Advocacy & Safety - two idiots within yards of each other

I pull out from a stop sign and get into my lane. A car comes up behind me very fast and tailgates me. He quickly accelerates and around on my right and tries to merge into my lane but I dont let him so he honks at me.

As I ride about 200 yards up the road I am almost get t-boned by a postal delivery van.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCq3pB2ziZ4

You seem to have a very low threshold for dealing with routine traffic situations.

A short beep from a car, that gave you plenty of room is a problem?

You refuse to let cars merge?

Almost T-boned? Not even close.

I suggest you take a driving class and a cycling class.

You seem to have a very low threshold for dealing with routine traffic situations.

A short beep from a car, that gave you plenty of room is a problem?

You refuse to let cars merge?

Almost T-boned? Not even close.

I suggest you take a driving class and a cycling class.


You just dont like me because I schooled you in an earlier thread. Thats cool. If you want to be a stalker and follow me around I dont mind. You seem safe enough (wink wink)

Anyway, in regards to your silly comments on my video.....I couldnt let the car merge because if you noticed there was oncoming traffic to my left and in the other portion a curb.

Maybe you like to hit cars head on but I dont. Whatever floats your boat.

Was I almost t-boned ? Yes.

You seem to have a low thershold for people who school you in threads over a month ago. I suggest you get over and move on. Maybe try riding your bike more and posting less. 15,294 is alot.

Was I almost t-boned ? Yes.




No you weren't. Unless your definition of "almost" involves the vehicle being what I would call "pretty far away".

For sure, be wary of the mailman. For some reason they like to pull out in front of me.

Video doesn't always depict the real situation faced by the rider.

If he says that he was almost t-boned, or that the other car almost hit him, I am willing to give the OP the benefit of the doubt.

I watched this 3 times.
I still don't see anyone passing you on the right. Did he go up a different road when you curved to the left ?

USPS LLV's have 7 mirrors. The two on the left block their view, Be very wary if one is pulling out on the right side of the road you are on.
You weren't almost T-boned, it would have been a left hook. I wonder if you were camouflaged by the field behind you while riding in the bike lane.

You just dont like me because I schooled you in an earlier thread. Thats cool. If you want to be a stalker and follow me around I dont mind. You seem safe enough (wink wink)

Anyway, in regards to your silly comments on my video.....I couldnt let the car merge because if you noticed there was oncoming traffic to my left and in the other portion a curb.

Maybe you like to hit cars head on but I dont. Whatever floats your boat.

Was I almost t-boned ? Yes.

You seem to have a low thershold for people who school you in threads over a month ago. I suggest you get over and move on. Maybe try riding your bike more and posting less. 15,294 is alot.

Angio, I am with you on this. I am not surprised ILTB chastised you. He chastised me too. That mail truck really came close. I also agree with your not letting the car merge.

I watched this 3 times.
I still don't see anyone passing you on the right. Did he go up a different road when you curved to the left ?

I never said anyone passed me on the right. But if you watch clearly at about :29 you see the car come up on my right. he braked hard and tried to come into my lane alongside me but I didnt move so he slowed a little bit and came in behind me.

Video doesn't always depict the real situation faced by the rider.

If he says that he was almost t-boned, or that the other car almost hit him, I am willing to give the OP the benefit of the doubt.
Video didn't show black helicopters swirling around overhead either, but they could have been there.

Video didn't show black helicopters swirling around overhead either, but they could have been there.

Sarcasm is something best left to the pros.

"Almost" does not count, not even inhorse shoes!
With over 300-thousand miles of cycling I don't count the close ones.
Yes, have been hit/struck 4 times and each time the driver got the ticket; one had license suspended for 90 days(drunk); one had license revoked (had restricted driver's license) and the 3rd was a teen out for his first solo car drive and he T-boned us on our tandem (over $2,300 worth of damage w-a-y back in 1978).
Any car/truck is bigger than you and while you may be legally right, you easily can become ^dead right^.
It does not pay to argue with 2 tons of metal hurtling at you!
So sonny, if you want to live to the ripe old age of 80 (yup, am 80 and still ride 100+ miles a week) better learn to ride properly in traffic!
Peal on!
Rudy

.

I never said anyone passed me on the right. But if you watch clearly at about :29 you see the car come up on my right. he braked hard and tried to come into my lane alongside me but I didnt move so he slowed a little bit and came in behind me.


I wish that you had a rear cam, one could see more of what went on with the motorist trying to pass you on your right, then again, from personal experience one probably does not really want to fully see what is going on behind them.

The postal van would have a classic "left hook", but fortunately for you that they saw you and stopped before there was a collision.

All in all, just chalk these two incidents into your "Urban Cycling Survival Skills™ handbook.

:rolleyes: ride for a week in an actual city and then come back with some stories.

"Almost" does not count, not even inhorse shoes!
With over 300-thousand miles of cycling I don't count the close ones.
Yes, have been hit/struck 4 times and each time the driver got the ticket; one had license suspended for 90 days(drunk); one had license revoked (had restricted driver's license) and the 3rd was a teen out for his first solo car drive and he T-boned us on our tandem (over $2,300 worth of damage w-a-y back in 1978).
Any car/truck is bigger than you and while you may be legally right, you easily can become ^dead right^.
It does not pay to argue with 2 tons of metal hurtling at you!
So sonny, if you want to live to the ripe old age of 80 (yup, am 80 and still ride 100+ miles a week) better learn to ride properly in traffic!
Peal on!
Rudy

.

That's awesome Rudy! Golden years should be for enjoyment. Somewhere along the way most people figure that retirement means eat and sleep and eat again. No exercise, then they wonder why they struggle to keep the weight down or feel like they have any energy at all.

I'm always astonished at the age demographic that I see on organized centuries and cross state bike tours. There are a fair amount of 65+ folks out there peddling away, and that pretty dang cool in my book.

Just keep an eye out for those cars my friend...

I know that stretch of PV
<edit out>
If you are flustered on that stretch of commonly biked road, don't ride in real traffic.

I know that stretch of PV
<edit out>
If you are flustered on that stretch of commonly biked road, don't ride in real traffic.

who said i was flustered ?

"Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear" at work? Certainly looks closer than i've ever come to being t-boned. Man this place is full of haters, they act like they're messengers in NYC.

I suggest you take a driving class and a cycling class.

You're not suggesting that (s)he take a cycling class from those, as you say, "know-it-all anti-car, fear mongering, Forrester loving safety nannies" are you?

By the by, I would agree that the situations presented here seem trivial. However, I would offer that being in the situation and watching it on video are not the same.

I don't really see any significant issues there. I wouldn't even have bothered remembering non-events like those, let alone save the video, let alone upload them.

I don't really see any significant issues there. I wouldn't even have bothered remembering non-events like those, let alone save the video, let alone upload them.

I'd say the issue is scaredy-cat or Drama Queen (take your pick) postings about insignificant events as "dangerous", or as representation of dangerous/stupid driving by those evil motorists. Associated issue is gullible comrades who believe anything negative they read on the Internet about those evil motorists, even when the accompanying video "evidence" shows nothing.

I don't really see any significant issues there. I wouldn't even have bothered remembering non-events like those, let alone save the video, let alone upload them.


With HTFU viewpoints like this, is one of the many reasons why the US cycling transportation numbers are so low.

I'd say the issue is scaredy-cat or Drama Queen (take your pick) postings about insignificant events as "dangerous", or as representation of dangerous/stupid driving by those evil motorists. Associated issue is gullible comrades who believe anything negative they read on the Internet about those evil motorists, even when the accompanying video "evidence" shows nothing.


Yep, more HTFU is all that's needed. :rolleyes:

Agree there's absolutely nothing heinous in that vid. As we like to say in the 41, HTFU.

With HTFU viewpoints like this, is one of the many reasons why the US cycling transportation numbers are so low.

I believe just the opposite. Over blown "danger, danger, danger!" rhetoric from safety/cycling advocates and so-called "safety" campaigns that exaggerate routine cycling/motorist interaction into some sort of death defying/hair raising/fist shaking event keeps droves of people away.

Watched it Twice.......Nothing There....move on.

You're not suggesting that (s)he take a cycling class from those, as you say, "know-it-all anti-car, fear mongering, Forrester loving safety nannies" are you?

By the by, I would agree that the situations presented here seem trivial. However, I would offer that being in the situation and watching it on video are not the same.

Ya think your cycling class could educate common sense into a drama queen?

I believe just the opposite. Over blown "danger, danger, danger!" rhetoric from safety/cycling advocates and so-called "safety" campaigns that exaggerate routine cycling/motorist interaction into some sort of death defying/hair raising/fist shaking event keeps droves of people away.

No safety campaigns needed, just add inattentive/entitled motorists to the mix and that alone will keep many cyclists away in droves.

No safety campaigns needed, just add inattentive/entitled motorists to the mix and that alone will keep many cyclists away in droves.

The imaginary ones are the most "dangerous," eh?

The imaginary ones are the most "dangerous," eh?


Not in the OP's case, with the motorists stopping in time or backing down. A potential scratched paint/fender bender for the motorist, could be a lengthy stay in the hospital for the cyclist. Two very different viewpoints all together, and with yours being case hardened by some of your past commutes.

Not in the OP's case, with the motorists stopping in time or backing down. A potential scratched paint/fender bender for the motorist, could be a lengthy stay in the hospital for the cyclist. Two very different viewpoints all together, and with yours being case hardened by some of your past commutes.
Motorists "stop in time" at every intersection, every day, all day. Motorists yield to cyclists or share the road with cylists (or "back down" in your terminology) every day, all day. It will take a lot of electrons to video record and post these non-events to BF.

Motorists "stop in time" at every intersection, every day, all day. Motorists yield to cyclists or share the road with cylists (or "back down" in your terminology) every day, all day.


Passing on the right and sounding their horn, and turning into oncoming traffic.......... somehow "sharing the road/yielding" and "stopping in time at every intersection" doesn't really come to mind for me, maybe for you, but not for me. If the US really wants to increase it's cycling numbers, one should start by taking a lot of the HTFU attitude out of cycling.

With HTFU viewpoints like this, is one of the many reasons why the US cycling transportation numbers are so low.

With people freaking out over absolutely standard everyday occurrences in which there is little to no individual danger, no wonder people are afraid to get on their bike.

This is not HTFU. This is you need to get a better understanding of what actually constitutes danger.

And stop making me agree with ILTB. It's physically painful.

Look. I ride in a crowded city with terrible, tiny roads and drivers nationally renowned for their terrible driving. I've been doing it every day in all weather for three years. I'm not saying this because I think I'm tougher than you, because when I first started, this video would have scared me. Looking back, however, the times I have been in legitimate danger of serious injury or death is maybe twice, neither of which had anything to do with drivers, and everything to do with Boston DPW. The sooner you realize the events of this video are not a cause for concern, the more time we can spend on the actual issues that affect riders.

And stop making me agree with ILTB. It's physically painful.

Sounds dangerous; got video?

Video doesn't always depict the real situation faced by the rider.

If true, it would raise the question of whether all of those riders carrying one (or more :)) video cameras in order to have evidence of motorist fouls is really of any use what so ever...

......The sooner you realize the events of this video are not a cause for concern, the more time we can spend on the actual issues that affect riders.


Passing on the right and sounding the horn, a possible left hook is something one should be concerned about.....Like I said, a little less HTFU attitude is what US cyclists need.

Passing on the right and sounding the horn, a possible left hook is something one should be concerned about.....Like I said, a little less HTFU attitude is what US cyclists need.

Maybe if you keep saying it, it will eventually become true.

I pull out from a stop sign and get into my lane. A car comes up behind me very fast and tailgates me. He quickly accelerates and around on my right and tries to merge into my lane but I dont let him so he honks at me.

As I ride about 200 yards up the road I am almost get t-boned by a postal delivery van.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCq3pB2ziZ4

Hi Angio,

Please try not to let the negative comments get to you.

The first issue regarding the tailgater is not really seen in the video, all I hear is a short tap on the horn. So, there is nothing for anyone to see, which is why many show doubt.

The postal van would be disconcerning I think. I heard you hit the brakes, and mutter something, so I suspect that it was more of an issue than the video depicts. Likely you where hidden behind the passing truck and the postal van driver was late in seeing you. However, he did not seem to approach that fast.

But, judging by your head shadow you where looking directly at the postal van? So you where prepared though (?)


As well, it is all about perspective. Many in larger cities would shrug this off, those of us in smaller cities would have more concern about these issues.

I would agree with the general message that your getting, that it is not so bad.

If you guys noticed, my thread was about IDIOTS. The drivers depicted in my video are IDIOTS because they broke the law and drove dangerously.

The difference between being killed by a car and just riding away are inches and feet.

In both cases in my video it was just a few feet.

Afer being on this board a short time and reading this sub section I realize there are some pretty &*%%*%$ people in here.

oh well, today I am buying my Go Pro 3 and mounting 2 cameras and going for a ride :)

If you guys noticed, my thread was about IDIOTS. The drivers depicted in my video are IDIOTS because they broke the law and drove dangerously.

The difference between being killed by a car and just riding away are inches and feet.

In both cases in my video it was just a few feet.

Afer being on this board a short time and reading this sub section I realize there are some pretty &*%%*%$ people in here.

oh well, today I am buying my Go Pro 3 and mounting 2 cameras and going for a ride :)

Hmmm, well, I guess that was lost on me. I got caught up in the mob.

My apologies.

I watched this twice and didn't see anything that I would even blink at. I do know though that my vids don't always show things the way I saw them with my eyes. Nevertheless, I wouldn't have posted that vid.

-G

With HTFU viewpoints like this, is one of the many reasons why the US cycling transportation numbers are so low.

There are plenty of real dangerous incidents to talk about. This just isn't one (or two) of them. If this is the level of the bar, I can give you 10 of these a week, even though I've always said that I've now ridden nearly 29,000 miles across 8 years and have only ever had one close call.

I suppose it might be possible that we could get some action on improved infrastructure if suddenly we had every person on BF posting 10 videos a week of this kind of close call, but I kind of doubt it since most people are going to look at that and say "so what?"

Ya think your cycling class could educate common sense into a drama queen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Cr2ulBGGo

I'm not seeing anything on the video that I would take issue with, except that maybe you were a little assertive in your lane.

The first issue regarding the tailgater is not really seen in the video, all I hear is a short tap on the horn. So, there is nothing for anyone to see, which is why many show doubt.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that couldn't see it. :)

Trying to merge in from the right is totally boneheaded and idiotic.

I think I'd be tempted to cut the postal worker some slack, even though he started his turn after the rider was into the intersection.
As soon as he saw the rider , he stopped, and at a safe distance it seems to me.

Wow, the mail truck incident would have been memorable for me. He obviously didn't see the cyclist until the last moment. It's a good thing he was starting up from a stop or things could have been bad.

The first one is just an idiot driver trying to get ahead. No personal danger there, but still an idiot driver.

I thought the cyclist was doing fine. Taking the full lane when he needed to turn left, and being aware of the mail truck possibly doing something bad.

I watched this twice and didn't see anything that I would even blink at.

+1

With people freaking out over absolutely standard everyday occurrences in which there is little to no individual danger, no wonder people are afraid to get on their bike.

This is not HTFU. This is you need to get a better understanding of what actually constitutes danger.

And stop making me agree with ILTB. It's physically painful.

Look. I ride in a crowded city with terrible, tiny roads and drivers nationally renowned for their terrible driving. I've been doing it every day in all weather for three years. I'm not saying this because I think I'm tougher than you, because when I first started, this video would have scared me. Looking back, however, the times I have been in legitimate danger of serious injury or death is maybe twice, neither of which had anything to do with drivers, and everything to do with Boston DPW. The sooner you realize the events of this video are not a cause for concern, the more time we can spend on the actual issues that affect riders.

I wonder what the definition of 'terrible driving' is for you.

I wonder what the definition of 'terrible driving' is for you.

Well, it starts with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmQBShOEKg8

But may also contain the Massachusetts Shuffle (left lane to right exit), Banging a Left (beating oncoming traffic to a left hand turn when the signal changes), and miscellaneous incompetence.