The Chainlink

How would you have handled this situation?

Hi everyone,

This is my first time adding a discussion on Chain Link forum. I read Chain Link everyday. I would love to read how you would have handled this situation. I should have been patient and realized the driver was clueless.

I started cycling to work a few months ago. I have noticed more people clueless of their surrounding as the cold kicked in. I primarily been using Lincoln, Wells, and Dearborn and noticed people double parking, drifting (due to texting) and just standing in the middle of the bike lane which is causing dangers to cyclists. I really hope this gets better.

Also is there a Strava group for chainlink members?

Here is my Strava profile
http://www.strava.com/athletes/2548995

http://youtu.be/EDng5AD0K6E

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Permalink Reply by Jose Fonseca on December 4, 2013 at 8:45pm

Yeah or trying to find parking.

notoriousDUG said:

I would have done about what you did, maybe yelled a 'hey!' at them the times they wandered at me in the bike line and when they turned left.  Really on one like that there is no point in getting really mad or confrontational; that was, in my opinion, a text book example of distracted/lost/out of their element driving.  My money is that they were lost and trying to figure out where to go.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on December 4, 2013 at 9:58pm

Serious distraction for something; probably parking like Jose said.  I wouldn't be surprised if his mirrors weren't in line if he couldn't notice your light.  Count your blessings and stay away from erratic people.  Causing a scene with anyone douchy enough to be driving that thing in town will get you nowhere.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on December 4, 2013 at 10:23pm

It doesn't look like you ever checked over your left shoulder to see if it was clear to pass. I think I would have got into position to pass the car on the left while still at least 4 car lengths back. If I see brake lights and a car drifting into the bike lane I interpret that as the driver scanning for a parking spot. I always try to pass on the left on those situation because in 3 out of the 3 times I've been in collisions with cars they've been right hooks or "excited" parking maneuvers.

Permalink Reply by Jose Fonseca on December 4, 2013 at 10:49pm

Tricolor: I thought for sure she would have seen my light (niterider lumina 650) but I guess she was focus on something else.

Kelvin Mulcky: I did take a quick look back (Video seems like I did not) and it was dead for a block or 2. Your technique sounds pretty solid as well. I will keep that in mind and give more space while I pass the car up.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

It doesn't look like you ever checked over your left shoulder to see if it was clear to pass. I think I would have got into position to pass the car on the left while still at least 4 car lengths back. If I see brake lights and a car drifting into the bike lane I interpret that as the driver scanning for a parking spot. I always try to pass on the left on those situation because in 3 out of the 3 times I've been in collisions with cars they've been right hooks or "excited" parking maneuvers.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on December 4, 2013 at 11:00pm

I'm not suggesting it's the whole story here, but I don't like front lights specifically because I find that they cause drivers in front of me to be more likely to behave unpredictably.  What's your feeling on whether this driver was deliberately messing with you?

Jose Fonseca said:

Tricolor: I thought for sure she would have seen my light (niterider lumina 650) but I guess she was focus on something else.

Permalink Reply by Mark on December 4, 2013 at 11:03pm

It appeared to me that the driver was trying to block you.  Typical asshat Chicago driver move. 

I like the airhorn idea.  I should get one of those. 

Permalink Reply by Jose Fonseca on December 4, 2013 at 11:36pm

h' 1.0: I have read on here people not using lights but I drive as well on weekends. I notice when I look through my side mirror some bikers have no lights and dark clothes. Which makes it hard for me to see them when in my blind spot. I struggle with the same question (lights or no lights). I will admit I feel safer with lights riding in the burbs many streets are dark.

Jeff Schneider: The driver might have been from out of town due to her license plate. Unless it is a rental.

Jeff Schneider said:

This is typical for Wells.  Drivers are always parking, loading/unloading, making U-turns, etc. in and across the bike lanes.  Through most of Old Town, I don't even try to use the bike lane, I just take the lane.  It's safer.

I don't think the driver was messing with you.  This area has a lot of suburban/tourist/drunk drivers, all desperately seeking parking spots or valets.  They are just not too competent driving in the city.

All you can do is assume that every driver is incompetent, keep your distance, slow down, and take the lane as necessary.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on December 4, 2013 at 11:41pm

Well, the point is exactly to ride as if the drivers in front of you can't see you.  I am deathly concerned about being visible to the drivers behind me; I would never ride at night without rear flashing lights, and I hope the cars behind me can see me because of them, but I would never ride in such a way that depended on a driver seeing me.

(Disclaimer-- I do have a front light and I am not suggesting anyone forego a front light.)

Jose Fonseca said:

h' 1.0: I have read on here people not using lights but I drive as well on weekends. I notice when I look through my side mirror some bikers have no lights and dark clothes. Which makes it hard for me to see them when in my blind spot.

Permalink Reply by Norman 5 on December 5, 2013 at 12:18am

I get this a lot riding thru Chinatown along Archer especially on the weekend. One thing i worry about when I pass them on the left is that a lot of time these are the same ppl that might speed up and make an u-turn because they see a parking space on the other side of the street.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

It doesn't look like you ever checked over your left shoulder to see if it was clear to pass. I think I would have got into position to pass the car on the left while still at least 4 car lengths back. If I see brake lights and a car drifting into the bike lane I interpret that as the driver scanning for a parking spot. I always try to pass on the left on those situation because in 3 out of the 3 times I've been in collisions with cars they've been right hooks or "excited" parking maneuvers.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on December 5, 2013 at 12:38am

I've got nothing new to add beyond the fact that this thread has been unusually productive and rational; I feel like we should all congratulate ourselves on that and maybe get busy calling somebody Hitler so people know where they are.

Permalink Reply by Reboot Oxnard on December 5, 2013 at 4:52am

Safety first, destination second. This driver is someone who is asking for a kick to the door (or worse) but I don't want to ever be close enough to someone this unpredictable to deliver that kick. There's no telling if the driver was impaired or just NCM but it also doesn't really matter - I'm going to react defensively and avoid him. Pace be damned, I'm too pretty to leave this world looking like a bug splat on the hood of some car.

You'd think they would notice the flashing light but all too often they don't so a loud horn should be standard equipment for anyone riding the streets. Especially at your pace.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on December 5, 2013 at 7:39am

This happened to my girlfriend on California and resulted in an accident. Car appeared to be turning right and then abruptly swung left to make a U-turn while she was trying to pass. Scary.

Norman 5 said:

I get this a lot riding thru Chinatown along Archer especially on the weekend. One thing i worry about when I pass them on the left is that a lot of time these are the same ppl that might speed up and make an u-turn because they see a parking space on the other side of the street.

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