What do you say to bad/inconsiderate Drivers?

jsfountain

The BikeForums Team

-adv-

This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.

Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
- http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in this thread)
- http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in this thread)

Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
- http://www.bikeforums.net

bikenutr2000

Usually profanity is the first thing to come out of my mouth. There have been times where I am so angry that my mouth and mind don't coordinate and the string of words and profanities don't make sense, but by the reactions I have gotten the people get the picture. I never caught someone at a light before but I have come close and I not really sure what I would do when I get there. Probably yell at them and see what happens. I agree that they need to know what they did wrong because most people are oblivious and a little carelessness on their end can cause a lot of problems on our end.

timmhaan

someone in another post had a good idea, that i'm thinking of adopting. have the number of your local police department programmed in your cell phone. get the lincense plate number and call and report reckless driving as soon as it happens.

it's just going to keep happening, so you might as well report it when it does.

bac

what would you say to such an individual??
jeff

Forget about educating this group of "people". Carry a pen and paper with you, and take down a plate number. Then, report it to the police. If you do anything else, you're wasting your time, and not helping the situation. Trust me on this one.

madpogue

I would say, into a cell phone "Attempted hit-and-run, 2100 block Piedmont Avenue, Georgia plate One, Two, Three, Adam Baker Charles. Subject northbound on Piedmont at excessive speed. Occupied twice. Driver is...." (Or whatever actually applies) Actually calling it in is, IMHO, a good idea; there are differening opinions about it. But making sure the driver sees that you're calling it in will have a measurable impact on whether s/he will try it again.

Ebbtide

khuon

I think you have to use your best judgement. If the incident was unintentional then you might be able to confront them to let them know what happened. Sometimes this turns out good, other times you will just get brushed off (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=109791&postcount=11). If you think the driver truly was gunning for you then you should report it to the authorities. I would advise against actually confronting them. Those situations usually never turn out good in the end. Remember that they have more armour than you and are behind the controls of a deadly weapon. They may also have supplemental armaments and I think everyone will agree that .357 revolver will trump Kryptonite lock unless you happen to be in a Jackie Chan movie.

LittleBigMan

What do you say to bad/inconsiderate Drivers?

I honk my horn.

I have a car horn hooked up to my 12V rechargeable battery.

When I showed it to the guy at the bike shop, he said, "All a horn is really good for is saying to drivers, "A***ole!"

Well, that's one use. ;)

khuon

All a horn is really good for is saying to drivers, "A***ole!"

Even the ones that play La Cucaracha? :)

madpogue

"Attempted hit and run", thats funny. Although I'm not sure it was supposed to be. :D It's not the least bit funny when someone who clearly has the option not to do so passes you with less than the legally required three feet, at nearly twice the speed limit. It indicates intent, and should be reported as such.

madpogue

"All a horn is really good for is saying to drivers, "A***ole!"
Even the ones that play La Cucaracha? :) No, those horns say "I'm an a***ole."

madpogue

I think everyone will agree that .357 revolver will trump Kryptonite lock unless you happen to be in a Jackie Chan movie. So what would it be called?

Kryptonite Kommando

U-locks of Death

Kryptonite Warrior

(Imagining Jackie whipping a coupla K-locks around like nun-chucks.)

(Disclaimer at end of ad: "Use of this product in this manner not covered by warranty.")

SchreiberBike

So what would it be called?

Kryptonite Kommando

U-locks of Death

Kryptonite Warrior

(Imagining Jackie whipping a coupla K-locks around like nun-chucks.)

(Disclaimer at end of ad: "Use of this product in this manner not covered by warranty.")
It will be called Spike Bike Check out this link (http://danenet.wicip.org/bcp/spike.html).

I have no idea who the author is, but it's great escapist bicycle advocacy fantasy.

I stuck a full mag in my MAC-10 and put another one under the saddle. The gun fits into the water bottle cage pretty well, and it's fairy light. I stuffed a couple of grenades in my jersey pockets and slipped my Rambo-knife into its sheath on the front fork. Just for good measure, I grabbed a thermite grenade and dropped it into the remaining jersey pocket. This is a little more weight than I usually carry, but it was Friday night after all.

khuon

It will be called Spike Bike Check out this link (http://danenet.wicip.org/bcp/spike.html).

I have no idea who the author is, but it's great escapist bicycle advocacy fantasy.

Grenades in the jersey pocket. That's silly. I would be sporting the CamelBak and attaching the grenades to the D-rings on the shoulder straps. Doesn't that sound more logical? Besides... you can also fill the bladder with gas and use the hose as a flamethrower. :D Of course this was written back in 1989... before the days of hydration packs.

Shroom

I don't say anything to drivers when I'm on a bicycle. I get too angry and would end up killing the person which isn't good.

RiPHRaPH

i just point to my helmet repeatedly as if to actually say "think....think...."

Chris L

at one point i want to cuss him out but i know this only would enrage him more and next time he would take it out on another cyclist. but these types of people need to be educated that i have a right to the road as he does, i am a husband, and a soon to be father... he takes a lot of risk in choosing to drive like that. what would you say to such an individual??

I don't say anything at all to them. Contrary to popular belief, most of the "road rage" directed at cyclists is the result of simple bigotry -- and the fact is that bigoted individuals are incapable of learning from those against whom they have pre-conceived notions. Could you imagine the grand wizard of the KKK listening to Martin Luther King explain to him that all races are equal? That is the sort of bigotry I'm referring to (even if it is directed to a different group). If they bother me too much, I just have a word to the police -- a driver is far more likely to listen to the message if it comes from a cop.

closetbiker

I had a similar situation yesterday morning on the way to work.

Single lane and a garbage truck comes up behind me and sounds his horn just as he's passing me making no attempt to move to the left (even though there is a clear lane there) and misses me by an inch. It was all I could do to avoid being knocked over by the air wash.

500 meters down the road, he's stopped at a light behind 5 cars. I pass and 30 seconds later, the same thing.

Stupid idiot has the company's phone number on the back of the truck printed in 3
foot numbers.

I call the company and the driver gets a hearing.

I'm sure the driver wanted to intimidate me, not hurt me. What I don't get is, is why this bozo thinks doing something like this will make his life easier. He's not likely to see me specifically even if I was intimidated enough not to ride on the road again, so does he think he's going to stop all cyclists from riding on the road by driving like this? Not likely.

I also think someone who does something like this isn't in a good place to respond to critisism of his driving so call the employer or the cops is the best bet.

jfmckenna

so my training partner and i are on our way back from a traning ride yesterday evening on a 2 lane 25 mph road. we are riding single file as we know a car is coming from behind. the car passes us going around 40-45 mph and is no more than a foot away from us as he passes. didn't even try to move over to pass us safely.

we were coming up to a stop sign just 50 meters down the road; but he took off before i caught up to him. suppose someone does threaten your life with this kind of driving and you are able to catch up to the driver...what would you say?? what have you said in the past?

at one point i want to cuss him out but i know this only would enrage him more and next time he would take it out on another cyclist. but these types of people need to be educated that i have a right to the road as he does, i am a husband, and a soon to be father... he takes a lot of risk in choosing to drive like that. what would you say to such an individual??

jeff
This happens to me sometimes and unfortunatlly some people are just plain stupid. The driver may very well have not intended to threaten you.

I don't say anything at all to them. Contrary to popular belief, most of the "road rage" directed at cyclists is the result of simple bigotry -- and the fact is that bigoted individuals are incapable of learning from those against whom they have pre-conceived notions. Could you imagine the grand wizard of the KKK listening to Martin Luther King explain to him that all races are equal? That is the sort of bigotry I'm referring to (even if it is directed to a different group). If they bother me too much, I just have a word to the police -- a driver is far more likely to listen to the message if it comes from a cop.
That is so true good point. And your anger will only bolster there preconcieved notions.

I had a similar situation yesterday morning on the way to work.

Single lane and a garbage truck comes up behind me and sounds his horn just as he's passing me making no attempt to move to the left (even though there is a clear lane there) and misses me by an inch. It was all I could do to avoid being knocked over by the air wash.

500 meters down the road, he's stopped at a light behind 5 cars. I pass and 30 seconds later, the same thing.

Stupid idiot has the company's phone number on the back of the truck printed in 3
foot numbers.

I call the company and the driver gets a hearing.

I'm sure the driver wanted to intimidate me, not hurt me. What I don't get is, is why this bozo thinks doing something like this will make his life easier. He's not likely to see me specifically even if I was intimidated enough not to ride on the road again, so does he think he's going to stop all cyclists from riding on the road by driving like this? Not likely.

I also think someone who does something like this isn't in a good place to respond to critisism of his driving so call the employer or the cops is the best bet.
Good Job :)
I could never remember the phone number or license plates unfortunatly :(

lsits

Here's what I've wanted to say to teenage boys in rice burners: "That's a nice car your mommy bought you." Haven't had a chance yet. :)

Ebbtide

It's not the least bit funny when someone who clearly has the option not to do so passes you with less than the legally required three feet, at nearly twice the speed limit. It indicates intent, and should be reported as such.

Sorry, madpogue I did not mean to offend you or make light of your near dangerous situation. There is just no such charge as "attempted hit and run". Either he hit you and ran, or he did not. I'm sure call/report about the incident won't hurt. I understand your frustration.

Take care,

ehenz

holicow

Attempted assault, maybe???

Is it just me, or is it way more common for the driver who nearly sideswipes to be elderly??

I am not being demeaning (I am not the youngest person either), but probably 75% of the times someone doesn't give me safe clearance, it's a (very) senior citizen. I think the ones that do this just don't know what to do, and are afraid of moving over at all. Or they sit behind me for a couple of miles...

I don't see any point of yelling at those folks. The younger ones usually find out fast that I didn't appreciate what happened.

Chris L

Here's what I've wanted to say to teenage boys in rice burners: "That's a nice car your mommy bought you." Haven't had a chance yet. :)

One I like is "yeah sure pal, I remember my first beer too".

Chris L

I had a similar situation yesterday morning on the way to work.

Single lane and a garbage truck comes up behind me and sounds his horn just as he's passing me making no attempt to move to the left (even though there is a clear lane there) and misses me by an inch. It was all I could do to avoid being knocked over by the air wash.

500 meters down the road, he's stopped at a light behind 5 cars. I pass and 30 seconds later, the same thing.

When people try this crap on me, I just move further into the lane to make it totally clear that there is no room for that particular stunt. That's assuming, of course, that I'm not already well and truly into the lane before they try it (which is usually where I am). Even if they keep trying it at that point, I've then given myself some space in which to back off should it become necessary.

khuon

One I like is "yeah sure pal, I remember my first beer too".

At least you didn't fasten that empty beer can to the end of your car's exahust pipe so it can go around making farting noises did you?

Chris L

At least you didn't fasten that empty beer can to the end of your car's exahust pipe so it can go around making farting noises did you?

I don't know, I've always been a teetotaller, so there isn't really a first beer I can honestly claim to remember. However, I like saying it just to wind people up. Who needs to troll on the Internet, when you can do it in real life?

closetbiker

When people try this crap on me, I just move further into the lane to make it totally clear that there is no room for that particular stunt. That's assuming, of course, that I'm not already well and truly into the lane before they try it (which is usually where I am). Even if they keep trying it at that point, I've then given myself some space in which to back off should it become necessary.

I usually lean into the lane even further if someone is coming up too close, but this time the truck was already too close and was brushing my shoulder when I started to lean. I had enough room to stay upright for the second or two as he passed.

Shroom

"Lottery: A tax on people who can't do math"

I like your signature

closetbiker

It's not just a shot at lottery players, but also at those who don't keep the big picture in perspective and make irrational choices.

Human nature I suppose.

wabbit

Seanholio

I used profanity yesterday! We were riding along (on a road that is a DESIGNATED shared road) when we hear loud, angry blasting from a horn. A woman passes us, still blasting. I yelled out a profane suggestion, but her windows were closed. And guess what- she just went a few yards and turned left, into the parking lot of an apartment building where she lived! All that honking just for a few yards!

Some people are so focussed on the inconvenience to which they seem themselves subjected, they don't consider the actual inconvenience. I have a stretch of road between two parallel streets, which end's in a T. It's less than 75yds long, by my eyeball. It's too narrow to share, and striped double-yellow, which forbids passing. No less than once a week, I am passed by some irate driver who can't wait the extra 10 seconds to reach the end of the road. Invariably, I end up waiting behind these mooks, waiting for them to make their turn at the stop sign at the T intersection. I think to myself, "Wow. Impressive gains on that pass, *******."

I think there is a mental block that kicks in when humans are blocked from their goal, and it is only through socialization that this is smoothed over, and we begin taking into account that each of us is not the center of the universe.

...or people are just stupid. *shrug*

closetbiker

...or people are just stupid.

Bingo!

I have cars brush by me 2 car lengths from a required stop. They have to brake anyway.

Stupidity is the only answer.

khuon

I think there is a mental block that kicks in when humans are blocked from their goal, and it is only through socialization that this is smoothed over, and we begin taking into account that each of us is not the center of the universe.

...or people are just stupid. *shrug*

It was discussed in another thread... I live up on a plateau. Some of descents here are long and fast. I admit that I typically break 45MPH down some of these even though the speed limit is 35MPH. My excuse is that riding my brakes down would be more dangerous than to coast. Oftentimes, I will get passed by cars with a narrow margin because I try and take up as much of the lane as possible but they'll still squeeze by me when I'm floating to one side during the turns... only to have them get in front of me and slow down.

roadbuzz

It will be called Spike Bike Check out this link (http://danenet.wicip.org/bcp/spike.html).

I have no idea who the author is, but it's great escapist bicycle advocacy fantasy.

It was written by Bob Fishell (sp?). He commuted to work in the Chicago suburbs to AT&T or Bell Labs (or maybe they were still the same at the time... sorry, brain fade) in Napierville daily, and wrote it to blow off steam at the constant driver aggression he had to deal with. It was written as a "serial," with the segments posted at intervals on the rec.bicycles news group, in the pre-web days.

wabbit

Actually, today I used profanity on a stupid rollerblader. I had to use the *&^^$&** path today but got onto the road as soon as I could. The path was a ZOO, clogged with families, kids and of course, rollerbladers. At one point, I stopped at the side of the path (on the grass) because something was in my eye. When I was ready to get going again, I looked to see if anyone was coming. A couple of rollerbladers, a man and a woman. For some reason, the man sort of stopped a few feet away, in the middle of the lane I was going to turn into. I said, "excuse me", hoping he'd move over to the side a bit, because to start up and get around him would have had me go into the oncoming lane! It didn't seem that he heard me because he didn't move and I had no clue what he was doing or why he'd stopped there! So I thought, the hell with it, and went around him on the right side, staying on the grass and then got onto the path in front of him. He yelled after me, "Hey, you're supposed to pass on the left! What country are you from?" THe idiot! NOt only does he not have a clue, he blocks my way and in fact, it's a BIKE path!! I just yelled back, "Oh, s***my d***!" Really loud. Sometimes I think, die roller blader die!!! They endanger my life!

Roughstuff

I think this is a tough ongoing battle. On my (mostly rural) rides, I almost always encounter drivers who show the greatest degree of courtesy: I see them move left in my rear view mirror, etc. I am rarely, if ever, cut off by folks turning into the roadway in front of me from a driveway, side road, or at an intersection. In cases where drivers treat me with the respect I feel I deserve as a rider, I almost always give them a nice gesture in return--usually a left handed vertical sort-of salute (I keep my right hand on the handlebars all the time). I figure there may as well be positive feedback to drivers as well as negative ones; and heaven forbid, the courtesy might just spread to other drivers.

roughstuff

Roughstuff

Actually, today I used profanity on a stupid rollerblader....he blocks my way and in fact, it's a BIKE path!! I just yelled back, "Oh, s***my d***!" Really loud. Sometimes I think, die roller blader die!!! They endanger my life!

I am a bit confused you silly Wabbit. Is this path exclusively for Bikers?

roughstuff

holicow

.... In cases where drivers treat me with the respect I feel I deserve as a rider, I almost always give them a nice gesture in return--usually a left handed vertical sort-of salute (I keep my right hand on the handlebars all the time). I figure there may as well be positive feedback to drivers as well as negative ones; and heaven forbid, the courtesy might just spread to other drivers.

roughstuff

I do that too, and make it plain so that other cars behind can see. If a car passes safely, and especially if they have to wait briefly, I give them a big wave as they go by :)

wabbit

Me too. If I'm at an intersection, I'll slow down if a car wants to turn. Usually they'll wave me on, and I'll show some sign of appreciation or thanks. As for the bike path. It's supposed to be a bike path. But like any other bike path, it's been taken over by everything but bikes- roller bladers, pedestrians, etc.

doctore

It was discussed in another thread... I live up on a plateau. Some of descents here are long and fast. I admit that I typically break 45MPH down some of these even though the speed limit is 35MPH. My excuse is that riding my brakes down would be more dangerous than to coast. Oftentimes, I will get passed by cars with a narrow margin because I try and take up as much of the lane as possible but they'll still squeeze by me when I'm floating to one side during the turns... only to have them get in front of me and slow down.

Sounds like you live up in Sammamish. I used to try to keep to the side when going down roads like Thompson Hill or 212th until I realized I would just catch up with the soccer moms because they couldn't corner as well as a bike - now I take the whole lane.

khuon

Sounds like you live up in Sammamish.

Yep... you called it.

I used to try to keep to the side when going down roads like Thompson Hill or 212th until I realized I would just catch up with the soccer moms because they couldn't corner as well as a bike - now I take the whole lane.

I'm trying to stay away from the two-lane descents and opting for the wider four-lane ones. I usually take Issaquah-Pine Lake going down towards Eastlake Sammamish and then return by way of Black Nugget (even though it's steeper) to get me halfway up until a shoulder/bikelane begins since climbing back on that section of Issaquah-Pine Lake without a shoulder is a little annoying. Even just riding around up on the plateau, there are some nice long hills. I can break 45MPH easily on 228th.

Cynikal

It was discussed in another thread... I live up on a plateau. Some of descents here are long and fast. I admit that I typically break 45MPH down some of these even though the speed limit is 35MPH. My excuse is that riding my brakes down would be more dangerous than to coast. Oftentimes, I will get passed by cars with a narrow margin because I try and take up as much of the lane as possible but they'll still squeeze by me when I'm floating to one side during the turns... only to have them get in front of me and slow down.

Is that the Issaquah plateau? I grew up there and biking sucked. Thousands of minivans rushing about. But damn I miss Seattle.

lol...just read down further and answered my question. I left before you guys incorporated.

khuon

Is that the Issaquah plateau? I grew up there and biking sucked. Thousands of minivans rushing about. But damn I miss Seattle.

lol...just read down further and answered my question. I left before you guys incorporated.

It still kinda sucks here because the average driver can't hold their line and randomly drift around into the shoulder on the slightest of curves. The scenery and the routes are great however. I have contemplated just starting a photo gallery of people driving in the shoulder. Some do it for miles even on the straights because they crossed over during a curve (bad enough) and didn't have enough of a mind to cross back out. And yes, some of them are SUVs, some are trucks and some are minivans but there are many that are sportscars, coupes and sedans so it has nothing to do with vehicle type. I drive one of those so-called lumbering SUVs and I manage to hold my line in the tightest of curves while maintaining my speed without infringing upon the shoulder or the oncoming lane.

Roughstuff

... As for the bike path. It's supposed to be a bike path. But like any other bike path, it's been taken over by everything but bikes- roller bladers, pedestrians, etc.

Here in the Berkshires our local bike path runs by a lake for a few miles, and it has been taken over by--drum roll please--GEESE. This is not a joke. They attack riders en masse when they have a clutch, which is often. They SH*T all over the trail, which becomes slick, and you end up with Goose-poop in a line up the back of your jersey. Does Lance Armstorng have to put up with this? :)

roughstuff

orguasch

:crash: :crash: :crash: nothing much

Chris L

Does Lance Armstorng have to put up with this? :)

Nobody has to put up with anything on a path. I just ride on the road if I find the path unacceptable (which is pretty much all of the time around here).

leconkie

Grenades in the jersey pocket. That's silly. I would be sporting the CamelBak and attaching the grenades to the D-rings on the shoulder straps. Doesn't that sound more logical? Besides... you can also fill the bladder with gas and use the hose as a flamethrower. :D Of course this was written back in 1989... before the days of hydration packs.

I know a Lebanese man who lived in Beirut for the first couple of decades of his life or so. One event in particular is pertinent. As you know it's freaky place and used to be even freakier. Someone he knew tried to shoot a (motor)biker he knew. So the biker got a hold of an RPG and blow the man's car away. True story.
Back to the First World and now that everyone is supposed to have camera phones, why don't we start a website called something like www.dangerousmotorist.com. We could have it split into regions with pictures taken of cars engaged in this kind of criminal activity and a progress report of what the local police did about it. If a car was regularly cited, or even more than once, it would back up any criminal prosecutions. It would hopefully also be a good PR tool for legislation to protect us. What do you think?
I'd set it up myself but I don't have the know-how.

Chris L

Back to the First World and now that everyone is supposed to have camera phones, why don't we start a website called something like www.dangerousmotorist.com. We could have it split into regions with pictures taken of cars engaged in this kind of criminal activity and a progress report of what the local police did about it. If a car was regularly cited, or even more than once, it would back up any criminal prosecutions. It would hopefully also be a good PR tool for legislation to protect us. What do you think?
I'd set it up myself but I don't have the know-how.

How about calling it: http://www.theyshouldbethefirstagainstthewallwhentherevolutioncomes.com

madpogue

Here in the Berkshires our local bike path runs by a lake for a few miles, and it has been taken over by--drum roll please--GEESE. This is not a joke. They attack riders en masse when they have a clutch, which is often. They SH*T all over the trail, which becomes slick, and you end up with Goose-poop in a line up the back of your jersey. Does Lance Armstorng have to put up with this? :) If he uses the paths (unlikely) in Austin or any similarly-sized city stateside, then yes, he probably does. Goose poop is a problem in many of our city's parks, on the paths, on the beaches and in the water. I was surprised by the volume; it looks more like the scat of a small to medium-sized mammal than that of a bird. It's actually become something of a public health issue here. There've been no reports of attacks, but they don't shoo off the path when a bike is coming, unless you make a lot of noise.

Remember, this isn't the fault of the geese. Either they've been displaced from some habitat that's been taken from them by human development, or they've been fed by humans to the point where they're encouraged to overbreed, or some other human activity has put them there in those numbers, or some combination of the above.

Alrocket

I thank the good drivers too whenever possible.

I've had run-ins, particularly in the last 70 yard stretch before my lane-crossing right turn (drive on left). Thankfully they're not too often. The last time was a working class 28 yo guy who honked his horn behind me as I had the lane, coming up to the last 25 yards before my turn. I was doing about 22mph at the time, but that annoyed me so I slowed down to 12 or 10. He honked more, then under-took me on the inside, and shouted obscenities as he passed.

I signalled my right turn and he pulled up, car crossing the centre line slightly as to block me. I didn't think about it at the time, but that was threatening, but I actually wanted to talk to the guy and explain why I had rights so didn't notice the aggression! I stopped beside and he started ranting about me being on a bike, and I explained that I had the right to take the lane. His mantra was "You're on a bleedin' boike" (north Dublin scumbag accent). My mantra was "read the Rules of the Road". He sped off after 5-10 seconds of this, screaming "stupid ****hole". I didn't curse at him the entire time, I don't know how I didn't, in hindsight.

Thankfully we have no constitutional right to bear arms over here, so my Krypotnite U Lock is a nice deterrent :)