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Re: Why can’t motorists wait two seconds?

IknowUrider — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:17:46 -0000

oh totally agreed! I forgot to mention that.

We could probably start a whole 'nuther thread on this one. I always glance over my right shoulder in that blind spot when turning left on a (American) two lane road.

I like to wear sunglasses now, especially mirrored ones, because I think motorists sometimes judge you on your facial expressions and eye patterns. For ex., if you appear scared, (even though you're not) they might use that to their advantage to intimidate you.

I think also men might interpret a look in the eyes as a gay cruising-thing, and then get all agressive, so you gotta be careful with that. You never know what th hell women are thinking, LOL.

If you're wearing mirrored shades, it's more like you are looking at the whole vehicle, (to them.) It's less personal.

Again, no intention of telling anyone what to do. just sharing ideas.

I'd be amazed if Carlton was like "wow great idea! I'll run out and buy a mirror! ".

But I swear you will get addicted to a mirror. Try it for 90 days, return it if not satisfied.

I find my helmet mirror a lot less tiring. It also helps greatly in winter when you can't hear as well with earmuffs on. (It's been in the teens lately)

Here's another one that's helped me stay away from assholism at the lights. This is my own thing:

When you are the first one at a light, hang back near the curb about 20 feet. If there's an accident in the intersection, you will have a "buffer zone" in case a car ricochets into you.

Wave the cars up to the red light, so they will trip the light sensor, and also so they can make a right turn (USA) or left turn (UK) at the red light without you being so obnoxiously in the way. The less of your spandex covered ass they have to inspect, the better.

You will now not be accused of being a "lane hog". The guy behind you will also probably chill out a bit, as he's just witnessed you being accomodating to someone else. He probably won't tailgate you now going across.

Having one car in front of you also helps in case someone runs a red light. They run "interference". You get a great head- rush toking on their exhaust fumes also.

Most importantly, if you position yourself at the left (UK) or right (USA) rear edge of the car opposite the driver's side, the driver has a hard time harassing you verbally, as he now has to roll down the rear window, and twist back over the front seat. This is why the cops always approach cars in the US from the right side passenger window.

It's hard for the driver to take a shot at them in this position, and they can duck out of the way. Most people are right handed, so if a weapon is produced it's gonna come over the right side of the seat. (USA) .

Conversely, the driver cannot exactly see what you are doing. As a bike rider, You could be armed, for all he knows. Again, for him to harass you verbally takes a lot of effort, chances are he now won't bother. This will tend to happen more if there are two guys in the car, of course, so plan ahead with the helmet mirror if you see two raucous guys coming up from behind.

One good way to avoid idiots who start to harass you while you are stopped is to back up to the blind spot. Try this sometime without saying a word. Or dismount, pick up, and walk back, and re-mount.

A lot of times they get all paranoid and shut right up. They dont expect a cyclist to disappear behind them. Other motorists behind this vehicle have now also witnessed your attempt to avoid harassement and may stick up for you now.

I've also faked some body language like I just dropped something in the road, and go back. This has worked well, as your attention is now not on them, and you have not taken the bait.

Re: Why can’t motorists wait two seconds?

IknowUrider — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:13:14 -0000

Hey Carlton,
We all have those days. again, no intention of being critical or anything. It is frustrating,
as all this behavior is why we are fighting in Iraq. It's really about greed, maybe some jealousy thrown in.

The Italian guy who is shouting insults at you is obviously just an internet troll. Many times those are the same people who engage in road rage, as they don't get enough exercise, they're too busy spamming and harassing people on the internet.

My helmet mirror is self designed, allows me to see the entire lane, but a store bought one would work just fine. Consider that you also appear more confident to the motorist if you are not swiveling your head back at them . For a bar mount, I like a good sturdy metal mount, like from a moped. The bar-end ones made of plastic will break.

Consider that a mirror may have given you that extra second or two to judge the threat of that speeding car as it bore down on you. In that situation, you need all the advance timing you can get.

Let's see, conversely, while I've had my wave-backs and such from motorists, this week I had:

-a cyclist going the wrong way, we almost collided, when I protested, he said "Oh get over it".

- a soccer-mom who insisted on passing me over the double yellow line, crossing into oncoming traffic with two kids in the van.

- a guy in a mercedes passing me within inches even though he has plenty of room.

And don't get me wrong, I still get rip-shit pissed at times. I have a right to when my life is threatened. This city is really tough to ride in, but they are building bike lanes and giving more support to the cyclists, and that feels good.

I hope your case works out. The fact that the guy grabbed your bike out of your hands
says it all. Cool that you take your daughter with you, many kids don't get that these days.

Re: Why can’t motorists wait two seconds?

IknowUrider — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:37:30 -0000

Here's my take on this, it's a bit different, some may challenge it, but lately my angle on riding here has gotten more toward "defensive cycling". West Hartford CT has tons of road rage SUV's,. take what you need leave the rest, just sharing...I'm glad you are ok, bottom line.

Like you, I have all kinds of flashers, etc, and they definitely help a lot. I ride with a police whistle in my mouth at almost all times, except when on quiet stretches. I find a whistle is far more effective (esp with pedestrians) and doesn't piss people off like a horn does. I also think people are less likely to hassle you if they see it in your mouth, as you can blow it and attract 25 witnesses.

A bell is useless, IMO. I also have a white strobe on my helmet, works great. Oh yes, I have mace.

However, I have come to the conclusion that no amount of flasher, bell, etc is going to protect you against road rage. When I am on a narrow road with a racing pack of cars approaching and no shoulder, many times I will hop onto the curb and just sit it out for a second and take a drink until they all pass, then continue.

They are in a pack because the light just let out ! Now they're all racing while talking on the phone.

When the light turns red again, then the road quiets down again. So I do another stretch, usually riding as fast as I can, keeping constant eye in the mirror.

I do the same on curves and hillcrests. I have noticed that this has helped my sanity considerably. Many times I will stop and wave them on. This is an adaptation from the writings of Ken Kifer; http://www.kenkifer.com/bik...

...and it works. Ken's site is great. He was killed by a drunk driver in 2003, though.

I cannot trust my safety equipment to keep me alive, and I can't trust the motorist to react to it in a positive way every time. Some may get irritated by the flasher, for example. You cannot control the emotions of the motorists, but you can control your bike!

One thing I do use, though, is a rear view helmet mirror. If I hear a motor approaching at high revs behind me, I might consider bunny- hopping onto the curb or stopping and watching. Once you get a helmet- mirror (or bar mirror) you will never go back. Not sure if you have one.

I have noticed that many motorists appreciate the fact that I have this, because they are always worried that I don't know they're behind me. Wear your helmet into the store with a mirror and see how many comments/inquiries you get.

I think one mistake you made was the "wobble". It most likely further infuriated him, as his wife screamed at him on his cell: "where are you? You're late!!! What kind of father are you???!!!"

Now he's thinking, "what the hell is wrong with this bike rider, is he drunk?"

Pointing to your flasher was mistake number two. It fueled the fire even more.

Someone said to me recently "oh they might see you just fine, they just don't give a damn."

With the mirror, I can now guage what's going on behind as I approach a right turn. I always check before turning, or especially when continuing straight, and the motorist is turning right. This way, I have avoided many "right cross" scenarios, where they cut you off.

If it looks like the guy is going to turn (without signaling, of course) and cut me off, and they do this almost every day in this town, no one uses turn signals, I will STOP abruptly BEFORE the turn at the corner, or better yet, 10 feet before. Then he can zoom past. One thing you can do that they cannot is stop on a dime. You have a lot less weight, therefore momentum. Many times you can use this to your advantage. I am also convinced some motorists cut you off like this on purpose.

Now you have completely avoided the entire situation, and allowed yourself to assess a hazard with a clear mind.

I am not advocating being a submissive door-mat. Consider that you can still get his license number , make model etc. and file a police report if you feel he forced you off the road. As the other poster mentioned, the cops might not do anything, but they may pay him a visit at his home while they're eating dinner.

Now he really looks like a jerk with his wife.

Another thing I do now, just as a mental exercise, is memorize plate numbers, makes, models, and faces while I'm at stop lights, etc. I also wave more in thanks, and have noticed people wave first when they see me now, so I know they're cool. I record the ones who frown at my waves in the other file for the next round. many times they hae custom plates, Like AHOLE 007.

Having memorized the vehicle info without an incident (or written it down) might come in handy if you run into the guy at the supermarket. But it's your choice in that scenario, as now he will claim you are harassing him and he will deny everything.

In all, bing a bike commuter with flashers gets you notoriety around town, so it pays to get to know the drivers in your area.

Ironically the most dangerous stretch of road here is right in front of the police stattion!!!

It's very narrow, and cars race to get to the mall, having come off the highway. After getting tired of "asserting my rights" by "taking the lane" and getting harassed by idiots who insist on racing to the light at 55 MPH, I decided to take this stretch in "pulses".

In other words, again, use the pull-over method I mentioned. In this stretch, I may have to do this three times to go 300 yards.

Trucks really appreciate it when you do this for them when climbing a steep hill. It's a hassle for them to downshift and then upshift on a hill, especially with a heavy load. So be nice to them.

This does not mean I stop and cower every time a car approaches from behind. But in certain situations, weather conditions, and on certain roads it really helps.

As someone once wrote:
"there are times when being right can be fatal".