a few of my friends that are gay have really taken some heat in this town) it really pisses me off. So an ******* like this guy really gets under my skin. True I think it would be a good idea to call the police. But in the heat of the moment you don't always react right. The only time I probably wouldn't feel safe confronting them is at night or if there aren't a lot of people around.