Southern California - how do you deal with ***hole drivers?

I've been getting a lot of ride time and have noticed people are becoming more and more aggressive towards cyclists. for example, cussing me out as they drive by, driving INTO the bike lane and trying to hit me, purposely driving closer to me than usual...what laws can i use to protect myself in case of some unfortunate accident? i'm not sure of the California laws regarding cyclists and was wondering if someone could enlighten me. Thanks

i'm gonna start calling 911 and reporting that they are driving aggresively and dangerously, and that i think they're drunk. dui is horribly expensive, and i think the police are much more likely to pursue this if they can make their city a bit of revenue. it's sad, but i think they don't give a **** if a cyclist gets run over. and if their life gets ruined for dui, hahahahahahahahahahhhh!!!

Sorry to hear about that. Most of my encounters with motorists have not been too caustic but I'm sure that there is a lot of variability from town to town within LA. Other than being a predictable rider and riding defensively, I believe the primary means of protecting yourself if you are involved in an accident is making sure to get a police report of the incident and if possible, photos of the vehicle and your bike. Many years ago, I was "doored" by a parked car and though I wasn't badly injured, I did make a trip to the ER to get an X-ray. Long story short, the guy admitted fault, but never paid for the bill because I didn't get a police report to back up my story.

Here's a link to some of the laws affecting California cyclists - http://www.bikelink.com/law_safety.htm. Note that there is legislation pending to provide a 3 foot minimum passing distance from cyclists - sounds like it would be difficult to enforce, but at least its a start.

Well it's good to know I'm not the only one out there who feels this way! I've seen cyclists while i'm driving that really don't care about drivers and will ride like if they own the road. I always stay in the bike lane and check before i merge, give signals and never make sudden movements and that's why i'm confused as to why people are such a-holes. I'll take a look at that link and maybe print out a copy of it and take it along with me on my bike. Another question, if i do get in an accident, does my car insurance cover that since i'm on a bike or would health insurance cover it?

Is it possible that bad behavior on the part of drivers is more prevalent in some locales than in others? I'm sure that there are many factors that contribute to such behavior; in the Whittier area, you have more than a few streets which are not good for riding. Take Whittier Blvd., for example, between, say, Beach and the 605. There are long stretches where it goes to three lanes in both directions and I would never care to ride there unless it was on the sidewalk, but I've seen a cyclist take the lane heading eastbound on Whittier Blvd., just east of Colima. That was in the afternoon, and it was busy, and I wouldn't be surprised if that rider was thinking lots of the drivers were a-holes.

Maybe certain neighborhoods are less friendly than others?

Where in Whittier are we talking about, if at all?

Another question, if i do get in an accident, does my car insurance cover that since i'm on a bike or would health insurance cover it?

My car insurance company (State farm) claimed that it will not cover my bike nor my injuries, however the liability portion will cover damage to another persons vehicle and any medical issues they would have.

Home owners/rental policy will cover bike theft when you're at home or if the bike is stolen out of the trunk of your car.

Health insurance will have to cover any of your medical bills.

Everything else, you're on your own. This is my understanding after a 15 minute chat with my agent.

I don't see a lot of that here in Orange County (Irvine). I ride Jamboree, Harvard, Santiago Canyon, Newport Coast, PCH, etc. I've had slight run-ins on most of these roads. Kids yelling from cars trying to scare me, cars wandering into the bike lane 5 feet ahead of me, a couple of close buzzes. Worst was on Santiago Canyon by a motorcycle who crossed over the white line and probably missed me by about a foot. Just got buzzed by a white van on PCH right past Huntington Beach last Sunday. He was less than a foot and the dudes behind me yelled out to me to get the plate but he was long gone.

I've got 3000+ miles on these roads at all times of the day. I've had maybe 5 incidents.

There are so many cyclists in Orange County that I think the drivers here no how to treat/avoid them. At least that's my take on it.

My car insurance company (State farm) claimed that it will not cover my bike nor my injuries, however the liability portion will cover damage to another persons vehicle and any medical issues they would have.

Home owners/rental policy will cover bike theft when you're at home or if the bike is stolen out of your trunk of your car.

Health insurance will have to cover any of your medical bills.

Everything else, you're on your own. This is my understanding after a 15 minute chat with my agent.

Yep, that's right.

I think in cases where there is a serious accident and it's the motorist's fault you don't need to worry about your insurance. There's will be more than happy to pick up the 5K bill for your new bike and pain and suffering. Much better than repairing the front bumper on a new 911 ($13,400 - don't ask me how I know this!)

hole drivers? That seems like a post you would encounter on a gay blog....LOL

I usually ride whittier blvd past beach blvd or santa gertrudes. I don't venture westward on whittier cause of just that: the bad traffic. If i can, i take back roads with low traffic. I'm gonna have to get some health insurance then! :/ Also i'd have to call my agent and see if i have coverage on my bike....Thanks for the info guys

Smile and wave, boys, smile ande wave.

Driver's are not getting aggressive, they have always been that way in my 30 years of riding the road of So Cal.. Cell Phones, Texting, etc has just made things worse over the last 15 years.. If you flip a driver off you are just giving that person the satisfaction that they got under your skin..

Like said above just wave and smile, it really seems to piss them off.. If they get nasty, take down the license plate and call 1-800-cut-smog.. It's anonymous and they have to bring there car in for a smog check because of a complaint..

In all that time I've only had a few bad incidents but they come with being exposed on the roads..

During the week I ride mostly at night here in the IE and the roads are fairly empty after 8pm, I've had 30 mile rides with less than 20 cars passing me..

Yep, that's right.

I think in cases where there is a serious accident and it's the motorist's fault you don't need to worry about your insurance. There's will be more than happy to pick up the 5K bill for your new bike and pain and suffering. Much better than repairing the front bumper on a new 911 ($13,400 - don't ask me how I know this!)
True, but that assumes the driver stops. I forgot the specific statistic, but the percentage of accidents that are hit-and-runs is alarming.

Bicycle coverage sounds like a good market to me, because I'll gladly switch to the first company to offer it as long as it's not too much more expensive. I asked my current provider (esurance) and got the same answer as jmx. I also asked them why my rates weren't reduced when I changed my mileage status because riding to work reduced my car mileage by over 2000 per year (bringing it below 10k), and was told that my premium was the same for 10k or 15k. I told them they were doing very little to encourage green transportation and reduce traffic congestion, and that I would be more likely to stay with them if they fixed that.

I don't see a lot of that here in Orange County (Irvine). I ride Jamboree, Harvard, Santiago Canyon, Newport Coast, PCH, etc. I've had slight run-ins on most of these roads. Kids yelling from cars trying to scare me, cars wandering into the bike lane 5 feet ahead of me, a couple of close buzzes. Worst was on Santiago Canyon by a motorcycle who crossed over the white line and probably missed me by about a foot. Just got buzzed by a white van on PCH right past Huntington Beach last Sunday. He was less than a foot and the dudes behind me yelled out to me to get the plate but he was long gone.

I've got 3000+ miles on these roads at all times of the day. I've had maybe 5 incidents.

There are so many cyclists in Orange County that I think the drivers here no how to treat/avoid them. At least that's my take on it.


Any of these "slight" run-ins could've ended your life. I ride the same roads you mentioned, and I've experienced all the things you listed. These may not be a-hole drivers, but they are definitely inattentive drivers (which I believe are truly more deadly than drivers who deliberately try to scare you).

How do I deal with talking/texting drivers? Well, if I happen to pull up next to one at a red light, I confront them about it (politely and non-aggressively). Usually, I pull up next to their window where they can see me, and I mock them (ie pretend that I'm texting). In all cases where I've done this, they immediately put their phone down, blush, and look around embarrassingly. If their window is down, I remind them that it's people like them that kill and maim innocent people. Usually they quietly agree and say they won't do it again.

If I see someone swerving into the bike lane, if I can catch up to them at a light, I confront them. I come right up to their window. If their window is down, I motion them to lower it so we could have a word. Again, I try to be as polite as possible. When I get their attention, I ask "did you know you were driving in the bike lane?" Usually they play dumb about it. At which point, I remind them that it's a bike lane. I tell them "I've known riders, kids, etc who were KILLED by people like you, who weren't paying attention and swerved into the bike lane." In all cases where I've done this, they apologize profusely and say they'll pay more attention.

What I've learned is that if you politely and non-aggressively confront a driver (ie, with a smile), they will thank you for reminding them to drive more safely on the road.

If you flip a driver off you are just giving that person the satisfaction that they got under your skin..

Like said above just wave and smile, it really seems to piss them off.. If they get nasty, take down the license plate and call 1-800-cut-smog.. It's anonymous and they have to bring there car in for a smog check because of a complaint..

In all that time I've only had a few bad incidents but they come with being exposed on the roads..



+1

Wave and smile. It denies them the pleasure of pissing you off, and doesn't escalate matters.

And trust me ... there's no better way to say f*ck you than with a wave and a smile.

I hadn't thought of that 1-800-CUT-SMOG thing. That's genius. :thumb:

I think the word's out to most people by now that the 1-800-CUT-SMOG has no legal recourse if you do not respond to them.

I usually ride whittier blvd past beach blvd or santa gertrudes. I don't venture westward on whittier cause of just that: the bad traffic. If i can, i take back roads with low traffic. I'm gonna have to get some health insurance then! :/ Also i'd have to call my agent and see if i have coverage on my bike....Thanks for the info guys

Hm.. good place to avoid then. However, the couple of times I've been on Whittier Bl. it hasn't been too bad. Then again it's early in the weekend morning, and I didn't stray too far west of Beach Blvd. Good luck with that. I've usually just headed south and west towards Coyote Creek, and not have too many car issues there.

Back in my teens, my buddies and I would try to catch them at a red light and hope their windows were open so that we could squirt them with our watter bottle. Now days, I just try to ride the safest routes and nod my head at a-hole drivers. I understand the concept of "the heavier vehicle wins" :cry:

Trying to intimidate someone with a 3000 lb automobile is considered assault with a deadly weapon.

A hostile person lives in a hostile world
A loving person lives in a loving world
Everyone you meet is your mirror.
-Key Keyes of Coos Bay, OR

newer cars dent so easily

also, a well timed and placed covert loogie on top of a dark colored vehicle on a hot day is effective

newer cars dent so easily

also, a well timed and placed covert loogie on top of a dark colored vehicle on a hot day is effective


Haha! that's great!

newer cars dent so easily

also, a well timed and placed covert loogie on top of a dark colored vehicle on a hot day is effective

When I was in high school I found that a wad of gum was even more effective, but that is when I was young, dumb, and lawless. The sun melts gum very, very well, provided it stays put long enough.

When I was in high school I found that a wad of gum was even more effective, but that is when I was young, dumb, and lawless. The sun melts gum very, very well, provided it stays put long enough.


haha...Well, if the driver REALLY deserves it....:) if not, i'll practice my patience virtue and follows Dscott's advice and "smile and wave!"

And trust me ... there's no better way to say f*ck you than with a wave and a smile.

Sure there is; why do you think the Airzound has a quick-detach mount and just enough hose to get it into the open window?

When I was in high school I found that a wad of gum was even more effective, but that is when I was young, dumb, and lawless. The sun melts gum very, very well, provided it stays put long enough.
Being able to lob a gob (of loogey or gum) on the fly is a form of art.

I don't like the us against them threads. Seen too many A-Hole riders to take sides. Scary thing is, A-hole riders drive too!:eek:

I don't like the us against them threads. Seen too many A-Hole riders to take sides. Scary thing is, A-hole riders drive too!:eek:


Too bad that they don't just stick to bikes. They wouldn't do nearly as much damage...

report the roads you ride and maybe the cops will patrol them and stop a few

I don't like the us against them threads. Seen too many A-Hole riders to take sides. Scary thing is, A-hole riders drive too!:eek:

Have to agree with this.. It has happen way to often where me and my friends are sitting at a red light, some solo rider rolls up and then just blows through the light.. I have to be honest with you when this happens I want to choke that rider out and tell him your making us all look bad by doing this..

I have to be honest with you when this happens I want to choke that rider out and tell him your making us all look bad by doing this..
Do you have a mouse in your pocket?

The only person that scofflaw is giving off a negative image of is themselves. If for some weird reason you think everyone on a bicycle somehow represents you, your problems are a lot larger than a scofflaw on a bike. Are you also somehow represented by idiot drivers when you choose to drive as well?

The only person that scofflaw is giving off a negative image of is themselves.

Yeah, because there are never "Everybody who drives a [pickup|luxury car|Porsche|BMW|Honda|whatever] threads around here.

A hostile person lives in a hostile world
A loving person lives in a loving world
Everyone you meet is your mirror.
-Key Keyes of Coos Bay, OR
It's true. I've been in both worlds.

Do you have a mouse in your pocket?

The only person that scofflaw is giving off a negative image of is themselves.
Really? Is that why I've had coworkers come up to me and ask "Why is it that YOU bicyclists run stop signs and cut cars off?"

Do you have a mouse in your pocket?

The only person that scofflaw is giving off a negative image of is themselves.

I wish this were true for the general public. It doesn't appear to me that way though. It does only give off a negative image of that individual in my eyes but many will group that person as a cyclist, not an individual.
However choking him out won't go as far as educating riders does.

However choking him out won't go as far as educating riders does.

I'm having a hard time believing that as most riders KNOW the right thing t do, too many just don't. I've questioned some dumb moves by riding partners over the years, "Dude, why did you do that, that was totally dangerous?". Repsponse, "Oh, I do it all the time, what can they do?".:eek:

I believe there are some that DON'T know but for the most part, trying to educate riders tha dont want to be educated is like trying to educate the cops on driving fast to the donut shops!:D....aint gonna happen!:p

Yeah, because there are never "Everybody who drives a [pickup|luxury car|Porsche|BMW|Honda|whatever] threads around here.
What? The Texas forum?

Really? Is that why I've had coworkers come up to me and ask "Why is it that YOU bicyclists run stop signs and cut cars off?"
So, you work with some people who are clueless? I could have said "all of your coworkers are clueless", but that would make me just as lame as the ones who generalize about cyclists to you.

I'm having a hard time believing that as most riders KNOW the right thing t do, too many just don't. I've questioned some dumb moves by riding partners over the years, "Dude, why did you do that, that was totally dangerous?". Repsponse, "Oh, I do it all the time, what can they do?".:eek:

I believe there are some that DON'T know but for the most part, trying to educate riders tha dont want to be educated is like trying to educate the cops on driving fast to the donut shops!:D....aint gonna happen!:p
Perhaps not once they have gotten to that point. But if we educate our kids & the rest of the nations youth on how to ride safely many will continue to do so. I have confidence that my Daughter will. She is already in that habit & will say ummm did you see that guy/girl when someone else makes a stupid move. I would bet most that ride like idiots have had idiots for an example.

So, you work with some people who are clueless? I could have said "all of your coworkers are clueless", but that would make me just as lame as the ones who generalize about cyclists to you.

Are you trying to make a point here? Or are you just blowing off steam?

I would bet most that ride like idiots have had idiots for an example.

There are safe riders and there are idiots. The idiots can't blame their stupidity on surrounding riders. I have seen 2 riders with a big group blow through stop sign interstions while the rest of the group stops. Is it the groups fault or example that motivated these riders to risks their lives? FTR, the 2 or 3 drivers that were midway through the interestion had to slam on their brakes.:eek:

I know these riders and have had several conversations about cycling safety. I refuse to ride with them as their dangerous style continued. The have been educated but hey choose to save 10 seconds over stopping at intersections to impress the crowds with their speed.

Great for your daughter, I also learn how to stay alive from watching others set dangerous examples. If I'm with a group on the stret and a ligth turns red, keeping up with the group doesn't seem to mean as much as blowing through the red 10 seconds later while avoiding an accident with a semi, as too many will. But bottom line is, some people are just plain stupid no matter what they are riding/driving!;)

There are safe riders and there are idiots. The idiots can't blame their stupidity on surrounding riders. I have seen 2 riders with a big group blow through stop sign interstions while the rest of the group stops. Is it the groups fault or example that motivated these riders to risks their lives? FTR, the 2 or 3 drivers that were midway through the interestion had to slam on their brakes.:eek:
I know these riders and have had several conversations about cycling safety. I refuse to ride with them as their dangerous style continued. The have been educated but hey choose to save 10 seconds over stopping at intersections to impress the crowds with their speed.
Great for your daughter, I also learn how to stay alive from watching others set dangerous examples. If I'm with a group on the stret and a ligth turns red, keeping up with the group doesn't seem to mean as much as blowing through the red 10 seconds later while avoiding an accident with a semi, as too many will. But bottom line is, some people are just plain stupid no matter what they are riding/driving!;)
Did you even read my first two sentences? You seem to have ignored them.

If not than what you are saying is there is no sense in trying to educate youngsters in safety.
"I know these riders and have had several conversations about cycling safety."
At what age? Did they grow up with someone similar to yourself that showed them how to be safe while they were learning how to ride?

So, you work with some people who are clueless?
Yes, and they hold masters degrees, which doesn't give me too much hope for the general population. Unfortunately, many people are clueless and short sided in my experience.

I also had this experience when I worked retail. I think my point is clear that a good number of people generalize and stereotype, and although wrong, it does happen and it does affect us all.

I believe that as with most large problems that they can not be fixed over night. That you have to look at the long term (the future). The future is our kids, the youth. Educating the youth is the best tool that we have to resolve problems.
Complaining about what other people that are already set in their ways is fine for small talk but it won't resolve any problems.

I think my point is clear that a good number of people generalize and stereotype, and although wrong, it does happen and it does affect us all.
+1

Did you even read my first two sentences? You seem to have ignored them.

Did you understand what I wrote in the first and last comment to which you responded? I said idiots are idiots no matter how much education they receive.

Just about every person driving was educated in driving when they "were young", did it make a difference to the entire driving population? No,iditos are idiots!

Did you understand what I wrote in the first and last comment to which you responded? I said idiots are idiots no matter how much education they receive.

Just about every person driving was educated in driving when they "were young", did it make a difference to the entire driving population? No,iditos are idiots!

A drivers education course isn't much of an education on driving & 16 YO is way to late to start that education.
My daughter is 11 & I started Educating her on driving many years ago both by example & vocally. & just this month by having her drive the car on dirt roads with my instruction.
Yes idiots are idiots but how did they get that way. Most probably by example or lack of. Granted that some will still be idiots no matter what, but the number of idiots could be greatly reduced I feel by good examples. There is a lot of evidence in many facets of life that support this. Big brother/sister programs come to mind.

So if Educating the youth isn't the best tool then what is your take on how to better the situation? Or are you saying it is a lost cause?

Mr beans. Do you have kids?

Yes idiots are idiots but how did they get that way.
As a teacher, this is a subject I have thought about at length. You're right that many are simply ignorant, which I define as choosing not to learn about something that they could. I'd say over half of my students are this way as far as my class goes. However, every year, a handful of students present themselves in a way that makes me realize that they aren't being lazy. They are genuinely stupid. Some of them are even nice kids who are trying hard. They just don't have the mental capacity to understand the concepts in my class... and probably many concepts outside of my class as well.

Educating is probably the best tool, but you will always have those who just don't care to pay attention to the rules, those who know them but choose not to follow them, and the select few who are just too dumb to understand them. It doesn't mean we should give up, but that the effort is a matter of cutting our losses instead of eliminating them altogether.

choosing not to learn about something that they could. I'd say over half of my students are this way as far as my class goes. Choosing not to learn has a lot to do with how they are raised. Raising the kid is actually the education I am referring to. This opinion is from observation of how some parents raise their kids & how the kids respond in comparison to others.

Educating is probably the best tool, but you will always have those who just don't care to pay attention to the rules, those who know them but choose not to follow them, Again, most of them probably don't have good examples at home. You are not going to get a kid to change this behavior during the time he/she is in school. It has to come from the home.