Originally Posted by
mjw16
EKW in DC, I go through that very same intersection every morning (heading North, then N.E., toward DC) and 2 to 3 times a week in the afternoon... Depending on timing and traffic, I've even cut out that intersection entirely by cutting through the (closed) service station parking lot, past the Suntrust-on the sidewalk, then, to the southbound lane of traffic on Mount Vernon when safe...
I cut through the parking lot and stuff there to "run" the light there if it's red when I'm northbound in the AM. I've been commuting pretty much every day for over a year and this is the first incident I've had there, so I'll chalk it up to the driver just being a prick this time. Hoever, there does seem to be some impetus for redesign of that instersection for cyclists given the recent addition of the bike box, so I would guess I'm far from the first to have had issues there.
I think you were certainly in the right and, your reasoning is correct. In any case, nobody should be passing you on the right and they certainly shouldn't act/speak aggressively toward you...
It's funny, I've been riding into DC for 8 years and have only encountered aggressive/angry drivers near home, never once in DC...
Thanks and +1 in the aggressive drivers seeming to be less of a problem in DC. Even though I do almost all my riding in Virginia, most of my negative encounters have involved drivers with Maryland tags. Go figure. That being said, two of my three most serious encounters - this one and another along Commonwealth - have involved VA drivers, so...
I still can't figure out what is so upsetting about cyclists to drivers, we may only slow them for a few seconds whereby they immediatly pass us and continue on unfettered.
Me neither. One of those things that make you go hmmm... (a la Arsenio Hall Show)
I would certainly recommend reporting license #'s of such drivers, if nothing else it could increase police patrols and/or encourage improved traffic devices for cyclists.
Yeah. In the moment I was more concerned w/ trying to catch up to him and giving him a piece of my mind, useless and futile as that exercise would have been. I have reported a couple other plate #s from other encounters, and I certainly generally agree w/ your advice.
Hope your ride home today is uneventful.
Today's ride HOME will be on metro w/ bike in tow after rush hour. I'm going to happy hour w/ my wife to kick off birthday weekend celebrations. Last night's ride home = a little more eventful. No crazy drivers, but crazy weather instead. Got caught in that afternoon thunderstorm. Man, that was a doozie!!!