a high speed brush by tonight
 

Well we reported this to 911 and do not yet know the outcome. But no one was hurt and there was no bicycle damage but our group ride experienced a high speed brush by tonight. The driver could have moved over into the unoccupied opposing lane but instead chose to give us the brush by at high speed and probably 50 mph. So ...... we gave him the 1 finger solute and he hit the brakes and came to a screeching stop directly in the road. So he comes out the truck and starts with the the verbal abuse. We engage and he has the audacity to question "so if another car is coming in the opposing lane do you think I have to slow down?". Hello!!!! we inform him "YES -absolutely every time" . We called this into 911 and do not know the outcome but suggest every group do the same when you can get a license plate number.

From our observation in Michigan it is getting worse with road rage and we have met with our sheriff who sympathetic who says we should call in every incident if possible.

regards, curtwally

I now only give the 1 finger salute in my mind. It's just not worth it to bring it into reality.

Glad no one was hurt. I've taken to giving the 5-fingered wave lately. They don't know what to make of it.

+1
The satisfaction of flipping them off isn't worth the 4,000lb vs. 200lb physics lesson, and I can't find kit that's CCW compatible.

If I do anything, I give them a "shaka brah"...confuses the crap out of them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaka_sign

ya I hear you guys but if we do nothing then they will hurt or maim a cyclist at some point. We need to get them educated with a sheriff visit. Just my belief. Also our club is tying a friendly "WAVE" to drivers who extend consideration to our group. Award good behavior with a friendly wave of "thanks".

Curl your index finger into your thumb and splay your remaining fingers out.

It means "you're an *******" but since it's more common in europe, it;s less likely to get you killed but you still get the satisfaction.

Does the law in your state specify a minimum clearance distance when a motorized vehicle passes a bicycle? If not then the motorist was following the rules. Can't find fault in that, even though it is uncomfortable to the biker. If so, then maybe your local cycling organization can step up its' educational campaign?

this is the kind of thinking that gets people killed.

Perfect opportunity to have given the boy a nice spanking.:thumb:

I often find myself trying to use telekinesis to move cars over after a close brush. Often times accompanied by a hand motion not unlike Magneto from X-Men.

Agreed on the drivers need an education opinion, but I have yet to hear someone tell me "I drove like an ******* yesterday and someone gave me the finger. Now I'll be more careful in the future." The finger isn't an education tool. Try advocacy, it's small but real improvement.


Every state has a catch-all law regarding driving safely. iirc the 3-foot laws only came about because courts have upheld that passing a cyclist any closer is unsafe, and therefore illegal, with or without the law.

kind of like the "OK" sign but without the index and thumb making an "O?" i love it.

it's never good to stir up s4it with tweakers like this, but i do kind of like the image of a large group of cyclists stomping some dirt bag who has nearly just killed them.

What will 911 do?

In Florida you have the right to shoot someone through your car window if they approach you and attempt to open your door or otherwise threat you (car jacking, etc.)... at least that is how the law was explained to me.

I wander how that law applies to cyclists. I would assume that if a driver stops in the road, gets out of his car, and approaches you... you would most likely have the right to shoot him on the spot... If that is the case, I doubt he would do it twice.

At first glance my brain made your post say that you were buzzed by a porsche 911.

Giving the finger to the guy just makes him hate cyclist and makes it worse for the next cyclist :thumb:. If you gave him no response you would not of rewarded him for bad behaviour. A sheriff visit for what? He didn't hit anyone and you gave him the finger :rolleyes:. The friendly wave is the best solution making new friends is always good. :love:

I don't see the problem, A group of cyclists exercised there right to free speech and a driver decided to stop illegally and dangerously, then exit his vehicle and attack a group of riders.

If the group had done nothing then the next time the driver past a solo rider he may have decided to do the same thing and attack the solo rider or worse.

If a guy is stupid enough to aggressively confront a group, there is no telling what he would do to a solo rider.

I on occasion flip off other drivers while driving, and they don't stop and attack me for it.

I don't know where you were riding, but this is why I take the lane. I don't give any room to be brushed. Once they are forced to "break the center line", they generally just move over far enough.

And yes, I wave back to all the friendly honkers :D
Had one last night tail us for ~20ft, and hold the horn as he turned off to the right. We called him a pu55y for not honking before his get away, but waved anyways.

I try my best to give no reaction as that is what they are looking for when they brush by..but its tough sometimes especially when riding with a group. Was riding in Michigan this summer with a group. A really old guy pulled over in the shoulder of the oncoming lane and got out and shouted for us to all get on the "fog line" over and over again I think the groups laughter was worse than any finger salute we could have given.

If the OP miraculously reports back that the driver was given a citation or hauled to jail, I'll join your interpretation on this one. Until then, I don't think anyone is going to see a cyclist and think "I'd better give him room. The last one I buzzed too closely flipped me off, and I don't want THAT to happen again"

Sorry, but it just sounds like kids in the neighborhood yelling out "MOMMY!" when someone pushes them.

Your just lowering yourself to there standards and potentially creating a more dangerous situation.

+1

Do we always need a law to dictate common sense and courtesy?

I have been known to not always take the high road, but I do my best.

This is where road rage begins. Although its tempting to flip the bird, it doesn't take someone with a violent temper, having a bad day, with a gun, to go over the edge. You just haven't encountered the wrong person yet.

Wrong. Most US states have this law:

"The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.