Conversation with a Bike Lane Blocker

I preset to you a rough transcription of a lovely conversation I had
this morning with a chapping gentleman in Old Town.

<I pull up next to his Mercedes in my bike because he is blocking the
bike lane. I initially just was going to give him a dirty look and ride off, but he rolls down his window, so I decide to talk to him.>

Me: Excuse me, you're parked in a bike lane, would you mind moving your car?

Him: Fuck off.

Me: Hey man, I'm just asking nicely. You're parked illegally.

Him: Is it legal for you guys to run red lights?

Me: That's irrelevant, you're still illegally parked.

Him: I'm not parked, I'm stopped. My flashers are on.

Me: That's the same thing.

Him: Fuck off.

Me: Have a nice day!

 

 

Honestly, I totally expected this behavior and am in no way complaining about this. I actually was quite amused and it made my morning. I just wanted to share it with my fellow Chainlinkers.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on August 7, 2012 at 3:50am

What "we" do is not my concern. This whole attitude that people who ride a bike are part of some monolithic advocacy group with unity of interest and objectives is really distasteful to me. I try to be a courteous road user. I expect, and the vast majority of the time, receive the same courtesy in return. I don't share your siege mentality.

Adam Herstein said:

So we should just let everyone park in the bike lane whenever they want?

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on August 7, 2012 at 3:51am
God forbid I touch his $60,000 car.

I try to be courteous as well, but I feel like I don't receive the same amount that I am putting in.
Permalink Reply by Chris B on August 7, 2012 at 3:52am

I think you handled it pretty well. Sure you can't talk to everyone, but as you say, he rolled his window down.

Not getting angry, and pointing out it is irrelevant what other people do, and saying have a nice day is great. Maybe pointing out he's creating a hazard would have been the only thing to add. Maybe he will learn something later on when he calms down, or maybe not.

I usually just give dirty looks, which is probably not as productive.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 7, 2012 at 3:52am

Perhaps you could have Casey Neistat-ed into the back of it...

Permalink Reply by Bike Bloke on August 7, 2012 at 4:02am

I'm definitely with Adam on this subject. I understand mailvans and UPS, et al, but in general there is way too much gratuitous parking/stopping in bike lanes. some of the worst of this in where there is a valet parking operation. I give you Cafe Babareeba on Halsted as an example.

Maybe there should be fewer paid parking spots to create more stopping space for stopped vehicles. But then the city would be treading on LAZ's toes and we do have that contract after all.

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on August 7, 2012 at 4:20am

I prefer Superman.



James BlackHeron said:

It seems everyone wants to be a cop.

Who do you think you are?  The goddamn batman?

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on August 7, 2012 at 4:24am

If I was Superman, I wouldn't need a bike to get to work. I'd just fly there.

in it to win it said:

I prefer Superman.



James BlackHeron said:

It seems everyone wants to be a cop.

Who do you think you are?  The goddamn batman?

Permalink Reply by Len Krietz on August 7, 2012 at 4:42am

+1

Kevin C said:

What "we" do is not my concern. This whole attitude that people who ride a bike are part of some monolithic advocacy group with unity of interest and objectives is really distasteful to me. I try to be a courteous road user. I expect, and the vast majority of the time, receive the same courtesy in return. I don't share your siege mentality.

Adam Herstein said:

So we should just let everyone park in the bike lane whenever they want?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 7, 2012 at 4:45am

It's a bird -no, it's a plane!

You and me both.


Adam Herstein said:

If I was Superman, I wouldn't need a bike to get to work. I'd just fly there.


Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on August 7, 2012 at 4:59am

Also, if I did decide to bike to work and a car was blocking the bike lane, I'd just lift the car up and throw it back in the car lane.

James BlackHeron said:

It's a bird -no, it's a plane!

You and me both.


Adam Herstein said:

If I was Superman, I wouldn't need a bike to get to work. I'd just fly there.


Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 7, 2012 at 5:08am

I was thinking that depositing it on the top of Whatcha-talkin'-bout Willis Tower would be more appropriate. 

Permalink Reply by blair on August 7, 2012 at 5:28am

I give them a thumbs up or slow clap.  If I can, I snap a photo with my phone and that usually makes them leave.

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