Comments on: Commuting 101: How to react to aggressive or angry drivers http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: kevin http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/comment-page-1/#comment-633420 kevin Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:00:07 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/#comment-633420 Don't take aggressive drivers too personally. Most times they cut-off or argue with other motorist as well. For as many a-holes as there are out there, I've encountered a ton of incredibly courteous drivers that are considerate of my right to the road. Thanks to this silently majority that make my commute safe and enjoyable. Don’t take aggressive drivers too personally. Most times they cut-off or argue with other motorist as well. For as many a-holes as there are out there, I’ve encountered a ton of incredibly courteous drivers that are considerate of my right to the road. Thanks to this silently majority that make my commute safe and enjoyable.

]]> By: Joel http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/comment-page-1/#comment-500145 Joel Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:11:01 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/#comment-500145 After reading so many horror stories, I am REALLY lucky so far. My company started to offer incentives to use public transportation a few months ago and I jumped on it. Tuned up the old cheapo bicycle (I need to lock it at the bus terminal on a standard bike rack) and started commuting. Thank God I have no war stories to tell. I keep a very low profile. I have everything to lose considering that my bike weighs forty pounds, I weigh about 220 pounds (and losing weight I might add :)), and my back pack might weigh another twenty pounds. Does not take a math or physics major to calculate that my total mass of about 300 pounds is of no threat to any vehicle on the road. If someone is crazy enough to yell, cut you off, or abuse you in any way, they are crazy enough to have a gun or run you off the road. I have used this philosophy in the past to teach my daughter how to drive a car. In most cases, they are ignorant and lack any type of insurance so it is a lose, lose, and one more time, lose situation. Most people have cellphones with cameras. If possible, snap a picture of the car (even if it is in the distance) and talk with your local police department. Do not hit the panic button but try to convey your concern about the driver's aggressive behavior and how they might hurt a child if they were riding a bike. That is my concern. I am a fully compliant rider with lights, reflectors, helmet, and proper adherence to motor vehicle laws. If they have heartache with me, there are going to be more problems down the road with other riders. What ever you do, do not aggressively confront the offenders without notifying the police first. For those of you that notify the police and they blow you off, document the incidents and write letters to your local officials to cover your riding butts. If something happens to you at that point, there is going to be a lot of explaining to do. Complaints to police, follow up letters to your councilmen (or women), and an accident just the way you complained about it in the past. They do not want it if you document it. After reading so many horror stories, I am REALLY lucky so far. My company started to offer incentives to use public transportation a few months ago and I jumped on it. Tuned up the old cheapo bicycle (I need to lock it at the bus terminal on a standard bike rack) and started commuting.

Thank God I have no war stories to tell. I keep a very low profile. I have everything to lose considering that my bike weighs forty pounds, I weigh about 220 pounds (and losing weight I might add :) ), and my back pack might weigh another twenty pounds. Does not take a math or physics major to calculate that my total mass of about 300 pounds is of no threat to any vehicle on the road.

If someone is crazy enough to yell, cut you off, or abuse you in any way, they are crazy enough to have a gun or run you off the road. I have used this philosophy in the past to teach my daughter how to drive a car. In most cases, they are ignorant and lack any type of insurance so it is a lose, lose, and one more time, lose situation.

Most people have cellphones with cameras. If possible, snap a picture of the car (even if it is in the distance) and talk with your local police department. Do not hit the panic button but try to convey your concern about the driver’s aggressive behavior and how they might hurt a child if they were riding a bike. That is my concern. I am a fully compliant rider with lights, reflectors, helmet, and proper adherence to motor vehicle laws. If they have heartache with me, there are going to be more problems down the road with other riders. What ever you do, do not aggressively confront the offenders without notifying the police first. For those of you that notify the police and they blow you off, document the incidents and write letters to your local officials to cover your riding butts. If something happens to you at that point, there is going to be a lot of explaining to do. Complaints to police, follow up letters to your councilmen (or women), and an accident just the way you complained about it in the past.

They do not want it if you document it.

]]> By: Rick http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/comment-page-1/#comment-466667 Rick Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:17:54 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/#comment-466667 My cycling shoes have metal clips over the toes and on the outside corner of the heels (keeps them from wearing off when walking). Perfect for pushing myself away from people squeezing me. The could not only hear the bad scratch they get on their car (cause they don't pay attention), but will see the marks for as long as they own the car. My cycling shoes have metal clips over the toes and on the outside corner of the heels (keeps them from wearing off when walking).

Perfect for pushing myself away from people squeezing me. The could not only hear the bad scratch they get on their car (cause they don’t pay attention), but will see the marks for as long as they own the car.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/comment-page-1/#comment-235624 Ryan Tue, 03 May 2011 06:12:05 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/#comment-235624 I have been bike riding to work for the past 10 years or so. i am much healthier now than then. Over the ten years there has been some real doozies, once got hit by a car in the Sam's Club parking lot. Rich white lady in White Escalade... Neither of us had a stop sign and she ended up hitting the back tire of my bike. I was flung from my bicycle into the pavement and suffered a concussion and 2 broken ribs. Hired me a good lawyer and he got me money from Sams Club (negligible for not having clear stop signs). Once got myself assaulted/robbed. Was coming home from work real late and my commute goes through some rough neighborhoods - poor Mexican tiny little houses type of neighborhoods where the crime is just insane. It was after dark - maybe 9 pm in the summer, and these three Mexican kids jumped out of a car with guns and went through my backpack. We have a lot of Mexican gangs in the nearby city and the kids that live in that subdivision were doing a gang initiation. They pistol whipped me, stole everything, including my necklace, shoes, backpack (nothing of value in there), and my bike. Since at the time I did not have a bike, I simply walked to the next house and rang the doorbell. No one answered. So I went to the next house. I tried to explain my situation to the lady but she was Spanish speaking and did not understand me but could see something was wrong. She gave me her first aid stuff in her bathroom and drove me to the police station. The police were nice enough to drive me home, but they never caught the guys. Oh well. Life goes on. Im just thankful they didn't kill me. Honestly, though, I wouldn't trade any of it. Biking has been the most rewarding decision I have ever made and despite these 2 incidents they are spread apart over 10 years of every day biking and I am sure are worse than most people will ever experience. I deal with crazy commuters all the time, but I just wave back to them when they honk, yell, or whatever. A wave and a smile is very disarming. I have been bike riding to work for the past 10 years or so. i am much healthier now than then.

Over the ten years there has been some real doozies, once got hit by a car in the Sam’s Club parking lot. Rich white lady in White Escalade… Neither of us had a stop sign and she ended up hitting the back tire of my bike. I was flung from my bicycle into the pavement and suffered a concussion and 2 broken ribs. Hired me a good lawyer and he got me money from Sams Club (negligible for not having clear stop signs).

Once got myself assaulted/robbed. Was coming home from work real late and my commute goes through some rough neighborhoods – poor Mexican tiny little houses type of neighborhoods where the crime is just insane. It was after dark – maybe 9 pm in the summer, and these three Mexican kids jumped out of a car with guns and went through my backpack. We have a lot of Mexican gangs in the nearby city and the kids that live in that subdivision were doing a gang initiation. They pistol whipped me, stole everything, including my necklace, shoes, backpack (nothing of value in there), and my bike. Since at the time I did not have a bike, I simply walked to the next house and rang the doorbell. No one answered. So I went to the next house. I tried to explain my situation to the lady but she was Spanish speaking and did not understand me but could see something was wrong. She gave me her first aid stuff in her bathroom and drove me to the police station. The police were nice enough to drive me home, but they never caught the guys. Oh well. Life goes on. Im just thankful they didn’t kill me.

Honestly, though, I wouldn’t trade any of it. Biking has been the most rewarding decision I have ever made and despite these 2 incidents they are spread apart over 10 years of every day biking and I am sure are worse than most people will ever experience. I deal with crazy commuters all the time, but I just wave back to them when they honk, yell, or whatever. A wave and a smile is very disarming.

]]> By: Steve http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/comment-page-1/#comment-229942 Steve Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:36:35 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/#comment-229942 To me the last thing you want to do is make an aggressive driver more so by yelling back at them or hitting their vehicle ect. I live in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Not exactly a town known for its bike-paths. I was pedaling along a busy street one day when a passenger in a large pickup truck barked like a dog VERY loudly. I caught up to him at the next light and just looked at him...did NOT say a word, but the look I gave him was the same look a first-grade teacher would've gave a student who just wet his pants. The guy still barked, but much softer. Then I caught up with them at the NEXT light and gave the same look. He just looked at me, but the embarrassment on his face said it all! The driver looked straight ahead, with the same look of shame. Chalk this down as an archive moment!! To me the last thing you want to do is make an aggressive driver more so by yelling back at them or hitting their vehicle ect. I live in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Not exactly a town known for its bike-paths. I was pedaling along a busy street one day when a passenger in a large pickup truck barked like a dog VERY loudly. I caught up to him at the next light and just looked at him…did NOT say a word, but the look I gave him was the same look a first-grade teacher would’ve gave a student who just wet his pants. The guy still barked, but much softer. Then I caught up with them at the NEXT light and gave the same look. He just looked at me, but the embarrassment on his face said it all! The driver looked straight ahead, with the same look of shame. Chalk this down as an archive moment!!

]]> By: Corie http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/comment-page-1/#comment-193569 Corie Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:22:59 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/#comment-193569 Just found your site after a car ran me off the side of the road. Couldn't believe that not one of the six cars behind him stopped to help me after being harrassed into a drainage ditch on the side of the road. I want justice!! Just found your site after a car ran me off the side of the road. Couldn’t believe that not one of the six cars behind him stopped to help me after being harrassed into a drainage ditch on the side of the road. I want justice!!

]]> By: Todd http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/comment-page-1/#comment-193129 Todd Sun, 30 May 2010 13:08:19 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/#comment-193129 Good article, thanks. I'm starting a new job where I'll be commuting, and I try to think of the drivers' point of view, and choose a route that cars will not follow for long. Good article, thanks. I’m starting a new job where I’ll be commuting, and I try to think of the drivers’ point of view, and choose a route that cars will not follow for long.

]]> By: Sonia http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/comment-page-1/#comment-167707 Sonia Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:06:24 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/#comment-167707 I agree with the author that the ideal response involves picturing what the driver expects and doing something else (e.g. holding your line and ignoring them). For instance, I have worked on training myself to wave and say "thanks!" in response to comments such as "get a car!" I figure this won't make them want to drive their car into me but will frustrate their attempt to belittle or otherwise bring me down a notch. <a href="http://www.top-term-paper-sites.com" rel="nofollow">research paper</a> I agree with the author that the ideal response involves picturing what the driver expects and doing something else (e.g. holding your line and ignoring them). For instance, I have worked on training myself to wave and say “thanks!” in response to comments such as “get a car!” I figure this won’t make them want to drive their car into me but will frustrate their attempt to belittle or otherwise bring me down a notch. research paper

]]> By: Johnny http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/comment-page-1/#comment-153881 Johnny Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:17:19 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/#comment-153881 I've tried many different things in these situations. I've gotten into arguments with drivers, had them try to hit me, run me off the road, yell & scream. My newest idea is to get an irate driver who stops to calm down and think. It's really quite hard to do and presents an interesting challenge. The thing is, yelling at them just doesn't work. Banging on their car doesn't work. If they stop they want to yell at someone and you just happen to present an opportunity for that outlet. The fact is they're mad at something else in their life and you just happen to be in their way. Try this and see what happens... "Hi I'm Johnny, sorry you are upset." They will probably keep yelling and drive off once they see you are not going to engage with them. I’ve tried many different things in these situations. I’ve gotten into arguments with drivers, had them try to hit me, run me off the road, yell & scream. My newest idea is to get an irate driver who stops to calm down and think. It’s really quite hard to do and presents an interesting challenge.

The thing is, yelling at them just doesn’t work. Banging on their car doesn’t work. If they stop they want to yell at someone and you just happen to present an opportunity for that outlet. The fact is they’re mad at something else in their life and you just happen to be in their way.

Try this and see what happens… “Hi I’m Johnny, sorry you are upset.” They will probably keep yelling and drive off once they see you are not going to engage with them.

]]> By: brent http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/comment-page-1/#comment-153565 brent Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:38:42 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/03/21/commuting-101-how-to-react-to-agressive-or-angry-drivers/#comment-153565 erm... it sounds like it's not the bike riding, per se, that's the dangerous element in this equation. erm… it sounds like it’s not the bike riding, per se, that’s the dangerous element in this equation.

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