Jerk Driver
08-21-09 | 09:28 AM
#101
Portland Fred
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,553
Likes: 54
Bikes: Custom Winter, Challenge Seiran SL, Fuji Team Pro, Cattrike Road/Velokit, РOS hybrid
Before I became a cyclist, I did not appreciate how close was close. From my former perspective as a driver, I can accurately steer my car within an inch of parked car mirrors at speed so I had a similar outlook on bikes. I never came within an inch of a cyclist, of course, but probably a foot. ...
...In hindsight it is idiotically myopic not to realize these things, but I'm a smart and thoughtful guy who just never had the perspective back then. I'm sure plenty of people are in a similar situation, though plenty of people are jerks too.
...In hindsight it is idiotically myopic not to realize these things, but I'm a smart and thoughtful guy who just never had the perspective back then. I'm sure plenty of people are in a similar situation, though plenty of people are jerks too.
I'll actually invite motorists to pass me that close in conditions as shown in the video -- everyone is going slowly, road surface is excellent, people seem to be paying attention. Risking a brush from the side is not the same as a fall in front of a vehicle where you can go under the wheels.
My only issue with the driver in the video would be the hostile outlook, laying on the horn, and it appears he gunned the engine as he passed. If one of the other motorists had passed me about the same distance away minus the hostility, it wouldn't occur to me to think about it.
I am somewhat curious why vehicles are stacked on what appears to be a mostly empty road where passing should be easy. It looks like the pickup driver chose to slow down to harass the cyclist rather than pass at the first opportunity.
