Advocacy & Safety - This was a new one on me

So I was headed home today, and as I was leaving campus, I got stuck in traffic backed up at a light. This intersection is always slow to cross at rush hour, so I do as I do every day, which is take the lane. So I'm stopped behind about 5 cars when we all inch up. As I inch up a bit, I hear a car gun it behind me, so I turn around to see a woman attempting to go around me. She stops, as the line of traffic stops. Then she hits her horn.

I turn around again, thinking WTF is going on here, and she yells out, "move over!" Now, keep in mind again that we are all stopped at a red traffic light!!!!

So I pick up my bike and walk back to her car. She immediately asks me whether I'm turning left or right at the light. I answer left, and then immediately jump into explaining to her about how the Virginia law gives me the right to the lane, and besides, she is at a red light and is not going anywhere. She then says that slow moving traffic has to yield, to which I again mentioned how we were all stopped. At this point, my blood was boiling, so I continued yelling at her. She finally said, "If I could just complete my sentence," to which I of course continued yelling, she rolled up her window.

I should have blasted her with my airzound as I stood there at her window. My sister said I should just smile and move on, but that goes against my personality. I'm sure it would have had a better result.

But anyway, I had to vent. It's days like today where I really question my drive to continue this car-lite lifestyle.

Your sister is right. Listen to her and your life will improve.

I should have blasted her with my airzound as I stood there at her window. My sister said I should just smile and move on, but that goes against my personality. I'm sure it would have had a better result.

Hate to say it, but your sister is right. Next time, no matter how much this goes against the grain, smile and wave politely. When a motorist is angry, it seems like there's nothing more insulting to them than other peoples' happiness.


But anyway, I had to vent. It's days like today where I really question my drive to continue this car-lite lifestyle.

We all need to vent now and then, even when we're in the wrong. And you were 100 % in the right, even tried to educate the driver about the law. But don't give up the bike!

I agree with you guys that my sister is right. It just took me off guard, and my innate nature overrode my better sense.

I won't give up the bike. But times like these are so frustrating, since all I'm doing is just minding my own business, just trying to ride home. Had I been in a car, I wouldn't have been harassed, but just because I was using a different form of transportation, someone went out of her way to give me a hard time.

The drawbacks to using a car are too great, so I'll stick with the bike. I just wish we could make some strides to educate people about bikes' access to the road wholesale. Here in Virginia, it feels like we are so backwards. When compared to progressive places like New York or Portland, we are in the dark ages here.

Methinks I might want to get myself a Mickey Mouse hand and smile and wave my hand at anyone who's trying to get me to move over. :) :love::thumb::p

Okay, I'm kidding. :D

grab your balls and yell "blow me wh*re!"

Smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IvwtBWi-rDA/SQFWeHtDFmI/AAAAAAAAA80/BaBd2kwrsp0/s320/madagascar_penguins_152.jpg

"You don't need to complete your sentence, because the Vehicle Code says you're wrong, and you don't have a leg to stand on, BEOTCH!!"

Are you by chance in Richmond VA? If so then just whip out your U-lock and slam it down on her hood. She will get the message.

Nothing wrong with venting once in awhile. Just don't let you anger consume you, as it did Obi Wan's apprentice. That is the path to the Dark Side. (I just had to toss that in....:innocent: )

Your story reminds me of something that happened to me. I was stopped at the Intersection of Main st. and Stow Street. (Waltham, MA) There are two lanes here. One if for right turns only, onto stow street. The other is for going straight ahead. So, I'm waiting at the red light, in the straight ahead lane. I'm the only one there at the moment. I hear the sound of a gunning engine behind me. (Gotta love that gunning engine, used as a show of force) There's this rather battered looking Olds behind me now, with a very agitated woman at the wheel. She toots again, then gives me this "What's wrong with you" look. Then she cuts into the right turn lane. She pulls up, and shrieks "You're in the wrong lane!"
A male, in the passenger seat, yells something about "you should be over der!". Then the light turns green, and they go rumbling off, leaving behind a lovely cloud of worn-rings smoke. Yep, they went straight ahead, from the right turn only lane. I was just wishing a cop would come out of a side street, but no such luck.

Sometimes, you just can't win.

I think you did the right thing by telling her that the law is on your side. She will probably think twice about honking at bicyclists after you confronted her like that.

Nothing wrong with venting once in awhile. Just don't let you anger consume you, as it did Obi Wan's apprentice. That is the path to the Dark Side. (I just had to toss that in....:innocent: )

Your story reminds me of something that happened to me. I was stopped at the Intersection of Main st. and Stow Street. (Waltham, MA) There are two lanes here. One if for right turns only, onto stow street. The other is for going straight ahead. So, I'm waiting at the red light, in the straight ahead lane. I'm the only one there at the moment. I hear the sound of a gunning engine behind me. (Gotta love that gunning engine, used as a show of force) There's this rather battered looking Olds behind me now, with a very agitated woman at the wheel. She toots again, then gives me this "What's wrong with you" look. Then she cuts into the right turn lane. She pulls up, and shrieks "You're in the wrong lane!"
A male, in the passenger seat, yells something about "you should be over der!". Then the light turns green, and they go rumbling off, leaving behind a lovely cloud of worn-rings smoke. Yep, they went straight ahead, from the right turn only lane. I was just wishing a cop would come out of a side street, but no such luck.

Sometimes, you just can't win.

You'd win here in California, after reporting that license plate number to the DMV, and they had to take the time and money to get a smog check-up.

Are you by chance in Richmond VA? If so then just whip out your U-lock and slam it down on her hood. She will get the message.

hahaha, I am! And why is that a good strategy in Richmond?

Nothing wrong with venting once in awhile. Just don't let you anger consume you, as it did Obi Wan's apprentice. That is the path to the Dark Side. (I just had to toss that in....:innocent: )

Your story reminds me of something that happened to me. I was stopped at the Intersection of Main st. and Stow Street. (Waltham, MA) There are two lanes here. One if for right turns only, onto stow street. The other is for going straight ahead. So, I'm waiting at the red light, in the straight ahead lane. I'm the only one there at the moment. I hear the sound of a gunning engine behind me. (Gotta love that gunning engine, used as a show of force) There's this rather battered looking Olds behind me now, with a very agitated woman at the wheel. She toots again, then gives me this "What's wrong with you" look. Then she cuts into the right turn lane. She pulls up, and shrieks "You're in the wrong lane!"
A male, in the passenger seat, yells something about "you should be over der!". Then the light turns green, and they go rumbling off, leaving behind a lovely cloud of worn-rings smoke. Yep, they went straight ahead, from the right turn only lane. I was just wishing a cop would come out of a side street, but no such luck.

Sometimes, you just can't win.

The show of force is funny, because my experience has been that they scream and yell until I go back to them and confront them. Then there is something about this 6'4" guy standing there next to their window confronting them that causes their demeanor to change substantially.

I think you did the right thing by telling her that the law is on your side. She will probably think twice about honking at bicyclists after you confronted her like that.

Thanks. And thanks to everyone else showing support! I hope that she will think twice, but she'll probably only do so because she will be afraid of being confronted. She'll make sure only to act like that when she can't be confronted, while she's at speed.

Been a while Since I had one of these incidents, but they do happen with unfortunate regularity. I had a guy honk at me while at the front of the left turn lane (i was even their first). I gave him the WHAT?!?!?!?. he honked again and pointed, like I was supposed to get on the crosswalk or somthing-I honestly don't know. I was getting a little frustrated because I wasn't sure what exactly he thought was a problem, when the women in the car next to me rolled down her window and said:

"Don't worry about him. He's old."

Which I guess was pretty much it. I just relaxed and waited for the light.

Sounds like the one that happened to me a couple years ago, riding to work.

The left turn into the store parking lot is less than 80 yards from a stop-sign-controlled right turn at a T intersection; in preparation to make that left after leaving the stop sign behind, I took the the left of the lane (my mistake, too far left, but...), only to have the b**ch in the car behind me BUZZ ME ON THE RIGHT, cut off my turn, and hurry her fat ass in the store.

Fuming, I walked the bike in the front door, saw her, and gave her hell; her determined response was, "You're supposed to be all the way to the right!" Even after barking about my making a left turn, she still believed I was supposed to stay right, wait for traffic to clear, then make my turn.

She still recognizes me when she comes in the store; clams up and frowns real quick, and beats feet for the door.

You better believe I use the left tire track for left turns NOW.

We've all been yelled at for those similar reasons (specifically, existing), but I always think back to the time I was honked at angrily by some lady while riding legally in the right-hand lane of a three-lane road in the downtown area of a big city. A few seconds later, we all stopped at a light and a bike cop pulled up next to her, knocked on her window, and gave her a long explanation of the law. Miracles happen.

Your sister gave good advice. Is she hot looking?

We've all been yelled at for those similar reasons (specifically, existing), but I always think back to the time I was honked at angrily by some lady while riding legally in the right-hand lane of a three-lane road in the downtown area of a big city. A few seconds later, we all stopped at a light and a bike cop pulled up next to her, knocked on her window, and gave her a long explanation of the law. Miracles happen.

Good on ya! :D

First mistake: You tried to explain the law using rationality and logic.
I've yet to see it work with those people.

I should have blasted her with my airzound as I stood there at her window.

and told her "my horn's louder than your horn"

and told her "my horn's louder than your horn"

If I didn't live in The South this would be my new official policy.

Thursday while going to the library I was approaching the intersection of 73rd Ave. N. and 9th St. N. I was within a few yards and alternating between the slow/stop and left turn signals. When I had this dumb broad in a Cadillac SUV swoop around me to get to the stop sign first. She was also making a left hand turn. And had to wait for at least the northbound traffic on 9th St. N. before she could turn. Had she had not swooped and allowed me to remain in my rightful place it would not have slowed her down in the slightest.

Also a couple of days before that as I was attempting to cross 4th St. N. I was "blocking" a woman who was traveling south and wanting to turn in into the complex. She tried to wave me across the road in front of her car. I pointed behind her and told her that there were still two cars too close for me to do so safely.

Also a couple of days before that as I was attempting to cross 4th St. N. I was "blocking" a woman who was traveling south and wanting to turn in into the complex. She tried to wave me across the road in front of her car. I pointed behind her and told her that there were still two cars too close for me to do so safely.

I've always wondered which is worse. They stop completely in a through lane because they think they are helping you out, or that they seem to have no clue that there are other cars on the road with them, and where they are?

That happens to me constantly- the problem in my area is that when one car stops/slows for a left (or looks like they're making a left), the accepted behavior by following cars is to pass on the shoulder. Its a screwy situation.

I've always wondered which is worse. They stop completely in a through lane because they think they are helping you out, or that they seem to have no clue that there are other cars on the road with them, and where they are?

That's a good question. When I go to the pet store to get crickets for my tarantula, as I am leaving and still sitting on the sidewalk. And that's only because I take my bike inside the store. I'll have drivers passing in front of the store wave me on my way. I return the favor and wave them on, as I would rather they pass so that I can have a better look at the driveway in both directions and make up my own mind.

That happens to me constantly- the problem in my area is that when one car stops/slows for a left (or looks like they're making a left), the accepted behavior by following cars is to pass on the shoulder. Its a screwy situation.

Sounds like fun, I guess no one ever taught them that they should wait for it to be safe for them to proceed.

So I pick up my bike and walk back to her car. She immediately asks me whether I'm turning left or right at the light.

You lost as soon as you decided to talk with her.

I had a guy tell me I shouldn't stop my bike over the sensor or I will trip the light. Of course I was trying to turn left. I said "thank you" and went about my ride.

Sounds like filtering to the front would've helped...

:popcorn: ;)

Sounds like filtering to the front would've helped...

:popcorn: ;)

Yeah, but I try to practice vehicular cycling as much as possible. The irony, of course, is that you're right that filtering would have solved the problem.

The show of force is funny, because my experience has been that they scream and yell until I go back to them and confront them. Then there is something about this 6'4" guy standing there next to their window confronting them that causes their demeanor to change substantially.

Hmmm... reminds me of the other week, when a cop wanted to arrest me after a similar confrontation led to the driver simply driving into my knee. Even though it was a motorist with a 3000# car versus just me, somehow my six-foot-four-ness made me an agressor and somehow deserving of what I got. And he wanted to add breach of peace to top it off.

That happens to me constantly- the problem in my area is that when one car stops/slows for a left (or looks like they're making a left), the accepted behavior by following cars is to pass on the shoulder. Its a screwy situation.

It would drive me nuts as a driver if this practice were to stop. The roads are just too crowded here not to bend the rule about passing on the right.

That places cyclists in very dangerous situations. We can be in a blind zone on the "passing shoulder."

As for the OP--- never reason with motorists. I see no point in citing law. Either tell them to 'ef off if you need to blow off steam, or move on. The "my right to be here" argument is weak.


It would drive me nuts as a driver if this practice were to stop. The roads are just too crowded here not to bend the rule about passing on the right.

The bottom line is that the OP picked the dumbest person on the road that day with whom to have an argument.

So I was headed home today, and as I was leaving campus, I got stuck in traffic backed up at a light. This intersection is always slow to cross at rush hour, so I do as I do every day, which is take the lane. So I'm stopped behind about 5 cars when we all inch up. As I inch up a bit, I hear a car gun it behind me, so I turn around to see a woman attempting to go around me. She stops, as the line of traffic stops. Then she hits her horn.

She is obviously devoted to her car n' doesn't give a hoot about the environment. She also persistently ignores the part in the drivers manual that classifies bikes as vehicles.


I turn around again, thinking WTF is going on here, and she yells out, "move over!" Now, keep in mind again that we are all stopped at a red traffic light!!!!

I have experienced the same thing. It doesn't even matter if there is no traffic. Motorists feel 'all-mighty', because they are in a car/truck and, they have to wait behind a bike.


So I pick up my bike and walk back to her car. She immediately asks me whether I'm turning left or right at the light. I answer left, and then immediately jump into explaining to her about how the Virginia law gives me the right to the lane, and besides, she is at a red light and is not going anywhere. She then says that slow moving traffic has to yield, to which I again mentioned how we were all stopped. At this point, my blood was boiling, so I continued yelling at her. She finally said, "If I could just complete my sentence," to which I of course continued yelling, she rolled up her window.

I have thought about doing that. But, My beef would be with one motorist, not a whole bunch. By turning around and challenging the offending motorist, I could not only unintentionally upset other motorists. It could be like, asking to get run over en masse, should the light suddenly turn green.


I should have blasted her with my airzound as I stood there at her window. My sister said I should just smile and move on, but that goes against my personality. I'm sure it would have had a better result.

I just shake my head without looking back and continue to 'take the lane'.


But anyway, I had to vent. It's days like today where I really question my drive to continue this car-lite lifestyle.

Understandable. When I have thought about reverting back to other forms of transportation, I quickly remind myself of the horrors of the other forms.

Has anyone EVER had a productive argument with a motorist?!? I was a pedestrian crossing a GREEN when a right on red turning vehicle very nearly ran me over. I slapped the SUV and the driver came back (actually made a u-turn) to argue with (and threaten) me. There was no question who had the right of way.



The bottom line is that the OP picked the dumbest person on the road that day with whom to have an argument.

Has anyone EVER had a productive argument with a motorist?!? I was a pedestrian crossing a GREEN when a right on red turning vehicle very nearly ran me over. I slapped the SUV and the driver came back (actually made a u-turn) to argue with (and threaten) me. There was no question who had the right of way.

I was a pedestrian crossing with a green when a vehicle turning left from the main road (who also had a green), almost hit me. As I finished crossing the street, the passenger rolled down his window and yelled, "What the hell is the matter with you?"

Speechless.

When I go to the pet store to get crickets for my tarantula,
I bet that would be a better surprise through an open window than an "airzounds"!

(If you want to make somebody mad, do it with a big hairy spider!)

Has anyone EVER had a productive argument with a motorist?!? I was a pedestrian crossing a GREEN when a right on red turning vehicle very nearly ran me over. I slapped the SUV and the driver came back (actually made a u-turn) to argue with (and threaten) me. There was no question who had the right of way.

That depends on a 'productive argument' i.e. winning a verbal tet-a-tette:mad: and/or not capitulating to the motorist's 'me first/get out of my way' attitude.:notamused:

I had a guy tell me I shouldn't stop my bike over the sensor or I will trip the light. Of course I was trying to turn left. I said "thank you" and went about my ride.

I have never had a driver tell me that.:eek:

OTOH, whenever I have told a driver to pull up since I know my bike won't trip the sensor, they refuse to do it.... go figure:notamused:

It would drive me nuts as a driver if this practice were to stop. The roads are just too crowded here not to bend the rule about passing on the right.

Actually, the maneuver is specifically allowed in MA law, and I'm not complaining about it when its used safely. I was just pointing it out regarding drivers that stop when they have the right-of-way mistakenly thinking they're doing us a favor.

I bet that would be a better surprise through an open window than an "airzounds"!

(If you want to make somebody mad, do it with a big hairy spider!)Perhaps, but it's a maneuver guaranteed to land you in jail. Besides, you'd lose your pet.

Perhaps, but it's a maneuver guaranteed to land you in jail. Besides, you'd lose your pet.
Details, details!

(The Airzounds through the window might be illegal also.)

Details, details!

(The Airzounds through the window might be illegal also.)

How is that any worse than blasting a car horn at a bicycle sitting in front of you?

How is that any worse than blasting a car horn at a bicycle sitting in front of you?
???

So, if somebody does something illegal, you can do something illegal? No doubt, that would be a great defense strategy!

I'm not saying people should not do it, but they should realize what they are doing (ie, whether or not it is illegal).

???
So, if somebody does something illegal, you can do something illegal? No doubt, that would be a great defense strategy!

yep! :lol:


I'm not saying people should not do it, but they should realize what they are doing (ie, whether or not it is illegal).

But seriously, what would be illegal about that? Unless there is a local statute that says that you can't use your horn except in an emergency. I am not sure how universal those laws are.

It would drive me nuts as a driver if this practice were to stop. The roads are just too crowded here not to bend the rule about passing on the right.

Yea, I bounced off some guys fender last summer that thought that way. He was stopped, and when I was beside him, he got impatient and started moving.. right into my leg. I had to wipe black tired marks off when I got home.

FWIW, It's illegal to pass in the shoulder in PA. I was also on a designated bike route. It's not a bike lane so much as an extra wide shoulder that makes it easier for bikes to travel off the road (and cars to pass on the right, apparently).

But seriously, what would be illegal about that? Unless there is a local statute that says that you can't use your horn except in an emergency. I am not sure how universal those laws are.
I doubt there would be much sympathy for somebody setting off an Airzounds through an open window into a closed space when there clearly was no emergency. I'd guess that there is some general law that would apply. It might end-up being some form of assault.

Oh, there almost certainly a state law that restricts the use of horns!

The NJ example


39:3-69. Every motor vehicle except a motor-drawn vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.


http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=12187690&Depth=2&depth=2&expandheadings=on&headingswithhits=on&hitsperheading=on&infobase=statutes.nfo&record={E2D5**&softpage=Doc_Frame_PG42

Details, details!I believe the maneuver I was referring to was throwing a tarantula into the open window of a car. Police would take that seriously.


(The Airzounds through the window might be illegal also.)Yes, but it would likely fall under the category of "using your horn excessively" -- a traffic violation. Throwing a tarantula into somebody's lap would likely be assault at the very least, and land you in jail -- even if the tarantula isn't really that dangerous.

And it would likely be killed by the person flailing around.