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).
Ok, not on each ride, but on every 5th ride or so.
Been there, done that.
Something that I’ve been finding to work – quiet chat with said motorist when / if you catch them in a non confrontational way.
Maybe wouldn’t work in this case… but here’s how it has worked for me:
Jackass in ginormous truck pulling 10,000 foot long power boat that is wider than the whole lane nearly running me into Mallet’s Bay off a steep cliff – when I spotted the truck backing into the launch on Lake Champlain I rolled in, said ‘Nice boat, pretty cool rig too… and, by the way – did you know that your boat is way wider than your truck? Yeah – you almost ran me into the lake when you went by me. I really like riding my bike – like you like playing in your boat – and I see you are out with the family – I’m heading home to my little one to play. Please be careful dude – there are plenty of other legal users of the road out here – and we all want to get home safe.”
“Whoa dude. So sorry. Didn’t know. Didn’t think about it. I’ll be more careful. Thanks for telling me. Really really sorry man.”
This was happening as his family started circling the wagons on the guy in spandex… but it worked out OK.
Another time a woman U turned in front of us, nearly running us into the ditch. I caught up to her at the City Market. Approached her in the parking lot and said ‘You know, I know its early and you probably didn’t see me (it was daylight, Sunday morning, and she looked right at me) – but you nearly killed me. Please try to be safe out on the roads – there are folks walking, riding – legally using our rights of way – and we need to share and be watchful of each other.
She apologized – and then I had the pleasure of chatting with her cute little boy when we both got in line for coffee. She didn’t know what to do with that. Hopefully it made an impression.
Another thing I’ve done is to leave a ‘Thank You’ note on a windshield when I know where someone lives or parks… simply ride by early in the AM or when someone is working. Leave a flowery thank you note with some words inside about how you appreciate that they are such shining examples of a road user, and remind them that bikes and pedestrians have use of our public rights of ways… you can even tuck in a copy of the local vehicle codes.
It tends to be lose lose. But if approached in a non confrontational way – which is very hard to do when 4000 pounds of steel and glass hurtling towards you – I’ve actually had decent conversations with motorists. And remember that as much as a car or truck isolates a driver from the real world – our cycling getup typically is off putting to folks. We are alien fitness nuts out there taking up valuable road space – we ‘recreating’ – not getting valuable trips in to the big box store… so as much as a cyclist has a right to the road – the dude riding in full kit running red lights hours before you probably has done more to hurt your cause than any inherent bias in the motorist. I love riding in street clothes, sans helmet. Folks don’t know what to do with it – I’m a human, going about my business… just like everyone else.
But yeah, it sucks mostly. Especially in and around C-Town. Never had good riding there – except way out in the hinterlands…
Stay safe though. The woman is right about 1 thing – you don’t stand a chance against her rage and 4000 pounds that can be flicked around with a flick of the wrist and a push of the pedal.
And, whenever asked in a confrontational way about what I do for a living… I always dodge a bit and mumble something about national security, contracting, Pakistan… or the FBI.
Don’t you have guns for situations like this? I think cyclists in the US should be armed. The car has more metal and thus can kill you a lot easier, so you have to level the playing field somehow.
Believe me, I have considered it and jersey’s that say “STAY BACK 500 FEET, RIDER IS ARMED”. As frustrating as this situation was, there have been others where dudes try to fight me after I have to cling to the bed of their pickup trucks to keep from getting sucked under the wheels.
The reality is, that cops and courts side with motorists too, so it really is a no win.
Winter is coming. Will be safe in the garage on the trainer soon.
you need studs. nothing like being out early and having only snow plows pass you…!
at least you know they are coming with the snow glowing orange from their blinky lights…
Mike, I like your tactics. Need to do some serious meditating or yogi breathing in order to not get all fired up when this kind of stuff happens. I didn’t yell at this woman or her daughter, but with a few extra breaths might have handled it better.
What do you think of having bumper “sticker” magnets printed up that say “I endanger the lives of a cyclists!”? Just ride up, slap one on and smile