Some guy on a bike almost got nailed by some moron driving a Saturn wagon; the guy on the bike yells at him to look where he's bloody going, and the guy in the Saturn tells him to ride on the right side of the road (which the cyclist was doing).

The guy in the station wagon started following the cyclist, and since I drove today[1], I followed the two of them in my car -- who knows, I might save a life, eh? The cyclist stops, the guy in the Saturn gets out, and they start having a shouting match.

I pulled up, said "Excuse me," and when both of them turned to look, I said, "Sorry, but I've been watching you two; and you [the gentleman from the car] almost hit him [the cyclist] -- you would have been at fault, and if you don't leave, I'll happily give the local police a ring. It's only a case of disturbing the peace at this point, but with my testimony, you'll get fined, and may get to spend a few hours in jail; he won't. Or you can leave, and try to pay attention when you drive. It's up to you."

He grumbled, and left. Cyclist said, "hey, thanks."

I feel better.

[1] Seatpost on my commuter broke; it's a suspension post, and it now is very wobbly; hurts like a bastard at about the fifteen-mile point. Getting it fixed under warranty this weekend.

If it wasn't for stupid people or the stupid things that they do, my paramedic workload would be reduced by 75%.

Nice mediation, matadon!

Matadon, Good on you!!!!

Then what would you do with your time !?!
strictly tongue in cheek in accordance with my tag-line......

The right combination of b*lls and brains.

Way to go Matadon! Most people wouldn't want to get involved or just simply wouldn't want to take the time. Great Job! You should feel proud.

All hail Super Matadon. Friend of cyclists everywhere.

It's certainly a challenge for us all to look for ways of helping our fellow cyclists. Good one Matadon.

Sheesh; no need to be that laudatory. You'll make me blush.

Besides, I think just about anyone in here would do the same...except you wouldn't have been a schmuck like me and taken the car in the first place.

:thumbup:

You don't fancy driving around Kent for a while do you?

Richard

I believe its stupid people and stupid accidents that get you that paycheck every 2 weeks.

right on Matadon!

although the question that comes to mind: if you had been on your bike and done the same thing, would it have had the same effect? or would the car driver have just ignored you? i think it's likely, or maybe he would have argued with the 2 crazy cyclists... and a subtle example of the bias against cyclists (that if we're not in a car be don't BELONG and don't have the same status as cars)

P.S. i almost got hit today - b/c of the wonderful German 'bike lane' next to the sidewalk where i have the right of way and right-turning drivers are supposed to yield, but since i value my life i always have my hands ready on the brakes... so i slowed from about 30kmh to 20kmh b/c i saw a car ready to turn. the guy didn't even try to look and i slammed on the brakes and turned sharply right --- then i yelled at the guy but he never even noticed that if i hadn't been looking out for his not yielding i might be dead - and then i looked like an idiot yelling at a car driving off...

i used to have an air-horn on my commuter, but i haven't used it in a while... wish i had had it this morning so at least i could have made the guy aware of what he did (i often wish skidding on the brakes on a bike made the loud squeal/screech that a skidding car makes)

I got in trouble for (what amounts to assualt) on someone who was playing the power merge on a guy riding up Imperial Ave. The guy on the bike never stopped, but he saw me park in front of him with my car... but the guy in the car won't forget it... Even if the police arrived, it felt good. The guy in the car really made me upset.

William,

I read your post twice but I still don't understand...

Please explain in more detail.

Thanks. Matadon. Your example should be a reminder for all of us to remember and be on guard to do the same if needed. gotta all stick together. I could as easily been anyone of us. I often wish it possilble to mount a camera on the handlebars to ward off those idiots. Some would probably prefer a weapon of sorts.

I saw a guy in a car pulling closer and closer to a guy on a bike, trying to squeeze him to the curb. I was driving, so I pulled ahead, and hit the brakes. The bike went on. I had a little discussion with the driver.

Something about a highlift handle is very convincing.

Way to go Will !!

Dude!

(That's Californian for, "Wow, that is incredibly cool/You have testicles of carbon fiber/Woot!")