Commuting - How do you deal with harassment?

I've been commuting the same route for the last 10 years. Most drivers are used to seeing me and, until recently, harassment from drivers has been almost non-existent. Last week, I joined in a paceline on the way in to work and the line got screamed at by an old lady, "birded" by two other drivers (all in the space of a quarter mile). I laughed and chalked it all up to riding in a paceline with roadies during Chicago suburban morning rush hour.

Yesterday was the kicker, though. While I was taking a tight right turn, a guy in a pickup truck passed me and intentionally cut to the curb. He stopped with his right front tire against the curb. The bed of the truck was nearly touching me. If I hadn't stopped quickly my handlebar would have gouged the side of his truck. He gunned his engine and flew me the bird out the window as he drove off.

How would you have reacted to the guy in the pickup? My reaction? The next light was about a mile away. I almost caught him at the light and had my water bottle out, ready to pull next to him and cool him off. That's probably not the best reaction -- the best is just to let it go, but my anger was getting the best of me.

Gesture as if you're calling the police on your cell phone. If you actually have one, you can actually make the call. What you described was assault and reckless endangerment. If the cops balk and say they can't take action on a traffic incident they didn't actually see, tell them it's not a traffic incident, it's a violent crime (which this was). Get as much of the license plate as you can. Insist on reporting it as a crime. When guys like this get calls from the cops after doing something like that, they think twice about doing it again.

I always have a cell phone one me, and I try to not incite a confrontation. If they're upset with you following the rules of the road, then that's their problem. I usually try not to make eye contact and get out of the situation as soon as possible. I have the police dept non-emergency line programmed in my phone, so if the harassment becomes too much or could become dangerous I call and fill them in and they make the decision for me. If anything, I try not to say anything to the harassing party. I stay calm and try to show some resolve. If you show that the harassment has shaken you then they will most likely try to continue to hassle you. Last ditch before calling 911 for a full blown attack is to try to get to a public place ASAP, like a gas station or in front of a grocery store - a place with lots of witnesses and the potential for someone to help if you're attacked

I would've intentionally scraped some paint off his car, then hit the deck on my bike, remembered the license plate, called the cops, and reported an actual assault. Some people just don't learn.
Since I live in NYC, many more witnesses and if someone does indeed *start* an assault, I will try to end it for him even if they run.

Yes. Cell phones are the great equalizer.

For most people I just pull it out and pretend like I'm calling. It makes them think twice next time they feel like doing something stupid like that.

For real nuts like that guy, I call the police and report the incident along with the license plate.

I've only done it once. The police actually went on a search for him, called me about an hour later saying they hadn't found him but they have his license on file now in case of any incidents in the future.

So if that guy ever really does clip a cyclist (which is pretty likely to happen if he doesn't have a major epiphany somewhere along the line), he's screwed because he has a documented history of purposefully endangering cyclists.

Reading this thread just inspired me to add the both local PD's to my celphone's phonebook. Thanks for the helpful info.

How would you have reacted to the guy in the pickup?

I'd let my 357 do all the reacting ;)

2 years ago I had a kid throw stuff at me from a car. It hit me and my bike and I called the State Police with the plate number and description of the car and the kid that did the throwing. I figured the State Police would be more willing to do something. I didn't hear anything for 3 days, at which time the investigating Trooper called me and said that he found the car, talked to everyone (18-19 yo's) that was in the car except for the kid that threw the stuff at me, and they confirmed my story. He asked if I wanted to press charges against the kid (who it turns out had done this to another cyclist).

Some kids will never learn will they?

2 years ago I had a kid throw stuff at me from a car. It hit me and my bike and I called the State Police with the plate number and description of the car and the kid that did the throwing. I figured the State Police would be more willing to do something. I didn't hear anything for 3 days, at which time the investigating Trooper called me and said that he found the car, talked to everyone (18-19 yo's) that was in the car except for the kid that threw the stuff at me, and they confirmed my story. He asked if I wanted to press charges against the kid (who it turns out had done this to another cyclist).

Some kids will never learn will they?

you did press charges, right?

you did press charges, right?

After taking it over with the Trooper, I decided not to. The kid was in a Psych ward under a suicide watch, which was why the Trooper never talked to him. The day after he threw stuff at me, he tried to kill himself. His family requested that I not press charges, and as there was no damage to me or my bike, I decided not to add to his problems. But the report of him throwing stuff at me is on file and on his record so if he continues this behavior, he will end up with a stiffer penalty.

Yep, cell phone all the way. Don't gesture. Just call. It's well past time for just scaring the drivers a bit (unless it's a young kid that doesn't yet know better...then scare 'em).

Of course, I'd also make sure that the end of the handlebar took off a bit of paint. Nothing like proof of contact.

Bonus : 911 is a FREE call from a cell or mobile phone ! And people complain nothing is free anymore :)

I usually brush it off, if it's a car or something with plates it gets called in. If it's a pedestrian that's being physically violent...i'll brush it off if I can...if I am having difficulty riding away safely...then out comes the kryptonite.

If a car passes and tries to cut me off on the kerbside, I just pass on the other side and ride in the middle of the lane in front of them. Just helping them on their way to the coronary ward.

If a car passes and tries to cut me off on the kerbside, I just pass on the other side and ride in the middle of the lane in front of them. Just helping them on their way to the coronary ward.

I do this also. In fact, I have situations that require me to do this every single day.

After taking it over with the Trooper, I decided not to. The kid was in a Psych ward under a suicide watch, which was why the Trooper never talked to him. The day after he threw stuff at me, he tried to kill himself. His family requested that I not press charges, and as there was no damage to me or my bike, I decided not to add to his problems. But the report of him throwing stuff at me is on file and on his record so if he continues this behavior, he will end up with a stiffer penalty.

I would have pressed the charges regardless.

I would have pressed the charges regardless.

I thought about it overnight before I made my decision. But having been in a similar situation as his at one point in my life, I decided that the torment that was going on in his life and his mind outweighed the satisfaction of him being arrested and convicted. According to the Trooper, his family was begging him not to press charges. The Trooper told them that it was not his decision, it was mine. If I had been injured, or my bike damaged I most likely would have demanded that charges be placed.

Alternatively, you can make a mental note of the car and when you see it again, hopefully in a quiet, deserted street far away from your own place, you're in a position to constructively remind him of the transient nature of personal possessions.

my god! We have one person determined to have charges pressed against him ("remind him of the transience of personal possessions")* and one person who's determined to press charges on everything he sees ("would have pressed the charges regardless.")

Personally, I despise the way some folks think that a lawyer will solve everything in the world. All of the things you can't do because some dork had no common sense and blamed their mistake on someone else. They take down the fun playground equipment because parents can't be bothered to watch children that obviously need it, they put big fences in front of cliffs as though falling off of a cliff isn't the fault of the person falling, etc.


For most people I just pull it out and pretend like I'm calling. It makes them think twice next time they feel like doing something stupid like that.

Maybe I should buy a fake plastic cell phone. From inside a car, nobody would know.

*great line by the way. I assume you're actually joking, because that's pretty funny.

Good responses! I like the cell phone idea. My wife and I have not given in to the cell phone craze, but my kids have play cell phones. One of the play phones is now in my commuter bag.

I didn't see the truck on the ride home yesterday. It did keep me occupied looking for the guy, though.

Why does it seem like all ******* harrassing motorists are people in pick up trucks? I swear, virtually every incident of rude behavior on the road (whether on a bike or in a car) is perpetrated by a pick up truck driver. The larger the truck, the larger the *******, too. Ugh.

ds

my god! We have one person determined to have charges pressed against him ("remind him of the transience of personal possessions")* and one person who's determined to press charges on everything he sees ("would have pressed the charges regardless.")

Personally, I despise the way some folks think that a lawyer will solve everything in the world. Um, lawyers don't press charges, law enforcement agencies do. We're talking about criminal prosecution (appropriately, for criminal behavior), not civil action.

Why does it seem like all ******* harrassing motorists are people in pick up trucks? I swear, virtually every incident of rude behavior on the road (whether on a bike or in a car) is perpetrated by a pick up truck driver. The larger the truck, the larger the *******, too. Ugh.

ds

It does seem that way -- at least one friend of mine thinks that way. Maybe cyclists notice pickups more because they are larger vehicles, take up more room on the road, and a pickup driving past you sometimes seems like it's crowding you (even if it's non-intentional).

Long story so I will make it short. Guy drove past me and while passing he pushed me. I almost fell hard. I catch up to him and pulled out my little krypto lock, Lock smashed through passanger window and I the wrong way down a one way with a big angry smile on my face.

While I was taking a tight right turn, a guy in a pickup truck passed me and intentionally cut to the curb. He stopped with his right front tire against the curb. The bed of the truck was nearly touching me. If I hadn't stopped quickly my handlebar would have gouged the side of his truck. He gunned his engine and flew me the bird out the window as he drove off.
Call the cops. This bastard needs to be off the road.

I have had simular experiance,s ,if I catch up at the next lights or traffic jam I bang on their window or roof to show my disaproval, other than that I've learnt to forget it or it can realy spoil your ride & your day brooding about it .

my god! We have one person determined to have charges pressed against him ("remind him of the transience of personal possessions")* and one person who's determined to press charges on everything he sees ("would have pressed the charges regardless.")

Yes, I am. I don't see any reason why people should not be held accountable for their actions.


Personally, I despise the way some folks think that a lawyer will solve everything in the world. All of the things you can't do because some dork had no common sense and blamed their mistake on someone else. They take down the fun playground equipment because parents can't be bothered to watch children that obviously need it, they put big fences in front of cliffs as though falling off of a cliff isn't the fault of the person falling, etc.

It has nothing to do with asking a lawyer to solve anything, nor is it an issue of blaming my mistake on somebody else. If someone throws something at me out of a car, it is a deliberate criminal assault, plain and simple. If someone punched you in the mouth while you were walking down the street, would you refuse to "let a lawyer solve everything in the world"?

[QUOTE=Tree TrunkI laughed and chalked it all up to riding in a paceline with roadies during Chicago suburban morning rush hour.[/QUOTE]

you just hit the nail on the head...CHICAGO and SUBURBAN!

ain't no probs livin' and ridin' in the city limits

Bonus : 911 is a FREE call from a cell or mobile phone ! And people complain nothing is free anymore :)

dude..have you seen all the 911 taxes on your cell bill? NOTHING is free

If you really want to get them, catch up to them and start taking pictures. This is possibly one time where a camera phone might come in handy. I posted my idea about the Ultimate Traffic Raffle (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=451254&postcount=3) a while back in another thread.

Note: be sure to scout out possible escape routes as some people might react pretty badly to having their picture taken. ;)

Male teenagers like pickup trucks.


Why does it seem like all ******* harrassing motorists are people in pick up trucks? I swear, virtually every incident of rude behavior on the road (whether on a bike or in a car) is perpetrated by a pick up truck driver. The larger the truck, the larger the *******, too. Ugh.

ds

Stopped at a light. Car pulls up on my left and I see a teenager driving and 2 younger kids (about 12 years old) one in the front passanger seat the other in the rear. Kid in the pasanger side yells at me "We're gonna kill you Mr. Bicycle man" they say this several times all the while laughing.

So I get off the bike, step up on the sidewalk, saying nothing, and look at them until the light turns green and they drive off. Laughing of course. I got descriptions, car make and model and license plate.

I get home and call the police. Officer shows up at my door to take a statement. Mommy calls the next day and apologizes for her son and tells me he WILL be punished. Apparantly, the kid turned white when the cop showed up at their door wondering about a group of kids in a Chev Cavalier threatening somebody's life.

Cop calls the next day and tells me all about it. Kid admitted it right off the bat and started to bawl when the cop told him of the charges I could lay against them, but the cop said he would see what he could do to try and convince me to drop the charges.

I didn't lay charges. It was just a stupid kid. But MAN, I'd give anything to be there to see the kids face.

Digger

Why does it seem like all ******* harrassing motorists are people in pick up trucks? I swear, virtually every incident of rude behavior on the road (whether on a bike or in a car) is perpetrated by a pick up truck driver. The larger the truck, the larger the *******, too. Ugh.

ds

How right you are!!! I even have problems with them when driving my car! But it's not just them, it's also minivans and suvs.

But MAN, I'd give anything to be there to see the kids face.

Digger

I bet he wet his pants. :roflmao:

I didn't see the truck on the ride home yesterday. It did keep me occupied looking for the guy, though.

Hey, we're right next to each other -- I ride in the general vicinity of Fermilab.
What road were you on? (such that I can avoid it and/or look for belligerent trucks...)

I didn't lay charges. It was just a stupid kid. But MAN, I'd give anything to be there to see the kids face.



If you'd laid the charges, you could have seen it in court. Now that would have been funny. :D

Hey, we're right next to each other -- I ride in the general vicinity of Fermilab.
What road were you on? (such that I can avoid it and/or look for belligerent trucks...)

I was turning right onto Batavia Road from Warrenville Road (right in front of Fontana Service and the Phillips gas station), going toward Fermilab. If you see a guy in a dark green Chevy p/u with gold trim, wish him my best!

I live in the neighborhood where Mack Road ends (at Fermilab). During the week, you will find me out on my old Univega hybrid (color is "wine fade" -- ain't that special?) with pannier bag on the back. On weekends, you'll find me out on my old Trek 2300 (black with neon yellow rear and John Deere green fork). If you see me, maybe we can go out hunting for maniacs in green pickup trucks!

If you'd laid the charges, you could have seen it in court. Now that would have been funny. :D
I like your style! :D

Originally Posted by Chris L
If you'd laid the charges, you could have seen it in court. Now that would have been funny.


I like your style! :D


Ah, jeez guys, twas a kid showing off to his friends. If he throw something at me and hit me then, yes I would press charges. But I think he got quite a good scare out of it, and I doubt he'll do it again.

If I was a pedestrian he wouldn't even look twice at me, but being a cyclist the kids will always harrass you. Ah well....

Digger

Ah, jeez guys, twas a kid showing off to his friends.

Well, why not give him a big spanky fine to show to his friends?

Well, why not give him a big spanky fine to show to his friends?

and a raw butt too (you know what i mean). :D

and a raw butt too (you know what i mean). :D


Now THAT woulda made me feel so much better at the time!

Digger

Ps. Giving a spanking, that is, not getting one......well....on second thought.....

So I'm waiting at a traffic light on a two lane street, one lane for each direction, with one car in front of me when the person behind me blows their car horn. I don't think much of it and don't look back. The light turns green and as I'm crossing the intersection the women leans into her horn and passes me EXTREMLY close. I have never been angrier when on my bike.

I memorize the plate number and go to the station less than a mile away. The cop tells me nothing can be done because no one was there to see it happen and because distance is subjective! He tells me that if she does it again then that would be harrasment and they could take action. It makes me mad that they can't even give her a "scare" visit.

What do you guys think about riding on a street with 2 lanes in one direction instead of 1 lane? the 2 lane street is much busier. I don't want anyone to have an "excuse" to squeeze me.

Many, many years ago I had an altercation with a large "class A" motor home. 9AM on a Sunday morning, 4 lane city street, straight and long. Only two vehicles, just me and him. He was in the left lane and I was about 2 feet from the curb in the right lane. He pulls up even with me, adjusts his speed and then starts to move over. Takes me right off of the road. I bailed and rolled onto the grass between curb and sidewalk. He then swings back over into the left lane and guns it. Couldn't get his license number though. Scared the s**t out of me.

Another time I had an idiot make a free right turn in front of me without looking. I had the green through light. I hopped off of the bike, sat up on his hood and stared down at him through the windshield. I thought the guy was going to mess his pants. Nobody hurt and no damage. I was able to lift the bike and keep it out of his front wheel. This was in Washington State and the guy was Canadian. He promised to be more carefull. I can remember seeing the whites of his eyes they were so big!

'bent Brian

What do you guys think about riding on a street with 2 lanes in one direction instead of 1 lane? the 2 lane street is much busier. I don't want anyone to have an "excuse" to squeeze me.

First thing, what is the speed limit on the road? The reason I ask that is becuase I commute to work on a straight, flat 6 lane road. The speed limit is 35 mph. I ususally average around 30 mph on it. Because I am so close to the speed limit, I take up the right lane and do not feel bad about doing it.

The speed limit on the 2 lane street is 40 but there are traffic lights every 1/4 mile. I average about 20. The 1 lane side street is 30.

I don't think this was harassment (maybe??), but I had a real close call on a weekend tour last year. I was riding (fully loaded) down a 4-lane road with guardrails, probably 30-35 mph. A black chevy pickup passes me (no other traffic) within inches. There was probably 6 inches or less between the panniers and the truck, and 6 inches or less between me and the guardrail, all at 35 mph! I didn't even see him coming in the mirror, and because of the speed, didn't hear him either. He was past me before I realized it, but woah, talk about nervous butterflies right afterwards!

Now I wear bright, solid neon jerseys. I can diffinitely tell a difference in driver behavior.

What do you guys think about riding on a street with 2 lanes in one direction instead of 1 lane? the 2 lane street is much busier. I don't want anyone to have an "excuse" to squeeze me.

I always take the street less travelled. I hate being crowded, although I'm less sensitive to crowding than I was 12 years ago. I guess I've become accustomed to riding in traffic by now! There are some days I'm more sensitive to crowding than others.

That said, there are also other days where I almost welcome a little challenge. I (sometimes) like it when traffic is backed up and someone intentionally stops as close to the curb as possible. It's fun to go around that person on their left or by jumping the curb. I never look at them until they pass me again. Even then it's just a glance to catch their reaction.

I don't think this was harassment (maybe??), but I had a real close call on a weekend tour last year. I was riding (fully loaded) down a 4-lane road with guardrails, probably 30-35 mph. A black chevy pickup passes me (no other traffic) within inches. There was probably 6 inches or less between the panniers and the truck, and 6 inches or less between me and the guardrail, all at 35 mph! I didn't even see him coming in the mirror, and because of the speed, didn't hear him either. He was past me before I realized it, but woah, talk about nervous butterflies right afterwards!

Now I wear bright, solid neon jerseys. I can diffinitely tell a difference in driver behavior.

Sounds like the guy did it intentionally. That's harassment!

[QUOTE=Tree TrunkI laughed and chalked it all up to riding in a paceline with roadies during Chicago suburban morning rush hour.

you just hit the nail on the head...CHICAGO and SUBURBAN!

ain't no probs livin' and ridin' in the city limits[/QUOTE]

Yeah, everyone's crazy in the city limits!!!! Out here in the burbs we have to watch out for the occasional driver from the city :)