Three blocks from my office, I was riding in the bike lane and I see a door begin to pop open about 20 yards up the road. I usually ride just inside the line and I had plenty of time to check traffic behind me and scoot totally out of the doorzone. A well-dressed guy gets out and looks right at me, seemingly surprised to find a bike in the bike lane.

So as I go by, I say (as friendly as I can), "Check your mirror first please! Thanks!" And the guy says "Thank you!" I couldn't tell if he was sincere or sarcastic, but I figure I've at least raised his awareness.

Okay, then at the very next block. I am stopped for a stop sign, trackstanding as the traffic from the left clears the intersection. A white Ford Taurus slides right up on my wheel and I think that he's going to nudge me. I hold up my hand and yell "Hey! Hey! Stop!" I start to go and the Taurus gives me a long honk. Not a friendly beep-beep, but a "I should have run you over" honk.

So I wave to the guy and motion that I would like him to roll down his window and discuss. He roars around me and goes down an alley. Jerk. I started to follow him, but I knew I'd never catch him on my fixie. Now, that guy needed his awareness raised!