Cager Intimidation.
 

I'm hoping it doesn't result in codger being intimidated.

For the 3rd time in two days I had a car pass me with an oncoming car on the rural roads I ride. The state of Illinois publishes a usage guide to show good roads to ride and normally these just aren't to busy.

But, this isn't a matter of anyone having to be stuck behind me. It isn't a matter of anyone waiting patiently to pass.

Each time, it is someone approaching from behind, I acknowledge them, there is an oncoming car...and they juice it to get around me before the oncoming car arrives.

I'm not a big fan of being the 3rd person in two lanes...especially on a bike as I'm the one with the incredibly high odds of being road kill.

Today, the oncoming car had just made a turn onto the road and had to stop to let the guy around.

He was so close I could have reached out and touched his truck.

I cursed, and he started to slow down to stop.

Frankly, I'm not above calling the cops, but given these people are in cars and can just flick a wrist and run me down, and where I'm at many of these aggressive types seem to be young men driving vehicles full of tools(aka handy weapons).

Given that and the state laws of Illinois, I think my road rides are going to be "trips to the range." I can put the clip in the handlebar bag and the pistol in a case in the trunk.

It's bad enough my life isn't worth thirty seconds. It is worse to consider after putting me in that position some clown might decide to hit me with a tool.

I ride with all due respect and have safety gear. I normally acknowledge traffic behind me and try to stay on low volume roads. I have every right to be out there and I'm tired of low brow types deciding they disagree with the law and believing intimidation games in traffic are some how okay.

That happens to me a couple of times a week. There are no run off areas or shoulders on the roads I ride. If I were forced off the road, it would be extremely dangerous. Since I use a rear view mirror, I can see these situations forming up and try to prepare for evasive maneuvers, if they are necessary.

I would love to give some of these "big hurry" people a lecture on safety.

We have the 3 feet law and a police force full of cyclists that appear willing to enforce it here in Maryland. However, your situation is a weekly occurrence for me too. In my opinion the only way to fix it is to teach the new drivers patience. It seems too late for everyone already licensed...they cannot be bothered to signal turns much less give you your space. Just don't lose your cool out there...I doesn't do anyone a favor.

Ditto here in Illinois. Worse that happened to me is a garbage truck ran me off the road. It was kind of busy, he followed me for a while the decided the f*k with it and passed me (well technically it wasn't passing since he didn't change his position and ran me off the road). Others have buzzed me with no oncoming traffic because they are haters, I assume.

I was getting it a several times a week, but now I am taking a little longer 14+ mile route to work that is practically completely trails and avoid the risk and aggravation.

Hate to say it, but simply hearing that it is a more common experience than I thought...makes it easier to deal with. Not saying I like it, not saying I don't want it to change...but it does make it easier.

Go Pro cameras, mounted fore and aft, would give you a fighting chance.

I try to avoid long stretches of some of these narrow roads every chance I get. It's inevitable that you're going to get close calls sometimes when you have both oncoming and passing traffic. There's a narrow road on my way to my local mup but it's not heavily trafficked or very long for my part. And there's not an alternate route that isn't worse. I don't think I'd sweat the under 3 feet thing in those circumstances unless it was really close enough to risk contact.

The only time I've lost my cool with a motorist was on a pretty wide stretch of city street with no oncoming traffic when the driver both buzzed me and yelled at me (I was within 2 feet of the edge). That's all he was willing to do. That was almost 20 years ago.

Every time I've been passed too closely, it's because I've left the driver enough room to do so.

It takes two to tango, and if I'm too far to the right, they'll try to squeak through the gap I've left.

Bingo. Pretty much every state has the FRAP exception for narrow lanes. If the lane isn't wide enough for a motorist to safely pass you while staying in that lane, take the center of the lane. It helps bring them out of their stupor and realize that they will have to change lanes to pass.

I am a couple years newbie at this, but I learn quickly. The same exact thing has happened to me, but after about 3 or 4 times, I put a stop to it. In that area where cars will do that to me, I take the FULL LANE. I have done what you have done, and they not only pass me close they pass me fast..I take the full lane, they can honk all they want. When the road gets safe, wider and/or a shoulder is there, only then do I move over.. Other then that, I am not letting them pass me that close and that fast. The reason I know they will do that, is the same reason you know, this is what they being doing at this particular spot. You are the one that has to make the change or use another route..

I would have to say that the majority of the time, this has been true for me.

I did have the exception happen last week.

Two lane road, no shoulder, it's early morning before sunrise. I was in the middle/left tire track of the lane. A vehicle is coming from both directions and the idiot coming from behind pulled into the opposite lane to pass anyway. I'm ducking for the non-existent shoulder/ditch expecting collision. The oncoming truck, came to a complete stop in order to allow the passer to get past - it was still a near miss - just a couple of feet. I could hear the driver of the stopped vehicle swearing as went on by.. not at me but the driver of the SUV who passed me.

Frustrating indeed. You mention you have safety gear, but not what type. I'll relate my own personal experience in perchance it would be something you may consider.

Used to be, about nine out of ten cars passed me at a distance I felt was unsafe for me. Yeah, I could have reached out and touched the cars as they pass. Then, I got the biggest, baddest strobe taillight and an unbelievable phenomenon happened. Since I started using a strobe taillight, even in the bright sun, the ratio has flipped. Now, nine out of ten cars pass me by at least five-six feet clearance! They either go completely into the oncoming lane, or at least half way across. Only the occasional idiot who isn't paying attention to their driving, or are on some type of macho ego trip will pass me close enough that I'm uncomfortable.

In addition, I also use a bright strobe pointing front. I've had oncoming left-turning cars a quarter of a mile ahead wait until I passed before they completed their left turn. I've also had a motorcycle chase me down because he said he saw my strobe from a half mile away and wanted to know what type is was because he wanted one for his motorcycle.

I'm a believer and now do without only if I'm on a MUP or riding in a group. Good quality, bright lights are not inexpensive, but they are a whole lot less expensive than hospital bills. What price do we put on safety?

Volosong-I think I need a better strobe light. It doesn't happen that often to me although once is once too often. I do run with a blinky on the rear but I like your idea of getting one with a bit more power.

Which one?

All the lights in the world are not going to help. Most motorists shouldn't be behind the wheel. If everyone would just look where your suppose to go instead of staring where your not suppose to go both party's would be a much better operator. Take your lane when the need arises. Wear something that does not blend in with the scenery.

I run a DiNotte 300R on the rear right now. I like it because it is self-contained, is USB chargable, and easy to swap from bike to bike. I've considered the 400R, but that takes an external battery, and is sold as a daytime only light. Guess it is too bright for night usage. On the front, I use a NiteRider MiNewt Lumina 600. They have since discontinued that model and now sell the [strike]Lumina 650[/strike] Lumina 700 as its replacement. (Just checked the website. The highest power Lumina is now 700 lumens.) The Lumina series is also a self-contained, usb chargable light. A word of warning about NiteRider: they can't seem to design a decent handlebar mount. They are "crap". The old snap mount is too lose and moves when hitting bumps in the road, or the new screw mount scratches the paint on your handlebars with its screw. I "fixed" the problem by adding a handlebar extension and mount the light on that. It's ugly, but works. (This is with 31.8 mm bars on my various bikes.)

Manufacturer's link to the DiNotte 300R taillight.

Manufacturer's link to the DiNotte 400R daytime only taillight.

Manufacturer's link to the NiteRider Lumina 700 headlight.

- - - - -

p.s. I have a NiteRider Pro 3600 DIY for nighttime riding. More than one automobile has flashed their highbeams at me because that light is so bright. Expensive, but does an awesome job, especially if you are riding in the upper-teens, or faster, in mph's.

Lights absolutely do help! At least in my experience, they do. However, I agree with everything else you say.

I average just about one too close for comfort experience per ride. I used to get extremely irritated, lose my cool etc. I've learned to not let it spoil my ride.

Know what I hate worse than a close pass? The nitwits who'll hang just off my wheel for a half-mile or more, waiting until they're absolutely, positively, 110% sure that another oncoming car isn't in sight, on a straight and level road.

Mostly bluehairs whose heads don't clear the steering wheel.

+1.

Expensive yes, but cheaper than the co-pay at the hospital.

I think that bright blinkies help, but do you think, as my wife would say, "this is the part that you exaggerated?" That seems like such a big change -- has it continued to be like that?

Possibly an exaggeration. I have not done a scientific survey or analysis of traffic that passes me. It is just an observation that many more cars now pass wide than before. Perhaps I should start counting, then ride without the lights and make another count. Nah! Not worth it. I "feel" a lot safer, so I'll continue using strobes. All I know is that there is a definite and perceptible difference.

Lol

That's why I personally stick to the side of the road and give cars room to pass. I don't need a team car following my back wheel.

Obviously I only have my personal impressions, but I too think that I am granted more distance when running blinkies...

Someone told me that there was a study showing that drivers gave more space to cyclists with blinkies, even during the day. I believe it, and there is little downside to having a bright flasher.