As I travel around the country I see this Too Close For Comfort and Hanging On My Wheel thing happening routinely. Very common for someone to sit just off the bumper. Or, to pass and cut in really close in front. All this while I'm driving a car/van/pickup. Point is that I don't think the other drivers are singling out bicycles for this. I think it is the poor state of driver skill combined with the occasional aggressive driver. Or, the driver who is deliberately attempting to cause you to crash(more of those on the road than most would admit).

I find that good route selection and taking the whole lane of the highway when appropriate does a lot for my mental comfort, car or bike.

(I find that other people on bikes are far more threatening and dangerous than motor vehicles. Close passes, too fast for conditions, unpredictable paths, etc. are common.)

Doesn't always work. A fair percentage will still hang there, waiting, no matter how far right you move for them. :rolleyes:

Yesterday I had two who decided to get real close, the first one had no oncoming traffic and the second decided to pass as a car was coming from the other side--and to top it off a third driver decided to make a u-turn right in front of me--all this within 5 miles on hilly roads!

I think the first driver wanted to give me lesson by after passing swerved into the shoulder to indicate that is where I should ride as I was riding on the white line with no shoulder other than gravel and dirt!

Fortunately there were also a lot of considerate drivers--actually the vast majority of them!

I have to add that it was the full moon yesterday!

On the other hand I can have a lot of rides with absolutely no troubles!

I use "blinkies" and a very bright jersey!

Makes you wonder?

I still think the more dangerous drivers are the distracted drivers who never see me. Those who intentionally drive close are just as intentionally missing me - albiet barely. Screw 'em. I'll take a close shave over being blasted by a txting driver any day.

what did this mean: "Each time, it is someone approaching from behind, I acknowledge them"

For some reason I read the thread title as "Cougar Intimidation". That's why I came in here.

Never mind.









I must need to get laid.

The lights on thing works well, I know because I'm a motorcycle commuter. That said, I almost got run over by some jackhole that was going around a cop pulling over some other guy this morning.

Got reminded of this today, while riding home from escorting my daughter to school on her bike. I was in the right-tire track already, but some festering, flaming hemorrhoid just HAD to blow by me less than two feet away -- doing about 60, on a two-lane, no-shoulder road at the edge of town. I hope he heard my invective, his window WAS down....

I'm taking the center of the lane on that road from here on, traffic or not. F 'em all.

I originally posted this a couple of weeks ago. At the time, I was switching from driving on a bike trail(20 miles away) to riding on the road.

I've continued to have a number of close calls, including those mentioned by other posters. Particularly, drivers seem to vacillate between passing exceptionally close and following very close for an inordinate amount of time/distance.

At any rate, when I ride the vast majority of my miles on rural county roads. Therefore, traffic in quantity isn't so much the issue as quality.

I don't deal with huge numbers of motorists, but given the small number I deal with a lot of really bad motorists within that number.

I experimented with holding up my right arm and waving high, then making a directive motion. Such as giving a "go ahead," signal, or I'd wave high, then motion to the passing lane, or I'd wave high, but give a "patting down," motion to indicate the person should go slower due to oncoming traffic.

This sort of thing was moderately successful at best, and unfortunately, what I've found is that what is most effective is not riding the fog line, but rather getting more in the middle of the lane. Illinois law does allow for this, provided there is no shoulder, or the shoulder is unsafe.

Basically, it seems that if I am very visible in the middle of the lane, look somewhat unpredictable or oblivious(if I actually am, it is due to fatigue, not intent and I don't let it go that far)....

Drivers give me more respect and consideration, than if I operate as I should: on the fog line, in a predictable, courteous, defensive fashion.


Don't get me wrong, the only time I've gotten rude is when someone else instigated it, but even then, it is out of sheer surprise and fear...and I'd rather not react at all.

But, rather than obeying the spirit of the law, I find myself pushing the letter of the law...less defensive, more a blatant desire to ensure the yokel behind the wheel actually sees me and is taking a realistic action to avoid making my life miserable, frightening and potentially much shorter.

I had an unusual encounter a few days ago that, in my experience, is unique. I was on a hilly, winding, two lane rural road with very little traffic. I had pulled off the road to take a picture, making sure that I was positioned a couple of feet to the right of the white line. This road has no shoulder.

I saw, in my rear view mirror, an old pickup truck pulling an old yellow boat. The driver came over the white line and passed me as closely as possible. No cars were coming in the opposite direction. There was no reason for his actions except to intimidate me. After he went by, I put my arms up as if to say "what the HECK!" and he shot me the finger out the driver's side window.

This wasn't the usual car squeezing by, this was ridiculous and blatant, because I was off the road and not impeding traffic in any way.

This incident goes to show that there are people out there that are anti-social, having serious mental issues. And they have driver's licenses!

The upside of this event, if there is one, is that the guy missed me.

Since I started riding this year I am amazed at the number of people who run red lights. There are also a fair number of drivers who know what the little white man is below their green light.

I think the strangest encounter I've had was when I had a very pleasant conversation in a convenient store with an older man. I left a bit ahead of him, but thought we were fine. About a mile down the road, he blazes by me, screaming, "Eff you, Normie!" I have no idea who Norm is, or why he was so angry at him, but he had a bumper sticker which said, "Serenity," on it. That struck me as so ironic I dang near drove into the ditch laughing. I thought the guy might have a mental illness, but realized the way he saw it, he might think having a mental illness was a plus, or perhaps something that made him special in God's eyes!

Yes, and along with acknowledging that there are indeed bad people out there, I have had exactly this happen more than once and in one case they came back and followed me. This is why, and dogs and a broken femur that resulted, that I have decided to carry. I have no intention of using it but for the very worst life threatening situation. I never yell, wave, throw the finger or any thing other than ignore these people. However, there are those who will take that opportunity to up their aggression, it is a fact of life.

But, you know what, in states that have CCL, I have noticed people take note of that fanny pack and frankly, take it or leave it, I have had less of those near side swipe incidents since wearing it now for the last three years. People know what is likely in the pack.

Apparently a bull got out of a farm. It was in the wooded road side and I did not see it, as I passed I heard a snort and it came up on the road. It was about that time that I decided maybe the .357 is not enough, bulls and charging SUVs, a .50AE will slow'em down. Fortunately, the bull had no interest in me and I was happy to see him go on about tearing up the fence that had previously contained him.

LC

I'm fortunate that where I ride close passes are fairly rare. I do run two blinkies on the bike and one on the helmet and think that helps. I also agree that many of the close passes were ones where I should have been further out.

Usually the only problems I encounter are driver carelessness, but every once in while someone just wants to annoy me. Happened on Sunday on a very desolate country road. Two guys in a pickup who pulled alongside close and then drove very slowly. The passenger window was open and the dog in between them started barking. Which meant he was barking right in the ear of the guy in the passenger seat. I think he ended up getting the worst of it, so I just looked over and smiled at them. They proceeded on and I enjoyed the rest of my ride.

All things considered though, most of the drivers here are pretty friendly and accommodating. I really can't complain. (And given that it's a rural area, most of the cars are people who live in the area and have probably gone by me a number of times. I try to give a friendly acknowledgment as I figure we're all really neighbors.)

I think most of the time, it's not intent, it's some idiot on their %$#@@ cell phone, not paying attention to their driving.

. If a cyclist isn't comfortable riding in traffic under the same rules and conditions as a motor vehicle; don't do it. Just because riding on the highway may be legal doesn't make it safe or advisable. No point complaining.

Adapting to different riding environments is a skill like any other. Accepting the reality and coping with it is part and parcel of mental health.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to work for better cycling facilities.