Another bicycle versus cars rant.... WWYD, report them?
 

Geez, had THREE incidents today with drivers. I'm helping my brother paint his house in Newport Beach and the ride is only 20 miles one way. It's been pretty uneventful for the last two weeks. Takes a little over an hour to get down there and I have a pair of Contour videos on the bike. Front and rear facing.

I monitor the rides for pace and speed to see how my seat of the pants training is doing. Anyways, it also has the added benefit of catching asshat drivers on video.

First one.....I was splitting stationary traffic passing to the left of the drivers. Before you give me guff, a Santa Ana motor officer was doing the same ahead of me and it IS legal.....

A space became open ahead due to a driver talking on a cell phone and not moving ahead to block the intersection like everyone else and a twit from the side street busted the stop sign.....coming within two inches of my butt....I swerved, she honked and tossed me the bird......crap.....

Reviewed the tape and it was as I remembered. Glad I was one lane in and not in the gutter side. Tape shows the plate and the busted stop......AND a How am I Driving placard....


Twenty minutes later.....some douche pulled up along side and shouts "Why don't ya ride on the sidewalk?"......Christ....I got a ten year old niece that come up with better lines.

He was driving a marked company car.....tape shows the contact info....

Coming home I crest a freeway overpass bridge and start accelerating on the downgrade. I'm in a marked bike lane. Traffic thins to zero and I have a left to make. Traffic light ahead is a stale green and the left lane has a red.

I look over my shoulder, only one vehicle in sight, a Limousine bus from the local Hilton. Prolly 100 yards back. I'm doing 30mph in a 35 zone, put out my left hand as a signal and move over two lanes. Asshat Limo lays on the horn.....the guy is still 80+ yards back.

I'm in the turn lane and he pulls along side and starts wanking on me.....

Yup, all on tape....

So.....the question.

Would you drop a dime on these idiots?

Absolutely.

#1 was stupid enough to put a "How am I driving?" sticker on their car.

#2 If in a company vehicle always conduct yourself and actions on the road in a professional manner.

#3 A limousine service is considered a professional trade by some. To act otherwise is not becoming of the role they are paid to fulfill.

I don't think there's anything they can do to the woman. the guy in the Co. car didn't do anything but yell. Idiot is all I can say. the fcuking limo driver is a butt head. Most of those guys left and camp, and go below the speed limit a lot of times. For him to come over yelling, screaming, and he was way back, I get him.

I'm generally on the side of the cyclist but one day driving around the bays doing 30mph in a 30mph (50kms actually :) ) I could see a group of about 30 cyclists in my rear view mirror gaining ground on me. They started riding a few inches off the sides of the car then a couple passed on the inside giving me dirty looks. One rode up along side the open drivers window and yelled at me to either speed up or slow down. I told him that road rules apply to him too and he replied with a fark you and passed me and the group sooner or later passed me some yelling at me. Around here they don't stop for stop signs and red traffic lights seem to just be an indication to slow down a bit.

Sorry, I wanted to type "Left lane camping"

either find some off road riding or get off the road. your threads convey you're way too stressed out and not having much enjoyment on the road imo.

how does a camera help in training?

Report them all. Why not?

Can you do 55?
You pay road tax (On the bike?)
Just sayin.....Even a M/C does not mix with cars..much less a bike.
Really what you are doing is mixing brains !!!!...That right thee is the gamble !
If you loose you loose big time no matter how right you are.
There is Right and there is Dead Right.
Whats it worth to you?>?
Even if you have proof? (that you were right) with the last rites?)

Anecdote. I was riding home the other day and this lady in a mommyvan decided to race out right in front of me - I had to stop short to avoid hitting her. A block later she did it again to another cyclist. I caught up with the cyclist, and told him that she had just done the same to me. I was kind of outraged, but he just said something like, 'hey, it's a nice day, I'm on my bike and this happens too frequently to let it get to me.'
This wasn't some helmetless hipster on a fixie wearing emo pants and carrying a u-lock in his back pocket - he was obviously a seasoned commuter, like myself.
I really needed that attitude adjustment right then, and the zeitgeist of that moment has actually stuck with me now for a few days. I know it'll wear off, but in the meanwhile, it really has taken the edge off that built up over the summer, because these little transgressions do happen all the time, even in a bike-savvy place like Portland. Can't imagine riding in Newport Beach traffic.....

Keep your head on a swivel and don't let the bad guys win.

Sure you can't find a more bike friendly route? The back bay or beach path?

Riding a bike in multi lane traffic is no bueno IMHO.

As far as dropping a dime on them... also IMHO the po-po are too busy to bother with such minor infractions... they were a$$es yes... but don't think you will get any satisfaction.

The police are the last people I would call.

I would be calling the owners or the boss.

As to stress? Gimme a break. Type A personality bombing thru traffic is a stress release.

If I get kilt...BFD, I've had a full life. I've lost weight, I'm in shape, I'd be a good looking corpsesicle. Like Jim Fixx, he died while running IIRC.

Two of the three were driving company cars, I imagine the first was too as no-one puts a "how am I driving" placard on their personal car. Their employers may care about their driving habits enough to take action, be it counseling, reprimand, etc. Who knows, there may be other complaints about them, and yours may make the difference. Further, someday one of these drivers may injure someone (car, bike, walker) and having complaints in their file may make a difference then as well.

Agreed, my first impression would be to suggest taking the Santa Ana river trail where it's safe and to stop splitting lanes.

As a former bike commuter, I guess I'm reading this thread mostly for entertainment but I've had countless conflicts with drivers, most were ignored but a few very serious. I'll skip to one where I was riding along with a few others that I knew, one a good friend and maybe you could try the same release, or maybe not.... waff along...

So we approach a busy Chicago intersection and the light goes green and we cross. But just ahead of us, an older man riding his bike was nearly hit by a car with some punks inside blowing thru and yelling at this guy. My riding bud always seemed to be in a serious work-out zone and with some andrenilin flowing, decided to take these punks on. So he takes off short-cutting the block and chasing them down, meanwhile I'm far behind as a back-up and yelling to him to let it go. That didn't stop him.

When I finally spotted him, now a few blocks from the initial scene, my bud has them stopped in a street with other drivers / witnesses around, he's in a manic rage to take these three punks on! Fearless and crazy. Taunting them to get out of the car, calling them pooosies, etc. and they just looked at him like WTF is up with Superlycra? So then he throws his bike down and starts kicking the schit out the car door, pounding with his fist, denting the hood!

The punks seemed stunned sort of moved, stopped, moved... undecided but then took off. I was unsure where this was going or worse but he re-grouped, laughed and we went back towards our route and catch up to the others. Some time had passed but a PO eventually came down on another street and questioned us if we had seen some incident and a biker damaging a car. I didn't say anything and my riding bud acted calm and shrudged like nothing was seen. Nutz.

I have countless encounter with Brainless spandex folks !
Say I come over the hill with a 14 wide boat ..I will give a beeb beep or HOONK HONK from the Semi TRK HORN,.. asking them to move over. There is ONLY so much I can do....(I am all ready 1/2 in the other lane)
I have to come to a STOP even !
They usually never look ..just flip me off............
The surprised looks I see in the mirrors........as I go past them!
They ignore the pilot cars....Like they have a Agenda to proove They have the right of way and will kill themselves to prove ithttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1347470302.jpg

Personally, I'd just go on with life and enjoy. Keep on doing what you are doing and don't allow idiots to ruin your day. You may be able to get one in trouble or make them lose their job, but there will be another one out there to ruin you day again. Where do you stop? I know all about type A personality.

I actually enjoy riding in traffic and have done it for many, many years. I deal with it and actually find it fun. You want to good work out, ride in traffic and you will be constantly sprinting out of the saddle to go around cars or shooting for lights. Do that without being an azz and slow drivers down and stay out of their way. I am usually going around 22-25 mph so I am just a little faster then the flow of traffic. Call me crazy, but its makes you strong. We would stay in our 52x18 (with straps and clips back then) and ride from Echo park to Santa Monica and back on Santa Monica Blvd. Only a few times we were able to complete the ride without pulling out foot out for the entire ride except at the turn around point. Track stands in traffic and lights will make you work. This was done right after school (High School) and be back in time before 6 for dinner.

What were the damages?

post video here and on Youtube? You haven't lived until ya have a Prevost bus pass you that you can reach out and touch with no where to go or a 1 ton dually pulling a camper and a boat pass where you can reach out and touch the prop as he's cutting in front of you.... LOL

I only wish people on bikes would take it one way or the other. I've got them coming off sidewalks into the street and back on the sidewalk, in the cross walks, in the traffic lanes; they want it all. Unless it's a child, there's no reason for this. As a result, I spare no room for bikes.

You can be dead right under my truck any day if you choose to ride stupid. I also drive close to parked cars. One day someone is going to open their door right into my bumper. I have always wanted to see if it worked like in the movies.

This. All of this.

Easy answer, Joe Bob. If I'm pissed and someone's stupid enough to pull that kind of garbage with a "Report Me Now!" sign plastered to their vehicle, you bet I'm gonna take 'em up on that.

Many don't think that way. They think they are half pedestrian half bike when they want. Face it, it isn't going to happen. I am sick of them also and I ride a bike.

I guess this is stereotyping, but usually that is some dude in jeans and no helmet, on a crappy old MTB or BMX, at night with no lights, riding against traffic. Brainless slugs.

Many people are more comfortable riding on the sidewalk then the street because that's how they use to do it as kids. I am not sure if he here on Pelican, but a P car parts guy, many of you know here, are trying to get into this bike thing. I have been coaching and cracking the whip on some basic things on him. He was a bit worry about riding in traffic or a certain part of the street. It is a hell of a feeling in that skinny tire, little bike riding up against a big old bus or truck coming next to you at 35-40mph an hour if you aren't use to it. he said,"I usually ride here on the side and get through this section of about 2 short blocks, and jump back on the street and go home". That part is really a zoo with cars flying by with almost no curb around the tight curve.

As a driver, I do everything in my power to preserve life, no matter how stupid the other person is being. As a cyclist, I do everything I can not to inconvenience other road users, while being as safe as I can possibly be about my own life.

Yes, I would probably report all of these incidents. But I would also take a look at the current driving climate in my area, and make a conscious decision as to whether I needed to avoid certain roads, especially during commuter hours It is my opinion that a large segment of our population has pretty much lost it's collective mind, and have no regard for the safety of others when it comes to exercising what they regard as their personal ''rights''.

We see it all the time, even on this board. I might personally forgo my right to operate a bicycle on certain roads, if it meant that I would be subjected to repeated or constant danger to my life, health or safety.

Please be very, very careful on your bike rides. I would feel very badly if I read something had happened to any one of us because of something so common as poor driving, regardless of whose fault it was. People ARE crazy. Consider that this is not likely to change soon, and ride accordingly.

I sometime ride my bike home after dropping my truck off for any major repairs at a local shop. It just happens to be on the other side of the 405 freeway. I have to ride major streets part of the way, especially going under the freeway. There are no other routes other than large busy streets with no bike lanes. I ride the sidewalk most of the way. It's not a sidewalk that pedestrians use. In fact, I've never encountered another cyclist in the few times I've done this.

When I ride in the traffic lanes I literally hold my breath. The lanes are wide enough for 2 cars, not 2 cars and a bike. There are parked cars all along the way and we know how that goes. You are taking heart stopping chances riding in traffic, at the right, next to the parked cars and being passed by cars, trucks and buses.

F that. I ride the sidewalk and stay out of the cars' way and harm's way.

AS SUCH, I CONSIDER MYSELF A PEDESTRIAN. I use the crosswalks and obey the signals for pedestrians. I'll dismount and walk if need be. If I were to encounter a walker, I'd stop to let them by because I'm on their turf. I wouldn't do this if the walk ways were populated.

I don't know what I'd do. Change shops, I guess.

Yesterday I'm driving along a street with some bicyclists. There are 2-way and 4-way stops every 2-3 intersections which I dutifully obey. The cyclists don't. They blow each one and actually make better time in some stretches. It's cat and mouse. On a longer stretch I get ahead driving the speed limit or 25. I get to where I want to turn right.

You guessed it. I stop, signal and they come blowing by on my right. NOW THAT'S WHERE YOU WANT TO THROW A STICK IN THE SPOKES! I've got no compassion for those kinds of cyclists. Those are the ones you want an air horn from a locomotive and a PA system in the car to yell, "No, you stop for once and yield. I got here first."

My sentiments exactly. Although with the so-called "greening" of Vancouver we now have more dedicated bike lanes for cyclists, which in those areas of the city tend to eliminate some of these problem situations. There still is & always will be the "a$$hat confrontational factor", no matter what.

Cheers
JB

Sorry, my bad... speed read your post on break... yes, I would call the companies!

What dimwit drives like that with a phone number posted on their car?

Carry on...

I was just thinking about when this happened to me this morning. A driver who was driving a SoCal Gas Co. truck completely blew a stop on a small street. Made a right without stopping at all while I was in the middle of an intersection trying get straight across. I honked and looked him right at his eyes. He said some BS to me and kept on going eventually flipped me the bird as I followed him down a quiet residential street. There's school one block away. You think he would pull that crap elsewhere away from a school without kids around? I think people aren't just doing it to bike riders (I will say it again. I am a bit sick of those idiots also who do not follow the rules). They are doing it because they feel they can and their time is worth more then ours or simply don't care. I will report this idiot when I find some time.

Bayside Chevron and PCH in Newport Beach. Truck versus bike....fatality. The whole intersection is closed down.

Looks like a right turn and a gal got crushed by the back wheels. Film crew, PoPo, crime scene the whole 9 inch nails. Film at 11.

Called my Momz (shut up Sid) and told her it wasn't me.....getting local air play in the OC.

That's really too bad. With school in session, that might be someone's mom. Doesn't really make any difference. But, I'd like to know if she did anything stupid. It's hard to believe this could be 100% the truck driver's fault.

And now look at his/her life. One person is dead and the other is ruined.

The driver and helper are detained but not hooked up. Place is crawling with suits looking for witnesses.

The area as you know isn't South Central SmelLA....lots of money here and the smell attracts the sharks. The backed up supercars, SUVs, Rovers is horrendous. Nothing worse than a peeved rich wanker late for their pedicure....

Apparently some folks posting on a local Corona Del Mar site knew this woman. I won't mention the name they said...you can find this pretty easily. Looks very much like she was in a vehicular right turn lane and maybe going straight. Unfortunately, the truck wasn't. There are bike lanes all over the place, but not in that RTL. She was coming down a slight hill off a bridge.

You can conjecture all you want. All I know is that the lack of respect of motorists and bicyclists for each other came to reality this morning.

Cyclist killed in Newport Beach in apparent right hook collision; 8th OC bike death this year « BikingInLA

I've been in that RT Lane and have been cut off there as well. It's a 50mph zone...and every rich asshat in town is in a freaking hurry. I passed thru there at 8:15 just a couple of hours before it happened.

Right turn lanes are an interesting situation for the cyclist who intends to go straight.

If you keep hugging the right curb all the way to the intersection, then you pretty much have to dismount and use the cross walk. Going straight is asking to be run over by cars making the right turn. Even the last couple dozen feet before the intersection are dangerous, because drivers who cut the turn won't simply thump their tires on the curb, they will run you down. So the safest thing is often to go onto the sidewalk before the intersection and proceed as a pedestrian.

My choice is usually to get out of the right turn lane, and ride in the lane that goes straight. Take the whole lane because otherwise you will be involuntarily lane-splitting moving traffic. Sprint so you spend as little time as possible in that position. That's what I do in city streets where traffic is moving 20-35 mph.

On a fast road like the one in SoCal, with 50 mph speeds, getting out in the middle of the going-straight lane is too dangerous. Do the next best thing, and ride in the right turn lane, taking the whole lane - at least cars in that lane are slowing for the turn, not blasting along at 50 mph, drivers picking their noses. Sprint to get through there a-s-a-p. Yes, you will technically break the law by going straight from a right turn lane. But it is the safer alternative.

If the road has two right turn lanes and high speeds? I'll give up, bail out to the sidewalk, and go pedestrian.

I've said this before, but a mirror is practically a necessity for riding in traffic. I monitor my helmet mirror constantly. Eyes flick up to it every few seconds. If some truck driver is barreling up behind me in the right turn lane, I need to see him coming.

I agree....being passive and hanging to the right is stupid.

On multi lane RT lanes I will hang to the left.....signalling my intentions with my left arm, left hand, and left middle finger for the douche nozzles on the phone and a double latte no viagra and rohipnol.....

Last week, when merging from the right over to the left in the very same intersection a gal actually braked from 50 down to 40 to let me in.....there WAS a full red but hell the limit WAS 55.....

Whilst in the LT lane I turned and said thank you......she blushed and said something intelligible and waved when the light changed....I think she said Zeke was a wanker....but I couldn't be sure...

Oh, about the lady who was killed - if she wasn't actually cutting across the right turn lane in th process of going straight, but rather riding along the curb side when the truck passed her and then turned front of her so that its rear wheels ran her over, then I'm not sure how it was her fault.

That is usually how a right hook happens. A young woman was killed by a truck's right hook here, a few months ago. The rear wheels of a car travel closer to the apex than the fronts. This is more so if the vehicle is long, and more so if the vehicle has a wider rear track. That's your typical truck right there. The driver passes the bicyclist, either doesn't pay any attention to the cyclist or doesn't grasp that the cyclist is moving, then driver turns in, his rear wheels crush the cyclist. Heck, truck drivers do this to pedestrians and inanimate objects too.

There are right hook fatalities where the rider was stationary waiting on a red light, and the truck driver turns right on red and crushes the cyclist. That happened to a young woman here three years ago. If you wonder why some cyclists stop right in the middle of the lane, holding up drivers who want to turn right on red, that is why. It might seem like it would be more considerate for them to stop out of the way, and I usually try to stop on the left edge of the lane so that cars can inch by on the right. But plenty of cyclists have learned not to stop over on the right edge of the lane.

I think she said 'gosh its a shame I don't like my men too skinny, oh well off to my Nymphomanics Anon meeting . . . ' Fer Gods sake get some skin back on your bones.

For those of you who have NEVER driven a Semi OR
thought about the geometry involved-
Right Turn Clyde = this ---
As soon as the Tractor start in to the turn, the driver looses all site of whats going on there .
There is No automated device that turns the mirror as the vehicle bends around the turn
Its call the Blind SPOT for good reason
Yes the driver can lean Fwd and see some of whats happening..(If he does )
But its best to just think NO ONE sees you !
You might be right...dead right But that will not fix the problem of the rear trailer wheels going across you.

Hey Richard,
In regards to my comment on being "stressed out" I was suggesting that riding on the road in traffic was getting you all worked up. Who else posts up that they're mounting a camera on their bike to record all the idiot drivers....and then don't even post up the findings?:confused:

I ride plenty of miles on the road and have been hit by a SUV just last year. Plenty of idiot drivers etc. I try and limit my vulnerability by riding within the law and when traffic is low. Still, ***** happens, and you want to film it? Great, where is the footage?SmileWavy

Again, How does a camera help you with your "training"? Lets see evidence of you doing 25mph through traffic.

In regards to your comment on my Vibrator thread; This is what I did Saturday


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1347807504.jpg

40 mile mtb ride through Chequamegon forest.SmileWavy
BTW, thats a photo from last year...this years not up yet, but weather was just as nice. 1850 riders on a mass roll out start. I'll post some footage for ya when I get around to it.