How do you put motorists in their place?
09-30-08 | 07:44 AM
#27
Member Not Found
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,491
Likes: 418
09-30-08 | 02:27 PM
#28
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: North Carolilna
Bikes: Mercier SS, Raleigh Rush Hour, Dahon Helios, Marin Fairfax, 86 Bridgestone 450, Raleigh Detour, Motobecane Mirage...
It is not uncommon for me to ride with a .45 (open carry) on my back. It's perfectly legal where I live. I've only had one person comment on it, and they thanked me for excercising my 2nd ammendment rights. I'm sure the people who get close enough to see it would think twice about doing anything malicious. Most auto incidents are usually just stupidity, not "intended" to be life threatening.
09-30-08 | 02:38 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,956
Likes: 6
How do you put motorists in their place?
*kisses my Nokian Extremes*
09-30-08 | 02:42 PM
#30
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
I was plowing along a 20mph road on the edge of campus when a baby blue beetle almost decided to cut me off turning right onto the road I was riding on (I had the right of way). As I passed the intersection, the car revved forward within a couple feet of me. There is a stop sign up about 100 feet, but of course the car tries to pass me. I gleefully stay in the middle of the lane (I'm turning left anyway.) I turn left onto a half-block within another stop sign up ahead (again, not nearly long enough for me to be a burden to any motorist trying to speed up to 5 mph over the speed limit). The blue car tails me once again, and would have roared past me had I not taken the lane once again. Finally at this intersection, the car peels off my ass.
Did I need to take the lane? No, it was a wide road and provided ample space to the right. But, a motorist would never pass another car in a situation like that, so I felt that they should learn it's not ok to do so to bicycles. Seriously, what's the point of hammering on the gas to hammer on the brakes? It's awful for your car, and it certainly can't vouch for the smoothness of the ride.
Did I need to take the lane? No, it was a wide road and provided ample space to the right. But, a motorist would never pass another car in a situation like that, so I felt that they should learn it's not ok to do so to bicycles. Seriously, what's the point of hammering on the gas to hammer on the brakes? It's awful for your car, and it certainly can't vouch for the smoothness of the ride.
2. You should let a faster driver pass if it does not reduce your safety or interfere with your destination. As I read the above it seems the reason you drove in the center of the wide lane (in the times when the left turn was not approaching) was not because of your safety, but because you didn't think the other driver should go faster. Your job is not to keep other drivers below the speed limit.
Al
09-30-08 | 02:42 PM
#31
Scan Me
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 771
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Bikes: 2009 Trek 2.3, 2010 Specialized Secteur Sport
you don't 'put them in their place'. That's the attitude that leads to road rage -- impotent fury at not being able to do anything about someone who has wronged you. It's something i have to work on myself, but i think the answer is learning how to not desire revenge. Getting revenge on the road in traffic just escalates the situation and creates more opportunities for disaster (which could involve you, your nemesis, or innocent people getting hurt).
09-30-08 | 03:58 PM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton, AB
Bikes: '07 Giant OCR3
I think i ask that just about every commute. i'd never do it myself but there sure seems to be plenty of people that do, it's just a fact be aware and be safe.
10-01-08 | 10:33 AM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: Snohomish, WA
Bikes: Ridley Fenix Disc '15, Centurion Ironman '86, Raleigh Team '90, Bianchi Nyala '93
I was plowing along a 20mph road on the edge of campus when a baby blue beetle almost decided to cut me off turning right onto the road I was riding on (I had the right of way). As I passed the intersection, the car revved forward within a couple feet of me. There is a stop sign up about 100 feet, but of course the car tries to pass me. I gleefully stay in the middle of the lane (I'm turning left anyway.) I turn left onto a half-block within another stop sign up ahead (again, not nearly long enough for me to be a burden to any motorist trying to speed up to 5 mph over the speed limit). The blue car tails me once again, and would have roared past me had I not taken the lane once again. Finally at this intersection, the car peels off my ass.
Did I need to take the lane? No, it was a wide road and provided ample space to the right. But, a motorist would never pass another car in a situation like that, so I felt that they should learn it's not ok to do so to bicycles. Seriously, what's the point of hammering on the gas to hammer on the brakes? It's awful for your car, and it certainly can't vouch for the smoothness of the ride.
Did I need to take the lane? No, it was a wide road and provided ample space to the right. But, a motorist would never pass another car in a situation like that, so I felt that they should learn it's not ok to do so to bicycles. Seriously, what's the point of hammering on the gas to hammer on the brakes? It's awful for your car, and it certainly can't vouch for the smoothness of the ride.
10-01-08 | 12:18 PM
#35
Star of the Nursing Home
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Bikes: Schwinn, Mirada
After 23 years of motorcycle commuting I try to keep a few things in mind:
People that draw a check for being mentally incompetent can still get a drivers permit. (Does that really make sense?)
Other drivers will kill you; some will look you in the face as they do it.
Assume you never have the right of way, get out of everyone’s way when you can.
Nothing is better than going home to your family every night.
In my short time back on a bicycle, I have seen nothing that would change my mind.
People that draw a check for being mentally incompetent can still get a drivers permit. (Does that really make sense?)
Other drivers will kill you; some will look you in the face as they do it.
Assume you never have the right of way, get out of everyone’s way when you can.
Nothing is better than going home to your family every night.
In my short time back on a bicycle, I have seen nothing that would change my mind.
10-02-08 | 03:45 AM
#37
free mallocs
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: melbourne, australia
Today I had a car pull all the way out into the oncoming lane (very quiet back street) to pass me, when there was less than 50 metres to an intersection (I was deliberately taking the lane so they wouldn't try and cut past me, cause there clearly wasn't room). Once they'd passed me they had to veer back in suddenly and slam on the brakes to stop for the intersection, so I had to slam mine on too and swerve hard to avoid rear-ending them. As it turned out, in swerving around them I rolled straight past them, and the intersection was clear so I just kept going and made my turn anyway while they were still trying to get their tonne of steel rolling again. I wonder if they realised the utter futility of nearly causing an accident there.
