Rowlf

On my bike commute in this morning to my job I had my first incidence of biker rage, at least that's what I think it was.

I passed a guy starting up a hill, however, he caught up to me a little further up the hill as it started to level out. I had my music on and heard something behind me so I pulled one of the earpieces out. As he tried to pass me again he mumbled something about me going way to fast for this city and to get out of town for going that fast and that I needed to slow down. Upon catching up to me he was pointing his finger (not flipping me the bird) saying something else and to "get going slow-poke".

I just did the best thing possible, I said "huh?" and kept pedalling on.

lil brown bat

Sounds like a plain old-fashioned nutjob to me, rather than "biker rage".

BikinginSeattle

You probably blew by the guy and surprised him and it pissed him off. I've done the same thing before when I was almost run off the road by another biker without warning.

Winter76

My commute is short so I like to go as fast as possible, but I always try to give any other cyclists as much room as possible when I pass them.

SonataInFSharp

Another vote here for the idea that you upset him and that is the only way he knows how to handle himself.

He has probably worked hard for years to get up that hill without walking his bike, and you blow by him like it's flat and made him jealous. And that is how he reacted.

Don't take it personally (although that is hard not to do sometimes).

Rowlf

good thing I can't hear very well to hear people clearly. I'm only 34 and partially deaf from playing percussion in a garage band 20 years ago.

Thing is I did yell on your left when I was coming up behind him...oh well

ontheroadid

Wow, where in Idaho did that happen? Sounds like he has more issues than being passed on a hill.

+1 to saying "on your left" when you pass a cyclist or pedestrian, whether you're on a street or MUP. Sounds like you did what you could.

truman

A woman biker in Dallas recently got cut several times with a box knife - apparetnly for not getting over far enough when another biker said, "On your left". He rammed her and knocked her down, then cut her up. Mechanics at the LBS called cops when a guy fitting the description brought his bike in to get fixed and said he'd broken it in a fight, and the guy was arrested. Lotta "Bike Rage comments around that. Those comments had the curious effect of making me change my behavior a bit on the bike trail where I commute.

When I thought about it, I had been recently generating a bit of nasty attitude at walkers, skaters and slower riders who didn't conform to my own little idea of trail etiquette. Nothing overt, just a mean feeling, and maybe not moving over as far as I could as I blew past. I realized I was just begining to act like the car drivers I hate so much on the road.

A Class II Chill Order is now in full effect.

mtnwalker

This is pretty sad. The main reason I took up bike commuting is because I noticed I was getting too aggravated and angry when I drove my car to and from work because of other inconsiderate moronic drivers. The bike rides gave me an outlet and so far mostly cagers have made me angry. There were a couple of times another cyclist got under my skin, ie weavers and sidewalk riders who suddenly get in your path. But after my obligatory dirty look I usually let it pass right away.

velocity

I passed a guy on the path once and he made this comment about how he had a fixed gear and that is why I was able to pass. WTF I was just doing my own thing.
Geez like I could care. Some people just can't handle exertion of any sort its too painful and they go crazy. Kind of like the people that are always complaining that you don't wave at them on demand. Look I may just be a introvert have you ever thought of that?
V

Rowlf

it happened this morning on the greenbelt coming up to where Irving St meets up with Orchard. Right past where you ride over the canal diversion station area on the old RR grade/bridge


Now as for the other stuff with the box knife, I can't even imagine that happening because of someone not moving far enough over. I try to be as pacificistic as possible.

dwainedibbly

There are a lot of people out there who are off their meds. Be careful.

everichon

Pedestrian rage, from Leah Garchik's SF Chronicle column today:

Novakane 

It sounds like he had issue with being passed on a hill by someone who he ended up catching up to on the same hill... Perhaps you got in front of him and then ultimately (due to the hill) slowed down? I know I get a little irritated when someone does that. It makes you wonder why someone sped up and passed you just to slow down again.

idcruiserman

Boise.

Prime bum hangout in that area. Be careful.

Tabor

+1

I try not to pass people if they will just have to pass me again. That said, it is no excuse for rage of any kind.

Winter76

This morning I was coming up on a guy crossing a bridge, my water bottle (it's metal) was making some noise and he turned to see me and then started riding faster. I was doing 35kph already and passed him easily. He yelled at me that I shouldn't pass other cyclists and then passed me pedaling as fast as his bike would take him, when he did he yelled "How do you like it?".

I just let him ride on thinking himself the big man, I could care less about getting passed.

littlewaywelt

You should have raced him.

Blue Order

I wish I had been there when it happened.

Good job on their part.


Good job on your part.

Winter76

Well the thought did cross my mind but we were in full traffic and the road was wet from the rain and fog.

SingingSabre 

This lane ain't big enough for the two of us!

Winter76

I did race the roadie that passed me on my ride home. I was doing 38kph when he passed me so I caught up to him and did my best to look bored as I passed him. He smiled and stood up in his pedals and passed me, we were doing nearly 50kph when he signaled that he had to turn. It was fun!