tacojohn

I would think you'll have more incidents like this, but less of the garden variety bike commuting incidents. I would disagree that anyone is in "deep ****" but certainly $4/gallon gas challenges a way of life, one that is especially strong and prevalent in SE Michigan. There's a number of drivers now who see bike commuters and think "You know, maybe he/she is on to something." Then there's the group that sees the bike commuter and thinks "self-righteous tree-hugging freak," mostly out of envy that they can't/won't bring themselves to make the change. Then you have the people who see the need for change, and can't or won't do it, so they lash out at anything they perceive as causing that problem. A cyclist (for some odd reason) might easily qualify there.

In the long term, assuming that the lifestyle of being able to drive anything, anywhere, anytime remains threatened (not a safe assumption), there will be lots more bicycle commuters, and lots more people sympathetic to them. Until then though, for everyone who's sympathetic to them, there's probably someone who sees them as the problem.

ItsJustMe

Not really in the area this guy is talking about. He was just west of Chelsea, I ride between Dexter and Chelsea daily, year round, for 4 years now, and my total incidents include 3 or 4 yells and one half-full water bottle thrown. My biggest problem here is that people are far too nice; they won't pass even if they could easily make it by me with 6 feet of clearance; they wait until oncoming traffic clears. Not everyone, but one or two a day. It makes me nervous.

This guy is just the random nutjob you get in any location, especially when you're in an isolated location and no witnesses.

My theory on the "gay" thing is that the people that yell that were checking out your ass and then realized you were a guy. Calling you a f****t must "bounce" the gay off them and back to you.

ModoVincere

Situations like the OP described, I offer to call the police and let them sort it out.

SSP

Did the TV station run your video of the arrest you taped? If so, is there a link where we can see the coverage too?