Do you ever confront bad drivers?
#26
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Haha Seriously, I only confronted a driver one time that I can remember, (calmly) and it did go well. But I normally will not. For one, like most have learned, it seldom helps. Two, I seldom get the chance on our roads. (higher speeds and long sections between stops)
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Nothing good ever comes of it. I've done it just once, going down a hill at a fair speed someone drove a car out of their drive, straight onto the road in front of me.
No indication, sign of moving out, or anything like that, just a sudden acceleration down the driveway onto the road.
I grabbed two handfuls of brake, slid a few yards down the road, then allowed the adtenadrento take over. Followed the car to the bottom of the hill and I was so pumped up I kept up until they stopped at a set of lights on the way into town.
I leaned down and hammered on the passenger window, and looked in to see a very frightened elderly lady. She shot off through the red light, and with the adrenaline dissipating I got the bike off the road and stood in a state of shame and shock at the roadside.
Lesson learned - I've not even shouted at anyone since, and I still feel ashamed of frightening a pensioner.
No indication, sign of moving out, or anything like that, just a sudden acceleration down the driveway onto the road.
I grabbed two handfuls of brake, slid a few yards down the road, then allowed the adtenadrento take over. Followed the car to the bottom of the hill and I was so pumped up I kept up until they stopped at a set of lights on the way into town.
I leaned down and hammered on the passenger window, and looked in to see a very frightened elderly lady. She shot off through the red light, and with the adrenaline dissipating I got the bike off the road and stood in a state of shame and shock at the roadside.
Lesson learned - I've not even shouted at anyone since, and I still feel ashamed of frightening a pensioner.
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Often the driver isn't even aware that he/she has made an 'infraction'. Letting them know may perhaps make them think about it the next time they are in a similar situation and do different. You may be helping other cyclists, one motorist at a time.
#29
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Generally my belief is that there is nothing to be gained by trying to educate a driver while on the road. Now if a situation allows me to engage in a conversation with someone, I'll discuss things with them, but most traffic encounters don't afford that opportunity. Someone that endangers me will very likely see me voice my displeasure.
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The only time I try to talk to drivers is for some direct action to protect myself like "stop!" The few times I've gotten into shouting matches I've always been unhappy with myself afterwards for losing my cool. Going after confrontations is usually not a winning strategy.
#31
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I rarely do.It's just not worth it, and besides, they are usually gone so fast it makes no difference.
Some clown the other day veered into the bike lane to avoid slowing down for a speed bump, and in doing so cut it pretty close. I waved my arms in the air and seriously doubt they even saw.
Some clown the other day veered into the bike lane to avoid slowing down for a speed bump, and in doing so cut it pretty close. I waved my arms in the air and seriously doubt they even saw.
#32
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I’ve gotten a reasonable share of “sorry, I didn’t see you, mate” along with the “get off the road.”
Unlike the recent time when a guy went the wrong way around a little circle to get ahead of me, failed, nearly hit me, and I hawked up a loogie on his window, I try to maintain a civil, if aggrieved, tone and make a cogent case, like the pillar of the community I am.
Unlike the recent time when a guy went the wrong way around a little circle to get ahead of me, failed, nearly hit me, and I hawked up a loogie on his window, I try to maintain a civil, if aggrieved, tone and make a cogent case, like the pillar of the community I am.
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#37
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There was this one time when I was stopped at a red light and a guy driving an SUV two cars back was yelling something at me. I only caught a few of his choiced words as at the time I was talking to a lady who drove up next to me and decide was going to try to share the lane with despite the fact that I had stopped in the middle of the lane.
The guy in the SUV flashed me the finger as he drove by me after the intersection. I have no idea what I'd done to deserve this, probably just for existing.
I caught up to the dude at the next light. He was two lanes over on the left turn lane. I called out loudly and asked him why he was yelling obscenities at me. He did looked at me through his window but did not say anything. I guess he wasn't expecting a confrontation. Then I just laid into him with a few of my own choiced words. My camera was recording this whole time.
If you're interested.
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting...hostility.html
The guy in the SUV flashed me the finger as he drove by me after the intersection. I have no idea what I'd done to deserve this, probably just for existing.
I caught up to the dude at the next light. He was two lanes over on the left turn lane. I called out loudly and asked him why he was yelling obscenities at me. He did looked at me through his window but did not say anything. I guess he wasn't expecting a confrontation. Then I just laid into him with a few of my own choiced words. My camera was recording this whole time.
If you're interested.
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting...hostility.html
#38
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I haven't had the opportunity yet, but whether I confront a motorist depends on the situation. I'm not a hothead, so I *think* I could speak to them in a reasonable manner and try to explain that cyclists need space, but likely a lot of motorists would see any attempt at communicating with them as hostility.
#39
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The passivity of so many of you is absurd. What's the point of demanding our equality on the road if you're going to wuss out when drivers blatantly endanger your life? I've called enough drivers on their idiocy to know that most of them won't touch me. And should the time comes that one of them does, then so be it. I wasn't born with the fear factor and I won't die having people say I didn't walk the talk.
#40
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The passivity of so many of you is absurd. What's the point of demanding our equality on the road if you're going to wuss out when drivers blatantly endanger your life? I've called enough drivers on their idiocy to know that most of them won't touch me. And should the time comes that one of them does, then so be it. I wasn't born with the fear factor and I won't die having people say I didn't walk the talk.
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Thanks, travelinhobo. One of the most embarrassing, yet admirable, qualities of my late father was that he never let an injustice to him or anyone else go unchallenged. He was not an imposing man, but his wrath was terrible to behold. I learned to ride in traffic by following him around the streets of Manhattan in the 1960s, where he gave the occasional driver and earful, but never ran a red. I have inherited his hotheadedness, but maybe not all of his sense of justice. I miss the guy.
#42
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Yes, I do sometimes. I've learned that people don't like to be told they've done something wrong. So to convey my point, I try to remove anger from my voice. I phrase my criticism as a request. For example, I might say, "Could you please wait behind me before making your turn rather than cutting me off?" It's only possible to do this kind of thing when we are both stopped, so if the driver is moving, I don't bother trying.
Then again, I did yell at a taxi driver recently, because the problem was urgent. He was passing me closely and getting closer. He was right beside me with his window open, so I yelled, "Not so close, please, not so close!" and he did veer away. Again, this was phrased as a request.
Then again, I did yell at a taxi driver recently, because the problem was urgent. He was passing me closely and getting closer. He was right beside me with his window open, so I yelled, "Not so close, please, not so close!" and he did veer away. Again, this was phrased as a request.
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#43
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Well, all those one data point drivers have really bad aim when it come to me. My only real injury was from runners in an un-permitted race on a bike path.
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#45
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How is seeing a car or truck in a car port days or months after they endangered me stalking?
You must think following the vehicle to the next red light is super stalking.
Seems the people that get the most upset with seeing a vehicle in a carport are the ones that have the most they want to hide themselves.
How dumb is it to harass someone when you are within a couple miles of your own home or work. The odds of crossing paths again are pretty high.
And the fact they stop all harassing is an indication they learned to behave.
You seem to be the type that would consider calling the cops on a hit&run, "snitching".
You must think following the vehicle to the next red light is super stalking.
Seems the people that get the most upset with seeing a vehicle in a carport are the ones that have the most they want to hide themselves.
How dumb is it to harass someone when you are within a couple miles of your own home or work. The odds of crossing paths again are pretty high.
And the fact they stop all harassing is an indication they learned to behave.
You seem to be the type that would consider calling the cops on a hit&run, "snitching".
#47
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First you said you found the offending drivers at their homes in an effort to make them aware that you know where they live. That is, by definition, stalking. Then you changed it to just seeing the car at a car port...which is it? And on what do you base your conjecture of my presumed attitude toward authorities? I would most certainly contact my local pd if I noticed you creeping around my house after an encounter on the road. Don't be an *******.
Your neighbors must really think you are creepy and an *******, by your definition, when you repeatedly ride by their homes. Especially with your face covered in your creepy mask.
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#48
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Not worth risking your life a second time right after you just survived the first threat.
If you are taunted by provocation, just respond by telling them to call the cops.
If you are taunted by provocation, just respond by telling them to call the cops.
#49
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Try reading with a little more comprehension, My first post said:
Did you really think I spotted the vehicle within moments of their harassment. You should also read your actual stalking laws, because your claims demonstrates your lack of knowledge. In all states I am familiar with, simply riding or driving down a public road without yelling or signalling threats, or endangering is not stalking.
Your neighbors must really think you are creepy and an *******, by your definition, when you repeatedly ride by their homes. Especially with your face covered in your creepy mask.
Did you really think I spotted the vehicle within moments of their harassment. You should also read your actual stalking laws, because your claims demonstrates your lack of knowledge. In all states I am familiar with, simply riding or driving down a public road without yelling or signalling threats, or endangering is not stalking.
Your neighbors must really think you are creepy and an *******, by your definition, when you repeatedly ride by their homes. Especially with your face covered in your creepy mask.
HRS § 711-1106.5 Harassment by stalking. (2009)
(1) A person commits the offense of harassment by stalking if, with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person, or in reckless disregard of the risk thereof, that person engages in a course of conduct involving pursuit, surveillance, or non-consensual contact upon the other person on more than one occasion without legitimate purpose.
Can you connect the dots? You're the one who does this; not sure how you are conflating your posts with mine. I'm sure you're generally a good person as most are, but even good people do dumb things. Do yourself a favor and just let the small stuff go.
Last edited by jack k; 05-27-18 at 08:22 PM.
#50
Cycle Year Round
I never said I did any of that bud, that was you (second time I've quoted this):
Since you mentioned reading up on the law (this is for HI):
HRS § 711-1106.5 Harassment by stalking. (2009)
(1) A person commits the offense of harassment by stalking if, with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person, or in reckless disregard of the risk thereof, that person engages in a course of conduct involving pursuit, surveillance, or non-consensual contact upon the other person on more than one occasion without legitimate purpose.
Can you connect the dots? You're the one who does this; not sure how you are conflating your posts with mine. I'm sure you're generally a good person as most are, but even good people do dumb things. Do yourself a favor and just let the small stuff go.
Since you mentioned reading up on the law (this is for HI):
HRS § 711-1106.5 Harassment by stalking. (2009)
(1) A person commits the offense of harassment by stalking if, with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person, or in reckless disregard of the risk thereof, that person engages in a course of conduct involving pursuit, surveillance, or non-consensual contact upon the other person on more than one occasion without legitimate purpose.
Can you connect the dots? You're the one who does this; not sure how you are conflating your posts with mine. I'm sure you're generally a good person as most are, but even good people do dumb things. Do yourself a favor and just let the small stuff go.
So sad for you with being triggered.
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