Comments on: How should we deal with aggressive drivers?

By: Warren

Warren — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:49:50 +0000

If we want drivers to slow down and chill out: Legalize pot – that’ll do the trick. Pizza Hut will overtake Starbuck’s as the most popular stop-off for motorists.

In the real world however, changing driver behavior is something that CAN happen, but it is not accomplished by telling drivers they are idiots – even if some of them are. We as cyclists will never have influence over motorists, but we can have influence over our legislators. I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in a metro area of about 300,000. The roads are built for cars, not bikes. But, we are making a difference by building a network of greenways and bikeways where no cars are allowed. There will be two major bike routes connecting the four corners of our valley that will make bike commuting 100% safer and more enjoyable. Within the next couple years my 10 mile commute will be 99.9% on car-free greenways.

We are also having an impact on VDOT. They routinely invite us to meetings where improvements to roadways and streets are discussed. We now have a say in how the roads are built so they can be safer for both cyclists and motorists. Ever wonder why on some roads motorists drive more slowly and safely than on others? So did we – and VDOT is looking at factors in road design that have a calming effect on drivers.

Here’s how we are doing it:
1. Band together – cyclists need a unified voice in order to be heard.
2. Have a goal – Ours is to improve bikeways by selling their benefits to the community.
3. Get out – go to every meeting you can in your community where you can bring up the need for improving bicycle and ped accomodations.
4. Work – volunteer your time and recruit other like-minded folks to do the same.
5. Change – find someone you work with or you live next to or go bowling with who is somewhat interested in riding a bike and take them under your wing. Drivers who are also cyclists drive differently than people who don’t ride a bike.

It’s not easy. You’ll be frustrated more than you’ll be elated. But it’s worth it. Momentum builds and things finally happen.

Don’t give up.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:00:05 +0000

Aw c’mon! What did Paul say?!

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 01:35:56 +0000

I have tried to cultivate my “irate outburst” to be “Be Careful!!!” — it’s gt the right consonants to explode and feel good and sound forceful. It occurred to me after I was speechless when a woman utterly ignored me at my peril at a 4-way stop, and had a car full of children getting ready to trick-or-treat. I’m reasonably sure she was simply oblivious – but I don’t consider that an acceptable reason for unacceptable behavior.
Last time, though, it was somebdy making a left-turn-on-green-in-my-face (me going straight)… at a very low rate of speed. I had already shouted “Learn to Drive!!!” when I realized the driver had learned to drive a long, long, long time ago. I doubt he heard me, either.

By: Paul Of N.W. GA

Paul Of N.W. GA — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 22:38:40 +0000

Thanks Folks for discussing about how you handle aggressive motorist.
Today I had to ride up to my post office to pick up some packages.
There is only one road that goes there. I did my best to act as the most of you do”
To bad in the three miles back, I had seven motorists who made it hard to keep my cool, especially toward the top of a mile stretch of a steep grade. On the down side as I caught up with them I ignored them.

I have to wonder if any of you understand this. When I am climbing or keeping up 20mph+ I find it hard to keep cool when someone tells me to get off the road, but after 45 seconds of 5mph faster, it’s all gone” : )

I think I might be Fred!

By: Paul Tay

Paul Tay — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:53:48 +0000

Another Jackass comment EDITED

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 13:50:41 +0000

Paul-

What planet are you from? I’m embarrased to be associated as a bicycle commuter with a nut job like you. Better to keep your comments to yourself from now on…

By: Paul Tay

Paul Tay — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 04:28:43 +0000

Jackass comment EDITED

By: Fritz

Fritz — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 22:57:48 +0000

@Tom: City cops don’t care, but the Boulder County Sheriff will sometimes followup, especially on mountain road aggression against female cyclists. Admittedly, incidents where roadies gang up on motorists on Nelson Road don’t really help the situation much.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 20:56:52 +0000

To, Fritz..
“I live in Boulder, Co. The D.A. may have an agenda, but the police could not care less. I have had a few experiences here with bad drivers and I have taken down more that a few Plate Numbers. I try, but I have to tell you, the police just don’t care.”

I will say that we as cyclists really have to help other cyclists realize that their poor cycling etiquette reflects poorly on the rest of us.

We just have to find our own way of dealing with bad people all around us. It’s the same whether we’re in traffic or in the grocery store. Bad people are bad people in all aspects of their miserable lives. We keep on keepin on. Don’t worry about others, stay safe by staying aware

By: Val

Val — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:16:56 +0000

My route home requires using a four lane road where at least half the drivers seem to have a woman in the back seat giving birth. There is usually room for them to get by me, but few of them know how it’s done. I get honked at at least two or three times per week, and frequently have people yelling at me to “Get on the sidewalk.” It is, in fact, legal to ride the sidewalk in this area, provided one behaves as a pedestrian, and yeilds the right of way to pedestrians. In some spots, I am ascending a steep enough slope to warrant using the sidewalk, in other areas, I go fast enough to use the road; since I’m the one riding, I feel best qualified to choose. I have even had Sherrif’s Deputies stop me and tell me that I should not be in the road. When dealing with Deputies, I find it best to simply agree with everything they say and wait for them to leave, and when dealing with regular citizens I find it best to ignore them. When they honk at me, though, I can’t resist honking back – I have an air horn that puts out around 100 decibels. The message is: What a nice horn – I have one, too – isn’t that wonderful? Horns are fun.