@#$%*&^ Coworkers!!!

Buck said:

His last words to me were... "I don't know you."

Does this make it ok to run over me?

In that context I think, "I don't know you", means, "I refuse to admit
my error".

Quoted message said:

I think I will discuss this one with the boss.

Why? It's not work-related so the boss can't really do anything and
given the above his boss already likely knows he never admits mistakes.

On second thought- human nature being what it is- maybe you should just
mention it to your boss so if and when the offending driver tells *his*
boss that, "some nut that says he works here confronted me on company
property", you've already got your version of events out.

Regards,
Bob Hunt

Buck said:

I was nearly hit this morning. I was on a two-lane road approaching the
intersection with a 5 lane road (two lanes each way, one center turning
lane). I ALWAYS take the lane by moving to the left tire track because
the road curves to meet the bigger road square.

I was passed in the no-passing zone immediately before the curve. I was
sure the guy was going to hit the center median. I was right behind him
at the stop sign and felt compelled to inform him of the danger of the
situation.

He ignored me.

But he turned into my workplace. I followed him to his parking spot. I
introduced myself. I asked him politely to be more careful when passing
cyclists. He put the blame on me. "It was hard to see you since you are
wearing all black." He spoke these words while staring at my bright
blue cycling shirt. Perhaps it was the dark black glasses he was
wearing.

His last words to me were... "I don't know you."

Does this make it ok to run over me?

I think I will discuss this one with the boss.

-Buck

I would find out who the guy is, whether he is higher or lower on the
totem pole first.

"Buck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I was passed in the no-passing zone immediately before the curve. I was
sure the guy was going to hit the center median. I was right behind him
at the stop sign and felt compelled to inform him of the danger of the
situation.

He ignored me.

But he turned into my workplace.

That there isn't a "coworker". It's a Cow Orker. There's a difference, and
you've spotted it.

"Roger Houston" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Buck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I was passed in the no-passing zone immediately before the curve. I was
sure the guy was going to hit the center median. I was right behind him
at the stop sign and felt compelled to inform him of the danger of the
situation.

He ignored me.

But he turned into my workplace.

That there isn't a "coworker". It's a Cow Orker. There's a difference,
and you've spotted it.

Twenty Points!!!

Bob said:

On second thought- human nature being what it is- maybe you should just
mention it to your boss so if and when the offending driver tells *his*
boss that, "some nut that says he works here confronted me on company
property", you've already got your version of events out.

After some critical thought, I decided to speak with our head "Public
Safety" officer about it. He will be speaking with the offender and is
planning on installing "Share the Road" signs along the main drives.

I thought I would also point out one part of the conversation that
rings in my head. I said that he needs to respect my right to the road.
His reply was "When bicyclists start respecting stop signs, then I'll
respect their right to the road." I told him that I can't be held
accountable for other people's actions. That was when he walked away.

So, for those of you who don't believe your actions, especially those
disrespecting the traffic laws, have repercussions on other riders,
here is an example of where they do.

-Buck

Buck said:

Bob said:

On second thought- human nature being what it is- maybe you should just
mention it to your boss so if and when the offending driver tells *his*
boss that, "some nut that says he works here confronted me on company
property", you've already got your version of events out.

After some critical thought, I decided to speak with our head "Public
Safety" officer about it. He will be speaking with the offender and is
planning on installing "Share the Road" signs along the main drives.

That sounds like a pretty reasonably response. It sounds like he took
you seriously, which is a nice change from the sort of thing we
frequently hear.

Quoted message said:

I thought I would also point out one part of the conversation that
rings in my head. I said that he needs to respect my right to the road.
His reply was "When bicyclists start respecting stop signs, then I'll
respect their right to the road." I told him that I can't be held
accountable for other people's actions. That was when he walked away.

So, for those of you who don't believe your actions, especially those
disrespecting the traffic laws, have repercussions on other riders,
here is an example of where they do.

After a fair amount of consideration I really don't believe that. It's
essentially a rationalization to justify doing or saying crappy things
to the "other" group. Bicyclists are a minority of the population, and
anyone who uses a bike for transportation instead of a toy definitely
puts themselves in the "outsider" group. Xenophobia and ignorance does
the rest.

It's pretty much in the same group as things like:

[Ethnic group] is so [lazy|stupid|dirty|criminal] they don't deserve
better treatment.

--
Dane Buson - [email hidden]
"Ladies may have a fit upstairs."
-Outside a Hong Kong tailor shop

Dane Buson said:

Buck said:

I thought I would also point out one part of the conversation that
rings in my head. I said that he needs to respect my right to the road.
His reply was "When bicyclists start respecting stop signs, then I'll
respect their right to the road." I told him that I can't be held
accountable for other people's actions. That was when he walked away.

So, for those of you who don't believe your actions, especially those
disrespecting the traffic laws, have repercussions on other riders,
here is an example of where they do.

After a fair amount of consideration I really don't believe that. It's
essentially a rationalization to justify doing or saying crappy things
to the "other" group. Bicyclists are a minority of the population, and
anyone who uses a bike for transportation instead of a toy definitely
puts themselves in the "outsider" group. Xenophobia and ignorance does
the rest.

I assume that you don't believe the driver meant what he said. I do
believe what he said. His actions towards me on the road bear out his
beliefs. He had no respect for me despite my speed (~20mph), lane
position (left tire track), the double yellow line, and the rapidly
approaching median. I think his initial claim that I was hard to see
was an attempt to redirect the blame. I believe his second statement,
made in response to my reply, was to redirect the blame to all
cyclists. Either way, he was determined not to admit any wrongdoing in
the matter.

-Buck

Buck said:

Dane Buson said:

Buck said:

I thought I would also point out one part of the conversation that
rings in my head. I said that he needs to respect my right to the road.
His reply was "When bicyclists start respecting stop signs, then I'll
respect their right to the road." I told him that I can't be held
accountable for other people's actions. That was when he walked away.

So, for those of you who don't believe your actions, especially those
disrespecting the traffic laws, have repercussions on other riders,
here is an example of where they do.

After a fair amount of consideration I really don't believe that. It's
essentially a rationalization to justify doing or saying crappy things
to the "other" group. Bicyclists are a minority of the population, and
anyone who uses a bike for transportation instead of a toy definitely
puts themselves in the "outsider" group. Xenophobia and ignorance does
the rest.

I assume that you don't believe the driver meant what he said. I do
believe what he said. His actions towards me on the road bear out his
beliefs. He had no respect for me despite my speed (~20mph), lane
position (left tire track), the double yellow line, and the rapidly
approaching median. I think his initial claim that I was hard to see
was an attempt to redirect the blame. I believe his second statement,
made in response to my reply, was to redirect the blame to all
cyclists. Either way, he was determined not to admit any wrongdoing in
the matter.

Did he mean it? Sure. If every cyclist he saw in the future
punctiliously followed every traffic regulation would he stop having a
problem with cyclists. Probably not. He'd probably say something like
"You mess up traffic", "You don't pay for your fair share of the roads",
"You should get a real vehicle to get to work", etc., etc., ad nauseum,
ad infinitum.

I'm saying the whole "When bicyclists start respecting [X]" is a
strawman at best. I see plenty of motorists running red lights and stop
signs and nobody seems to paint all drivers with that brush. Because
the majority of people are car drivers.

Also, as he pointed out, it sounds like he really was just looking for
*any* reason to assign blame to you instead of himself. *shrug* Some
people are like that.

--
Dane Buson - [email hidden]
In my experience, if you have to keep the lavatory door shut by extending
your left leg, it's modern architecture.
-- Nancy Banks Smith

Buck wrote:
....

Quoted message said:

I assume that you don't believe the driver meant what he said. I do
believe what he said. His actions towards me on the road bear out his
beliefs. He had no respect for me despite my speed (~20mph), lane
position (left tire track), the double yellow line, and the rapidly
approaching median. I think his initial claim that I was hard to see
was an attempt to redirect the blame. I believe his second statement,
made in response to my reply, was to redirect the blame to all
cyclists. Either way, he was determined not to admit any wrongdoing in
the matter.

The real problem was you distracted him from
texting/dialing/drinking/shaving so he had to put a hand on the wheel.

This could almost be considered harrassment.

HTH

--Karen D.

Buck said:

He ignored me.

But he turned into my workplace. I followed him to his parking spot. I
introduced myself. I asked him politely to be more careful when passing
cyclists. He put the blame on me. "It was hard to see you since you are
wearing all black." He spoke these words while staring at my bright
blue cycling shirt. Perhaps it was the dark black glasses he was
wearing.

His last words to me were... "I don't know you."

Does this make it ok to run over me?

I think I will discuss this one with the boss.

-Buck

[censored] man, you lost it when you had him at your workplace and then
meekly approached him- you should have been raging, grab him by his
lapels and slam him into his car and warn him if he ever crosses your
path again. Make sure that you don't get any pee on you when he pisses
his pants.

"Dane Buson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm saying the whole "When bicyclists start respecting [X]" is a
strawman at best. I see plenty of motorists running red lights and stop
signs and nobody seems to paint all drivers with that brush. Because
the majority of people are car drivers.

Just for fun, yesterday I counted the number of cars that failed to make a
complete stop at the red, before turning right, while waiting for my light.
Of the eight that passed me on the right to make a right turn, two made a
complete stop.

Then, as I rode up to the Your Speed Is sign, not a single car was less than
5 mph over the 25 mph speed limit.

Lookit, motorists don't care if bicyclists or other motorists disobey the
law. What motorists care about is either:
a. bicycles that are "in the way"
or
b. bicycles that seem to suddenly appear out of nowhere, and therefore are
frightening.

You could ride all day and night doing stupid and illegal riding, such as:
riding the wrong way, riding on the sidewalk, failing to use proper lighting
in the dark, and as long as you neither startled nor got in the way of a
motorist, they'd be quite happy with you as a cyclist. But if you lawfully
ride on the street and delay them 3/8s of a second, most of them perceive
you as a nuisance and a scofflaw.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

Claire Petersky said:

You could ride all day and night doing stupid and illegal riding, such as:
riding the wrong way, riding on the sidewalk, failing to use proper lighting
in the dark, and as long as you neither startled nor got in the way of a
motorist, they'd be quite happy with you as a cyclist. But if you lawfully
ride on the street and delay them 3/8s of a second, most of them perceive
you as a nuisance and a scofflaw.

Ain't that the truth!

I've come up with a new <blessing> for some motorists: "You need to move
downtown, so you don't have to drive so far." It seems such a pity to
spend so much to live so far from where they work, shop, take the kids
to school, etc., that they can't enjoy life because of the drive to get
there.

Back to the OP, though, was there some reason for not calling the
police? The incident could be construed as an assault, and happened
away from work, so ISTM the police would be the people to talk to
instead of bosses, etc.

Pat

You should have cracked his nose sideways with your hand pump.

On Tuesday my colleague was nearly run over by our boss. The moron cut
her off (they're both motorists) and nearly hit an old lady with a
grocery cart blowing past a yellow light. Idiot showed up in the
office after she did, anyway, since where he parks isn't manned and he
has to use some ID which evidently didn't work and held him up.

Goddamned motorists. The most courteous people become well-practiced
[censored] behind the wheels.

Buck said:

I was nearly hit this morning. I was on a two-lane road approaching the
intersection with a 5 lane road (two lanes each way, one center turning
lane). I ALWAYS take the lane by moving to the left tire track because
the road curves to meet the bigger road square.

I was passed in the no-passing zone immediately before the curve. I was
sure the guy was going to hit the center median. I was right behind him
at the stop sign and felt compelled to inform him of the danger of the
situation.

He ignored me.

But he turned into my workplace. I followed him to his parking spot. I
introduced myself. I asked him politely to be more careful when passing
cyclists. He put the blame on me. "It was hard to see you since you are
wearing all black." He spoke these words while staring at my bright
blue cycling shirt. Perhaps it was the dark black glasses he was
wearing.

His last words to me were... "I don't know you."

Does this make it ok to run over me?

I think I will discuss this one with the boss.

-Buck

Pat Lamb said:

Back to the OP, though, was there some reason for not calling the
police? The incident could be construed as an assault, and happened
away from work, so ISTM the police would be the people to talk to
instead of bosses, etc.

It could be construed as assault in some places, but here in Southern
Arkansas, it hardly qualifies for the police's attention. You should
have seen their reaction when they had to respond to an the incident
involving me (on a bicycle) and a dog.

I thought it would be resolved with a friendly conversation between
colleagues. I now realize that there is no real resolution other than
having his thinking adjusted by someone with authority over him.

I did chat with another of our "safety officers" yesterday. He asked if
I was the one "run off the road" the day before. I had to correct him
that I wasn't really run off the road, but I was involved in a conflict
on the road. He knew who the driver was and said "We'll just have to
teach that boy a lesson." That "boy" is in his forties. I guess some
stereotypes are based in truth.

He did mention putting together an article for our newsletter. I
offered to contribute. I guess this means that public safety will be
getting the word out. I'm not holding my breath.

As a final note, I have to say that this new school year has brought me
more trouble than years past. This morning's ride brought a near-pass
in a no-passing zone (she was ignoring the oncoming truck but slowed
when I put up the universal "stop that and wait a second you idiot"
signal), and a honk from three feet behind (a different old lady
thought I was crossing the railroad tracks too slowly). It looks to be
a banner year.

-Buck

"Buck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Pat Lamb said:

Back to the OP, though, was there some reason for not calling the
police? The incident could be construed as an assault, and happened
away from work, so ISTM the police would be the people to talk to
instead of bosses, etc.

It could be construed as assault in some places, but here in Southern
Arkansas, it hardly qualifies for the police's attention. You should
have seen their reaction when they had to respond to an the incident
involving me (on a bicycle) and a dog.

I thought it would be resolved with a friendly conversation between
colleagues. I now realize that there is no real resolution other than
having his thinking adjusted by someone with authority over him.

I did chat with another of our "safety officers" yesterday. He asked if
I was the one "run off the road" the day before. I had to correct him
that I wasn't really run off the road, but I was involved in a conflict
on the road. He knew who the driver was and said "We'll just have to
teach that boy a lesson." That "boy" is in his forties. I guess some
stereotypes are based in truth.

He did mention putting together an article for our newsletter. I
offered to contribute. I guess this means that public safety will be
getting the word out. I'm not holding my breath.

As a final note, I have to say that this new school year has brought me
more trouble than years past. This morning's ride brought a near-pass
in a no-passing zone (she was ignoring the oncoming truck but slowed
when I put up the universal "stop that and wait a second you idiot"
signal), and a honk from three feet behind (a different old lady
thought I was crossing the railroad tracks too slowly). It looks to be
a banner year.

-Buck

Remind me where you are near. Sounds like you're pretty close to Marvell.
(Don't get caught going over 20 there.) I used to live in Jonesboro, and
in Helena and in Arkadelphia back in the 80's.

Charles of Schaumburg.

n5hsr said:

Remind me where you are near. Sounds like you're pretty close to Marvell.
(Don't get caught going over 20 there.) I used to live in Jonesboro, and
in Helena and in Arkadelphia back in the 80's.

Well south of Marvell, west of the delta, not quite into Louisiana.

I have to admit that I'm getting a bit tired of this place. It seemed
like a decent place for the last few years, but someone gave licenses
to all the jackass drivers this week. I've been honked at several
times, passed way too close too many times to count, and verbally
assaulted.

The last one happened on the way home tonight. I don't know what the
guy's problem was, but he blasted his horn continuously while
tailgating me for nearly two blocks. I was on the right side of the
lane to begin and there was plenty of room to pass. He didn't take the
opportunity. As he continued to follow me, I had to move left to cross
the tracks safely. So I was on the left side of the lane when we
stopped for the red light (my normal position).

He squeezed between me and the curb so he could hurl a string of
epitaphs worthy of a sailor. They generally consisted of improper
descriptors of my bicycle and the road which I should move off of. I
had to yell (the combination of his diesel engine and his foul mouth
were quite loud) to tell him that Arkansas law gives me the right to be
on the road. The next string of curses were about his extraordinary
lack of concern about the law. I pointed out that if I held him up at
all it was well less than 30 seconds and we made that up by being
caught at the same light. I left at the green light with him still
yelling.

Unfortunately, I was more interested in going home than getting his
license plate. When I thought about it, I had already passed through
the light and he had turned right. I suppose it's just another incident
that might be taken seriously in some places, but won't be here.

I have to admit, posting about it to sympathetic readers takes away
some of the frustration. It's nice to converse with people of a like
mind.

-Buck

Buck said:

n5hsr said:

Remind me where you are near. Sounds like you're pretty close to Marvell.
(Don't get caught going over 20 there.) I used to live in Jonesboro, and
in Helena and in Arkadelphia back in the 80's.

Well south of Marvell, west of the delta, not quite into Louisiana.

I have to admit that I'm getting a bit tired of this place. It seemed
like a decent place for the last few years, but someone gave licenses
to all the jackass drivers this week. I've been honked at several
times, passed way too close too many times to count, and verbally
assaulted.

The last one happened on the way home tonight. I don't know what the
guy's problem was, but he blasted his horn continuously while
tailgating me for nearly two blocks. I was on the right side of the
lane to begin and there was plenty of room to pass. He didn't take the
opportunity. As he continued to follow me, I had to move left to cross
the tracks safely. So I was on the left side of the lane when we
stopped for the red light (my normal position).

He squeezed between me and the curb so he could hurl a string of
epitaphs worthy of a sailor. They generally consisted of improper
descriptors of my bicycle and the road which I should move off of. I
had to yell (the combination of his diesel engine and his foul mouth
were quite loud) to tell him that Arkansas law gives me the right to be
on the road. The next string of curses were about his extraordinary
lack of concern about the law. I pointed out that if I held him up at
all it was well less than 30 seconds and we made that up by being
caught at the same light. I left at the green light with him still
yelling.

Unfortunately, I was more interested in going home than getting his
license plate. When I thought about it, I had already passed through
the light and he had turned right. I suppose it's just another incident
that might be taken seriously in some places, but won't be here.

I have to admit, posting about it to sympathetic readers takes away
some of the frustration. It's nice to converse with people of a like
mind.

-Buck

You just reminded me of why I sold my father's house in Arkansas when he
died in 2002. I wouldn't live in the south on a dare.
Bill Baka

"Buck" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

n5hsr said:

Remind me where you are near. Sounds like you're pretty close to
Marvell.
(Don't get caught going over 20 there.) I used to live in Jonesboro,
and
in Helena and in Arkadelphia back in the 80's.

Well south of Marvell, west of the delta, not quite into Louisiana.

There's not a lot of bicycle paths in that part of Arkansas. We used to say
the Arkies used to drive either 20 or 45 because that was the top speed of
first and second gear in the Model T's they used to drive.

Quoted message said:

I have to admit that I'm getting a bit tired of this place. It seemed
like a decent place for the last few years, but someone gave licenses
to all the jackass drivers this week. I've been honked at several
times, passed way too close too many times to count, and verbally
assaulted.

The last one happened on the way home tonight. I don't know what the
guy's problem was, but he blasted his horn continuously while
tailgating me for nearly two blocks. I was on the right side of the
lane to begin and there was plenty of room to pass. He didn't take the
opportunity. As he continued to follow me, I had to move left to cross
the tracks safely. So I was on the left side of the lane when we
stopped for the red light (my normal position).

He squeezed between me and the curb so he could hurl a string of
epitaphs worthy of a sailor. They generally consisted of improper
descriptors of my bicycle and the road which I should move off of. I
had to yell (the combination of his diesel engine and his foul mouth
were quite loud) to tell him that Arkansas law gives me the right to be
on the road. The next string of curses were about his extraordinary
lack of concern about the law. I pointed out that if I held him up at
all it was well less than 30 seconds and we made that up by being
caught at the same light. I left at the green light with him still
yelling.

Unfortunately, I was more interested in going home than getting his
license plate. When I thought about it, I had already passed through
the light and he had turned right. I suppose it's just another incident
that might be taken seriously in some places, but won't be here.

I have to admit, posting about it to sympathetic readers takes away
some of the frustration. It's nice to converse with people of a like
mind.

-Buck

"Bill Baka" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Buck said:

n5hsr said:

Remind me where you are near. Sounds like you're pretty close to
Marvell.
(Don't get caught going over 20 there.) I used to live in Jonesboro,
and
in Helena and in Arkadelphia back in the 80's.

Well south of Marvell, west of the delta, not quite into Louisiana.

I have to admit that I'm getting a bit tired of this place. It seemed
like a decent place for the last few years, but someone gave licenses
to all the jackass drivers this week. I've been honked at several
times, passed way too close too many times to count, and verbally
assaulted.

The last one happened on the way home tonight. I don't know what the
guy's problem was, but he blasted his horn continuously while
tailgating me for nearly two blocks. I was on the right side of the
lane to begin and there was plenty of room to pass. He didn't take the
opportunity. As he continued to follow me, I had to move left to cross
the tracks safely. So I was on the left side of the lane when we
stopped for the red light (my normal position).

He squeezed between me and the curb so he could hurl a string of
epitaphs worthy of a sailor. They generally consisted of improper
descriptors of my bicycle and the road which I should move off of. I
had to yell (the combination of his diesel engine and his foul mouth
were quite loud) to tell him that Arkansas law gives me the right to be
on the road. The next string of curses were about his extraordinary
lack of concern about the law. I pointed out that if I held him up at
all it was well less than 30 seconds and we made that up by being
caught at the same light. I left at the green light with him still
yelling.

Unfortunately, I was more interested in going home than getting his
license plate. When I thought about it, I had already passed through
the light and he had turned right. I suppose it's just another incident
that might be taken seriously in some places, but won't be here.

I have to admit, posting about it to sympathetic readers takes away
some of the frustration. It's nice to converse with people of a like
mind.

-Buck

You just reminded me of why I sold my father's house in Arkansas when he
died in 2002. I wouldn't live in the south on a dare.
Bill Baka

In the 1980's, I didn't have much of a choice. And I got to see nearly a
decade of Bill Clinton's unique leadership. (We looked to him for
leadership, but all we got was leadersh!t.)

Charles of Schaumburg