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Originally Posted by Kevin666
(Post 9541167)
Whoa...Step back...Who came up with the "two abreast" idea? Or did I read that wrong?
Since I've been commuting by bike, I've become a lot more sympathetic towards cyclists' right to the road. But the one that still gets me when I'm driving is the yuppie cyclists who ride next to each other and block the lane. I find it disrespectful not only to motorists, but to other cyclists as well. As far as I know, it's always been the law as well as a courteous, safe cycling practice to ride single file, even if there are two lanes. And if they were ignoring the law before, you can bet they'll forget whether there's one lane or two when they're busy chatting. Ironically, this is the very type of in-your-face practice by some cyclists that screams "Get that boat off the road, you gas-guzzling, global-warming redneck.", and which turns off more moderate-headed motorists. If other municipalities encourage this, I'm afraid it will aggravate existing tensions between cyclists and motorists. We weren't riding two abreast, but in single file. But still taking the lane. This was not a situation where we were blocking traffic. It was a wide, multi-lane, one way thoroughfare, with dedicated straight ahead lanes, and dedicated turn lanes. We were following the rules of the road, not doing anything "in-your-face." I agree with not blocking traffic by riding two abreast so cars can't fit by, but on a multi-lane one way with plenty of other lanes to pass on, and now with the law supporting the ability to ride side by side, I have no problem taking a lane. And I have no problem riding two abreast if it's not slowing down traffic either. And the law supports that, which I like. |
Originally Posted by Mitchxout
(Post 9539912)
OK-I'll be the bad guy. You should've kicked his a55. As for his poor kid, what kind of life will he have with a role model like this?
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If he's screaming at you that he's going to kill you, then it's time to call 911.
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Please check your local law. Harrassment and aggressive driving is illegal in my state. Whether or not a bike is involved. Anyone harrassing anyone else while driving is breaking the local road rage laws. My phone is right there and I will call them in. Have been on receiving end both riding bikes and driving cars. Even had someone brandish a pistol. So yeah I call these in. More times this gets reported the more of a deterrent it is. When you know you are not anonymous your behavior changes. So do everyone a favor and report the road rage before someone does get killed.
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A great camera bag, money bag, ID bag turns out to be a small camera bag, zip tied to the stem/handlebars. Instantly and easily accessed, cheap at Walgreens or any second hand store.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...e/100_1648.jpg Interestingly, my phone is not a camera phone, but a riased circle on the back sure looks like one. I have spoofed taking pics of license plate, and drivers, and have even had them do U turns to get away from me. LOL - Sometimes it's really funny to see their demeanor change, and a couple have even apologized as they drove by. |
Originally Posted by exarkuhn15
(Post 9540901)
I had my cell phone in my backpack, in a basket on the back of my bike. Maybe I'll look for some kind of holster to attach it to the bars, so it's more easily accessible.
I've always wondered if mounting a helmet cam (even a fake one) would change how motorists act |
Originally Posted by rugerben
(Post 9541242)
Get ready to get flamed for having this point of view but I'll give it a massive +1. When riding, I try to be as courteous to drivers as humanly possible. The last thing I want is to give them a legitimate reason to NOT want to share the road with cyclists. I think the same thing as Kevin when I see cyclists riding abreast so that they can chat more comfortably while taking lanes. For the sake of the ease of your conversation you are willing to inconvenience the drivers behind you and sentence them to driving 15mph in a 40mph zone? Not fair. I expect courtesy from drivers, and at the same time, I give it.
Edit to add: BTW- I am not saying that the OP was blocking the road or being discourteous. I am simply agreeing with kevin's point about riding etiquette. I live in Boston and didn't even know about this two abreast rule... sounds pretty rude to me. |
Originally Posted by JanMM
(Post 9541287)
That's assault, or maybe battery, or both. Either way, might make for a trip to jail.
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Originally Posted by TXBDan
(Post 9541447)
+1
I live in Boston and didn't even know about this two abreast rule... sounds pretty rude to me. |
Originally Posted by banerjek
(Post 9541396)
Sports cams that you can mount to your helmet have become pretty cheap.
I've always wondered if mounting a helmet cam (even a fake one) would change how motorists act |
Good on you for not losing your cool. Knowing myself, I would have at least flipped him off. But I have a personality defect.
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Originally Posted by rugerben
(Post 9541242)
Get ready to get flamed for having this point of view but I'll give it a massive +1. When riding, I try to be as courteous to drivers as humanly possible.
Originally Posted by rugerben
(Post 9541242)
The last thing I want is to give them a legitimate reason to NOT want to share the road with cyclists. I think the same thing as Kevin when I see cyclists riding abreast so that they can chat more comfortably while taking lanes. For the sake of the ease of your conversation you are willing to inconvenience the drivers behind you and sentence them to driving 15mph in a 40mph zone? Not fair.
People traveling on PUBLIC roads are inconvenienced and impeded constantly. Are you not aware of the impedance caused by trains, buses, parallel parking, signal lights, street sweepers, utility workers, garbage collectors and the like? Cyclists, when taking the lane, cause delays that are typically less than a single cycle of a traffic light. So in that light, what exactly do you mean when you say; "The last thing I want is to give them a legitimate reason to NOT want to share the road with cyclists"?
Originally Posted by rugerben
(Post 9541242)
I expect courtesy from drivers, and at the same time, I give it.
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Originally Posted by Kevin666
(Post 9541167)
As far as I know, it's always been the law as well as a courteous, safe cycling practice to ride single file, even if there are two lanes.
I generally go down to single file IF it's a situation where it's OK and reasonable for the car to pass us within the lane. That is, if there is only one lane in the direction I'm going, if there is oncoming traffic, and if the lane is wide enough for them to pass within the lane. Otherwise, they shouldn't be passing us anyway so why would I move down to single file, giving them the impression that I think it's OK for them to try to squeeze by? |
instead of reciting his plate number, I would have pulled out my phone and snapped a photo.
Illinois law permits riding two abreast, as long as it doesn't interfere with the flow of traffic. |
I'm not going to flame, but on a road where the motorist is going to have to use the other lane to pass, why not ride two abreast? The answer is because it freaks out the motorists, but they should just get in the other lane and do a proper pass instead of doing the job halfway. For some reason nobody thinks they are blocking the lane when they are driving their car, no matter how slow or stupidly they are driving.
the OP should have called the cops as soon as he figured out the guy was screaming at him. |
Originally Posted by Timber_8
(Post 9540624)
There is so much bicycle & foot trafic in the Cambridge / Boston area that for anyone to get upset over what you were doing is insane. I drove tractor trailer in Cambridge / Boston for years in the scientific medical field. I couldn't even imagine getting upset over bicycle / pedestrian traffic.
I sure feel sorry for his kid, though. |
Originally Posted by exarkuhn15
(Post 9539781)
What would you all do?
In New Orleans however, it is a common presumption that everyone here in the Steamy South is packing heat. So probably the first time he tried that with someone, they would have waved a gun in his direction and cured him of that behavior. |
Originally Posted by TXBDan
(Post 9541447)
I live in Boston and didn't even know about this two abreast rule... sounds pretty rude to me.
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Originally Posted by Mitchxout
(Post 9541495)
True, but sometimes you have to take one for the team.
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Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 9540930)
+100.
I wouldn't engage him unless he became physically aggressive with either his car or his person. In that case I'd hope for a helmet cam for the eventual police report, but I probably wouldn't be rolling with one unless this sort of thing happened a lot. I've had cagers flip me off, honk at me etc for merely riding my bicycle legally on the road. My middle finger is locked and engaged swiftly, if that doesn't work then a volley of profanity in at least two languages ensues. They sometimes seem surprised to hear such language from a female. :roflmao2: I have a filthy temper though but I don't do anything remotely violent unless I have no other choice. Sometimes freaks are trying to provoke you into hitting them, for whatever idiotic reason. I refuse to be manipulated like that. |
Sounds like I'm just going to work on being faster on the draw with the cell phone, and calling in the license plate. That way I don't escalate, and hopefully the cops might do something about someone like that. Probably not, but maybe.
I don't usually have encounters like this, so I'm not used to having take those types of measures. As far as the new two abreast law goes, I love it. If I'm not slowing down traffic and there's plenty of room to pass, why shouldn't I be able to talk to the person I'm riding with? Drivers in cars get to talk to their passenger, after all. |
Also, is 911 the right number to call for situations like this? I hate to clog those crucial lines with reports of ranting if that's not the right protocol....
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And what do you do if you call the police and then the guy drives off (as he is certain to do)? Call them back and say "never mind"? Or just let the officer arrive to find you there all by your lonesome? I would think either would be likely to get you chewed out for frivolous calls.
And...really, what is the deal when one is riding in the street and knows one is slowing down traffic behind? I have just never had the guts to do that. I can only imagine what the drivers would do. I mean, do you pull off to the side and let them pass, or are they stuck behind you going 5-10mph until they can pass you?? |
The main thing is to be safe. If that means taking the lane, then take it. OTOH, just because you know the law doesn't mean other motorists do. And even if they do, it doesn't mean they will respect them. In this case the driver probably knows road rage/aggressive driving is illegal. Still didn't stop the driver from making threats and other such nonsense, nor did the presence of his son dissuade him. Just think of this as a learning experience. Idiots will be idiots, and you'll have your cellphone or something else more readily available if something like this happens in the future.
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Originally Posted by Kat12
(Post 9543497)
And what do you do if you call the police and then the guy drives off (as he is certain to do)?
Originally Posted by Kat12
(Post 9543497)
I would think either would be likely to get you chewed out for frivolous calls.
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