Close call yesterday
 

I was riding one of my favorite 20 odd mile routes yesterday when a car almost clipped me. But the weird thing is that this very car did this to me last week. I know the car, a white Land Rover, both times gave me very little room for error. The first time i didn't think much of it but the second time makes me think the driver does not like cyclist.

I tell you with no exaggeration this 2 ton SUV was a foot from me last night. This is on a wide double lane road with no oncoming traffic on a a straight stretch of road. This shook me up quite a bit after it happened.

I am posting this so everyone remembers not to get too comfortable out there and be aware of what is going on. I use a helmet mirror, but haven't been watching as the cars approach as well as I should. This was my wake up call. If this vehicle does this again I am seriously thinking of calling the police with the vehicles plate number.

The majority of the cars I encounter go out of their way to make sure I have room to the extent of coming to a stop until it is safe to pass me. But this jerk must have some problem with people riding bikes.

Long story short, everyone be safe out there and never assume the drivers are gonna be courteous and look out for you. Kind of a rant I guess, but last night shook me up pretty good.

Report this to the local authorities. Don't wait until someone gets hurt. Malicious or not this isn't something to let go.

Glad you're safe.

Thanks. My thoughts exactly, but now I have to get the plate number. I do have a very good description, and when I see this car again I will know it. Not too many white Land Rovers out here in my rural area.

NO! Don't wait until the next time because you may not be able to do so if he actually does hit you. Do what Biggziff says...report it today! If it is as rural as you say it is, the police know who owns that LR.

Glad to hear you're fine. I got this from another thread,
you may want to consider getting a camera:

http://www.wistv.com/story/15193866/...cided-by-jury#

I guess I should make a report about it. Like you said there may not be a next time.

A Go Pro helmet cam might be a good idea. Thanks, I would never have thought of that. I have a Kodak Zi8 camcorder, I wonder if I could use that somehow. Maybe attach to the bars.

What you should do is carry a camera on one of your rides. If you see it, take a pic....fake it if you have to!

I've been on rides where I hear a driver rev his engine like he might try to startle me, I say "might". I'll hold up my recorder (or camera) facing his direction as they approach. Amazing how fast you will hear the engine calm.:D

I use the flash on my camera and the little red light of the recorder, I'm sure they know what that means.:p

Good suggestion Mr Beanz. I'm really thinking about the Go Pro mounted on the helmet. This jerk was so close to me that I would have been hesitant to take a hand off the bars. I was on the white line and he was approx. a foot from me thought I was gonna have to change my shorts it was so bad. This is the second time and I swear I think the driver was trying to see how close he could get to me w/o hitting me. Def be on the look out for this jerk in the future.

Be careful out there. I had a guy that was buzzing me on daily rides. Some strange things came of it, but turned out that the guy had issues and really could have hurt me, may even have been his intention. Get a plate number and make a record of it if you can with the local law.

Agree with this. At least report the make/model since it's happened more than once.

I try to be vigilant. When I see a car coming from a long ways back I move left a bit to the typical right tire track of cars to 'stake my claim'. As the car gets ready to pass I move to the right a foot or two just to give some extra room there.

I also think a flashing rear light at all times of day is a very good idea to alert distracted drivers.

Don't wait until he finds out; report it. Tell the cops it's happened twice, same vehicle description. Tell them you'll get a plate the next time it happens.

As someone else here has pointed out, this vehicle isn't something you're likely to see many of in his area so chances are good that the police already know who owns the vehicle.

fast89fox, If anything get the tag number before reporting. Hopefully it isn't malicious behavior...

Brad

PS I have something that matches your forum name:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=213380

Got the plate number of a car repeatedly buzzing me in Fort Lee, NJ. Explained what was happening to the Fort Lee police. Their answer was I should find another route to work. The road I was on was a designated bike route.

Pretty much what they told me this morning when I called the local PD. At least their is a record of it. I need the license number so, if it happens again hopefully I can get it.

Call the state police and if they give you the same story (what pennstater said) call your local elected officials and complain. Work your way up until someone realizes it's really bad publicity to have cyclists harassed by vehicles.

Glad that you are ok.

Situations like this are the reason that taking the lane is a good idea. Riding in the right tire track of the road and will force vehicles to go around you. Being right on the fog line allows vehicles to pass you far to closely. Remember that you have the same rights as the other vehicles do...Be safe.

I have a gopro, you can mount it just about anywhwere on the bike.

Glad you're OK! Change your route? What kind of stupid advice is that? I don't know what the police can realistically do about "hey, a car drove close to me" but if you get some video... that's different. Good luck.

Whatever you do, remember at all times that you are totally exposed and that ja***a** is riding inside a nice safe steel cage. Keep your cool and don't expose yourself to his rage if possible... I've been hit by a car before (while crossing in a crosswalk on foot) and although it was an accident and he was not malicious, my knee is screwed up for all time. Stay safe!

Kind of a zombie-ish thread...

But millions of zombies can't be wrong....

(headsmack)

The zombies won again.

This would absolutely light my fuse!
 

Every one's response about this is right... I know if I got an answer like this from the police, it would light my fuse- and I would write letters to my elected officials until I was certain the police had changed their stance on this. An answer like this is BS!:notamused:
Wes