Punk cyclists
 

Several times over the past few weeks, I've been encountering a group of what appear to be 16 year olds on bmx when I'm crossing this particular bridge. Being adolescent morons, they take the whole path and pretend they don't notice oncoming pedestrians and cyclists. When they pass, I always have to ride about an inch from the wall while having some Beavis and Butthead wannabe miss me by a couple inches on the other side.

I'm normally pretty mellow, but I'm getting tired of these punks. They always come at me head on and they always pretend not to notice me whether I get over as far as possible or I hold a reasonable position and swerve when they get too close. I think they are trying to get me to crash.

What do people recommend? They know what they are doing, so I doubt that asking politely or telling them off would accomplish anything. Should I hold my line and clip one of them? Forget about it and keep dodging? Call the cops (do they deal with brats)? I'm usually outnumbered 4 to 1 so I wouldn't be able to defend my bike adequately if I were stopped. Also, it is possible that one or more of them may be armed with something -- they act a bit like they think they are part of some cool gang.

Air horn
http://urbanscooters.com/cgi-bin/urb...AirZounds.html

video tape it and take the video to the cops.

Clip 'em and keep going.

Yea, so they can call a Whaaambulance for you.

Ride a mountain bike and hit them if they get too close.

Thats what I'd do, but I dont take abuse lightly.

I had a gaggle of children around that age, doing the same thing, I yelled heads up twice quite loudly,
they chose to ignor my warnings, the third time I yelled was right in one of their ears, the child jumped
and said I head him say "that guy scare the .... outta me...." I said you children should watch where your going...

I killed a man once for calling me a "punk cyclist." With a broken plastic spork and a bag of potato chips, even.

True story.

One less zit on the a$$ of society.
Nice Job.

Kids like that want to be recognized as real cyclists. They actually want your approval, I bet. Call them over and treat them like peers -- you know, let them in on the biker code. Unless there's some class/racial/social divide that makes this impossible, befriending the punks sort of deflates their self-image as badasses, don't you think?

Kids swarm and carry knives now.

Forgot the [sarcasm] tags?

pissing you off is the only influence they have over you, or probably just about anyone else. i wouldn't advise running into them, it'd probably be the most exciting thing to happen to them all month. if one seriously gives you reason to worry about your safety, get your cellphone out (always keep it handy) and dial the cops.

i also often run cross (knobby) tires, so i can swerve off the path. it's more for strollers, dogwalkers, and obese tourists, but they might come in handy in your situation. remember, they're bored, and probably pissed that they're ineffectual, do what you've got to to stay safe, but remain calm, they're trying to get a rise out of you.

EDIT: bklyn's advice is much better. mine only applies once you're sure they're not going to be won over.

Ied.

Not that I tend to deal with punks all that calmly, but next time I saw them coming, I'd just stop and fake adjusting my helmet or something, in their way, and acknowledge them (a nod, "hey guys" or something) and stand there making them move around you. Kind of a passive version of standing your ground vs. clipping them.

They hit you with no instigation, you got something for the cops, if not, no assault charges for the adult that should know better. You're not asking for trouble, just eliminating the circumstances of their game (i.e. you needing to pass).

Yell "MOVE!" while accellerating. It works with just about any vehicle you're using.

I was walking to lunch and an older teenage guy was riding his BMX bike down the sidewalks. People kept stepping out of his way for the whole block. about ten feet away we locked eyes. He didn't move, I didn't move, and at the last second he swerved into a table and knocked over a couple of chairs. I won.

+2 for airhorn

Tear gas usually will disperse a crowd

Ahhh... teenageers, summer vacation and too much free time.

I'd just let things slide and go on my way. But then that's only because I don't want my route to be covered with broken glass and nails the next day. Hey, I'm greedy like that. I admit it.

I think I might try this. I don't think they are actually dangerous, but rather that they just want to make a show. This sounds less confrontational.

For those who have suggested accelerating or not flinching, I thought about that. However, I just bought new wheels 2 months ago and pitched the old ones. Also, guys my age should have better things to do than butt heads with idiot kids.

My route is already littered with broken glass so I don't care about that. Sometimes I feel like the bums must have beer bottle breaking contests. Fortunately, my Marathon Plus tires are highly resistant even to glass.

mount a cow catcher on your bike.

Carry a paddle called "Discipline". Use as necessary.

Best suggestion... ever.

a cheerful "Excuse me, BONEHEADS!" works for me. :)

I have run into this behavior before more than once.
I simply yell "coming through" or "heads up" and keep going straight. They may talk ***** as they jump out of the way at the last second, but they do get out ot the way.

I'm not going to waste my time arguing with them. But, the paths are mine to use as much as theirs and I act accordingly.

I refuse to empower rude people.

Exactly.

And what is with the spate of threads recently about kids intimidating folks? Be assertive. An assertive adult is what tends to scare them most.

i killed a punk cyclist in reno, just to watch him die....

Post of the day.