banerjek

Drivers rarely give me problems -- maybe a couple times a year which is amazing considering how many miles I log and how many cars I encounter. However, the people who harass me tend to be repeat offenders.

Last night, a woman in a white Silverado buzzed me at 65mph while laying on the horn. The last time she did this was last summer, and she's done it probably 5 times in the last 4 years. If patterns hold, she won't bug me again until fall, maybe later.

I can figure out who she is. I used to have the plate memorized, but I only got a few letters last night. I will have no trouble identifying her or the truck out of the many matching a similar physical description.

Normally, I just let things go, but I sense real hostility from her and I'm kind of tired of it. I could call the cops, but I'm not sure what they could do. It's my word against hers, and frankly, she'll leave me alone for awhile. I'm thinking of altering my route so I pass through her neighborhood. The idea is to make her feel less anonymous since I'm guessing she doesn't think I know who she is. If I saw her outside the truck, I plan to say "hi" and look at the truck to convey that I recognize it without trying to provoke a confrontation. I won't take any vigilante action.

Although some people may remember that I tell some people to buzz me as a way of training my reflexes, I can tell the difference between hostility, people who are letting me know they're passing by, and others who are just messing around. I don't like consistent harassment, so I'd like to do what I can to make it stop. I think there is a chance the woman may be creeped out if I pass by on a public street, but I'm not sure if I care if it gets her to quit threatening me with her vehicle. Anyway, what do people think of this idea? Is it going too far?

DataJunkie

I like it. Then again I do not make the wisest choices.
You could find out where she lives and leave her a note or a printout with the appropriate laws highlighted.
Just don't TP her house or throw eggs.

rykoala

You seem pretty level headed about it. If I were you I'd call the dispatch number for the police and ask to talk to a traffic officer and ask them what your rights are in this case. If they have a reasonable course of action, take it. Otherwise, find out where the lady works and approach her there. She'll be quite embarrassed when a guy shows up and asks her to quit harassing him on his bicycle. In front of her coworkers of course.

ryanparrish

Maybe you could tape the egg to the note so that she understands the alternatives buzz me again or get egged

newbojeff

It does sound a bit wacko to go out of your way on your commute to pass by someone's house to make yourself "less anonymous." What if she lives on a cul-de-sac?

You're not an astronaut, right?

Any chance on your commute that you'd catch her at a light? A wave and a smile would probably get more the results you're looking for than stalking her outside her home.

max-a-mill

i heard no mention of adult diapers here....

fordfasterr

Find out where she lives.

Take pictures of her house and her car (and possibly her) and post them here on BFN !!!!

I'd love to see some pics!!

rykoala

Better yet. Catch her at a light. Make obvious that you're taking pix of her car, license plate, and her. Then, when you find out where she lives, write a note that says "Please stop buzzing me and honking. Thank you". Then in the envelope along with the note is the pictures. Good way to creep somebody out and unless they're a totally off kilter, they'll leave you the heck alone.

Yes, I have thought about things like this before. Yes, my wife says I am a bit off....

rykoala

D'oh, forgot to say: Go in the middle of the night and put the envelope under her windshield wiper so that she can't miss it.

fordfasterr

if you do something like the above, the person may call the cops claiming that you are a stalker ...

LOL

I would much rather contact a local sheriff and have them handle it on your behalf.

SpiderMike

I smell a spin off of "My Name is Earl".

rykoala

In my defense I never said it was a good idea

A_Str8

What she's doing is extremely dangerous to you. What if next time, her control isn't so great and she hits you when she intends to buzz you? I think you should definitely get the police involved - and not just the traffic cops. If she is really intentionally buzzing you with her car, I'm pretty sure that counts as assault. Yeah, its just your word against hers, but even if they say there's not enough info for a case, it would be good for a few reasons.

1) If she does end up hitting you or anything like that, they will have the prior complaint on file and be able to see it wasn't just a random accident.
2) If she's buzzed you more than once, its possible she's done other reckless road-rage fueled things. If there are other reports against her, yours would help get her off the street.
3) Even if she denies that she buzzed you, the police coming to her house asking for a statement should hopefully scare her out of doing it again.

Nip this in the bud. Don't wait for it to become a serious incident.

banerjek

I'm making her less anonymous, not me. Everyone already knows who I am (it's a small town) -- the nut job who rides his bike long distances year 'round in any weather.

My idea was to quit passing through once I was sure she noticed me. I don't want to be a stalker. I just want her to know that I'm aware of what's going on. Being on a cul de sac would not affect this plan. I take my dog on cul de sacs I don't live on all the time. I can't see why I shouldn't be able to on my bike as well. It's a public space.

phoebeisis

I would probably blow it off, especially since it is "just" 5 times in 4 years.
Now, if you could somehow manage to run into her in the grocery store etc, and say something nice-hi, I see you in your truck when I'm riding" etc-that might not be so bad.
If you went by her house, she might sic her husband, kid,cops on you.There is a tiny chance she is crazy, as opposed to just occasionally a impatient AH.
It is unsettling to have someone buzz by at high speed-especially if they suddenly hit the horn-it could cause you to make a wrong move-but it probably isn't illegal(except for the speed), and there just isn't anything you can tell the cops that they would do anything about.
Crummy, but probably just let it go.
Luck,
Charlie

TreeUnit

Try this

https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/264872-friendly-message-angry-motorists.html

sbhikes

Find out if they have a community relations officer or somebody who can take complaints about traffic problems in the community and send an email with the information -- her license plate and what happened. It worked for me.

2manybikes

Next time be sure to get the plate number. Then make a huge sign with the plate number on it and the words " Stop buzzing me". Carry one with you, put up a huge one somewhere she will see it. Like an overhead bridge.

A big photo of the car next to it would be good too.

Falkon 

Wait until she goes to get the mail then ride by coming inches from hitting her while yelling beeeeeep

TimJ

Videotape her doing what she's doing and then take it to the cops and see if there's anything they can do. Or talk to her directly. Or talk to the cops first and then do something direct.

The thing about doing something subtle and indirect like passing by her house so she knows this-and-that is you have no idea what she'll think, if anything. I for one do think your idea is wacko for the simple reason you think you know what effect riding by her house will have. That is pretty wacko. Someone who feels OK doing what she's doing probably isn't going to react in the way you think and probably isn't going to learn the lesson you think you'd be teaching her. I'd say leave no guess-work out of it if you really think she's a danger to you.

I seriously doubt by riding past her place she would

monk

I'd find her and definately let her know you know who she is and where she lives. I'd be tempted to knock on her door and ask her politely why she keeps doing what she's doing. The worst thing is that she will do is ask you to leave. My guess is she's going to be intimidated being face-to-face. At some point a cyclist pi**ed her off and she's taking it out on you and probably any other cyclist she passes.

cerewa

A handwritten note, politely written and personally delivered to her front door, might be better. Quoting whatever law explains that she has a legal obligation to accept your presence on the road and behave safely around you would help, as well as giving the citation to it so that she can look it up. (you could even explain that she can probably look it up herself using a combination of google and your state's legal-code website.)

Like you say, though, you have every right to be on a public street, even if it's a cul-de-sac next to the home of someone who doesn't like you.

banerjek

I am presuming I'd get to deal with a hubby if I got too nuts. This silverado has big wheels and about a 4" lift. The woman's one of those types with big blonde hair. If her life is consistent with her vehicle and appearance, I imagine she's married to some tough guy redneck with compensation issues and a gun.

To be honest, the horn blowing and buzzing doesn't faze me that much. I don't swerve, panic inside, or whatever. My reaction was more one of aggravation since I don't think some random dimwit should think they have the right to say who does and does not belong on the road.

What I have done in the past is be more aggressive with my own positioning when I see her in my mirror following one of these incidents. She won't make eye contact or do anything to make herself stand out -- i.e. she'll drive like everyone else and after awhile I forget that anything happened. Maybe I'll just wave when I see her on the roads. That's what I do with lots of people.

georgiaboy

Extending the palm branch of peace is always the best initial course. She doesn't consider you as a human of equal value at this point. Approaching her someway so as to add identity to yourself may help ease the situation.

If that doesn't work may have to get Medieval on her.

JanMM

Sounds like assault to me, but I'm an RN, not an attorney. I'd be contacting the police or an attorney. I'd want to get previous incidents on the record.