Advice - file complaint or not
06-11-10 | 01:06 PM
#27
actually, it might not be a bad thing if the driver was the one to mention it. "He flipped me the bird so I chased him down with my car and tried to ram him." is not a particularly brilliant defense for threatening someone's life.
06-11-10 | 01:19 PM
#28
Guest
Posts: n/a
Good point. So that actually creates a wider fence to sit on. Hmm....
06-11-10 | 01:23 PM
#29
Increasingly Marginalized
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 216
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From: Canton, GA
Bikes: Heckler, Dean Scout
Yes- this time. But by reporting the incident you get it on record. If you aren't the first, then there's a pattern. If he does it to someone else and they report it, then there's a pattern.
You owe it to yourself and every other rider to report this kind of thing.
You owe it to yourself and every other rider to report this kind of thing.
06-11-10 | 09:41 PM
#30
Thread Starter
Bike me!
Joined: May 2008
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Thank you all for the replies. The incident has been reported and I did include everything, including flipping the guy off. The officer was really not concerned with my reaction after doing everything I possibly could to get out the the guys way while on a road that had more than enough room for both of us (the cop was very familiar with the area). The driver was on a road rage before my finger came out -- he instigated the incident and was wrong, not me. He was already on a rampage and no matter what I did, it really didn't matter. The driver had already convinced himself I was going to "get it", whatever "it' was. The finger at that moment was a non issue.
It was truly scary having someone aim their car at me purposely several times regardless of what I did to avoid him. It is difficult to explain how close I thought this person was to running me over.
There is someone on this board who once was in a similar situation and he was the one who recommended yelling out the license plate number. Both to let the person know you have information on them, also to memorize the number. I want to thank that board member because that action probably broke off the attack and I truly appreciate it.
It was truly scary having someone aim their car at me purposely several times regardless of what I did to avoid him. It is difficult to explain how close I thought this person was to running me over.
There is someone on this board who once was in a similar situation and he was the one who recommended yelling out the license plate number. Both to let the person know you have information on them, also to memorize the number. I want to thank that board member because that action probably broke off the attack and I truly appreciate it.
Last edited by jewelthief; 06-11-10 at 09:42 PM. Reason: fix post
06-11-10 | 09:49 PM
#31
Thread Starter
Bike me!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 45
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I'm sure you have heard of the second amendment: the right to bear arms? The deeper meaning of that to me is that I have a right to exist and defend myself. If push came to shove I was ready to use my bike as a weapon against that moron. I'm very fortunate that I didn't have to. Please keep one thing in mind before you judge me -- I DIDN'T START THIS CONFLICT.
06-12-10 | 08:55 AM
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Embarrass myself? Never by telling the truth.
I'm sure you have heard of the second amendment: the right to bear arms? The deeper meaning of that to me is that I have a right to exist and defend myself. If push came to shove I was ready to use my bike as a weapon against that moron. I'm very fortunate that I didn't have to. Please keep one thing in mind before you judge me -- I DIDN'T START THIS CONFLICT.
I'm sure you have heard of the second amendment: the right to bear arms? The deeper meaning of that to me is that I have a right to exist and defend myself. If push came to shove I was ready to use my bike as a weapon against that moron. I'm very fortunate that I didn't have to. Please keep one thing in mind before you judge me -- I DIDN'T START THIS CONFLICT.
Yes, I have been chased by cars. Yes, it is scary, which is why I nip it in the bud.
06-12-10 | 10:12 AM
#34
Thread Starter
Bike me!
Joined: May 2008
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From what I'm seeing on this end, you did NOT start it, but you did escalate it. I would have pulled a "U" turn or headed in a direction the cager couldn't and left it at that. The guy's anger will catch up to him, eventually.
Yes, I have been chased by cars. Yes, it is scary, which is why I nip it in the bud.
Yes, I have been chased by cars. Yes, it is scary, which is why I nip it in the bud.
06-12-10 | 10:25 AM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,144
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From: Burnaby, BC
That's one of the most "cookie cutter" responses I have ever seen. That's just pure silly. Of course I don't think so. Damn. But I also know restraint can go a long way. I'm amazed you asked that, and from a fellow bicyclist.
Yes, I have been chased, but not far. And you are correct, it was scary, but I got out of the situation before the driver could actually become dangerous to ANYONE. I know how to keep a situation from escalating. When it starts, take a left on a one way street coming at you. Duh. Or a right or where ever the driver/cager can't go. He'll cool off in a minute and then the next person he comes upon whom he feels entitled to threaten may not get the thrashing he intended for you. Think for a minute, the guy harasses you, you flip him off or whatever it takes to make him boil, then you evade him. Now you've turned an idiot into a raving foaming idiot, prepared to release his rage on anyone else he comes upon after you lose him. Does that really sound like a safe way to diffuse a situation? I think not.
I wouldn't have let it go as far as the OP did, had it been me. It isn't worth the hassle, and who doesn't enjoy a little evasive biking. Just think of it as single track.
But then, I'm me, not you. If you feel comfortable fighting the driver for the "last word," go for it. It's way too much work for me, and I generally try to stay happy on a ride. Shiite happens, which is why I gave up pavement for mud 20+ years ago. I did my time on the curb lane and don't have a desire to reprise that era in my life. I've seen more than most would care to. I started at 12 yo with a paper route. I've been hit three times, suffered a broken left leg in one accident and had to take a year off to heal. Any other questions, or can you now get on with your day?
Oddly, I hope your complaint works for you, but vigilanteism is a hard road to go.
Yes, I have been chased, but not far. And you are correct, it was scary, but I got out of the situation before the driver could actually become dangerous to ANYONE. I know how to keep a situation from escalating. When it starts, take a left on a one way street coming at you. Duh. Or a right or where ever the driver/cager can't go. He'll cool off in a minute and then the next person he comes upon whom he feels entitled to threaten may not get the thrashing he intended for you. Think for a minute, the guy harasses you, you flip him off or whatever it takes to make him boil, then you evade him. Now you've turned an idiot into a raving foaming idiot, prepared to release his rage on anyone else he comes upon after you lose him. Does that really sound like a safe way to diffuse a situation? I think not.
I wouldn't have let it go as far as the OP did, had it been me. It isn't worth the hassle, and who doesn't enjoy a little evasive biking. Just think of it as single track.
But then, I'm me, not you. If you feel comfortable fighting the driver for the "last word," go for it. It's way too much work for me, and I generally try to stay happy on a ride. Shiite happens, which is why I gave up pavement for mud 20+ years ago. I did my time on the curb lane and don't have a desire to reprise that era in my life. I've seen more than most would care to. I started at 12 yo with a paper route. I've been hit three times, suffered a broken left leg in one accident and had to take a year off to heal. Any other questions, or can you now get on with your day?
Oddly, I hope your complaint works for you, but vigilanteism is a hard road to go.
Vigilanteism? Escalating? Is this meant to be a serious post? Showing a person a finger is not a bloody escalation from someone attacking you with a car.
To the OP: Ignore these self-righteous morons and press charges.
Or, hey, you could just give up on commuting and ride in the "mud".
06-12-10 | 05:25 PM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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" I know how to keep a situation from escalating. When it starts, take a left on a one way street coming at you. Duh. Or a right or where ever the driver/cager can't go. He'll cool off in a minute and then the next person he comes upon whom he feels entitled to threaten may not get the thrashing he intended for you. Think for a minute, the guy harasses you, you flip him off or whatever it takes to make him boil, then you evade him. Now you've turned an idiot into a raving foaming idiot, prepared to release his rage on anyone else he comes upon after you lose him. Does that really sound like a safe way to diffuse a situation? I think not."
Thank you Neville Chamberlain!
Thank you Neville Chamberlain!
06-12-10 | 07:42 PM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,896
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From: Binghamton, NY
Bikes: Workcycles FR8, 2016 Jamis Coda Comp, 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker
Report it like you did. Maybe something will happen (officer shows up to speak with owner of vehicle) or maybe nothing will happen (sure buddy, we'll keep an eye out). Either way, you can only control what you do.
06-14-10 | 10:45 AM
#40
Large and in charge
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
From: Mokena, IL
Bikes: At one point it was a Trek 700 something. Now it have Velocity Psycho wheels, a tape job. Thumb shifters (Shimano Deore). Corncob grouping, and drop bar ends all wrapped up in tape.
I can feel the elitism and smug ego oozing out of your post.
06-14-10 | 12:21 PM
#41
Senior Member
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06-14-10 | 01:23 PM
#42
Member from- uh... France
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 329
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From: St Petersburg, FL
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Bianchi Volpe
Every road rage situation requires both parties full participation in order for it to occur. All that needs to happen is for one party to refuse to escalate the situation.
06-14-10 | 03:35 PM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Surly LHT set up for commuting
Showing a person a finger is not a bloody escalation from someone attacking you with a car.
06-14-10 | 05:28 PM
#47
Guest
Posts: n/a
No, they didn't have the right to harass you. But you did not help by "flipping them off". All that did was escalate it. Had you pulled off and stopped without giving any reaction whatsoever, I wonder what would have happened if you had kept your cool? We will never know. I would have been scared to death and I don't blame you WANTING to flip your finger. I used to do that and felt completely justified for the same reasons. But you just can't do that. And the car following you after the flip off is exactly why you can't.
Every road rage situation requires both parties full participation in order for it to occur. All that needs to happen is for one party to refuse to escalate the situation.
Every road rage situation requires both parties full participation in order for it to occur. All that needs to happen is for one party to refuse to escalate the situation.
06-14-10 | 07:49 PM
#48
Giftless Amateur
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,319
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From: MD / metro DC
Bikes: Cross-Check/Nexus commuter. Several others for various forms of play.
Report the guy 2 ft off your back wheel following your evasive maneuvers is good advice, too.
Remember that to the kind of guy who starts this then takes the bird as an escalation, the logical leap from "oh my gosh there are uniformed officers on my front steps" to "time to back off and go away" may be a bit more circuitous than you'd hope. Report it, carry through, but don't be oblivious.
06-14-10 | 10:45 PM
#49
The Professor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 899
Likes: 7
From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
Bikes: Alex Moulton Double Pylon, Surly Big Dummy, Alex Moulton GT, AZUB TiFly
Good thing you reported it. If nothing else there is now a record on file the someone driving a car with a particular license plate harassed a bicyclist. Now if he actually does harm to a cyclist the cyclist has more than his word against the drivers.
06-15-10 | 04:07 AM
#50
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,661
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From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
An unverified account of an unsubstantiated incident might be put "on record" that I suspect has absolutely no applicability in any legal proceeding for any other event.