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What do you do on the road vs cars?

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What do you do on the road vs cars?

Old 06-08-08, 08:03 PM
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What do you do on the road vs cars?

So I've had my 2nd incident today in however many months, today's REALLY pissed me off because I'm a week out from my first triathlon that I've been training for for 6 months. The first incident I was brushed on my arm by a side view mirror of a toyota rav 4 who was laying on his horn to warn me he was coming by (Hi I'm riding on the road, I figured out that there are cars there!). I proceeded to flip him the bird and lucky for both of us he caught the red light. I pulled up next to his window and let him have it.

Today I was traveling towards the main road that I ride on and there was about 6 cars stopped at the light. I was passing them all on the right next to the curb (no shoulder) when the light turns green and the first car fails to react, people start thinking and as I'm passing the 5th car in this idiot pinched me in against the curb! He had no reason to go there there wasnt any sort of shoulder for him to go around traffic, he would have crashed into the curb! He missed my left leg by > < that much. So of course I let him have it as well, and he has the nerve to pull up and say "you're going the wrong way".... At this point I ALMOST put my fist through his window, but I contained myself. I let him have it a bit more as he drove off.

My question is when you have these near misses, do you smack their hood, push off their car, or just avoid them and be happy you're not dead?
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Old 06-08-08, 08:16 PM
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Old 06-08-08, 08:57 PM
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Dude, you have to let go of this hostility, no matter how justified. Here in sunny California, stopping to 'let a driver have it' can get you killed. The other day I slipped up and casually said 'close call, dude' when a pedestrian took a big chance daashing across the street as I drove towards him. He went off like a grenade as I rolled by. Be even more careful out there. bk
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Old 06-08-08, 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by bkaapcke
Dude, you have to let go of this hostility, no matter how justified. Here in sunny California, stopping to 'let a driver have it' can get you killed. The other day I slipped up and casually said 'close call, dude' when a pedestrian took a big chance daashing across the street as I drove towards him. He went off like a grenade as I rolled by. Be even more careful out there. bk
I'm definitely discretionary about it, there are many people in this area that should the same thing have happened I'll just be happy they didn't hit me and roll on my merry way happy im not dead! They are also the same kind of people that would leave the scene of the accident anyway.
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Old 06-08-08, 09:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Rogue Leader
Today I was traveling towards the main road that I ride on and there was about 6 cars stopped at the light. I was passing them all on the right next to the curb (no shoulder) when the light turns green and the first car fails to react, people start thinking and as I'm passing the 5th car in this idiot pinched me in against the curb! He had no reason to go there there wasnt any sort of shoulder for him to go around traffic, he would have crashed into the curb! He missed my left leg by > < that much. So of course I let him have it as well, and he has the nerve to pull up and say "you're going the wrong way".... At this point I ALMOST put my fist through his window, but I contained myself. I let him have it a bit more as he drove off.
Next time, stay in your position in the lane, behind the 6th vehicle where you belong. You were the one in the wrong, and had no reason to be upset. You are a vehicle of the road when you're on the bicycle.

Always ride assuming that the drivers of the vehicles don't see you.

Last edited by Machka; 06-08-08 at 09:42 PM.
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Old 06-08-08, 09:39 PM
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The best thing to do is to get a license number, description of the vehicle and driver, and turn them in, and avoid confrontation at all. ( Sometimes thats tough to do when your adrenaline level is maxxed off the scale) If you can't make a hit and run charge stick to them, then at least the incident has been recorded in case this driver has another future incident, or add to a already bad driving history.
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Old 06-08-08, 10:00 PM
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Old 06-09-08, 05:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Machka
Next time, stay in your position in the lane, behind the 6th vehicle where you belong. You were the one in the wrong, and had no reason to be upset. You are a vehicle of the road when you're on the bicycle.

Always ride assuming that the drivers of the vehicles don't see you.
Lets say I was wrong (which I don't believe) I have no reason to be upset that this guy tried to take my leg off with his big chrome bumper? and it wasn't like I pulled into a turning lane, I don't know where he thought he was going but it was like he was trying to crash into a curb and I was in between.

And around here, you ride on the shoulder on a bicycle unless you have no other room and have to take the lane, lest you want to be flattened. I've never ever seen a bicyclist from a little kid to a roadie out in full kit wait 6th in line at a traffic light.
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Old 06-09-08, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Rogue Leader
Lets say I was wrong (which I don't believe)
Nope, I agree with Machka. Riding safely means riding safely all the time, not just when it's convenient.


Originally Posted by Rogue Leader
I've never ever seen a bicyclist from a little kid to a roadie out in full kit wait 6th in line at a traffic light.
Come riding with me and you will. Splitting lanes antagonizes drivers and makes them do things like trying to "pinch" the area you are splitting...it's just not worth the risk.
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Old 06-09-08, 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by bkaapcke
Dude, you have to let go of this hostility, no matter how justified. Here in sunny California, stopping to 'let a driver have it' can get you killed.
Same in Texas.

And I also agree with Machka. I'll be the first to admit that I roll through stop signs and ride on whatever part of the street I want when I'm in a residential area with no traffic. But I make a point, whenever there is a car in my vicinity to follow traffic laws to a T. I want drivers to see that cyclists can act like vehicles--which is what our law says. (That's me trying to put in a good word for all of us.) And I want to make sure they SEE me. That keeps me safe and keeps them from feeling threatened.
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Old 06-09-08, 12:29 PM
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Never mind.
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Old 06-09-08, 01:04 PM
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Once again proving why I do not filter very often. Of course, I have no need on my route.
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Old 06-09-08, 01:04 PM
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Take up space, as much as you can, be seen, that means don't hide, don't hide at the side of the road, don't hide between parked cars, don't hide right behind a slow moving car. Be as big as possible, both in attitude, and positioning. Works for me. I haven't had 2 close calls like yours in years and years.

I do filter at stops and lights. To me share the road works both ways, they pass you when they can, you pass them when you can. But you need to be very careful, and expect people to do the wrong thing all the time.
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Old 06-09-08, 01:25 PM
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A few days ago I had my first words with a motorist...actually, the passenger.

I was riding on a 4 lane road during the day in Baltimore. I was on the right side of the right lane going in my direction (no shoulder) and it was a BIKE LANE!!!!! I was riding along and about 25 yards before a stop light (that was red) a hear a honk from behind me. I took a quick glance and saw the car and wondered what the problem was. They did not attempt to pass me. At the light I drifted to the middle of the lane and looked at them for a few seconds, then got off my bike and went to the shoulder by the passenger. They rolled down their window and I said "are you guys alright?" and he said "yeah" and I said "good" and walked away. As I was walking away he started telling me that I was in the way.

Normally, I wouldnt think much of it, but I certainly was not in the middle of the lane and there is lots of space to pass me AND this was all while I was in a BIKE LANE on one of the major east/west bike lanes in the city! I just dont get people....

The best part was when the light turned green, there was a car stuck in traffic in the intersection trying to cross the road. This held up the car that honked at me while I zipped through. I just turned around and laughed.......

I hear about people getting hit or brushed while on their bike. I try to be as safe as I can, but I do worry about saying things to others. Road rage is a crazy thing..........
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Old 06-09-08, 05:50 PM
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I've waited in line behind cars for countless stop lights.
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Old 06-09-08, 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Machka
Next time, stay in your position in the lane, behind the 6th vehicle where you belong. You were the one in the wrong, and had no reason to be upset. You are a vehicle of the road when you're on the bicycle.

Always ride assuming that the drivers of the vehicles don't see you.
+++1

cyclists are like cars in terms of legal right to the road. you don't pass on the right - pass on the left. don't "trickle forward" thru traffic at lights, don't ride thru stop signs, etc etc. you break the rules, you suffer.

just since we're on the topic of road safety...

you know when you're at a set of lights at the red, and you're first in the line (i find this often, since a bike isn't large enough to trigger the lights), and you plan on going straight, you're supposed to be in the right lane (unless it's a strict turning lane).

when i ride and see other cyclists, i noticed they are in this lane, but far over the right, near the curb... i find it safer to be close to the left. on the right, a car might try and do a right turn and hook you... by staying closer to the left, they either won't bother passing you, or will have less of a chance of "hookage"
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Old 06-09-08, 09:36 PM
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Lets get a few things straight here.

Firstly I do not believe either of these people intended to hit or try and hit me. The first guy grazed me, the second guy, well I don't know what he was doing, cause if it wasn't for me he would have crashed into the curb!

I have been driving (but not riding for about 10 years) these roads for a very long time. I see everyone from kids to adults, to full out roadies all the time. NEVER ONCE have I seen someone "take the lane" on a bicycle, nor have I seen them act like a car, heck they are ALWAYS on the shoulder.

So I got back into biking, I read through a lot of posts here, and took heed to the words of making myself wide, etc. And I tried it, I rode and rode, and did what everyone recommends, act like a car, be aware of your surroundings, act like they don't see you. And I realized, people don't care here. The first incident happened while i was riding in the lane. Not only that when you do ride in a lane here people lay on their horns and try to graze you. Its a free for all! And I thought back to all the riders I see and have seen and realize here you need to ride to protect yourself, that means avoid everything you can at all costs. Sometimes you have no choice and have to ride in the lane, but the rest of the time, get out of they way cause they will put you out. People have no problem hitting and running over cyclists here, dragging them and leaving, it happens almost weekly.

Bikes have no brake lights, the thought of stopping at a light with a car directly behind me is terrifying, here people ride up on the back bumper of the car ahead, you WILL get squished. So damn right I am not going to wait in line, I'm going to pass when I can, and GTFO of the way.

I wish I lived in a place where the rules of the road applied, but around here its every man or woman for themselves, and you need to ride (and drive) defensively as well as offensively. And no I'm not saying its right for me to road rage on people, but IMHO being extra careful, getting as far out of the way as possible (even if it means riding on the shoulder) and doing everything you can to get through, around and by traffic, is what you need to do to survive. And in my opinion, giving someone a piece of my mind, maybe it will get them to pay attention, maybe it will get them to aim for me, but damn right I do feel better after doing it.
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Old 06-09-08, 09:53 PM
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Find your local highway act and read it.

You'll likely see that it has a section that talks about bicycles, and very likely says something like "Bicycles are to ride as far to the right as practicable." As far to the right as practicable usually means something like ... ride on the shoulder, if there is one, or as far to the right in the lane as possible without running into road debris, grates, etc. if there is not one.

In other words, you are to follow the rules of the road, except where the highway act says differently.

As for stopping behind a vehicle at the lights ... you don't stop directly behind ... stop behind and to the right ... by the right rear corner of the vehicle. That way, if a car does want to come right up behind the car in front of you, it can, but it will have to give you room.

And ... use reflectors ... wear reflective gear ... wear bright jerseys and bright helmet. Remember what I said earlier ... "Always ride assuming that the drivers of the vehicles don't see you." But do what you can to make them see you.
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Old 06-09-08, 10:02 PM
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Heres my experience thus far as a casual bicyclist.

I grew up with my bicycle, I rode EVERYWHERE on it. Id go thruogh a set of tires in a summer!

So being always on the road with my bike, and seeing how people drive, that I think has made me a much more alert driver as I have and always will look out for people on bikes. I rememr as a kid what a btch it was when people wouldnt yield for me...

So now, jump ahead, and I decide to buy a bike and start riding.

I never noticed it really too much before, but people today are terrible on the road ways. I wonder how half these people got their license's~!
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Old 06-09-08, 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Machka
Find your local highway act and read it.

You'll likely see that it has a section that talks about bicycles, and very likely says something like "Bicycles are to ride as far to the right as practicable." As far to the right as practicable usually means something like ... ride on the shoulder, if there is one, or as far to the right in the lane as possible without running into road debris, grates, etc. if there is not one.

In other words, you are to follow the rules of the road, except where the highway act says differently.

As for stopping behind a vehicle at the lights ... you don't stop directly behind ... stop behind and to the right ... by the right rear corner of the vehicle. That way, if a car does want to come right up behind the car in front of you, it can, but it will have to give you room.

And ... use reflectors ... wear reflective gear ... wear bright jerseys and bright helmet. Remember what I said earlier ... "Always ride assuming that the drivers of the vehicles don't see you." But do what you can to make them see you.
So if I'm riding to the right and passing cars to the right where is the problem?

I can see looking at my post that my description of the incident says "no shoulder" which maybe I should have described better. There was MORE than enough room for a bicycle, but not enough room for a car to park. If there was not enough room to safely pass (and by safely pass have enough room that if I lost control I wouldn't land on their hood or if they drifted over they wouldn't crunch me immediately) then I would wait in line.

I do assume other people don't see me, however someone trying to crash into a curb for some unknown reason would catch anyone here off guard. You can expect plenty of stupidity on the road, but thats something you just don't expect.
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Old 06-09-08, 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Rogue Leader
So if I'm riding to the right and passing cars to the right where is the problem?

I can see looking at my post that my description of the incident says "no shoulder" which maybe I should have described better. There was MORE than enough room for a bicycle, but not enough room for a car to park. If there was not enough room to safely pass (and by safely pass have enough room that if I lost control I wouldn't land on their hood or if they drifted over they wouldn't crunch me immediately) then I would wait in line.

I do assume other people don't see me, however someone trying to crash into a curb for some unknown reason would catch anyone here off guard. You can expect plenty of stupidity on the road, but thats something you just don't expect.
The person was probably trying to block your passage.

When you are moving (in a predictable straight line) near the right side of the road, cars see you and will go around you.

And when you stop behind a vehicle at a light, the next car will see you as well.

But when there's a line of cars stopped at a light, and you start squeezing up beside them on the right, they don't necessarily notice you. Not only that, but you don't necessarily see their turn indicators (if they are using them). Now suppose you slip past several cars on the right, and get up to the intersection, and suddenly someone wants to turn right ... you'll be hit.

But if you're behind that 6th car, and the line gets moving, you can see turn indicators, and if the car in front of you turns, you are not in the way. You can let the car turn, then accelerate across the intersection safely.
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Old 06-09-08, 10:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Rogue Leader
Lets say I was wrong (which I don't believe)
Believe. It's commonly referred to as "filtering" and there have been many discussions about it around here, with people on both sides of the arguement.

I personally don't do it. Why go by cars so they have to pass you again? When I approach an intersectionI take the closest opportunity to grab a place in line. I want the drivers to know that I'm following the rules.

The law may or may not be on your side, depending on how your state laws read. Whether it's the best thing to do is a matter of opinion, and I would think that given your experience, you might want to re-evaluate yours. I've never been pinched against a curb, ever. YMMV
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Old 06-10-08, 05:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Machka
The person was probably trying to block your passage.

When you are moving (in a predictable straight line) near the right side of the road, cars see you and will go around you.

And when you stop behind a vehicle at a light, the next car will see you as well.

But when there's a line of cars stopped at a light, and you start squeezing up beside them on the right, they don't necessarily notice you. Not only that, but you don't necessarily see their turn indicators (if they are using them). Now suppose you slip past several cars on the right, and get up to the intersection, and suddenly someone wants to turn right ... you'll be hit.

But if you're behind that 6th car, and the line gets moving, you can see turn indicators, and if the car in front of you turns, you are not in the way. You can let the car turn, then accelerate across the intersection safely.

In regard to your first comment, if that was the case on what planet is that right or legal?!?! I'm still right! If you are in your car and someone does something stupid in another car around you, do you take it upon yourself to hit the guy to teach him a lesson? I may not be right for screaming at people, but its a hell of a lot more not right to try and hit someone (especially on a bicycle where an injury is guaranteed) doing something that you don't believe is right but is not necessarily illegal. If this guy was a fellow cyclist thats even worse, what he will teach me a lesson by taking me out of the Triathlon I'm doing in a week (and who knows what else)?

I'm sorry I don't want to sound rude to anyone here, and I do appreciate not only the advice but the discussion, but after all this I still feel I'm right. I don't see anything illegal or wrong about filtering, and as well I do feel like when I do ride up that side (when there is room enough in my opinion to do so safely), I have a perfectly fine perception of whats going on. I'm usually stopping for a light, I will look for turn signals on the cars to my left, and honestly 90% of the time I take off faster than they do.
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Old 06-10-08, 07:36 AM
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In my state it is legal to filter and pass cars on the right on the shoulder, off the shoulder, on the sidewalk, whatever. I do filter because on their commute there is a bottleneck ~1 mile long for cars that I can get through much much quicker on bike. I am very cautious and slow down when doing this though, because it is risky. Someone started pinching me to the right the other day while I was doing this, at first I thought he was being a &%#! and trying to give me a hard time. When I got a good look at him, he was trying to dial a cellphone or texting and just had no clue what was going on around him...I'm not sure which is worse. Best of luck and be careful.
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Old 06-10-08, 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Rogue Leader
In regard to your first comment, if that was the case on what planet is that right or legal?!?!
Dude, you just finished saying that there was no such thing as "right or legal" in traffic in your area. You were using that to justify filtering through traffic (passing on the right), which was wrong. Then someone else did something wrong, attempting to block you, and now you are surprised?

If things really are as Mad-Max out your way as you say they are, then I hate to say this, but maybe you shouldn't be on a bike there. Maybe you should consider moving, or using some other form of transport when you're in the city and to get to areas where you can safely do your training rides. And I say that as a fairly hardcore utility/commuter cyclist in a city commonly believed to be full of rednecks. There are some brick walls it ain't worth beting your head against.
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