I-Like-To-Bike

I misunderstood your comment, I thought you were holding her up as an effective example to emulate, my mistake. I agree she is not effective at anything positive related to bicycling advocacy or for her own bicycling safety.

I-Like-To-Bike

Not always wrong, but on this list, quite often subject to doubt and skepticism, especially when guesses (or imagined scenarios or dreams) are expressed as statements of fact and the poster doesn't know or care about the difference.

Roody

Are you calling somebody a liar? If so, just say it in plain English instead of all those fancy weasel words.

I do agree that it's difficult to tell much from the video, but I do believe that the OP was obviously there, and could tell the distance of the car.

I-Like-To-Bike

If you prefer that word as the proper term for someone who routinely posts guesswork and wishful thinking as if it were "The Truth" or as statements of fact, that is your choice.

Perhaps the OP might clarify, and actually state what he estimates that lateral passing distance was in the so-called incident.

Isaiahc72

Watch the video and try to tell me that it was acceptable and/or safe driving. It wasn't. And the crazy thing is, there was absolutely no traffic in the other lane. The driver could've easily changed lanes to pass.

I-Like-To-Bike

It wasn't "acceptable" to you because you said so. What does unacceptable driving in your opinion convert into in lateral distance while being passed? The video does not provide the answer.

Roody

I can't tell from the video. In some jurisdictions, the distance is exact, usually 3 or 4 feet. Other places the law reads something vague like "reasonable safe passing distance". And of course in some jurisdictions there's no mention of passing distance at all.

(I'm sure you already know this, but there may be some other people here who are unaware.)

Roody

It's pretty obvious that this was bad driving and unnecessarily unsafe. But to prove a case in court, you need to provide a good estimate of the actual distance in feet. I don't think the video gives a real definitive idea of the actual distance.

wahoonc

And cyclists blow through red lights...

In many jurisdictions the police have to actually witness the event to even consider pressing charges, plus you have to be able to positively ID the driver. I have reported having things throw at me from passing cars in the past, big whoop, nothing done.

As much as I hate to recommend it you basically have two choices; learn to ride vehicularly aka "take the lane" or find a less traveled route. There are ******** everywhere some drive cars, some ride bikes, some use mass transit and some are pedestrian. Live with it.

Aaron

BillyD

Where's the love?

gregjones

Some even post on internet forums.

DorkDisk

Georgia 94. Riding my bike with friend on highway. Pickup truck passes and shoots a ***. Wave down state trooper. Get scolded for riding bikes. true story

Roody

Shoots a what? A ***?

Roody

omg...why would they censor that word? (Synonym for a firearm) **** like this really makes me wonder why I waste time on this candyass forum! They let these trolls spout all kinds of hateful things, then censor a simple English word...

Chief

In most states, law requires passing vehicles to move into the next lane (not straddle the yellow line). A competent LEO seeing this would have issued a citation for unsafe passing. Does that help make it less "acceptable"?

Machka 

If you ventured out of LCF more, you'd know why.

And "they" don't "let these trolls spout all kinds of hateful things" ... "they" are pretty good about keeping the forums clear of "hateful things".

I-Like-To-Bike

You don't ride a bicycle much do you? The law might prohibit spitting in public too or at least some might find such behavior an unacceptable act but don't hold your breath waithing for enforcement.

Since you are a "Chief" I suppose you will post that in your jurisdiction tickets are issued to motorists who "straddle the yellow line" when passing a bicyclist and I will be willing to bet that it is the only jurisdiction ever so foolish and counterproductive to highway safety.

I-Like-To-Bike

All depends on how someone defines "hateful."

Chief

I ride a bike plenty ... in all sorts of road types and traffic conditions. And when I am "buzzed" like that, the motorist gets reported to 911 (if I can read the plate). I'm not foolish enough to think widespread enforcement is ever going to happen for the benefit of cyclists; we will always have a certain amount of low-level "persecution" from motorists. Doesn't mean it's acceptable or not worthy of enforcement by LEOs.
My only point was that the OP had video of a ticket-able offense by a motorist; in other words, un-acceptable behavior in the eyes of the law (and 9 of the 10 motorists following/witnessing the pass)
Try this out in your mind... replace the cyclist in the video with a slow moving Hell's Angel on a Harley, and then tell me the outcome would be the same... Or imagine a motorcycle LEO witnessing that pass.

And no, I'm not taking the bait about my user name. Sorry.

LGHT

I have a strong dislike for most cops for their opinioned based policing and always trying to avoid the dreaded “paperwork”. I have run into situations like this before and the second they ask you a personal question like “do you own a car” you need to tread carefully. The correct response would have been my transportation means has no bearing on the crime that was committed against me. If he continues to push the personal topic and try and discourage you from filing a report remind him who he “protects and serves” and simply ask for his / her superior politely. I have had to do this a few times in my life to get them to put the donut down and fill out the paperwork.

I-Like-To-Bike

Really?

Mark Stone

Why? You don't know "most cops". Cops are people - some good at their job, some not so good, just like the rest of us human beings. Maybe you don't like one or two of them that you've encountered, but to lump "most" cops together in this type of statement cannot possibly be valid. Unless, of course, you've met and gotten to know "most" cops.

rumrunn6

there are other ways to report something which takes any discretion out of any particular officer's hands.

SevenSpokes

Well, since the officer was unresponsive, you can take this a few different ways.

1. Pick up the phone, call the department, ask to speak to a supervisor/chief officer, and politely explain the situation.

2. Pick up the phone, call the local news station, and politely explain the situation.

Odds are, if either works out, you'll get some kind of response from the department. :-D

I-Like-To-Bike

Ya mean fabricate a better story?