When motorists threaten bicyclists via horn, proximity, or surprise they often think there will be no repercussions. What they don’t realize, is that in certain situations, cyclists can catch up to them and distribute the tongue lashing they deserve.
To the woman who “thought” that we were turning left by signaling “Stop” ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_hand_signals ) and then proceed to lay on the horn, gun it, and race into oncoming traffic, thereby threatening my and my buddy’s lives, I give you this:
ORC 4511.55B “Persons riding bicycles or motorcycles upon a roadway shall ride not more than two abreast in a single lane, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or motorcycles.” - http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4511.55
That’s right. Two abreast.
As I tried to explain the hand-signals for her future reference, her daughter shouted at us for expecting her to know secret bicycle signal. For her, I reiterate the Wikipedia link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_hand_signals
They also became fascinated with what I do for a living in this conversation. Was so out of left field I bobbled this one. What does this have to do with the mother’s road rage? I now understand why. They are people of privilege. Who are two slackers out on their bikes in the middle of the day to approach them and explain traffic law? I mean her daaaddddy is a doccccctor/lllllllaaaawyer. Her indignation and willingness to shout at two male adults whom her mother nearly killed was nauseating.
The girl also asked how old we thought she was. Weird, but okay. Glancing past the mother I took a peak, “I don’t know, 12?”. This made her especially mad. Cannot figure out what is wrong with 12 but it has apparently become passe.
The whole time the woman kept citing what her family and other cyclists do and what she thought we should be doing rather than addressing the fact that she was aggressive with 4000lbs of SUV in her hands. She parted with a threat and a warning that we on our bikes are no match for her and her SUV.
Great.
The one argument that I keep in my back jersey pocket that is supposed to get knuckleheads like her to THINK about what they do on the road and she is using it as justification for her behavior.
No foul language was used in the exchange, but there was some serious birding going on when she passed and laid on the horn. She asked if that was something I would be proud of? Huh? I would hope that if my daughter saw what you did to me that she would give you every offensive hand signal known to man. You get the bird because I don’t have a horn, you idiots! If these people don’t understand directional hand signals, I guess I shouldn’t expect anything better.
The exchange was a failure. Mother and daughter both are going to hate cyclists even more now and I fear for when that 12 year old gets her license. Next time, I am going to try the completely calm approach and only quietly state over and over again, “Please don’t threaten me with your car.” If that doesn’t work, the next tactic will be to just shout down the next transgressor (because there is usually one on each ride).
