ptempel

I'm sure that there are guys like this in many places. Its truly a skill to learn to let go and let his anger not hook you into also getting angry. I have yet to master that. You have every right to take as much of the left lane for whatever reason (debris, pothole, ice, etc). This motorist will just have to go around you and use the next lane. Too bad. If he can't handle a simple pass without blowing up, then I wouldn't want to be his wife.

acidfast7

Maybe he's gay, bi or non-binary. Just saying that we shouldn't jump to conclusions.

Reynolds 

While what that driver did was very bad, the real dangerous ones are the distracted IMO.

ptempel

Significnt other, then?

RidingMatthew

I would agree with this. the ones that don't see you at all are the really scary ones. at least he saw you and seemed to have a coronary because you were there.

I am glad you are okay other than this guys rudeness.
what kind of camera do you use? good pictures and evidence if you needed it.

mcours2006

It's this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Ion-1011L-Lit.../dp/B00FZ3JTGI

And I can't believe how much the price has come down.

The only thing is that the battery doesn't last as long as I would like, and even shorter when it's cold out. It takes 1080p at 30 fps, which is where I got the screen capture.

sweeks

A couple days ago I encountered a car parked in my bike lane with the flashers on. I had previously photographed the car there on 3 separate occasions. The last time I happened to see a campus parking enforcement officer, and directed his attention to the car. A ticket was issued.
This time the guy was coming out of the building as I was taking my phone out. Here was our exchange:
Him: "Go ahead and take a picture of me!"
Me: I don't have to; I already have several of you. You know you can get a ticket for blocking a bike lane?"
Him: **** you!"
I waited while he took his sweet time getting into the car and then making a "U"-turn. I wish I had *that* on camera.
It has since come to my attention that all the reports of cars in the bike lane that I submit are simply "catalogued"... nothing comes out of them. Sad.
Steve

alan s 

Probably lives in his mother’s basement.

acidfast7

Do we really need to stoop to their level? Taking pictures of motorists? ... it doesn't make the situation any better for cyclists. Please note that this is different than videos of drivers endangering cyclists.

But blocking a cycle lane? Do you have a lot of spare time?

Also, it's not your bike lane, FWIW.

alan s 

The best approach is to call the police or flag down a passing police car and have them issue a ticket. If you wait patiently and keep calling, eventually you will succeed. Hopefully the person won’t have come back by the time the police show up. If they do come back, you can yell at them. Hopefully it won’t eacalate too often, but be prepared to fight or flee if it does. Your fellow cyclists will definitely appreciate your efforts. Please post your stories here and share any videos.

robertorolfo

Not saying you have to pull to the right at a light, but aren't you worried about being hit from behind? When riding a motorcycle, you are always supposed to keep an eye on your mirrors if nobody is stopped behind you at a light.

I've dealt with a few morons like that over the years. Once had a guy get out of an SUV and start running at my car (this was at a traffic light, and I saw it coming, so I just left some room and drove right around him, laughing). He was mad because, as his wife driving their giant SUV was coming up to pass me in the right lane, I moved to the right to allow her to pass in the proper lane. Her reaction was to continue barreling along, pull further to the right and pass me on the shoulder. 10 out of 10 driving right there.

Also had some local firefighter with a basic red light on his dash try to get me to pull over for him, and then freak out when I wouldn't move, and start following me around. There is a police station really close to where I was living at the time, I so just pulled in there and the guy took off.

Wow, really? Not everyone has a rich daddy to make life easy for them. You realize that, right?


He clearly meant "my" bike lane, as in the lane he regularly uses to commute. It's not HIS writing, it's YOUR reading comprehension...

acidfast7

Not sure what this indicates ... my family was what would be considered "working poor" nowadays ... blue-collar wage labour. Anyway, what a rich daddy have to do with it?

Simply type what you mean ... no need for inference.

1989Pre 

It sounds to me that you're lucky that he didn't get out of the car. He probably figured you weren't worth going to jail over. I'm glad he had the self-restraint to just keep it verbal. Stay to the right.

wphamilton

Stopped at a light? Come on guys, there's nothing wrong with being in the middle of the lane at a light and a few good reasons to not get over on the curb. He'll move back over soon enough.

ThermionicScott 

When it happens, I always wish I had some "I'm a dumbass who parks in bike lanes" bumper stickers with me, but I never do.

mcours2006

There's always that chance, of course, but I feel that if I pull to the right it'll be more difficult for me to cross the intersection and then merge back into traffic. This way I'll take the lane while crossing the intersection (and if you want to debate the merits of this practice, please go to A&S). I'll move over to the right if the lane is wide enough, otherwise I will continue to ride right of centre.

acidfast7

I have a lot of dedicated bike lanes where I live, but they have bus stops and taxi stands in them. Also, whitemanvans and random people stop in them. I'm not going to worked up over it. Not worth the effort, we've got other **** to worry about. It's to dense here to really care to be honest and everyone is pretty good about sharing the space so why get bent out of shape.

GailT

Why do people who hate cyclists post on this forum? Maybe just a troll. Reread the original post - the driver passed him close and then cut him off. You think that shows "self-restaint". I would have reported the driver to the police.

52telecaster

in my best mind i do this..... usually i am not in my best mind.

52telecaster

you can't immediately change the driver but it doesnt hurt to let him know how you feel. makes me feel better some days.

mcours2006

The police wouldn't have done anything...unless, of course, it's a crime to flash someone the finger and then punish pass them. It's just bad behaviour; it's not a crime.

sweeks

1) Documenting a violation of Chicago Municipal Code is not on the same level as the violation. No stooping involved.

2) OK, that's true... I don't *own* it, but I'm the one at that particular moment who has the right to be there. I'm not complaining about someone who pulls into the bike lane to drop someone off, or a bus, maintenance vehicle, etc. This was someone parking and leaving the vehicle for an extended time. I probably don't (*shouldn't*) have to explain the safety issues which are the basis for the reason it's illegal to park in the bike lane.
Steve

baldilocks

I struggle with this subject. My belief is unpopular. I feel if I can't do the speed limit, I need to be on the right side of the road. I also use some sidewalks. No one is walking on them. My bike of choice is a mountain bike. So it doesn't matter if road sucks. Unlike bikes, people driving are often running late. They all believe they can make it up by speeding. Then they roll up on you. You are keeping them from getting to work on time, getting there kids to school on time and so on. No wonder we are all such idiots. I guess I believe I don't have the right to impede the flow of traffic. I also believe cyclist should ride single file when there is traffic. Especially when there is only one lane going each way. I struggle when cyclist are riding next to each other (blocking traffic) having conversations. If they aren't slightly winded, maybe they are going to slow. Save your talk for the coffee shop. I do my best to keep people in cars from hating me (us). Well I told you my belief was unpopular, but I enjoy my commute almost every day.

mcours2006

Ride your bike the way want and feel safe doing. No right or wrong way to do it. All I can tell you is that on my 20-km commute, there is a total of about 6 km that is a 4-lane road (50 km/h limit) where it causes me some stress. I used cars passing me quite close a few times a week when I'd ride near the edge. I've moved further and further out to the right tire track, or the passenger position. Cars are changing lanes to pass me. I am not delaying their arrival anywhere. They change lanes early enough. So based on my own experience I feel safer being further out. But YMMV.

acidfast7

I just think that's it's a tiny infraction an not worth my time to contact and enforcement officer. There must be 10 offences each time I go into/leave work. Maybe you have more time than I?