Had a close call with some yahoo in a beat up old pickup truck this morning.

It was on the busiest road of my commute two lanes each direction (3 in a few areas) plus a nice bike lane most of the time (Often green and very obvious). Traffic and lights usually keep car speed down so that biking is slightly slower to a big faster depending on traffic, and there are lots of bikes, particularly at commute times.

The incident happened after a bike lane merge. After a particular intersection where there just became a third lane, the bike lane ends after the light and bikes merge (this is well marked). This third lan becomes a turn lane. 3/4 of the way down this short block a green bike lane starts between the turn lane and other two lanes. Lights are timed so that bikes almost always get stopped here and slower bikers catch up. Normally when the light changes, a couple cars pass the bikes in the intersection, then there is a gap that the bikes will merge into. It is a wide lane, so some bikes who are turning may stay to the right, but most merge over to the left where the new bike lane will be, letting turning traffic pass on the right.

As normal today the light change, a couple cars when ahead. as I got to the lane I looked back and saw a big gap, signalled, checked again for space and nobody from the middle lane that might change lanes into me, and I looked good on both accounts. Still signaling I move into the lane, and then, signalling, the the left.

As I get to the left and right before the bike lane starts I hear a engine rev and look and see this old pickup that was behind me nearly hit me from behind or side as he changes lanes to the middle lane and passes me. Not sure how close he was from behind, but when he passed on my side he was inches away at first. Of course this guy starts cursing me out.

Luckily it was just a scare and nothing worse. I felt like I was being safe, and even another biker by me commented on it.

Maybe this guy was in a rush, but that move didn't get him anywhere faster - I passed him at the next few lights, and it wasn't till right before I turned for my office that he finally really passed me for good.