veganbikes

Yeah I always just used it in the derogatory sense until I started studying more IWW history and learned more about the term.

If you want to go the jersey route I would go with a Cookie Monster or Elmo jersey: https://brainstormgear.com/collectio.../Sesame-Street or something in that vein, have fun with it.

BNB

I do understand this - about being seen (honking) vs not seen (texting) etc. It's just far more unnerving when these things happen and I'm alone.

BNB

I also wanted to say I think it's assumed I'm a guy and I sorta think rednec**, I mean ignorant white men, tolerate men wearing tights much less than girls (women) wearing tights - that's why I thought the "Mom" idea might be better for me. I also thought about putting a fake pony tail with a pink ribbon on the back of my helmet.

Daniel4

Although it's not wise to talk back to a cop, even if you're the one filing the complaint, I would have thought that I'd expect people with valid drivers licences to still obey the Highway Traffic Act.

And furthermore about wearing the flag, if you're in redneck territory wear the Confederate flag.

downtube42

I've had the fortune to ride thousands of miles in Indiana/Ohio/Kentucky/Tennessee, in the Carolinas, in Florida, in west Texas, in the PNW, and a smattering of miles in other states. The friendliest drivers by a wide margin, in terms of giving space, waiting patiently, and apparent general concern for my safety have been in Tennessee. On an incredibly hot day in arid west Texas, the lone car we saw for hours passed us, and came back an hour later having gone to the nearest town, fetched water and gatorade, and brought it back to us out of the kindness of their hearts. Granted that's one data point, but it certainly made an impression. Rural Texas drivers generally drive fast and give room. The most hostility I've faced on the road was in my home state of Indiana.

Perhaps topping Tennessee was Soweto, South Africa, where this middle aged white guy on a bike was treated with more genuine kindness than just about anywhere I've been in the world. Knowing this history of that space, it is rather remarkable to contrast that treatment against what I encounter in my home state by people who look much like me. But I guess that's another storyline.

Kabuki12

It is my theory that crowding tends to bring out the worst in some folks. Southern California definitely has its share of crowding and now that things are opening up in Ventura County I suspect it will be back to more of the poor behavior. I have almost always ridden solo and for all the miles I ride, I have to say , very little trouble. I have mostly ridden vehicular style and occasionally get the look from motorists when I am using the turning blocks to make left or right turns ( mostly left). I use a flashing light helmet(Lumos) and sometimes ,while waiting for a light , someone will roll down their window and tell me they like the helmet. We need to be seen to be safe , as far as the jerks there will always be those that want to make a statement at the cost of someone else’s safety. Joe. joesvintageroadbikes.wordpress

Phil_gretz

With a post like this, it's likely that you're emotionally underdeveloped with a smidge of a wild imagination. Take the time to grow up.

And, nobody really cares about you riding your bike. You should at least be thankful if they notice you.

Paul Barnard

Me too. I have had no issues of any sort even though I am riding on the roads more.

OldTryGuy

MANY MORE older riders out on the roads, especially couples, compared to before C-19 so it seems that drivers are now more aware of cyclists presence and as a result many more are moving over

livedarklions

Wow, that's really uncalled for. You should apologize.

I ride solo all over the southern half of NH, and there are definitely places where harassment is a lot more likely than your neck of the woods in the urbane part of VA. Guess you missed the part of the thread where she said someone pulled a gun on her. Is she supposed to be thankful for that?

livedarklions

Are you riding in NH? I ride solo all over the bottom half of the state, and there are definitely places where I think solo riding is better for this than others. PM me if you want to compare notes on locations.

FlMTNdude

That is like the "Baby on Board" signs. Is someone suddenly going to start paying attention because of some sign that may or may not appeal to them? And I can certainly cite a number of instances where riding in groups (clubs in dedicated lanes, not some of these kids out weaving in the street) has not ended too well, either. As a non-xtian independent voter in a red state with a church on every corner and in between, if I were not a decent person you just gave me a number of reasons to run you over. I always like neutral stuff when I am out there riding, it keeps us all friendly.

Flip Flop Rider

definitely something that says they are being videoed. "Smile your on camera!". Make people either aware they are being watched or think they are being watched

GlennR

I ride on Long Island so every road has cars and none ever drive the speed limit or lower.

No one is going to read anything on your jersey. But the time they're close enough to read it, they'll be past you.

Make yourself visible with bright colors and flashing tail light.

Jim from Boston

Riding Solo Safety”Frankly my dear, I don’t think they will give a damn.” IMO, as a belligerent driver sees a slow poke cyclist ahead, their irritation will fester as they get closer, well before they could read your message, which would probably not appeal to their own sense of self-worth anyways...it happens fast...

Cyclist Rear Ended at 55mph

Quote:

Originally Posted by veganbikes

People are generally arseholes and there is no redemption. We have been seeing tons of nasty people these days at the shop, nobody seems to understand their is a global crisis going on and a little respect and decency is what we need right now.

They are pissed off at anyone and will take it out on someone as soon as they are out. It is rather a sad affair.

Ride safe and know this isn't a time for silly slogans and name calling. Even if trashy generally light skinned middle class southern people have taken the term. ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oneder

Get a metal pole that sicks out 3 feet from the frame to the left.

The use of some sort of projection from the bike has been suggested previously. While a rigid metal pole might function to knock you off the road, the pros and cons have been discussed (link) to use a flexible pool noodle.

"All hail the [pool] noodle"


˅˅˅˅

Jim from Boston

˄˄˄˄

Actually, IMO in these discussions about rearward traffic, I consider my main defense the use of a rearview mirror. Recently I participated (link) in a thread, to answer this complaint:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel4

It's not a matter of how much more carefully you are riding. It's a matter of bad drivers being just as careless as before. Some drivers are even driving worse since there are so much fewer cars and people on the road.

Will there be another white bike memorial soon?

Besides avoiding the careless driver, I think wearing a rearview mirror would be unexpected to the antagonistic one, and if your spidey sense recognizes danger, you could pull off and thwart (his) intentions.

Paul Barnard

An aside here. I find a certain irony in seeing the "Baby on Board" sign only to see the driver with their face buried in their phone and drifting all over the place.

GlennR

Maybe riding facing traffic so you can see them coming

2old

Ride off road. They (mostly trophy wives in SUV's) chased me off the streets too.

mstateglfr 

thats insane and should have been addressed with the department.

burnthesheep

I've had more trouble with ****** entry level BMW drivers than trucks personally. I bought a Garmin Varia.

I will say, the faster you ride the nicer folks seem to be. I average around 20 including all the hills on my routes, meaning I cruise flats around 22 to 23mph. Folks seem to have less issue with that than when they encounter somebody going like 12mph.

Not sure why. So maybe, train up!

livedarklions

I'm pretty sure I ride in some of the same places as OP. She's describing something quite different than you are--these are drivers who actually are going out of their way to harass you. I agree they probably won't read the jersey and that this is unlikely to help, but I've experienced a lot of this in this area and it's definitely not a matter of not being visible.

livedarklions

The county sheriff is the department in these parts.

Phil_gretz

I get where you're coming from, and normally, I'd agree completely.

But no, I never saw any mention of a gun. At this point, I can find no references by the OP to any gun.

In fact, I'll double down. I call BS on the entire string of posts by the OP. Some narrative meant to spark discussion. My question for the OP is whether she ever filed a police report if a gun were brandished.

BNSF

Fortunately, the "Baby on Board" fad of the 80s and the proliferation of phones and texting we see nowadays didn't have much overlap. But there are still some stragglers.

I recently saw a whole display rack in a store; they had everything: Baby on Board, Puppy on Board, Mother-in-Law in Trunk, Open Liquor on Board, etc.... It was a flashback to 1986!