This morning I was riding south on Centennial Olympic Park Dr, and was taking the lane, as I normally do on roads that have multiple lanes. The next thing I know, a guy buzzes past me, only giving me inches.
When it happened initially, I screamed, "Hey don't be a dick!" But his windows were rolled up and he didn't hear. Since that had no effect, I decided to try a different approach. I caught up to him at the light, and motioned that I wanted him to roll down his window. This is the conversation that followed:
Me: You came way too close to me when you passed me back there.
Him: It's dangerous out here, honey. Shouldn't you be off to the side or on the sidewalk or something?
Me: No sir. It's the law that bikes have to follow the same rules as cars. I'm allowed to be in the middle of the lane like I was back there.
Him: Oh really?
Me: Yes sir.
Him: (Surprised) Well I didn't know that.
Me: Well, please just be more careful next time.
Him: Ok, have a good day.
Now, who knows, maybe the guy will still be a dick, and he was just trying to get me to shut up. But he sounded like he genuinely didn't know that bikes had a legal right to the road.
The point is, I've found that conversations like that are always more effective than screaming at people who nearly kill me.
true! I've taken to being
true! I've taken to being politely confrontational when the situation permits it. but like Seth mentioned in another thread you never know how someone will react.
A recent buzzing on Monroe - the lady was absolutely mortified that I actually confronted her. She just kept saying "i'm sorry, I'm so sorry" and I politely requested that she be more aware of cyclists in the future.
Different incident on 10th street, I barely asked if she had seen me when she flipped me off and started screaming (and I mean, pent up, venomous rage type screaming) "FUCK YOU, FUCK YOU"
totally agree that polite conversations are more effective than screaming, but some people refuse to be reached no matter what the tactic.
that lady was probably rushing home
to beat her children.
FYP
to beat her cocker spaniel
If I had a nickle for every time I tried to calmly explain to someone what was going on, and then got a response to the tune of "Go to hell.", I'd have at least enough change to buy a box of tissues.
Agreed
I've been trying for more constructive conversation, and probably as important, trying to recognize when I'm having an adrenaline rush & keep my mouth shut because often nothing logical comes out.
yes
the hardest part is not reacting irrationally when you have the adrenaline pumping through you...
.
I've decided simply never to speak to drivers while on my bike unless they initiate friendly conversation first.
I think most people dont expect to be spoken to like humans
when people blow at me I usually look at them and ask
excuse me? may I help you?
then when they ask what
I reply "you blew your horn horn may I help you with something?"
most people seem seemed shocked by that. I think these were the people who were not allowed to play in the streets as kids so they are not used to seeing bikes on the road.
but the movie "falling down" taught me you dont scream at people you dont know. they may be having a worse day than you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8N2rciqnRo&feature=related
www.stupidhurts.org
I seem
to be on the receiving side of driver/ cyclist comments, maybe its a regional thing. What i dont understand is why people think you can hear them when they drive past you screaming.
Favorite stories of others:
"My favorite was when a lifted, souped-up pickup full of high school aged guys drove past my daugher and I, hooting and hollering at her (she's quite attractive)... she replied my simply holding up her thumb and index finger 1 inch apart. They got real quiet after that."
"My friend back in high school used to yell "This is the Doppler effect" from the car window when we'd pass people walking or biking on the side of the road."
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=281771
Best I can do these days is to yell "Thank You!" in a *very* sarcastic voice.
limo
a guy in an SUV type limo thing with the driver and HIS KID in the front seat leaned out the window to yell at me today, not sure what but got the word "car" i wonder if he was making fun of my vehicular choice while riding in an SUV limo with the limo companies name up the side, and the drivers kid in the front with the driver, on a Wednesday at 3pm. wanker.
You know I think talking is stupid
Why not just kick their car or smash their window with your U-Lock? i think these get the point across much more. Or my favorite is just to try and yell at them while you cut them off only to get hit and run over. Fuck talking take action. Unless your a wuss or a square in which case you could talk to them i guess...pansy
left field to kemtopher:
left field to kemtopher: come back kemtohper.
So i tried
talking to a driver last week, he was behind me in the left turn lane, and the light changed and as i started pedaling, he pulled out, and turned around me, almost hitting me twice (from behind, then turning across), he then parked on the side street and got out of his car with his kid. i rolled up and said "Excuse me sir, but you almost killed me there" he said "go faster through the lights and stop holing up traffic" I said "I started moving as the light changed, and I was not holding you up, as you where looking for a place to park" he said "you bikers should not be on the road, your lucky i didn't hit you get out of here before i kick your ass" I said "I'm 10 years younger then you, and in much better shape, you really dont want me to knock you down in front of your kid" then road away, thinking what a prick...
latter i remembered that i was wearing a shirt with a picture of a guy on top of a car smashing the wind shield in with his bike.... oh well