Decided To "Teach Me A Lesson"
 

On my Rehab Ride last evening it was time to head home. So, I checked for traffic, saw only a car way off in the distance, stuck out my left arm in a Left Turn signal and moved to the center line waiting for oncoming traffic to clear so I could turn I to a side road.

Then I hear it. A car is charging me from the rear honking rapidly and hugging the center line. Mind you, in this place the road&shouder combined is wide enough for two traffic lanes. The car came scary close behind me, honking all the way, then swerved so violently it nearly went off the road.

Intended lesson I suppose was that bikes don't belong on the road. Actual lesson: Figure out how to mount a M4 on the bike.

Deep breath... breathe in happy thoughts...exhale nasty drivers... repeat. :)

He sure taught you a thing or two. Probably not what he intended however...

The one and only time this happened to me was at a stop light. I was first in line, one car behind me, light was red, driver honked his horn, again and again. I guess he wanted for me to get off the road. He wouldn't even talk to me when I put the kick stand down and parked the bike right in front of his bumper and got off the bike and walked over to his window and asked what he wanted. He even pretended that I wasn't there. I didn't make a scene I just rapped on his window and asked how I could help him. Of course we missed the light as I could not get back on the bike fast enough to make the green light. Poor guy.

Small point that I hope can be made without too much distraction: It may not be a "He". In fact my very unscientific sampling in my recent experience most of the Really Polite and Really Aggressive drivers are female.

The take-home lesson may be that we need better skills/knowledge tests for motorists.

A couple years ago I read an article about a personality test that an insurance company was either using or considering. They had found that narcissists were tremendous risks for auto insurance. This personality trait overwhelmed the other things they were using to set rates like gender, zip code, age and citations. I suppose it didn't catch on or I would have seen more about it since then. Pity.

GoPro 2, mounted on the handlebars, set to stun.

No excuse for that kind of behavior. If I had it "on tape" I'd turn 'em in.

:thumb:

+1 on that one. What they did could have been fatal. You kept your nerve and stayed right where you were. Suppose you didn't? What that motorist did was ADW, and they should be called to answer for it.

A GoPro is going on the list for me.

A week or so ago while making the left turn from a 4-lane street into my condo complex, a car stopped and waited so that he could photograph me. I'm not sure why but, since he didn't smile or wave, I assume he didn't think I should have made a left turn from the left lane. I don't know what he thinks he's going to do with the photo.

I don't think educating or rehabilitating those types of drivers works. I'm old school. I still use the finger.

Glad the driver swerved.

a) Narcissists are a protected group
b) Driving is a right. It's in the Constitution. Look it up;)

When I was on organized century ride to raise money and awareness for the Capital to Capital bike trail, I had a car honk at me, and when it finally felt it could speed past, it speed fast, passed and then nearly stopped in front of me on purpose--a real jerk.

There's a well known incident here in SoCal where the car driver is currently cooling his heals behind bars. Almost same situation as yours, except that the cyclists couldn't stop in time and ended up hospitalized.

In HawkOwl's case, he needs one looking backward also.

Situations like this always stun us. If it didn't, we'd have the sense to get a license number and write it down lest we forget it, then file a report with the local constables.

Ah, the good Dr. Thompson. Nice chap. I wonder how he is enjoying himself?

BTW, one of the reasons the case against him was so compelling is that there were previous reported incidents of the same behavior. That's why it pays to report such incidents (if you can identify the perpetrator) ... even if the police initially decline to do anything. They may change their mind when the same behavior is repeated.

I average about one "intentional event" by a driver per ride. Mostly are just annoying stuff like what you experienced, I have conditioned myself to overlook it and try and not let it spoil the ride.

In the perfect world, you would be granted the full powers of "Q" from Star Trek, for a limited period of time, say three minutes. During this time,
you could just snap your fingers, and "poof"! The trunk of his car is now packed with automatic weapons, a large stash of crystal meth, some
kiddie porn, and one or two blow up dollies. Then a call would be placed to local PD. Then, just sit back, and watch the lesson teacher try to explain
it all. An M4? Nah, you got to use your imagination here.

:lol::lol: I like the way you think:thumb:

Why is there never a cop when you need one? Especially a bicycle cop. You know I like the idea of the 3' law, but it's a little like the cell phone law, there are already laws on the books, in the case of the 3' law, it should be dangerous driving or better yet, attempted assault and battery. Yeah, make it a felony and throw their a** in jail for a few months.

You know, I wouldn't be surprised if some fool hasn't tried this before went off the road and rolled his car.....

The 'lesson teachers' are teaching me that I am visible. IMO angry aggressive drivers pose far less of a risk to my safety than do drivers who don't see or notice me.

That's my first rationalization for ignoring them.

Angry people are going to be angry.

That's my second rationalization for ignoring them.

No need to get directly involved by making a call. Just make sure there's a bale of marijuana on the back seat floor, and then while you're at it, set his speedo to read 20 mph slow.

That's what I think too. The horn honkers worry me a lot less than the texters.

Reminds me of my TOUGHEST lesson in self-control -- being honked at, buzzed, & cussed out for being on the road. . .during the Ride of Silence.

had a guy in a Prius pretend he didn't know what I was talking about when I pulled up to his drivers side window as he was stopped in traffic in front of our local police station. he had intentionally swerved into my space twice (threateningly) all the time looking in his side & rear view mirrors with both hands on the wheels. yeah he was gonna teach me a lesson ... scared the crap out of him when I read him the riot act. he said: "I'm sorry Sir I do not know what you are talking about" that's when I let him have it. I think he started to shake. I doubt he will ever threaten another cyclist.

Get that damn bicycle off the road, you moron! Can't you see I'm trying to make a phone call! :lol: