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 T.K. 3.5 mi on December 5, 2013 at 7:12am

+1 to this.

h' 1.0 said:

I would have slowed, hung back, and ultimately stopped completely until the front wheels of the car were pointing in such a way that guaranteed the driver was not about to pull out again.

When I see someone behaving that unpredictably I am not putting myself in their line of fire.

I automatically go on defense mode when a car does anything slightly erratic. Pull back and wait for them to do something definitive, then pass slowly. This has resulted in zero car-bike accidents in 4 years of riding. 

This is the norm on Wells. Last time I was there with another cyclist and we got held up for a good minute waiting for a clusterfuck of people and taxis and drivers to clear space for us. We obliged and stayed clam, because we are all a part of the traffic.  



Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 5, 2013 at 7:27am

Here's another strategy for riding on S/B Wells which involves a dogged determination to take the bike lane regardless of what surrounding vehicles may be doing or what the safest position may be for riding a bike. 

Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 5, 2013 at 8:29am

Agreed. I actually like that part of Wells: Commercial, busy, but relatively wide, and traffic speed are relatively low. A good street to ride on, as long as you take it easy.

If you are dead set on riding fast, Wells may not be the street for you. Sedgwick may be a better option in that case

Jeff Schneider said:

This is typical for Wells. [...]

Permalink Reply by Jose Fonseca on December 5, 2013 at 5:33pm
Thanks everyone for the great feedback. I am definite going to try some of the option mention here.

Here are some great suggestion:
1. Buy an air horn
2. learn to yell "Hey" really loud.
3. Stop and wait until they remember they are driving a car.
4. Give myself more room to pass car up
5. Try some other streets

If all else fails. Kill them with kindliness by introducing them to my u-lock. Jk
Permalink Reply by Reboot Oxnard on December 6, 2013 at 6:24am

No, that was exactly my point. While the driver might deserve a smack down, that's not what should happen. For many reasons, most importantly personal safety but also general public relations, it's not a wise course to take. Ride defensively - because when cars and bikes tangle, the bike *never* comes out ahead.

notoriousDUG said:

Welcome to being part of the problem...

Is it really worth property damage and escalation like that just because somebody is to stupid to pay attention?  The second you kick the car door over that you just became the aggressor, broken the law and helped to contribute to the legend of the crazed cyclist.


Reboot Oxnard said:

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 Brad Bauer on December 6, 2013 at 7:43am

I totally saw that u-turn coming.

I'd have done about the same thing you did...I may have stopped when the uturn happened and verbally assaulted the driver.

Permalink Reply by Shaun Jacobsen on December 6, 2013 at 7:47am

I like riding on Wells too mostly because there are other people out when I'm out there too, and it just gives me a feeling of being safer. That said I don't go too fast on Wells either. It's just a short part of my commute and when I'm on it I try to relax.

Anyway, I must not be the only person that feels like people are driving completely oblivious to their surroundings more often? I feel like it's worse with the cold and especially in the dark. I will be waiting at a four-way stop for my turn to go, and the driver, either not noticing or caring, will just go as if I don't exist! I have had to ride very carefully lately, assuming everyone is ignoring me. In some cases this makes it impossible to ride on certain streets.

Permalink Reply by Todd Nelson on December 6, 2013 at 8:26am

Appears to be intentional. Can you capture the license plate number or remember it? When video recording, if lighting is not good for capturing license plates, it's a good idea to say the number for audio recording. You should report it. You have a bike lane, though not a good one. You should be able to pass a motorist who is apparently distracted, but then appears to be intentionally and dangerously obstructing your use of the bike lane, and then tries to block a proper pass on the left. Confronting would not have been a good idea.

 

Todd Nelson

CyclingSavvy Instructor

Cary, IL

Permalink Reply by Renee Patten on December 6, 2013 at 8:45am

I would have hit the back of their car with my hands at both times when they cut you off. Just my go-to when people are driving like idiots. 

Permalink Reply by Christine on December 6, 2013 at 8:57am

My question might be a bit off topic, but I'm curious. Do a lot of you use bike cameras to capture videos like this? Is it on your handlebar, your helmet, somewhere else? Brands, costs?

I should probably start a new thread on this.

Permalink Reply by Brad Bauer on December 6, 2013 at 8:59am

Go Pro Hero.

Permalink Reply by Renee Patten on December 6, 2013 at 9:00am

Not about personal ones, but I think it is reassuring to know that with all the camcorders installed (red light cameras, maybe speeding cameras too) that if something bad happens and evidence is needed, that footage is accessible. 

http://www.mybikeadvocate.com/2013/11/video-captures-bicycle-taxi-c...

Christine said:

My question might be a bit off topic, but I'm curious. Do a lot of you use bike cameras to capture videos like this? Is it on your handlebar, your helmet, somewhere else? Brands, costs?

I should probably start a new thread on this.

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