PotatoSlayer

Just got back from my first ride in a while. Due to weather, hard hours at work, among other reasons I haven't been on the bike for about 5 weeks. I think I made one or two rides in but I think it may have been sooner than that..

So today I got up early, not planning on commuting in as I'm out of shape, but just to get on the bike again and leisurely ride around. I rode for an hour, at a moderate to leisurely pace, not pushing myself too hard.

Of course, 1/4 mile from home I got into it with a motorist.. well, in the past I would blow a fuse but I made it a point not to confront these idiots.

I'm at an intersection, two lanes. Left lane = Left turn only, right lane = Right turn or straight. I am about six inches to the left of the curb, going straight in the right lane. pickup truck turning right tries to go around me then turn right. Almost hits me, lays on his horn.

He yells out "If you ride in the road you're a car and you need to follow the rules!"

All I did was reply "I was going straight in the right lane." He starts yelling a bunch of obscenities, and I figure if this continued he'd start foaming at the mouth.

I just put my hand up, not wanting to hear anymore, and started pedaling again.

I had a number of run-ins last summer, for various reasons. Now I'm asking myself if I really want to put up with the stupidity around here. I've bike-commuted in other cities before... never having problems like I've had here on the outskirts of Cincinnati.

flipped4bikes

The dude is an a**hat. You merely pointed out what you were doing was legal and he takes it as an insult. Just smile and wave, smile and wave...

One question though: was your bike position centerish in the lane, but more towards the right or the left? (just kidding)

apricissimus 

The truck should not have turn like that with you in the way, even if you were making the right turn, so shame on him, but....

You could have done yourself a big favor by taking the lane there and making your intentions clear. Actually, in situations like that I tend to ride in the left part of the straight/right-turn lane.

Revuhlution

Where are you? You make it sound as if this type of stuff is a regular occurence.

I love to just wave, smile, and laugh. It does me no good to get into it with someone, but I can laugh at him (or her)...Speaking of which..has anyone had major run ins with a woman? I don't think I ever have, except for some words in passing.

*edit* Hell yes, you're ready. Sounds like you're less likely to get into with others, so you're taking care of yourself. Are you going to let the ignorant actions of others effect how you live? If its dangerous, thats one thing...if its verbal BS, keep riding.

daxr

I agree. Its always hard to say, not being there, but if I am at a light like that I am either in the middle of the lane so the cars have no doubt about where I'm going, or left of center so a right-turner can go by safely. The truck was in the wrong, but if you are right of center you let him take the lane, which is rightly yours if you are going straight.

Thats what I do where I live (Oregon) knowing that its understood by most drivers and unlikely to cause problems. Other areas are probably different (and I'd probably ride in a place for awhile before I decided what was best).

PotatoSlayer

In hindsight I realized I didn't really take the lane like I normally do. I was just cruising and not really doing a full blown ride.

I can't say stuff like this happens all the time around here, but I have had more grief cycling in this area than any other area I've lived in. Usually it's stupidity shouted out a car window in passing or occasionally someone hurls a projectile at my bike.. last time it was a 3/4 rull bottle of gatorade.

daxr

That's too bad about the motorists where you're at...I wondered if I'd have problems here when I started commuting, but was pleasantly surprised. Except for getting yelled at once everyone has been just fine. I think last summer it was the gas prices - everyone was in the same boat, there were lots of new cyclists on the road and it was obvious why. Perhaps if the economy tanks even farther there will be more biking-by-necessity, and better manners.

Brian T.

Hey P.S. I know what you mean about the traffic around here. Commuted most of the year last year till it got too cold( I know, fair weathered). I had a fair share of ignorant drivers,but a few decent ones. The one thing that I noticed around here is that if you are assertive and ride like you're supposed to be there, most people leave you alone. Just keep an eye out and expect people to to stupid things, that way you won't be too surprised.

I can't wait till the weather breaks and I can get "back in the saddle again."