Think of this as a Missed Connection.

You blew the red light east bound on Lawrence at Damen at 5:26 pm this evening.

 

There was enough time for the biker in front of me to make it half way into the intersection, northbound on Damen, before you came whizzing past my front wheel.

 

I yelled "You're an idiot!" at your big haired chick, self, and you looked back at me. I meant it!

 

I woulda testified for any of the cars, that managed to not kill you, if they had.

 

Keep riding like a tard!

love,

gabe

 

Witness bad behavior during your commute? Feel free to post. Maybe that lovely human can read it and think they are famous. Maybe you can also inspire the whole generation of kids to shower but we can start with small things.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michelle Milham on April 25, 2014 at 5:08am

I had a weird one this morning: I was at a stop sign on Superior ( I think superior and state but there are so many they all blur) heading East, and there were cars in front of me and 1 car going south. 

1 car in front of me went. 

Dude going south just sat. 

Another car in front of me went

Dude going south just sat. 

I went with the next car. 

Dude LAYS on his horn and BLASTS through the intersection, as if no one tried to let him go and he wasn't just sitting there. 

He scared the crap out of me, although I guess technically he didn't really come that close to hitting me. 

But I was SO confused. 

Permalink Reply by dan brown on April 25, 2014 at 5:18am

interesting reply vilda. I have mixed feelings about this. IMO contact should never be made with a car; i believe it only fuels the hate that many cagers harbour; however - I think having a mirror "removed" may serve as a warning for the future to "use it or lose it". I heard that once on a saturday night ride (marauders maybe?) that a cab lost all the air from four tires. Man I would buy that dude a beer if I ever learn who it was (that takes a lot more guts than I could ever muster up).

And Yes....bikes are (for sure) very very "maneuverable" in this city  <g>


Vilda said:

Having seen a cab get his mirror knocked off by a cyclist. And then watching the cyclist get away while I laughed at the really angry cabbie (I also saw the cabbie swerve into the biker without looking). I think you underestimate the maneuverability of a bicycle on a city street

Like I said, if the driver wasn't using the mirror anyway...

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on April 25, 2014 at 5:59am

The cost equivalent for a bike would be to have the frame bent; how justified would that be when a bike does something stupid or dangerous?

dan brown said:

 I think having a mirror "removed" may serve as a warning for the future to "use it or lose it".

Permalink Reply by EssFresh on April 25, 2014 at 6:20am

Out of curioustiy, what percentage of morotist on bike love is malicious or premeditated? I recall back to my car owning days when I nearly merged into a cyclist, not paying attention. I threw my blinkers on, got out an apologized directly to the individual. I was in an accident two summers ago where I was the one merged into, thankfully I only had a taco shaped wheel and a dislocated finger. Sadly, the individual who hit me did not stop (regardless of other motorists honking and screaming). What good would it have done for me to attack his property? When another motorists hits another motorists do they start beating each other's cars up? It does nothing but create a large divide and makes you a slave to your shitty instant gratification impulses. 

 

 

Permalink Reply by yai danche on April 25, 2014 at 6:39am

Those are good points, EssFresh.  I might thump on a car to get the driver's attention, but I wouldn't damage their car.  Sucks that the person who ran into you never stopped.  The person who pushed me into a traffic cone got an earful from the parking garage attendant (she was turning into a garage).  I waved to him to let him know I was okay and went about my business.

 

Edit: This was not a missed connection.  Those two people definitely made a connection.  Sorry, I just had to!

Permalink Reply by Tim S on April 25, 2014 at 6:45am
Thump on a trunk, knock on a window sure. Intentionally damaging a car.... total dick move. It taught the woman nothing other than every negative stereotype she had about cyclists is right.
Permalink Reply by Vilda on April 25, 2014 at 7:09am

*as the song "You can go your own way" plays*

Discussions are fun...Though i've never seen one be productive on here (or on any board).

Not sure who is arguing with whom since i didn't and haven't done it but it's fun reading. But for the record I'm ok if someone almost kills you, feel free to take the mirror off.

Permalink Reply by dan brown on April 25, 2014 at 7:13am

i agree with this (I don't even knock on widnows. I don't want to scare anyone. the closest I have probably come was to aim my headlight at a cab drivers face after he cut me off and pulled over directly in front of me (without signaling) to pick up a fare. that scared him enough.   I don't even think yelling can accomplish anything positive. I'm sure whoever did this regrets it. Speaking of positive ; when I hand signal (to cars behind me)  to move to a left turn lane or leave the bike lane briefly to avoid an open door, double parked car, pothole, etc. I always wave after taking the lane. I can honestly say that in 100% of these cases the cars that (eventually) go past me after I re-enter the bike lane are (probably?) more courteous and gracious (giving me a wider berth (often it involves them crossing the center line of no oncoming traffic) because I initiated with a friendly gesture. So it stands to reason then that 'negative actions beget negative reactions' just like the opposite 'positive' encounters.

happy friday eveyone...

DB

EssFresh said:

Out of curioustiy, what percentage of morotist on bike love is malicious or premeditated? I recall back to my car owning days when I nearly merged into a cyclist, not paying attention. I threw my blinkers on, got out an apologized directly to the individual. I was in an accident two summers ago where I was the one merged into, thankfully I only had a taco shaped wheel and a dislocated finger. Sadly, the individual who hit me did not stop (regardless of other motorists honking and screaming). What good would it have done for me to attack his property? When another motorists hits another motorists do they start beating each other's cars up? It does nothing but create a large divide and makes you a slave to your shitty instant gratification impulses. 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) on April 25, 2014 at 7:25am

I always do this now and agree that drivers, once getting the 'wave' are way nicer and I've even gotten waves back from drivers. Although, I have to admit that I've thought many, many times of taking side mirror souvenirs. My walls at home would be full of trophies from all the people who come into bike lanes (swerving, cabs, making a right without checking the bike lane, etc.).

I'm trying really hard to be nicer out there.

dan brown said:

Speaking of positive ; when I hand signal (to cars behind me)  to move to a left turn lane or leave the bike lane briefly to avoid an open door, double parked car, pothole, etc. I always wave after taking the lane. I can honestly say that in 100% of these cases the cars that (eventually) go past me after I re-enter the bike lane are (probably?) more courteous and gracious (giving me a wider berth (often it involves them crossing the center line of no oncoming traffic) because I initiated with a friendly gesture. So it stands to reason then that 'negative actions beget negative reactions' just like the opposite 'positive' encounters.

happy friday eveyone...

DB

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on April 25, 2014 at 9:40am

On my way in this morning coming down the hill on Kinzie from Des Plaines a westbound cab turned left in front of me onto Jefferson.  Since I always slow down at that intersection, it was not really close--just annoying.  The cab driver waved at me as he made the turn--"sorry, I did not see you."? or "thanks for slowing down"? The fellow riding behind me said, "well, at least he waved!".

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on April 25, 2014 at 9:51am

Hey! Wait just a minute! You were in a protected bike lane!

Now granted, that protected bike lane is not the best or the third best in the United States (those distinctions are reserved for the Dearborn and Milwaukee PBLs), but still. Protected bike lanes are supposed to make riding safer. 

Lisa Curcio 4.1 mi said:

On my way in this morning coming down the hill on Kinzie from Des Plaines a westbound cab turned left in front of me onto Jefferson.  Since I always slow down at that intersection, it was not really close--just annoying.  The cab driver waved at me as he made the turn--"sorry, I did not see you."? or "thanks for slowing down"? The fellow riding behind me said, "well, at least he waved!".

Permalink Reply by dan brown on April 25, 2014 at 9:58am

until they are separted by concrete walls and elevated (like in some cool countries) I don't feel any safer in a PBL than walking down the dan ryan at 8pm on a saturday night. but anything is better than nothing

Kevin C said:

Hey! Wait just a minute! You were in a protected bike lane!

Now granted, that protected bike lane is not the best or the third best in the United States (those distinctions are reserved for the Dearborn and Milwaukee PBLs), but still. Protected bike lanes are supposed to make riding safer. 

Lisa Curcio 4.1 mi said:

On my way in this morning coming down the hill on Kinzie from Des Plaines a westbound cab turned left in front of me onto Jefferson.  Since I always slow down at that intersection, it was not really close--just annoying.  The cab driver waved at me as he made the turn--"sorry, I did not see you."? or "thanks for slowing down"? The fellow riding behind me said, "well, at least he waved!".

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