My turn today to take the Books by Bike trailer to the farmers market. Had to pick it up downtown where it had made a guest appearance at some function over the weekend. Towed it to our branch first.

As I was approaching our parking lot entrance, a Prius dawdled alongside me. I didn't think much of it since occasionally drivers want a closer look. Then, it right-hooked me to pull into our parking lot. I had enough space to turn with him so that I didn't T-bone his door.

It never occurred to me to be angry. I just rode to the bike rack by our front door and waited while I locked up. Guy comes up the side walk and I said, "Well, that wasn't very polite."

"I'm sorry," he replied. "I didn't see you."

"Respectfully sir, I saw you look at me. I know you saw me. And even if you didn't, at 15 MPH if you missed seeing this much rig and me in safety yellow, with a headlight on and flashing lights at each end, then you probably shouldn't be driving to begin with."

The story changed to, "I saw you, but then I couldn't see you any more." Apparently, he thought Scotty had beamed me up.

He went inside, repeating "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

It really sunk in when I came inside and went behind the circulation desk to get the keys for the back. He realized I wasn't just some dumb SOB on a bike. Now he's dealing with the City.

The "I'm sorrys" continued. Reading his name of my co-worker's screen, I interrupted.

"Look Mr. Xxxxxxx. Let's just consider this to be an educational moment. Next time when you're turning right, wait behind the bike. Let the bike go first instead of speeding up to turn in front of it. Next time, it could be a kid, who isn't expecting such a bonehead move, and isn't ready with a countermove to avoid collision.

"What would you say to his parents when they found out you crushed him under the rear wheel of your Prius after he ran into your side door because you failed to yield and cut right in front of him?"

And I walked away.

My co-workers were stunned. First, by finding out what had just happened, and second because there was no yelling.

And I had a wonderful rest of the day. The peaches at the farmers market were perfect. And the tomatoes, divine. I have to wait to try the leeks. I have a wonderful recipe for Braised Leeks with Potatoes, Carrots and Chicken.

Here's what he "couldn't see":

I don't think I could have remained so calm.

Hey! A mod!

Would you fix the typo in the thread title? "whil" should be "while". Thanks.

First, I seldom get angry in traffic. I'm all about feeling grateful for what didn't happen, rather than getting pissed for what only almost happened.

Second, when I'm pulling the Books by Bike trailer, I'm a City employee, on City business, representing the City. Despite everything else, the bonehead is a taxpayer and a voter. That makes him my boss.

Can you imagine what would happen to me if it made the news, "City employee goes ballistic on hapless motorist"?

No. I think the bonehead learned a better lesson this way.

And I learned too that my crash avoidance instincts are working pretty well.

Very glad to hear that you weren't injured tsl.

Thanks. Me too.

Instead, I got to sit in the sun and eat peaches and tomatoes while I checked out cookbooks. Renewed a couple of library cards for people. And did some research to answer a reference question. ("Are there any paintball places in Rochester?" Turns out, there are three.) The iPad and MiFi portable hotspot come in handy.

Hey, is that a hotspot in your pocket, or ...

Composure is so needed... yet so often overlooked in cycling. I was afraid I was going to be reading of your injuries and pending recovery. Glad you're OK.

You handled that well, I wouldn't manage to stay that calm. Nice work and I'm glad you are okay!

That is a perfect response. If a similar situation happens to me, I'll try and remember this.

Distracted, arrogant and plain clueless driver's are to be found everywhere. I am waiting to pick up my new bike on Friday and had to make a four mile hike round trip for printing and then off to the Post Office. I always wait for the "White Human" go ahead flashing figure at crosswalks, but a lady in a very new luxury car felt it more important to cut me off in the crosswalk so she could make a right turn while I still had the right away. An illegal move in California.

Glad that you were alert and prepared to avoid a crash and possible injuries. You have to be careful out there. Even on foot! You might be right, but you never want to be dead right.

Ninjas like this can be so hard to spot. I wish cyclist would do more to be seen. :-)

Nice job TSL; glad you came out unscathed!

Please post a couple pics of your amazing Books Bike trailer; I assume it opens up into something spectacular.

I'm glad that there was enough room for you to steer to the inside and avoid collision. Thankfully, you were anticipating a turn...

...and I'm glad that no books were harmed.

Thanks.

Actually, the trailer doesn't open up into anything amazing, although I've seen some that do. Perhaps the most spectacular is this one from Omaha, pulled by an Xtra-cycle. It's built on the same Bikes-At-Work trailer as ours, but they went all fancy schmancy with sliding smoked plexiglas doors and stuff.

The display section of ours is on top. The wire book racks are stock library catalog fixtures. We've woven bungees through them to hold some "prop" books while in transit. The yellow drawer on the back holds papers, library cards, the iPad and MiFi hotspot.

There's a hatch on the back of the lower cabinet. We can slide in two Rubbermaid totes, or two of our standard book totes and our E-Z Up tent.

The purpose of the trailer isn't so much to circulate items, although we can and do do that. Its primary purpose is... wait for it... as a promotional vehicle.

Photos from a recent parade and neighborhood fair:

I know. So stealth, right?

Actually, besides the mount for my DiNotte 300R taillight, the trailer is ringed with an LED rope light. Battery-powered with a solar charger. Sort of carries the theme from the 198 solar panels on our roof.



I've used it once so far in twilight. Nice blue glow. We set up at the farmers market 4pm-8pm every Tuesday through to EST, so they'll be getting a regular workout soon.

You handled that well.

DiNotte 300R taillight

Great Lights

Well played, Bruce. Like Dave and others, I was concerned that you'd been injured!

How could you miss that trailer?

Man, ever had that trailer in crosswind conditions before? Excellent job with the situation. I no doubt would have been pissed.

I would have preferred "whilst".


Glad you are okay.

glad you are okay. I bet some plexiglass would make yours much lighter.. how does the solar panel and LED lights work? how long etc?

Great job!

also, that is some cool stuff!

on a silly humorous note, maybe he expects one off those spinning lights coming up out of the trailer??? It sure would be hard to miss that trailer!!!

duplicate

Meh. You're apparently ok. Moving along.

Well played. Hope I am as composed when confronted with a similar situation...but probably not, but I'll try to remember what you did.
Thanks for sharing. Glad you're not hurt.

Add me to the list of well-wishers. My expressions of irritation on the road would likely be incomprehensible to the offending motorist, since they don't involve the middle finger, and I never catch up with them with enough time to chat.

One nice piece of advice I once read on a Forum is that the closer you get to work, the more calm you should remain with the motorist...the offender might be a customer, co-worker, or your boss.