Mean Drivers

I get yelled at every once in awhile. No big deal, just keep it in perspective, I am having fun, they are stuck in their stupid cars road raging at someone who can't really reciprocate.

I did have a conversation with someone who buzzed me today actually. I got buzzed by a monster suburban who went into the left lane, misjudged my speed and cut me off as he came back into the right lane, which I was riding in (in the middle, making sure no one buzzed me trying to squeeze by). So as I came up to the left lane, I just shook my head in disbelief when I pulled up next to him.
He rolled down the window and yelled "I had enough room to get by you so I did!".
My response..."It's not about if you had enough room, it was my lane and you buzzed me and cut me off".
"Yeah well then get over to the right."
"No, it is my lane to use, pass me on the left but don't cut me off like you did! You weigh a couple of tons, I weigh at most 200 pounds. Do you see why I might be a little [censored] at you?"
"Yeah well, sorry, but I had room."
"Doesn't change the fact that you were wrong."
At this he rolled his window up and pulled away as the light changed.
I felt better after that exchange. No yelling really, just told him my point, and kept on riding.

West Texas Jim said:

Yesterday, I was pedaling through my route. So I'm on 34th street on the west end of the city (Lubbock), the road was recently expanded to 3 lanes on each side. There is hardly any traffic out here yet, because growth hasn't caught up with the road.

gee-zuz... what is THAT like?? I'm still riding on roads that are 16' wide w/ few sidewalks, that need to support me, other bikers, two lanes of travel, and pedestrians (It is also a congested tourist destination that I live)... oh, and I am still honked, yelled, gestured at, and otherwise disregarded on the road even though it is the law in my state that a cyclist is a vehicle; and all proper laws, yeilding, and respect should be givin accordingly form other vehicles... it is our bane, and out struggle. Sorry about your experiences, take solace if not comfort in the fact that you are not alone.

West Texas Jim said:

Ok, some drivers just won't get over at all for me.. that's fine. I accept that.

Yesterday, I was pedaling through my route. So I'm on 34th street on the west end of the city (Lubbock), the road was recently expanded to 3 lanes on each side. There is hardly any traffic out here yet, because growth hasn't caught up with the road.

So one car comes along, and I'm in the right lane.. pretty close to the curb. There are two other lanes to my left, and no other cars in the vicinity. This SUV didn't get over at all, and honked at me just as it passed. The fact that the car was close to me didn't bother me, but the honk nearly startled me into losing control. No big deal though, because I didn't crash.

About half a mile later, a white volvo comes down the street, still no other cars around. This guy gets over to the middle lane for me. As he passes though, he honks and flips me off. It doesn't make any sense to me.

This is happening in West Texas too. There are supposed to be relatively friendly people here... I probably don't have it as bad as some of you all, but it's very annoying.

</RANT> 🙂

Jim,

I'm down in Odessa, Texas just a few hours away from ya. Don't feel alone, it's just as bad here. I got so tired of the harrasment I had to endure everyday, I just wake up early around 4:30 every morning. and ride, the streets here are literally empty, other than your reckless drunk drivers, but I always stop and get on the sidewalke before they pass.

I was once on the right side of a road in a cycling lane... I was minding my own business when a mean teenage passenger of a bypassing car decided to spit at me 🙁

This is all too common everywhere now, and simply illustrates the ignorance and laziness of cagers in general. Most drivers are too stupid to understand (or to attempt to learn) that the law REQUIRES them to share the road with other traffic--be it motorcycles, pedestrians, and of course cyclists. There is no excuse for this ignorance anymore, as these laws are mentioned in public service announcements on tv and on the radio in many, many places. It simply illustrates that stupidity abounds and prospers in our society. I have found more often that not that if one car passes me too close, the next car does the same thing cause they see the first guy do it. I do my best to not let things like this happen, as it always endangers my life--never theirs--and no, I don't feel the slightest bit bad if I make them late to their appointment cause they had to wait to pass me. /rant

Sorry about that.....

This is another good reason for us all to support our local Bicycle Advocacy groups--they are the ones that get the message out there that bikes belong on the roads.

I was "breaking the law" - speeding - downhill at 45 miles per hour in my local country road. On my six there was a -lo and behold - suburban. The posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour and the jackass has no better idea than passing me.
What an idiot. What was the need to pass me if I was already going twice the speed limit?
Flame on holier than thou ...
Speeding on a bike on a public roadway is a crime that I am proud of.:p