to fuss or forget

We have all encountered it. The 4 wheeled barge cruising into our path or the incessant honking around us. But what do you do when these things happen?
We all have a choice; absorb things that happen and proceed with an utmost caution, or shake your fist harder, boy!
So I'm curious to gauge the response of the chainlink community to these unfortunate occurrences of the road.
I would say it does depend on the circumstances, but I have no problem letting a driver know how I feel about their actions. When I am out there on the road, I am fighting for mine and every other riders prosperity. Often this means riding the white stripe of the bike lane just to show that it is my road too, and that I don't have to ride IN the lane, whether they know that or not. Or when a door opens in front of me, a nice shout of "heads up" at its most cordial. Or when I get cut off for that lucrative parking spot, a nice slap on the window get's their attention - little too late, mind you. Or if a car decides they are going to hug, or ride in, the bike lane, some nice pushes on the hood.
But for all my efforts, I do ride with clouded thoughts. Does this make it better or worse for bikers? Are we to sit idly by, and take the punishment, or do I need to dish out my own mild sense of vigilantism? We can agree on one thing, it's a tough world out there and we are the only ones that are going to help ourselves get home each night.

So, do you ride silent, or do you let your voice be heard?

as always, ride safe.

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Permalink Reply by Natalie on October 22, 2009 at 1:48pm
Mostly I forget. Fussing sometimes puts you into situations in which you're very vulnerable. I'm always mindful that I'm a lot smaller than a person in a car (and slower, though much more maneuverable). Having said that, I do take the lane and try to be visible and whatnot, but if it's me vs. car, I will back down. I used to be much more vocal, but after a couple of threatening experiences, I figure it's not worth it.

But I was thinking it would be great if someone would invent or retrofit or whatever a paintball pistol so I could surreptitiously shoot cars that buzz me a little too closely.
Permalink Reply by mike w. on October 22, 2009 at 3:45pm
Back around '73, i met some members of NYC's Manhattan Cycling Association, who among other things, contended the taxis and busses on 42nd Street and muggers in Central Park.

Instead of a frame pump, many of them carried a club. Instead of a water bottle, many carried a can of red or yellow Krylon. The paint was bestowed on the roof or trunk or fender of an offending taxi as a warning to fellow cyclists to keep clear. They also favoured the use of the (now) old-fashioned cyclocross cleats with their pointed (and often sharpened) spikes. These were used to puncture doors and fenders and in close combat if necessary.

A bit over-the-top perhaps, but after all, we're talkin' Noo Yawk here...

A paintball gun or squirt pistol is probably a bad idea as these could be taken for the real deal and get you shot for real...

Natalie said:
Mostly I forget. Fussing sometimes puts you into situations in which you're very vulnerable. I'm always mindful that I'm a lot smaller than a person in a car (and slower, though much more maneuverable). Having said that, I do take the lane and try to be visible and whatnot, but if it's me vs. car, I will back down. I used to be much more vocal, but after a couple of threatening experiences, I figure it's not worth it.

But I was thinking it would be great if someone would invent or retrofit or whatever a paintball pistol so I could surreptitiously shoot cars that buzz me a little too closely.
Permalink Reply by mattbikes1 on October 22, 2009 at 4:25pm
I ride with great respect for all. Drivers, pedestrians, and of course other bikers. I ride with the mentality: do not impede the right of way of any other person, no matter what their mode of transport may be. I am, however, a vigilant biker in the respect that I will not sit by and let some person commit a wrong without me letting them know, albeit in a respectful manner, if I have the chance. However, if I feel that my safety, and vicariously all other bikers, is threatened, I will take drastic measures if need be. I have kindly knocked on drivers windows at stop lights to tell them to read, text, or make calls when they are not driving their cars. I like to remind them that I do not want to die because of their negligence. I have on one occasion broken a windshield with my left fist as a driver decided to try to parallel park, front end first, without so much as a blinker or glance in the mirror after passing me on Lincoln a mere 5 seconds prior. Do I feel bad about this damage I caused? Fuck no! I could have been killed, and for what? I realize that when I bike it is at my own risk. I have been biking for 10 years and I am still alive, and until I am not I will fuck you if you try to fuck me! If you can operate your vehicle, bike, or legs with respect to me and anyone else on the road/public way, well, then we are all good. I usually bike happy, but sometimes I bike angry and sad. This is not because of anything but others' negligence, selfishness, and or lack of competence. For the most part, I have little issue with the conduct of others, but now and again...
Permalink Reply by Alan Matejka on October 22, 2009 at 6:15pm
If you should by chance encounter a drunk driver with an already bad reputation, or fake plates, or a stolen car, you are risking your life. I've noticed on mass rides, the intimadator cyclist, cause retalliation by a driver of a car. The rider behind the incident was injured. Hold your temper. It is safer that way.
Permalink Reply by Reddog (Cliff) on October 23, 2009 at 2:56am
Mostly I forget. But I did kick a cab on Halsted once when the cabbie swerved into the bike lane without looking to pick up a fare. I was in that bike lane and almost got squished between the cab and the parked cars. I usually wear steel-toed shoes, so I left a mark.
Permalink Reply by Lisa yeah on October 23, 2009 at 4:58am
I mostly ignore it. I stopped giving the middle finger at some point and switched over to the peace sign and a smile for when drivers are yelling at me for existing. That happened about 3 times this past month.

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