Anybody else notice the only crappy cars honk at you?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 919
Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Anybody else notice the only crappy cars honk at you?
So after reading many stories here of angry drivers honking at us, and two of my own experiences, the commonality seems that crappy(hoopty) cars/trucks are the ones that honk and yell out the windows. and the two people that have honked at me were not the "pick of the litter" so to say.
I actually find that nicer more expensive cars will give me the right of way even when i am not even close enough to deserve it yet. the exception to the rule is nice SUV's will usually run you off the road because 99% of the time the driver is on the phone and doesn't know your there.
I actually find that nicer more expensive cars will give me the right of way even when i am not even close enough to deserve it yet. the exception to the rule is nice SUV's will usually run you off the road because 99% of the time the driver is on the phone and doesn't know your there.
Last edited by CJ C; 07-27-11 at 08:17 AM.
#2
Downtown Spanky Brown
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Enola, Pennsyltucky
Posts: 2,108
Bikes: Motobecane Phantom Cross Pro Kona Lana'I
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I find the exact opposite to be true. It's the Mercedes, Lexus, and BMW drivers that tend to buzz/honk at me while the drivers of clunkers tend to give a wide berth. I have no idea why this is.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 238
Bikes: Trek FX 7.2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think there are two main groups that are high offenders.. the low-class cavemen who think it's funny to mess with people on a bike (stuck in high school)... and the hoity toity snobs who can't believe they are being inconvenienced and losing 10 seconds of their valuable day waiting for a bicycle to get out of their way.
#5
born again cyclist
i find that drivers behind the wheel of SUV behemoths tend to be the least accommodating to me as a cyclist. maybe monstrous SUV's tend to attract people with a predisposed attitude of "if i'm bigger than you, then i'm better than you".
#6
Fat Guy Rolling
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Louisville Kentucky
Posts: 2,434
Bikes: Bacchetta Agio, 80s Raleigh Record single-speed, Surly Big Dummy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Out in the 'burbs, everybody honks at me. In the city center almost nobody does, but the few that do fall into one of two categories:
- Big, loud trucks
- Nice cars with well dressed men
#7
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
I'm with the OP - most of the folks who honk, act up and otherwise annoy me are lower on the socio-economic spectrum and typically seem to be lower on the education/intellect sprectrum. They're also usually, but not always, young. I don't get hassled in Center City or nicer areas, I get hassled while driving through crappier areas. The last time I had an issue with a nicer car, the driver was a thug, just a thug in a nice car. I should say that I rarely ride in the burbs, so my experiences are probably skewed. I think Center City folks are used to bikes here and I think we have better infrastructure keeping each other out of one another's way more often. I think lower in town speeds might play a role too.
My guess? You have pissed off, resentful people with someone they can bully.
My guess? You have pissed off, resentful people with someone they can bully.
#8
Banned
The favorite choice of our local young alpha males, but instead of using a horn, they just stomp on the accelerator and drown out my ear drums with their loud side exiting exhaust.
Thanks to our states stiff smoke laws and fines, gone are the days of the thick black cloud of smoke to go along with the decibel assault.
Thanks to our states stiff smoke laws and fines, gone are the days of the thick black cloud of smoke to go along with the decibel assault.
__________________
Prisoner No. 979
Prisoner No. 979
#9
The Fat Guy In The Back
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Posts: 2,532
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 320 Post(s)
Liked 177 Times
in
115 Posts
Almost a year ago my company relocated which changed my commute route. Previously I rode through primarily a suburban area, and now I ride straight through the downtown area and then into an industrial area. In the last year, I think I've only been honked at once. On my old route, it was at least a weekly occurrance.
I haven't noticed a car demographics trend. I think jerks will honk regardless of their vehicle type.
__________________
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Cars I've been honked at from recently:
- Porsche Panamera
- Lotus Exige
- BMW 6 series sports coupe
- UPS Truck
- Fiat 500
- Toyota Prius
Pretty even across the board, from 6-figure price tag sports cars to moderate priced average vehicles, with a delivery truck thrown in for good measure.
- Porsche Panamera
- Lotus Exige
- BMW 6 series sports coupe
- UPS Truck
- Fiat 500
- Toyota Prius
Pretty even across the board, from 6-figure price tag sports cars to moderate priced average vehicles, with a delivery truck thrown in for good measure.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
#12
Senior Member
The interactive psychology between bicyclists and drivers is very interesting to me and I hope someone does a serious and comprehensive study of the issue someday. The results should be most interesting.
Many drivers are not bothered at all by cyclists.
Many are nearly driven around the bend at the mere sight of a bicyclist.
My hunch is that on a basic level seeing someone choosing to transport themselves on a small, inexpensive, vulnerable bicycle upsets major parameters within which most individuals build their self image and therefore structure their lives.
Most drivers buy into the notions, that are well exploited by automobile marketers, that they are better off people (and maybe better people) if they have new, shiny, safer, more powerful means of individual transport that they develop a view of as an extension of themselves.
The costs involved, both financially and otherwise, in maintaining this structure then tends to dominate and re-order many other aspects of peoples lives.
Enter someone who has simply chosen to bypass all of this and actually seems to actually be enjoying it. This makes people feel frustration on some level which is often expressed by engine revving or some other assertive gesture.
All of this is aggravated if the individual feels incapable of exploiting the bicycle option themselves for physical or social reasons.
Yes, I have spent way to much time pondering driver attitudes.
Many drivers are not bothered at all by cyclists.
Many are nearly driven around the bend at the mere sight of a bicyclist.
My hunch is that on a basic level seeing someone choosing to transport themselves on a small, inexpensive, vulnerable bicycle upsets major parameters within which most individuals build their self image and therefore structure their lives.
Most drivers buy into the notions, that are well exploited by automobile marketers, that they are better off people (and maybe better people) if they have new, shiny, safer, more powerful means of individual transport that they develop a view of as an extension of themselves.
The costs involved, both financially and otherwise, in maintaining this structure then tends to dominate and re-order many other aspects of peoples lives.
Enter someone who has simply chosen to bypass all of this and actually seems to actually be enjoying it. This makes people feel frustration on some level which is often expressed by engine revving or some other assertive gesture.
All of this is aggravated if the individual feels incapable of exploiting the bicycle option themselves for physical or social reasons.
Yes, I have spent way to much time pondering driver attitudes.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Joliet, IL
Posts: 405
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Disagree. It depends more on the area. Obviously people will be more used to cyclists in an area that is more bike friendly. Around me, that can be a lower class or upper class area.
Yesterday I got honked at and called a "f ag" by some guys in a new charger. I wasn't even on the street, I was riding on the bike path parallel to it..
Yesterday I got honked at and called a "f ag" by some guys in a new charger. I wasn't even on the street, I was riding on the bike path parallel to it..
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 919
Bikes: Wally World Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser (with siily wicker front basket)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
the part that had me laughing all the way to the MUP is that the guy had Wisconsin plates. seriuosly what the heck is a cheese head doing in city anyway and why is he so pissed when Rodgers took them all the way while Cutler got an owee and need a hug. I should have been the one yelling at him.
#16
The Fat Guy In The Back
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Posts: 2,532
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 320 Post(s)
Liked 177 Times
in
115 Posts
LOL, i had a bizarre honking too. I went for a early morning Saturday ride, i was on a four lane main city street where there is a dedicated bike lane. the funny thing was i was riding in the parking lane because of glass in the bike lane, so that made me even farther from traffic. and because it was early saturday morning no cars were even out. YET THIS CRAZY driving a beat up olds with rust on it lays on his horn proceeds to go from the far left lane into the right lane and partly into the bike lane so he can lay on the horn even more. then he "speeds" away laying on the horn more. i put speeds away in quotes as the beat up cars engine could barely handle 30mph.
As I was running along, a driver coming down the street starts honking and swerves over so when he passes me the car tires are within inches of the curb.
I'm guessing either the driver is morally opposed to fitness or he was just a jackwagon.
__________________
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 225
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For me, it's either one extreme or the other, with a pretty even balance. Folks with ordinary, sensible cars that are in pretty good shape rarely hassle me, but rich entitled a**holes and people with junkers honk pretty often.
#20
Count Orlok Member
So after reading many stories here of angry drivers honking at us, and two of my own experiences, the commonality seems that crappy(hoopty) cars/trucks are the ones that honk and yell out the windows. and the two people that have honked at me were not the "pick of the litter" so to say.
I actually find that nicer more expensive cars will give me the right of way even when i am not even close enough to deserve it yet. the exception to the rule is nice SUV's will usually run you off the road because 99% of the time the driver is on the phone and doesn't know your there.
I actually find that nicer more expensive cars will give me the right of way even when i am not even close enough to deserve it yet. the exception to the rule is nice SUV's will usually run you off the road because 99% of the time the driver is on the phone and doesn't know your there.
I don't get too much trouble from cars, but VW Jettas seem to have particularly aggressive drivers.
I also have noticed some of the most aggressive drivers I've encountered were from out-of-state. A Honda with California plates sticks out in my mind.
#21
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,788
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I think there are two main groups that are high offenders.. the low-class cavemen who think it's funny to mess with people on a bike (stuck in high school)... and the hoity toity snobs who can't believe they are being inconvenienced and losing 10 seconds of their valuable day waiting for a bicycle to get out of their way.
#22
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,788
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I had a co-worker tell me once, after looking at my bike (ergonomic Nashbar MTB saddle at the time) from a particular angle, that it looked like I was sitting on a set of "dick-and-balls". He wasn't too bright, and didn't last long on that job....
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 2,324
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Haven't noticed that - like others I have been honked by drivers of many different cars.
One thing I have noticed though is that if a car is poorly maintained - brake lights broken, dirty etc. then the driver will more likely be a bad driver.
One thing I have noticed though is that if a car is poorly maintained - brake lights broken, dirty etc. then the driver will more likely be a bad driver.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Indy
Posts: 127
Bikes: Trek Soho S (sold), Bridgestone 300 SS (stolen), 1988 Raleigh Technium The Chill
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The only person who's yelled at me had a sunburn on her neck . Nuff said. Car wasn't a beater, but wasn't new or shiny. I don't remember any honkers, but around here (Indy) I think people are getting used to seeing people on bikes.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Rogue River, OR
Posts: 281
Bikes: 2010 Globe Vienna Disc 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well i would say that generally speaking the lower quality cars are driven by teens. And we all know how they act