harleyfrog

So, I'm riding east on W. Railroad St. when a white GMC Jimmy Blazer approaches me in the opposite direction. He starts to drift into my lane until he is completely in my lane and headed straight for me, forcing me off the road. He then immediately shifts back into his lane and speeds off. No chance to get a license plate number or give chase. There was a dark blue Suburban behind he who, I'm sure, saw the whole thing. It was obvious that the driver of the white SUV saw me (I was wearing a Hi-Vis yellow jersey, clear weather, no rain, plenty of light). He intentionally ran me off the road. I know what my next purchase will be: a helmet cam.

Oh, and I will be calling the local PD to report the incident, to at least get it on record.

devildogmech

Definatly let us know what the PD has to say about the matter..... Hopefully more than "No plate.... nothing we can do..."

uke

Get brighter lights. Cars are far less likely to mess with you if your lights make them drive defensively.

fish2find

Hope you and the ride are ok!! Mabee the Suburban was able to get and call in some details for ya, may the Karma gods wee wee on that knuckle head!!

JoeyBike

The good news...probably in your lifetime, that will never happen again. I had a guy, with a woman in the passenger seat, do the exact same thing to a bud and I on a 2-lane highway 25 years ago. Not another car in sight. I should have reported the vehicle description, but I didn't.

Banana Up

Last night me and friend where riding home and a guy hit my buddy! He went on the wrong side of the road then up the sidewalk to the entrance of a MUT. We know what the car is but no plates.

harleyfrog

I talked to the local PD, reported the incident and gave them a description of the SUV. They said if they find it, they'll give "them a good lecture". I guess I should find a arm holster for my cell phone in case this happens again. (Cell phone was buried in my panniers last night.)

Me and bike are okay. I was more PO'd then anything else.

JoeyBike

If it makes you feel any better, a person who would do such a thing already has a very sad life and will probably commit suicide sooner than later.

harleyfrog

Actually, what gives me better hope is that it was some punk kid and his buddy (idiots travel in pairs, don't you know ) and that they had dope or beer or meth (or any or all of the above) in the car at the time and have a prior record (quite likely).

huhenio

It was your chaps that upsetted him/her (joke)

Hopefully the driver eats it against a lonely, lonely, rock somewhere.

harleyfrog

Wrapped around a tree without killing anyone but himself, is a slow, grisly death. (Me? Bitter? Naaaaaah. )

FredOak

Karma...he will get it back 3x worse, and in true Karma fashion it may not be something 3x worse but hit him in 3 ways...physically, emotionally and /or spiritually...just keep telling yourself his payback is going to be a ***** for him!

Glad you and the ride are OK!

DoB

The same exact thing the OP experienced happened to me, except it was winter and the oncoming car's windshield was totally covered in ice. The moron was driving along with zero forward visibility.

chicharron

A long time ago, I was hit by a car full of teenagers. The car pulled up besides me as I was going fast downhill while I was in 10th gear on a 10 speed road bike. While the car pulled up next to me, the passenger opened the door suddenly, and then I only remember flying over the handle bars. I then landed face down in the gravel.

chicharron

No witnesses, no license number, nada........No help from the police.

Nycycle

I had a passenger riding in my company vehicle this week, who thought it bad of me for letting a bicyclist go through the intersection before I made my right turn.

I had a lady in a mini-van block traffic so that I could cross a busy road, I waved her by.( I was on my bike)

Sorry your deal was bad one.

xenologer

I wonder what the driver would have done had you played 'chicken' instead of leaving the road. Think he'd have gone back to his lane? or would he have been willing to get a scrach on his car (and kill you)?

I'd *hope* that it was more of an intimidation thing, than actually wanting you dead... (or more likely wanting a scratch on the paintjob). Which gets me thinking, seeing as how they do value their paint, could ya carry a few rocks to toss at him as he's approaching? So the driver doesn't get away with just a laugh next time?

shubonker

I would have flung my ulock at his window as he drove past.

BBnet3000

you could also get a handlebar pouch for it

Donkey Hodie

Handlebar mounted missile-launchers.

Maybe some kind of discrete camera set-up made specifically for moments like this would be a perfect solution. To be able to get a video or photos of the incident and/or license plate number would be choice.

Cyclaholic

Same here - aimed at the middle of his windshield. It would probably smash the windshield and you'd most likely recover the u-lock in time to smash his head in with it after he pulls over and make the second and final mistake of getting out of his cage.

Don't forget to grab the keys out of his ignition as you leave, for later disposal down a drain somewhere.

xenologer

I like this concept, but does anyone have ideas on how to pull it off?
Most people store their U-Lock stuck in a rear rack or bag.
Mine's mounted on my frame, but even so I don't think I could pull it out in time since I'd have to reach down and unstrap the velcro. Plus I'd be having to do this with my off(left) hand, as the stronger one is busy with steering... I'd also not think too highly of my chances of aiming the throw at speed...

Really, how would you do it?

på beløb

I wear a video camera on my helmet just for this kind of thing. Many cyclists do. Just remember to put the vid up on you-tube so everyone can have a good laugh too.

srmatte

I was run off the road by a school bus last week. Not coming at me though, I was passing just after he picked up kids and as he accelerated he drifted to the right, the pavement disapeared and I had to ride up a dirt embankment and stop. they just never looked in the side view mirror, and they had just past me a quarter mile back with my blinkies flashing and neon reflective vest on.

ItsJustMe

I don't carry a lock, but I've heard that 1" diameter steel balls in a snack pouch up front are a good windshield breaker.
I don't think I've ever had someone intentionally try to run me off the road, but I've had people try to pass oncoming cars with me there. It's happened twice, I go farther into the lane and sit full upright with my bright clothing and both times they've braked and dropped back in behind the car they were trying to pass.