Weeks Since Your Last Hostile Driver?
05-15-14 | 05:44 PM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 493
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From: Southern Colorado
Bikes: General 80's MTB "Icebreaker", Motobecane Grand Jubilee (vintage mint), Trek 1.1, 2014 Motobecane Mirage (steel) Trek 3500 MTB
Two in two weeks. Same M.O. Might have even been the same nut. His thing is to holler at the top of his lungs to "Get the F*** out of the way!" This despite me going in the opposite direction and not even being close. The second time (yesterday) it was the same quote, but yelled from over a half block away from a street I'd just crossed.
These are disquieting for me. Takes a ride or two to shake them off and get feeling comfortable again.
Before these it was about three months. A yeller/ honker.
These are disquieting for me. Takes a ride or two to shake them off and get feeling comfortable again.
Before these it was about three months. A yeller/ honker.
05-15-14 | 06:12 PM
#52
contiuniously variable
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 9
From: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity
Two in two weeks. Same M.O. Might have even been the same nut. His thing is to holler at the top of his lungs to "Get the F*** out of the way!" This despite me going in the opposite direction and not even being close. The second time (yesterday) it was the same quote, but yelled from over a half block away from a street I'd just crossed.
These are disquieting for me. Takes a ride or two to shake them off and get feeling comfortable again.
Before these it was about three months. A yeller/ honker.
These are disquieting for me. Takes a ride or two to shake them off and get feeling comfortable again.
Before these it was about three months. A yeller/ honker.
- Andy
05-15-14 | 08:01 PM
#53
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,267
Likes: 7
From: NA
Bikes: NA
I was riding down a major (arterial) road here in Portland - NE Sandy for the locals - probably doing 25 mph, just managing to pace the car ahead of me, feeling fairly pleased. A car that had been following behind us changed lanes to pass me on the left - a safe pass, plenty of room - and the passenger stuck his head out the window and yelled something not entirely intelligible but clearly uncomplimentary. I heard "road" and "idiot".
This bothered me for a few seconds, and then I realized that I hardly remember the last time I've encountered a hostile driver, or passenger in this case, and that made me smile. Thinking hard about it, I'd say it has been at least 100 weeks or 2 years.
So, here is the question. How many weeks has it been since your last encounter with a HOSTILE driver or passenger.
Be clear on the definition: by "HOSTILE", I mean s/he cursed at you, threw something, deliberately buzzed or swerved at or brake checked you, or otherwise intentionally directed overt abuse or intimidation at you. I do not mean s/he was inattentive, clueless, moron, passed you too close because s/he was picking her nose with her mascara brush, or s/he sent you hostile vibes or nasty looks or lips were mouthing something unpleasant. Let's not be babies about this. We're riding in the city, mixing with cars, need thick skin.
This bothered me for a few seconds, and then I realized that I hardly remember the last time I've encountered a hostile driver, or passenger in this case, and that made me smile. Thinking hard about it, I'd say it has been at least 100 weeks or 2 years.
So, here is the question. How many weeks has it been since your last encounter with a HOSTILE driver or passenger.
Be clear on the definition: by "HOSTILE", I mean s/he cursed at you, threw something, deliberately buzzed or swerved at or brake checked you, or otherwise intentionally directed overt abuse or intimidation at you. I do not mean s/he was inattentive, clueless, moron, passed you too close because s/he was picking her nose with her mascara brush, or s/he sent you hostile vibes or nasty looks or lips were mouthing something unpleasant. Let's not be babies about this. We're riding in the city, mixing with cars, need thick skin.
I was taking the lane on SE 12th and someone did not like that. At the next stop light he rolled down the window and started screaming obscenities. When he exited the car I actually removed my my u-lock from my pocket but he just continued to scream at me from the driver side of the car. I felt very sorry for the miserable looking lady in the passenger seat.
Most of my heated encounters with motorists are the result of my chasing them down and attempting to start a polite conversation about their responsibilities as drivers.
05-15-14 | 08:20 PM
#54
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Beaverton, OR
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It occurred to me this morning that I get mad and yell at drivers much more often than they yell at me...at least more often than I hear them yell at me.
<------- What a jerk!
<------- What a jerk!
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05-15-14 | 08:25 PM
#55
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Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Southern Colorado
Bikes: General 80's MTB "Icebreaker", Motobecane Grand Jubilee (vintage mint), Trek 1.1, 2014 Motobecane Mirage (steel) Trek 3500 MTB
05-15-14 | 08:33 PM
#56
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Portland OR
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Maybe 4 years or so.
I was taking the lane on SE 12th and someone did not like that. At the next stop light he rolled down the window and started screaming obscenities. When he exited the car I actually removed my my u-lock from my pocket but he just continued to scream at me from the driver side of the car. I felt very sorry for the miserable looking lady in the passenger seat.
Most of my heated encounters with motorists are the result of my chasing them down and attempting to start a polite conversation about their responsibilities as drivers.
I was taking the lane on SE 12th and someone did not like that. At the next stop light he rolled down the window and started screaming obscenities. When he exited the car I actually removed my my u-lock from my pocket but he just continued to scream at me from the driver side of the car. I felt very sorry for the miserable looking lady in the passenger seat.
Most of my heated encounters with motorists are the result of my chasing them down and attempting to start a polite conversation about their responsibilities as drivers.
05-15-14 | 08:44 PM
#57
contiuniously variable
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 9
From: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity
05-15-14 | 09:39 PM
#59
bragi
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 3
From: seattle, WA
Bikes: LHT
I was riding down a major (arterial) road here in Portland - NE Sandy for the locals - probably doing 25 mph, just managing to pace the car ahead of me, feeling fairly pleased. A car that had been following behind us changed lanes to pass me on the left - a safe pass, plenty of room - and the passenger stuck his head out the window and yelled something not entirely intelligible but clearly uncomplimentary. I heard "road" and "idiot".
This bothered me for a few seconds, and then I realized that I hardly remember the last time I've encountered a hostile driver, or passenger in this case, and that made me smile. Thinking hard about it, I'd say it has been at least 100 weeks or 2 years.
So, here is the question. How many weeks has it been since your last encounter with a HOSTILE driver or passenger.
Be clear on the definition: by "HOSTILE", I mean s/he cursed at you, threw something, deliberately buzzed or swerved at or brake checked you, or otherwise intentionally directed overt abuse or intimidation at you. I do not mean s/he was inattentive, clueless, moron, passed you too close because s/he was picking her nose with her mascara brush, or s/he sent you hostile vibes or nasty looks or lips were mouthing something unpleasant. Let's not be babies about this. We're riding in the city, mixing with cars, need thick skin.
This bothered me for a few seconds, and then I realized that I hardly remember the last time I've encountered a hostile driver, or passenger in this case, and that made me smile. Thinking hard about it, I'd say it has been at least 100 weeks or 2 years.
So, here is the question. How many weeks has it been since your last encounter with a HOSTILE driver or passenger.
Be clear on the definition: by "HOSTILE", I mean s/he cursed at you, threw something, deliberately buzzed or swerved at or brake checked you, or otherwise intentionally directed overt abuse or intimidation at you. I do not mean s/he was inattentive, clueless, moron, passed you too close because s/he was picking her nose with her mascara brush, or s/he sent you hostile vibes or nasty looks or lips were mouthing something unpleasant. Let's not be babies about this. We're riding in the city, mixing with cars, need thick skin.
This makes me wonder- maybe I get harassed more than I think, but I just forget about it, because it's not that important to me in the grand scheme of things?
05-16-14 | 10:44 AM
#60
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 120
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From: Barcelona
Bikes: Genesis Croix de Fer 10, Merida SUB 40, Old Raleigh
Being in Amsterdam, I have the "right" to be rude to everyone who's not on two wheels (not many people), but yesterday, some jerk pretended that I should cross on red light and when I positioned myself in the pavement, he yelled at me in some language I didn't understand (judging for his looks he was of indian descent), so I cursed him in catalan in return. The main problem here are moped drivers (allowed to use the bike lanes) who pass you by the right. Rude, clueless and profanity-motivator but not really hostile.
In Barcelona I've found some idiots who will get too close to you, but the main problem are hostile peds. Basically, people who hate cyclers and thus walk into the bike lane and get surprised at bells being rung at them shouting "you've got no right to do that" accompained by several mentions at your lack of education and your mother's profession. Usually the universal "bugger off sign" helps.
In Barcelona I've found some idiots who will get too close to you, but the main problem are hostile peds. Basically, people who hate cyclers and thus walk into the bike lane and get surprised at bells being rung at them shouting "you've got no right to do that" accompained by several mentions at your lack of education and your mother's profession. Usually the universal "bugger off sign" helps.
05-16-14 | 11:57 AM
#61
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 794
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From: Nashville TN
Bikes: Trek 7.3FX, Diamondback Edgewood hybrid, KHS Montana
I don't know exactly how many weeks but I can tell you when it was;
The first morning commute after the time change back in November. A car passed really close while laying on the horn. The only two on the road for "miles" were that vehicle and me. They could've easily pulled over and passed, unimpeded in the adjacent lane.
fwiw, I've noticed a trend. I get the hostile pass/driver at the major time changing landmarks in the calendar; When school starts, lets out, at the beginning or end of daylight savings time etc.
I believe this to be a result of people adjusting their schedules - so I'm encountering a new group of drivers. After a couple weeks they get accustomed to seeing me there and the hostilities subside - until the next time altering event.
The first morning commute after the time change back in November. A car passed really close while laying on the horn. The only two on the road for "miles" were that vehicle and me. They could've easily pulled over and passed, unimpeded in the adjacent lane.
fwiw, I've noticed a trend. I get the hostile pass/driver at the major time changing landmarks in the calendar; When school starts, lets out, at the beginning or end of daylight savings time etc.
I believe this to be a result of people adjusting their schedules - so I'm encountering a new group of drivers. After a couple weeks they get accustomed to seeing me there and the hostilities subside - until the next time altering event.
