Confronting a motorist
09-17-09, 11:01 PM
#26
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Hey DX-Man,
I've got a couple of those valve caps with the valve stem removers on them, in my toolbox. Maybe I should start carrying one in my saddle bag. . . Obviously I don't use them as caps on my bike, there are enough vandels with enough "tools" to vandalize, why give 'em one more.
And would using one of those caps to remove the valve stem to let the air out be vandalism? I mean no real harm is being done to the vehicle. . .
I've got a couple of those valve caps with the valve stem removers on them, in my toolbox. Maybe I should start carrying one in my saddle bag. . . Obviously I don't use them as caps on my bike, there are enough vandels with enough "tools" to vandalize, why give 'em one more.
And would using one of those caps to remove the valve stem to let the air out be vandalism? I mean no real harm is being done to the vehicle. . .
As soon as he said "I don't care", I would have been in real trouble. "I don't care either. I don't care that you or your car are not fireproof, and now that I have your plate number, neither is your house, so just keep right on not caring, and I won't either".
09-18-09, 01:42 AM
#27
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I generally avoid confronting motorists, despite my anger--- since I have never received a satisfactory resolution to any grievance I might have. This was further reinforced on today's ride.
I was riding through an office park-- and ahead was a bus facing me-- pulled over, with a line of cars queued up behind waiting for the bus to resume. The SECOND car back suddenly decides to pass the car and bus, and is heading directly at me (on a relatively narrow two lane road). I expected the driver to slow or stop when he sees he cannot make it, but instead, he actually speeds up, forcing me into the curb (I didn't crash or anything). Knowing that this is an office park, I figured he wasn't going far. I did a U-turn, and he turned off a block away into a day car parking lot. I was there before he was out of his car-- and nicely (relative to my adrenaline) confronted him as his wife shuffled their daughter into the day care.
His response was that he didn't care, and that there was plenty of room. In my mind, I was especially frustrated since I was traveling the opposite direction as him (not impeding him in any way), he passed from the second car behind the bus, and forced me off the road---- I don't see that he had any rationale for driving so dangerously, and he was mere blocks from his destination. No apology. I quickly calculated my options--- wasn't really that interested in assaulting him. Semi-interested in doing serious damage to his BMW (hey I drive one too, so no ripping on BMW drivers here). But damaging his car would mean that I could never commute that route to work again.
Quick thinking meant that I decided that I knew where his kid went to daycare--- and his wife would likely give him much more on-going grief and nagging -- far more effective consequences than I could ever give. Still, I wanted to ruin his day. Not even a hint of apology. I wished I had my phone handy-- or I would have snapped photos of him, his car, and plates for all to enjoy. I am keeping a rogue's gallery of sorts.
I was riding through an office park-- and ahead was a bus facing me-- pulled over, with a line of cars queued up behind waiting for the bus to resume. The SECOND car back suddenly decides to pass the car and bus, and is heading directly at me (on a relatively narrow two lane road). I expected the driver to slow or stop when he sees he cannot make it, but instead, he actually speeds up, forcing me into the curb (I didn't crash or anything). Knowing that this is an office park, I figured he wasn't going far. I did a U-turn, and he turned off a block away into a day car parking lot. I was there before he was out of his car-- and nicely (relative to my adrenaline) confronted him as his wife shuffled their daughter into the day care.
His response was that he didn't care, and that there was plenty of room. In my mind, I was especially frustrated since I was traveling the opposite direction as him (not impeding him in any way), he passed from the second car behind the bus, and forced me off the road---- I don't see that he had any rationale for driving so dangerously, and he was mere blocks from his destination. No apology. I quickly calculated my options--- wasn't really that interested in assaulting him. Semi-interested in doing serious damage to his BMW (hey I drive one too, so no ripping on BMW drivers here). But damaging his car would mean that I could never commute that route to work again.
Quick thinking meant that I decided that I knew where his kid went to daycare--- and his wife would likely give him much more on-going grief and nagging -- far more effective consequences than I could ever give. Still, I wanted to ruin his day. Not even a hint of apology. I wished I had my phone handy-- or I would have snapped photos of him, his car, and plates for all to enjoy. I am keeping a rogue's gallery of sorts.
09-18-09, 01:28 PM
#28
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Last night as I was leaving the library I had an a$$hole in a red pickup truck (probably the same one from before) cut me off making a left turn when I was clearly getting ready to go straight through the intersection. Just hurled an a$$hole at him and continued on my way. I think he flipped me off inside of the cab, but oh well. Not like I haven't done that to him before if he's the same one.
09-18-09, 01:35 PM
#29
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Sadly, this kind of behavior can be summed up in 7 words:
People today are in too much of a hurry to get where they are going, and think that their destination is more important then yours. Sadly rudeness seems to be the "rule" of the land these days. Just look at Kanye's rude behavior towards Taylor Swift on the award show the other night.
People are all to ready to accept and make allowances for people's rudeness, particularly if it's their own. :-(
I'm sure that had he found out the hard way that there wasn't as much room as he thought that he'd be thinking of suing you for damages to his car because of his reckless act.
In A Hurry To Get Nowhere Fast
People today are in too much of a hurry to get where they are going, and think that their destination is more important then yours. Sadly rudeness seems to be the "rule" of the land these days. Just look at Kanye's rude behavior towards Taylor Swift on the award show the other night.
People are all to ready to accept and make allowances for people's rudeness, particularly if it's their own. :-(
I'm sure that had he found out the hard way that there wasn't as much room as he thought that he'd be thinking of suing you for damages to his car because of his reckless act.
09-18-09, 01:46 PM
#30
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This does make me think about going above, the DC(District Commander)'s head to the PC(Police Chief) and, if the PC(Police Chief) won't do anything, going to the town/city/county council about it. To assert our right, NOT ONLY, to be on the road. But to also show that, aggressive behavior by motorists, towards cyclists, should not be treated with, an 'oh, whatever' attitude, on the part of the police.
09-18-09, 01:46 PM
#31
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Yep, how else does one explain a gal who pulls up on a cyclists left hand side to make a right turn and using the excuse "I thought that you were going straight."
Or the moron who can't wait for you to make your left turn from the left turn lane and just has to go around you so that he can get his "cheese burger" at McD's. And is in such a hurry as to use the drive-thru doesn't even goes inside. And then wants to fight about it to prove that he's a man and is "right."
Or the moron who can't wait for you to make your left turn from the left turn lane and just has to go around you so that he can get his "cheese burger" at McD's. And is in such a hurry as to use the drive-thru doesn't even goes inside. And then wants to fight about it to prove that he's a man and is "right."
09-18-09, 03:06 PM
#32
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That doesn't even make sense. It would only make sense if she thought you were turning.
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09-18-09, 03:34 PM
#33
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Yup, in a hurry to go nowhere fast... that is exactly what it is.
I just experienced it while driving (taking several bikes to a friend's house...) There I was, going the speed limit... and up behind me comes mr nowherefast. He honks... gets right on my bumper. I'm doing the speed limit. Screw him.
He finally gets around me as we go from a single lane road to a multilaned arterial road. To the left is a group of construction vehicles... moving together in a slow convoy... to the right... oops more slow motorists, you guessed it, going the speed limit... now mr nowherefast has no where else to go and a whole line of cars in front and to the side, blocking him in... Awwww.
I was right behind at that point, laughing at the poetic justice...
BTW mr nowherefast could have jumped on the parallel freeway... but instead, chose to use the 30MPH road, which at that moment, was also lined with cyclists. I can't help but wonder if he would have buzzed the cyclists, had I not been there.
I just experienced it while driving (taking several bikes to a friend's house...) There I was, going the speed limit... and up behind me comes mr nowherefast. He honks... gets right on my bumper. I'm doing the speed limit. Screw him.
He finally gets around me as we go from a single lane road to a multilaned arterial road. To the left is a group of construction vehicles... moving together in a slow convoy... to the right... oops more slow motorists, you guessed it, going the speed limit... now mr nowherefast has no where else to go and a whole line of cars in front and to the side, blocking him in... Awwww.
I was right behind at that point, laughing at the poetic justice...
BTW mr nowherefast could have jumped on the parallel freeway... but instead, chose to use the 30MPH road, which at that moment, was also lined with cyclists. I can't help but wonder if he would have buzzed the cyclists, had I not been there.
09-18-09, 03:43 PM
#34
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I generally avoid confronting motorists, despite my anger--- since I have never received a satisfactory resolution to any grievance I might have. This was further reinforced on today's ride.
I was riding through an office park-- and ahead was a bus facing me-- pulled over, with a line of cars queued up behind waiting for the bus to resume. The SECOND car back suddenly decides to pass the car and bus, and is heading directly at me (on a relatively narrow two lane road). I expected the driver to slow or stop when he sees he cannot make it, but instead, he actually speeds up, forcing me into the curb (I didn't crash or anything). Knowing that this is an office park, I figured he wasn't going far. I did a U-turn, and he turned off a block away into a day car parking lot. I was there before he was out of his car-- and nicely (relative to my adrenaline) confronted him as his wife shuffled their daughter into the day care.
His response was that he didn't care, and that there was plenty of room. In my mind, I was especially frustrated since I was traveling the opposite direction as him (not impeding him in any way), he passed from the second car behind the bus, and forced me off the road---- I don't see that he had any rationale for driving so dangerously, and he was mere blocks from his destination. No apology. I quickly calculated my options--- wasn't really that interested in assaulting him. Semi-interested in doing serious damage to his BMW (hey I drive one too, so no ripping on BMW drivers here). But damaging his car would mean that I could never commute that route to work again.
Quick thinking meant that I decided that I knew where his kid went to daycare--- and his wife would likely give him much more on-going grief and nagging -- far more effective consequences than I could ever give. Still, I wanted to ruin his day. Not even a hint of apology. I wished I had my phone handy-- or I would have snapped photos of him, his car, and plates for all to enjoy. I am keeping a rogue's gallery of sorts.
I was riding through an office park-- and ahead was a bus facing me-- pulled over, with a line of cars queued up behind waiting for the bus to resume. The SECOND car back suddenly decides to pass the car and bus, and is heading directly at me (on a relatively narrow two lane road). I expected the driver to slow or stop when he sees he cannot make it, but instead, he actually speeds up, forcing me into the curb (I didn't crash or anything). Knowing that this is an office park, I figured he wasn't going far. I did a U-turn, and he turned off a block away into a day car parking lot. I was there before he was out of his car-- and nicely (relative to my adrenaline) confronted him as his wife shuffled their daughter into the day care.
His response was that he didn't care, and that there was plenty of room. In my mind, I was especially frustrated since I was traveling the opposite direction as him (not impeding him in any way), he passed from the second car behind the bus, and forced me off the road---- I don't see that he had any rationale for driving so dangerously, and he was mere blocks from his destination. No apology. I quickly calculated my options--- wasn't really that interested in assaulting him. Semi-interested in doing serious damage to his BMW (hey I drive one too, so no ripping on BMW drivers here). But damaging his car would mean that I could never commute that route to work again.
Quick thinking meant that I decided that I knew where his kid went to daycare--- and his wife would likely give him much more on-going grief and nagging -- far more effective consequences than I could ever give. Still, I wanted to ruin his day. Not even a hint of apology. I wished I had my phone handy-- or I would have snapped photos of him, his car, and plates for all to enjoy. I am keeping a rogue's gallery of sorts.
09-18-09, 05:02 PM
#35
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I would like to point out that the BMW driver committed multiple crimes. It is sad that such criminal behavior is so easily tolerated on our public roads
09-18-09, 07:40 PM
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09-18-09, 08:41 PM
#38
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09-18-09, 08:47 PM
#39
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Yup, in a hurry to go nowhere fast... that is exactly what it is.
I just experienced it while driving (taking several bikes to a friend's house...) There I was, going the speed limit... and up behind me comes mr nowherefast. He honks... gets right on my bumper. I'm doing the speed limit. Screw him.
He finally gets around me as we go from a single lane road to a multilaned arterial road. To the left is a group of construction vehicles... moving together in a slow convoy... to the right... oops more slow motorists, you guessed it, going the speed limit... now mr nowherefast has no where else to go and a whole line of cars in front and to the side, blocking him in... Awwww.
I was right behind at that point, laughing at the poetic justice...
BTW mr nowherefast could have jumped on the parallel freeway... but instead, chose to use the 30MPH road, which at that moment, was also lined with cyclists. I can't help but wonder if he would have buzzed the cyclists, had I not been there.
I just experienced it while driving (taking several bikes to a friend's house...) There I was, going the speed limit... and up behind me comes mr nowherefast. He honks... gets right on my bumper. I'm doing the speed limit. Screw him.
He finally gets around me as we go from a single lane road to a multilaned arterial road. To the left is a group of construction vehicles... moving together in a slow convoy... to the right... oops more slow motorists, you guessed it, going the speed limit... now mr nowherefast has no where else to go and a whole line of cars in front and to the side, blocking him in... Awwww.
I was right behind at that point, laughing at the poetic justice...
BTW mr nowherefast could have jumped on the parallel freeway... but instead, chose to use the 30MPH road, which at that moment, was also lined with cyclists. I can't help but wonder if he would have buzzed the cyclists, had I not been there.
09-18-09, 08:52 PM
#40
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09-18-09, 10:37 PM
#41
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I can do it in one... infrontitis 
I don't think it's so much a matter of trying to save time as much as trying to avoid being frustrated or feeling thwarted... and anything that makes some people take their foot off the gas counts. It's purely reactionary. Bus in the way? Whip around it! Light turn yellow? Floor it! Traffic backed up beyond where your right-turn lane begins? Drive over the curb! So long as people like this guy get in front of whatever's in front of him, they don't care...
I don't think it's so much a matter of trying to save time as much as trying to avoid being frustrated or feeling thwarted... and anything that makes some people take their foot off the gas counts. It's purely reactionary. Bus in the way? Whip around it! Light turn yellow? Floor it! Traffic backed up beyond where your right-turn lane begins? Drive over the curb! So long as people like this guy get in front of whatever's in front of him, they don't care...
09-18-09, 11:11 PM
#42
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Slim to none. I don't live in a police state, which is unfortunate at times. My neighbor's house was broken into a few years ago, and the miscreants returned a few days later to steal their car (they had taken the keys during the break-in). After they put petrol in the tank (it needed diesel), it didn't run so well--- so they actually took it into a shop, and the shop folks called the police. The thieves were never charged ("lack of evidence").
09-18-09, 11:52 PM
#43
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Yup, in a hurry to go nowhere fast... that is exactly what it is.
I just experienced it while driving (taking several bikes to a friend's house...) There I was, going the speed limit... and up behind me comes mr nowherefast. He honks... gets right on my bumper. I'm doing the speed limit. Screw him.
He finally gets around me as we go from a single lane road to a multilaned arterial road. To the left is a group of construction vehicles... moving together in a slow convoy... to the right... oops more slow motorists, you guessed it, going the speed limit... now mr nowherefast has no where else to go and a whole line of cars in front and to the side, blocking him in... Awwww.
I was right behind at that point, laughing at the poetic justice...
BTW mr nowherefast could have jumped on the parallel freeway... but instead, chose to use the 30MPH road, which at that moment, was also lined with cyclists. I can't help but wonder if he would have buzzed the cyclists, had I not been there.
I just experienced it while driving (taking several bikes to a friend's house...) There I was, going the speed limit... and up behind me comes mr nowherefast. He honks... gets right on my bumper. I'm doing the speed limit. Screw him.
He finally gets around me as we go from a single lane road to a multilaned arterial road. To the left is a group of construction vehicles... moving together in a slow convoy... to the right... oops more slow motorists, you guessed it, going the speed limit... now mr nowherefast has no where else to go and a whole line of cars in front and to the side, blocking him in... Awwww.
I was right behind at that point, laughing at the poetic justice...
BTW mr nowherefast could have jumped on the parallel freeway... but instead, chose to use the 30MPH road, which at that moment, was also lined with cyclists. I can't help but wonder if he would have buzzed the cyclists, had I not been there.
Definitely poetic justice.
09-19-09, 12:00 AM
#44
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Not only that. But when it is done where, a cyclist happens to be the unwilling receiver of all that bad behavior, the police don't lift a finger, to catch the person. Their excuse is, they had to see it happen. Basically, That is tantamount to cyclists' being called liars. While the bad drivers get away, without even a ticket. Because, When they do see it, they accuse the cyclist of being at fault, even when the motorist was obviously at fault.
09-19-09, 02:25 PM
#45
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Hey DX-Man,
I've got a couple of those valve caps with the valve stem removers on them, in my toolbox. Maybe I should start carrying one in my saddle bag. . . Obviously I don't use them as caps on my bike, there are enough vandels with enough "tools" to vandalize, why give 'em one more.
And would using one of those caps to remove the valve stem to let the air out be vandalism? I mean no real harm is being done to the vehicle. . .
I've got a couple of those valve caps with the valve stem removers on them, in my toolbox. Maybe I should start carrying one in my saddle bag. . . Obviously I don't use them as caps on my bike, there are enough vandels with enough "tools" to vandalize, why give 'em one more.
And would using one of those caps to remove the valve stem to let the air out be vandalism? I mean no real harm is being done to the vehicle. . .
electric screwdriver. One of my neighbors used this idea on a car belonging to a kid
who had smacked her teenage daughter around, took less than a minute to
get all 4 valve stems out and drop 'em in the sewer.
09-19-09, 02:46 PM
#46
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Here's an idea to not try: mount a valve stem removal tool in a little rechargeable
electric screwdriver. One of my neighbors used this idea on a car belonging to a kid
who had smacked her teenage daughter around, took less than a minute to
get all 4 valve stems out and drop 'em in the sewer.
electric screwdriver. One of my neighbors used this idea on a car belonging to a kid
who had smacked her teenage daughter around, took less than a minute to
get all 4 valve stems out and drop 'em in the sewer.
09-20-09, 01:22 AM
#47
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Wow, it seems that careless driving around cyclists is rampant everywhere! My girlfriend and I were rattled by a driver today... here's a post I put up on our local bike forums about a near-collision with a big hay truck, and would be grateful for your insights (it's lengthy, but I guess I'm still a little rattled and need to get it off my chest):
Hey everybody, glad to be part of this group, and sorry in advance for such a bummer of a 1st topic... but, I can't get over what almost happened to my girlfriend and I today.
We were cycling back today from the Sustainability Fair at about 5:30 PM, and were heading East on Douglas Rd. just about 4 miles N of the fair, and had a near-collision with a truck. The driver, no more than 20 yards from us, looked both ways as he was exiting on to Douglas, and proceeded to turn directly in our path and into the shoulder, leaving no room for us to go anywhere but into the grass or hitting the back of his truck. He missed my girlfriend by only 10', and proceeded to drive down the road away from us. Luckily, she was quick with the brakes because we were coasting at least 18 mph down the hill past this farm.
Needless to say,we were shocked, upset, outraged,... I wanted to chase the guy down and get his license plate # but thought better of starting a confrontation. I turned around and peddled back to the farm house and spoke to a woman who said that she did not own the farm, but lets people (contractors?) use their farm. I calmly told her about what happened, only the facts, and that we were nearly hit by this driver, and to ask their drivers to pay more attention. I held back quite a bit, because I didn't want my anger to show outwardly, but now I sit here replaying the incident over and over and want to make sure this guy doesn't hurt or kill cyclists in the future. She said she would tell her husband about it, but showed little concern or remorse, and we cycled away-- shaky to say the least.
Looking back at this, I am convinced the driver saw us clearly, and pulled out directly into the bike lane. This makes me think he's either legally blind, drunk or crazy, and intended to knock us off our bikes.
What could we have done differently to handle the situation? Should we have called the police, or something else? I would like nothing more than to see this guy get his license taken away, but I'm not sure here, because I've never been involved in anything this egregious.
Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks,
Chris
Hey everybody, glad to be part of this group, and sorry in advance for such a bummer of a 1st topic... but, I can't get over what almost happened to my girlfriend and I today.
We were cycling back today from the Sustainability Fair at about 5:30 PM, and were heading East on Douglas Rd. just about 4 miles N of the fair, and had a near-collision with a truck. The driver, no more than 20 yards from us, looked both ways as he was exiting on to Douglas, and proceeded to turn directly in our path and into the shoulder, leaving no room for us to go anywhere but into the grass or hitting the back of his truck. He missed my girlfriend by only 10', and proceeded to drive down the road away from us. Luckily, she was quick with the brakes because we were coasting at least 18 mph down the hill past this farm.
Needless to say,we were shocked, upset, outraged,... I wanted to chase the guy down and get his license plate # but thought better of starting a confrontation. I turned around and peddled back to the farm house and spoke to a woman who said that she did not own the farm, but lets people (contractors?) use their farm. I calmly told her about what happened, only the facts, and that we were nearly hit by this driver, and to ask their drivers to pay more attention. I held back quite a bit, because I didn't want my anger to show outwardly, but now I sit here replaying the incident over and over and want to make sure this guy doesn't hurt or kill cyclists in the future. She said she would tell her husband about it, but showed little concern or remorse, and we cycled away-- shaky to say the least.
Looking back at this, I am convinced the driver saw us clearly, and pulled out directly into the bike lane. This makes me think he's either legally blind, drunk or crazy, and intended to knock us off our bikes.
What could we have done differently to handle the situation? Should we have called the police, or something else? I would like nothing more than to see this guy get his license taken away, but I'm not sure here, because I've never been involved in anything this egregious.
Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks,
Chris
09-20-09, 03:41 PM
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Report dangerous drivers to the police without delay.
Don't give the simple jerks the dignity of your attention.
Don't give the simple jerks the dignity of your attention.
09-24-09, 05:33 AM
#49
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And now for a bit of unbelievable follow-up---- I just saw the driver eating lunch in our office park cafeteria. I thought I saw his car in the parking lot the other day--- but I definitely saw him eating today. I had a later lunch---not my usual time. Of course he did not recognize me in civilian clothing.
Temptation is a scary thing....
Temptation is a scary thing....
09-24-09, 08:14 AM
#50
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And now for a bit of unbelievable follow-up---- I just saw the driver eating lunch in our office park cafeteria. I thought I saw his car in the parking lot the other day--- but I definitely saw him eating today. I had a later lunch---not my usual time. Of course he did not recognize me in civilian clothing.
Temptation is a scary thing....
Temptation is a scary thing....
1) Get yourself some "Liquid Ass" (www.liquidass.com)
2) Wait until you can approach this car unobserved
3) Empty product from step 1 into the car's fresh cabin air intake (usually near where the hood meets the windshield)