Can't be to careful out there.
#1
Thread Starter
Century bound
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
Bikes: Felt AR4 and Cannondale hybrid
Can't be to careful out there.
I was in the bike lane and a string of trucks with horse trailers came by. The last one cut over into my bike lane and very nearly crushed me against the curb. Had I not got on the binders hard and quickly, this nut would have gotten me. I yelled as loud as I could and he pulled over into his lane again. As I caught back up to him at the next light I could see he was on a cell phone. Well I lost it. I started to give him a tongue lashing at the light. The people across the street were wondering what was going on. When the light turned green I said to them " cell phone driver nearly ran me over", and about that time here he comes and pulled into the bike lane again. I know I should have just let it go but... grrrrrrrrr.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 3
From: Victoria, Canada
Bikes: Cannondale t1, Koga-Miyata World Traveller
Last summer as I passed a parked utility van, the man in the drivers seat threw a banana skin out the window.
I circled around, picked it up and threw it back in his still open window.
Felt good, but people have been killed for less.
I circled around, picked it up and threw it back in his still open window.
Felt good, but people have been killed for less.
#4
rebmeM roineS

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 366
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Not recommended action but I would love to see the video.
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#5
But, I would have loved to have been there and watched.
#6
I was in the bike lane and a string of trucks with horse trailers came by. The last one cut over into my bike lane and very nearly crushed me against the curb. Had I not got on the binders hard and quickly, this nut would have gotten me. I yelled as loud as I could and he pulled over into his lane again. As I caught back up to him at the next light I could see he was on a cell phone. Well I lost it. I started to give him a tongue lashing at the light. The people across the street were wondering what was going on. When the light turned green I said to them " cell phone driver nearly ran me over", and about that time here he comes and pulled into the bike lane again. I know I should have just let it go but... grrrrrrrrr.
#8
Life is good


Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 18,208
Likes: 14
From: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 775
Likes: 191
From: Missoula, Montana
Bikes: Trek Domane SL5, Trek Checkpoint SL5, Cannndale Trail SE 4, Specialized Langster
Be careful before yelling at drivers. They are in big, heavy, powerful vehicles. You're on some 18 lb. contraption that offers no protection. I've tried all kinds of strategies in dealing with discourteous/dangerous drivers. the best for me has been to spread my arms and open my hands palm upward as if asking "what the hell are you doing?" They can usually see me in their rear view mirrors. Very non-confrontative. Sometimes I've been able to catch up with drivers at lights and tap on their windows. When they lower them I point out what they did. This is a friendly way to do things but not always effective. I've gotten into arguments this way.
#11
Be careful before yelling at drivers. They are in big, heavy, powerful vehicles. You're on some 18 lb. contraption that offers no protection. I've tried all kinds of strategies in dealing with discourteous/dangerous drivers. the best for me has been to spread my arms and open my hands palm upward as if asking "what the hell are you doing?" They can usually see me in their rear view mirrors. Very non-confrontative. Sometimes I've been able to catch up with drivers at lights and tap on their windows. When they lower them I point out what they did. This is a friendly way to do things but not always effective. I've gotten into arguments this way.
#12
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
#13
Senior Member

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 775
Likes: 191
From: Missoula, Montana
Bikes: Trek Domane SL5, Trek Checkpoint SL5, Cannndale Trail SE 4, Specialized Langster
To ignore a dangerous incident caused by a driver is, in a way, to condone it. Any way that would communicate the driver's error to the driver that would be non-hostile would be better than saying nothing. but, of course, there is always a risk involved. In all my interactions over the forty years I've been riding, I've never gotten into anything more than an argument, never escalating to the point of violence. I assume that if I were right, the incident might have some possible effects on the driver the next time he interacts with a cyclist. But, of course, there is no guarantee. But it's all a matter of one's personality and inclinations..
#14
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,794
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, FL
Bikes: litespeed, cannondale
I have actually had a few drivers be contrite when they do a brain dead stunt. Their brains obviously functioned well enough for them to know that they had done something stupid and put someone else's life at risk. My response was always, "just try to be careful". Everyone makes slips. Automobiles are dangerous machinery as our traffic death toll indicates.
#15
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
To ignore a dangerous incident caused by a driver is, in a way, to condone it. Any way that would communicate the driver's error to the driver that would be non-hostile would be better than saying nothing. but, of course, there is always a risk involved. In all my interactions over the forty years I've been riding, I've never gotten into anything more than an argument, never escalating to the point of violence. I assume that if I were right, the incident might have some possible effects on the driver the next time he interacts with a cyclist. But, of course, there is no guarantee. But it's all a matter of one's personality and inclinations..









