Dealing with Wrong-Way Riders

On Sun, 4 Apr 2004 21:07:28 +0000 (UTC), [email hidden] wrote
in message <[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?
Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

Stop, wait for him to pass you, and in passing hand him your
dog-eared copy of Effective Cycling with your compliments.

--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. chapmancentral.co.ukchapmancentral.co.ukOpen ↗

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at
Washington University

In article said:

I hesitate to use epithets like "Fred," because the way
I figure it, to Lance Armstrong we're all Freds. But...
There's one Fred in particular that I (almost) run into
quite frequently. This dope is a regular commuter, but
he doesn't wear a helmet, he hauls a large load in a
backpack, and he invariably rides on the wrong side of
the road. (This being in the USA, that's on the left.)
Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?
Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

A game of chicken.

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

Quoted message said:

I hesitate to use epithets like "Fred," because the way
I figure it, to Lance Armstrong we're all Freds. But...
There's one Fred in particular that I (almost) run into
quite frequently. This dope is a regular commuter, but
he doesn't wear a helmet, he hauls a large load in a
backpack, and he invariably rides on the wrong side of
the road. (This being in the USA, that's on the left.)
Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?
Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

WWFD? (What Would Fabrizio Do)----Sprint right at him.
He'll move. :-)

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

Quoted message said:

Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

If the guy hasn't gotten the idea himself after several
encounters what could you possibly say that would break
through his thick skull. Ignore the clown and avoid him as
best you can.

Anonomous said:

I hesitate to use epithets like "Fred," because the way
I figure it, to Lance Armstrong we're all Freds. But...
There's one Fred in particular that I (almost) run into
quite frequently. This dope is a regular commuter, but
he doesn't wear a helmet, he hauls a large load in a
backpack, and he invariably rides on the wrong side of
the road. (This being in the USA, that's on the left.)
Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?
Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

The only thing you should be concerned about is his wrong
way riding.

My standard routine is to slow down and shout, "Hey, you're
riding on the wring side. You're gonna cause an accident."
What else can you do?

If he refuses to ride on the right, you should move well
left into the lane as you approach him. That's how I would
approach any road obstruction.

Art Harris

Quoted message said:

I hesitate to use epithets like "Fred," because the way
I figure it, to Lance Armstrong we're all Freds. But...

Freds aren't necessarily bad cyclists, they're just not
cool. Most people who never read Bicycling magazine before
about 1990 don't know what a fred is anyway.

Quoted message said:

There's one Fred in particular that I (almost) run into
quite frequently. This dope is a regular commuter, but
he doesn't wear a helmet, he hauls a large load in a
backpack, and he invariably rides on the wrong side of
the road. (This being in the USA, that's on the left.)
Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?
Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

Ask him to stop so you can speak to him. Politely explain
why he should be riding on the right side of the road. I
wouldn't even approach the helmet issue -- the other one is
the biggie anyway, and if you get too preachy you won't
accomplish anything.

Matt O.

If you do get to talk to him you might explain that if he
gets hit by a car doing that HE will probably be ruled at
fault and have to pay for his head breaking the car window.

Quoted message said:

I hesitate to use epithets like "Fred," because the way
I figure it, to Lance Armstrong we're all Freds. But...
There's one Fred in particular that I (almost) run into
quite frequently. This dope is a regular commuter, but
he doesn't wear a helmet, he hauls a large load in a
backpack, and he invariably rides on the wrong side of
the road. (This being in the USA, that's on the left.)
Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?
Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I hesitate to use epithets like "Fred," because the
way I figure it, to Lance Armstrong we're all Freds.
But...

Freds aren't necessarily bad cyclists, they're just not
cool. Most people who never read Bicycling magazine before
about 1990 don't know what a fred is anyway.

Quoted message said:

There's one Fred in particular that I (almost) run
into quite frequently. This dope is a regular
commuter, but he doesn't wear a helmet, he hauls a
large load in a backpack, and he invariably rides on
the wrong side of the road. (This being in the USA,
that's on the left.) Question One: What's the best
way to pass this bozo? Question Two: What, if
anything, would you say to him about his illegal,
inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of riding?

Ask him to stop so you can speak to him. Politely explain
why he should be riding on the right side of the road. I
wouldn't even approach the helmet issue -- the other one
is the biggie anyway, and if you get too preachy you won't
accomplish anything.

Yep. The only issue that's a *definite* safety issue is the
wrong-way riding.

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return
address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

Quoted message said:

What, if anything, would you say to him about his illegal,
inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of riding?

In the fullness of time, it would probably go:

"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. May his soul and the
souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen".

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

Quoted message said:

I hesitate to use epithets like "Fred," because the way
I figure it, to Lance Armstrong we're all Freds. But...
There's one Fred in particular that I (almost) run into
quite frequently. This dope is a regular commuter, but
he doesn't wear a helmet, he hauls a large load in a
backpack, and he invariably rides on the wrong side of
the road. (This being in the USA, that's on the left.)

I believe the correct term for this is "Wrong Way Wilbur"
(definitely _not_ a reference to that fine bike mechanic,
Wilbur Wright).

Quoted message said:

Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?

I ride closer to the right, so that he is forced to pass me
on my left. If it doesn't look like he's going to move left,
I stop completely. These are the same things I would do for
a wrong way car, whether on my bike or in my car (OK, I
admit it. For a wrong way car I'd go in the ditch to avoid a
head-on collision). In the car, I'd add a long blast on the
horn to try to wake him up.

Quoted message said:

Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

Have a collection of quick things to say as he passes, and
use a different one each time:

"Hundred dollar fine for riding on the left side" - Find out
how much it is in your state before you use this one. Don't
tell him it's virtually never enforced. "It's safer if you
ride on the right." "Cars don't expect you on the left."
"Every car that turns left will hit you."

If you get into a conversation with him, explain three
things:

First, he's far, far more likely to be hit by a car
travelling in the same direction and turning left. No
driver, no matter how careful, looks over their left
shoulder before turning left. But that is exactly where he
is riding. Almost every car approaching almost every
intersection is not looking where he is riding, so they will
not see him until it is too late for either of them to do
anything about it.

Second, give him this example of approach speed. If car
traffic is moving 35 MPH and he is riding 15 MPH, then he is
approaching traffic at 50 MPH. But while riding on the
right, the traffic would be approaching him at 20 MPH. 20
MPH is obviously a safer closing speed than 50 MPH. In
addition, if on a collision course, both the car and the
bike must come to a _full stop_ to avoid a collision whoel
he is on the left. If travelling on the right, the car need
only slow by 20 MPH to avoid the collision, and the bike
doesn't need to do anything.

Third, there were some places in the early 70's that tried
the "bikes ride on the left facing traffic" thing. The
carnage that resulted got those places to change back to
bikes on the right.

Austin
--
I'm pedaling as fast as I durn well please! There are no X
characters in my address

Quoted message said:

Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?

When someone like that has ridden toward me, I've "played
chicken." I headed for them. When they started to move east,
I moved east. When they switched to dodge west, I dodged
west. We eventually stopped with front tires touching.

Quoted message said:

Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

After stopping, as above, I've said "Now which of us is
riding on the wrong side of the road?"

With the exception of one 12-year-old kid, I've gotten
sort of shamed apologies from them. I've said "Riding
against traffic is one of the biggest causes of cyclists
getting killed."

This is a pretty rare occurrence, which is why I never
seem to have the "Ride Right" sheets that I've typed up
for our bike club. But here's the text, if anyone's
interested. (The original is formatted with different font
sizes, some italics, etc. The reverse side features some
general safety tips.)

=================================================================

Ride RIGHT!

The traffic laws in Ohio and every other
state say:

Bicyclists must ride on the RIGHT side of the
road, WITH traffic - not against it!

Why is this? Why NOT ride facing traffic?

1. Drivers of cars, walkers, and other cyclists never
expect to find you there.

2. You can't see traffic signs or signals from the left
side of the street.

3. If you're riding toward the cars, you come together
faster. There's less time to avoid a crash.

4. If you're riding toward the cars, you'll hit much harder
if there's a crash.

5. When drivers of cars pull into the road (from a stop
sign or driveway), they won't look for somebody coming
the wrong way. They'll pull right in front of you. And
it'll be your fault!

6. If there isn't enough space for the car to pass you on
the road, the driver can't wait until it's safe to pass.
You'll get forced off the road into the ditch - or
worse, into a head-on crash.

7. A wrong-way bicyclist is a real problem for another
bicyclist riding correctly. Someone has to go into the
ditch or into traffic.

8. Riding against traffic is one of the leading causes of
serious bicycle accidents.

9. Riding against traffic is against the law. But don't
worry about this one. They won't arrest you unless
you're alive.

Is there any reason you SHOULD ride on the left,
facing traffic?

10. You can see the driver's look of surprise just before
he hits you!

IF YOU WANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON TRAFFIC, GET A REAR VIEW
MIRROR.

Courtesy of the Out-Spokin' Wheelmen Bicycle Club,
Youngstown, OH.

--
-------------+ Frank Krygowski [To reply, omit what's
between "at" and "cc"]

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

Quoted message said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?

I ride closer to the right, so that he is forced to pass
me on my left.

If

Quoted message said:

it doesn't look like he's going to move left, I stop
completely.

I do the opposite. I treat them as if they were a
pedestrian, so they pass me on my right. If necessary, I
will move farther left into the lane in order to do this.
That seems to be what other people do. These guys are always
way over to the edge of the road.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

The area I most commonly see wrong-way riding is an area in
which some store signs are in a foreign language. It doesn't
appear to me that riding through a neighborhood dispensing
advice on how people should act --speaking in what may be
their second language -- is a winning strategy.

When I do say something, it doesn't seem to have any effect.
Sort of like when my mother-in-law would visit our house,
and provide helpful suggestions on how we could run our
household better.

<[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I hesitate to use epithets like "Fred," because the way
I figure it, to Lance Armstrong we're all Freds. But...
There's one Fred in particular that I (almost) run into
quite frequently. This dope is a regular commuter, but
he doesn't wear a helmet, he hauls a large load in a
backpack, and he invariably rides on the wrong side of
the road. (This being in the USA, that's on the left.)
Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?

Sometimes I stop at the extreme right hand edge of the road,
forcing him to move into traffic to go around me. This might
demonstrate to the bozo in question that riding against the
flow of traffic is dangerous, but don't bet on it.

Quoted message said:

Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

At most I will say "right side of the road, please", but
again I really don't expect anything to come of it.
--
mark

Marc Slemko said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

I hesitate to use epithets like "Fred," because the way
I figure it, to Lance Armstrong we're all Freds. But...
There's one Fred in particular that I (almost) run into
quite frequently. This dope is a regular commuter, but
he doesn't wear a helmet, he hauls a large load in a
backpack, and he invariably rides on the wrong side of
the road. (This being in the USA, that's on the left.)
Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?
Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

A game of chicken.

I suggest a bike such as the RANS Rocket [1] I have. The
exposed 62T chainring out front will increase the
intimidation factor.

[1] <http://www.ransbikes.com/2004Bikes/Rocket.htm>.

--
Tom Sherman - Quad Cities (Illinois Side)

"AustinMN" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Question One: What's the best way to pass this bozo?

I ride closer to the right, so that he is forced to pass
me on my left.

If

Quoted message said:

it doesn't look like he's going to move left, I stop
completely. These

are

Quoted message said:

the same things I would do for a wrong way car, whether on
my bike or in

my

Quoted message said:

car (OK, I admit it. For a wrong way car I'd go in the
ditch to avoid a head-on collision). In the car, I'd add a
long blast on the horn to try

to

Quoted message said:

wake him up.

I tried that once. At the last second, he dove between me
and the curb. Handlebars couldn't have been more than an
inch apart as he passed.

Now, I always give them a wide berth.

Pete

I second this approach. People are free to be idiots in this
country, and it has been my experience that idiots get
awfully upset when you question their idiocy. I like the
idea of hopping off your bike and waiting for him to pass.
That at least lets him know you consider him careless and
potentially dangerous.

"Tom Kunich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:eE-
[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

Question Two: What, if anything, would you say to him
about his illegal, inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of
riding?

If the guy hasn't gotten the idea himself after several
encounters what could you possibly say that would break
through his thick skull. Ignore

the

Quoted message said:

clown and avoid him as best you can.

Bestest Handsander said:

I second this approach. People are free to be idiots in
this country, and it has been my experience that idiots
get awfully upset when you question their idiocy. I like
the idea of hopping off your bike and waiting for him to
pass. That at least lets him know you consider him
careless and potentially dangerous.

[censored] happens...karma works... We've all heard of the Darwin
Awards. A related concept I like is "Darwin Points", sort of
like points on your driver's license. They are awarded for
taking stupid risks. Get too many within a given time frame
and your right to be a member of the genepool is revoked.
Fred is slowly but surely accumulating them...

Mike

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

There's one Fred in particular that I (almost) run
into quite frequently. This dope is a regular
commuter, but he doesn't wear a helmet, he hauls a
large load in a backpack, and he invariably rides on
the wrong side of the road. (This being in the USA,
that's on the left.) Question One: What's the best
way to pass this bozo? Question Two: What, if
anything, would you say to him about his illegal,
inefficient, unsafe, stupid way of riding?

Ask him to stop so you can speak to him. Politely explain
why he should

be

Quoted message said:

riding on the right side of the road. I wouldn't even
approach the helmet issue -- the other one is the biggie
anyway, and if you get too preachy

you

Quoted message said:

won't accomplish anything.

I second this approach. I tried it once when I met a junior-high-
age kid riding on the wrong side, and not only did he
head off in the correct direction this time, but he even
said "Thanks." It restored my faith in humanity for a day
or two. 🙂

Pete said:

I tried that once. At the last second, he dove between me
and the curb. Handlebars couldn't have been more than an
inch apart as he passed.

Now, I always give them a wide berth.

I turn sideways and block the lane, and then tell them
that it's illegal for them to ride facing traffic and they
will cause an accident where the court will say that they
are at fault.