Why do drivers yell...

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

Quoted message said:

They yell because cyclists and 'victims' of these assaults
allow it. Verbal assault is assault and by any other name
smells as 'sweetly'. File charges. If you don't then they
will continue to assault.

A coup, a hit, is battery AND assault. An assault does not
have to involve physical contact. Give a one fingered wave
to a bad tempered cop.

However, assault *does* have to have some kind of threat.
Simply yelling "[censored]" or "hey, geek" out the window of a
car won't rise to the level of assault no matter how hard
you push it with the cops.

....

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

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

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

Quoted message said:

You could carry a gun shoot their tires out to make a
statement.

The statement being, of course, "I am more hotheaded and
stupid than those who yell at me."

"David Kerber" <ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

They yell because cyclists and 'victims' of these
assaults allow it.

Verbal

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

assault is assault and by any other name smells as
'sweetly'. File

charges.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you don't then they will continue to assault.

A coup, a hit, is battery AND assault. An assault does
not have to

involve

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

physical contact. Give a one fingered wave to a bad
tempered cop.

However, assault *does* have to have some kind of threat.
Simply yelling "[censored]" or "hey, geek" out the window of
a car won't rise to the level of assault no matter how
hard you push it with the cops.

When I reported a guy who leaned on his horn and then cut
dangerously close around me in a no-passing zone, the police
officer who responded recommended against pressing assault;
she said it would have trouble sticking. Instead she took it
as a road rage case and recommended reckless driving, which
they use to classify road rage. Apparently the city
prosecuting attorney LOVES to prosecute road rage cases.
<evil grin>

(And as I recounted a couple years ago, eventually the guy
gave up, pleaded guilty, and paid over $100 in fines and
court costs.)

But yelling is hardly assault. I wouldn't hesitate to call
the cops on aggressive and dangerous driving, though.

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

Quoted message said:

"David Kerber" <ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

They yell because cyclists and 'victims' of these
assaults allow it.

Verbal

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

assault is assault and by any other name smells as
'sweetly'. File

charges.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you don't then they will continue to assault.

A coup, a hit, is battery AND assault. An assault does
not have to

involve

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

physical contact. Give a one fingered wave to a bad
tempered cop.

However, assault *does* have to have some kind of
threat. Simply yelling "[censored]" or "hey, geek" out the
window of a car won't rise to the level of assault no
matter how hard you push it with the cops.

When I reported a guy who leaned on his horn and then cut
dangerously close around me in a no-passing zone, the
police officer who responded recommended against pressing
assault; she said it would have trouble sticking. Instead
she took it as a road rage case and recommended reckless
driving, which they use to classify road rage. Apparently
the city prosecuting attorney LOVES to prosecute road rage
cases. <evil grin>

(And as I recounted a couple years ago, eventually the guy
gave up, pleaded guilty, and paid over $100 in fines and
court costs.)

Well done!

Quoted message said:

But yelling is hardly assault. I wouldn't hesitate to call
the cops on aggressive and dangerous driving, though.

Me, neither. I've been yelled at (only once so far), but the
guy just continued driving along in his lane after passing
me, while I was outside the white line on the shoulder. No
threat at all, therefore no assault, just wonderment as the
idiocy of some people.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in
the newsgroups if possible).

Luigi de Guzman said:

John Everett said:

Dan Cosley said:

...when you're not in their way?

Because they can. ;-)

*DING*

Mr. Everett, you won today's no-prize!

Thanks...I think. For some reason the OP just reminded me
of that age old question, "Why do dogs lick their
genitals?" ;-)

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net
home.earthlink.net~jeverett3Open ↗

Luigi de Guzman said:

John Everett said:

Dan Cosley said:

...when you're not in their way?

Because they can. ;-)

*DING*

Mr. Everett, you won today's no-prize!

Thanks...I think. For some reason the OP just reminded me
of that age old question, "Why do dogs lick their
genitals?" ;-)

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net
home.earthlink.net~jeverett3Open ↗

In article <[email hidden]>,

Frank Knox said:

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

Quoted message said:

Collin O'Neill said:

Let's face it - stupid kids do things like that just to
impress each

other

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

with their bravado. It really has nothing to do
with you.

-Collin ( leaving caltrops scattered in the road ....)

....until they see the Mac-10 on the side of my hip.

-Luigi no not really

At least a couple of my club members have been known to
discreetly carry concealed (with permits). That may be
unusual among the (mostly liberal minded) cycling
community, but some do.

These people need to check the laws in their state covering
their concealed cary permits.

Most CCW¹s are not valid when the holder is involved in
recreational activity.

I ride my bike for fun.

Who wants to carry an extra 7 or so pounds around that you
probably couldn¹t get to in time anyway?

HAND

--
³Freedom Is a Light for Which Many Have Died in Darkness³

- Tomb of the unknown - American Revolution

David Kerber ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net said:

Me, neither. I've been yelled at (only once so far), but
the guy just continued driving along in his lane after
passing me, while I was outside the white line on the
shoulder. No threat at all, therefore no assault, just
wonderment as the idiocy of some people.

whoa? just *ONCE*? *EVER*?

i was yelled at 2 times last weekend. neither having
anything to do with traffic, etc. but just stupid young
males leaning out of passenger windows and screaming nothing
in particuliar.

it's hardly even annoying. for my own faith in humanity i
track the number of real confrontations with cars (it's
surprisingly low when you actually write them down) and i
don't even include these guys.

i suspect being an early 30s male makes me a bit more of a
"challenge" to them. more fun to yell at. i'm sure it
doesn't help that i'm a long hair.
--
david reuteler [email hidden]

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

Quoted message said:

David Kerber ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net said:

Me, neither. I've been yelled at (only once so far), but
the guy just continued driving along in his lane after
passing me, while I was outside the white line on the
shoulder. No threat at all, therefore no assault, just
wonderment as the idiocy of some people.

whoa? just *ONCE*? *EVER*?

Yes, just once ever, and that was early last year. Maybe the
area I ride is a little more accomodating to cyclists? Of
course, until 3 years ago, I hadn't been on a bike for
nearly 20 years (since I graduated from college), but in the
last 3 years there has been just that one incident, with at
*least* 1 ride per week, and often several.

Quoted message said:

i was yelled at 2 times last weekend. neither having
anything to do with traffic, etc. but just stupid young
males leaning out of passenger windows and screaming
nothing in particuliar.

it's hardly even annoying. for my own faith in humanity i
track the number of real confrontations with cars (it's
surprisingly low when you actually write them down) and i
don't even include these guys.

i suspect being an early 30s male makes me a bit more of a
"challenge" to them. more fun to yell at. i'm sure it
doesn't help that i'm a long hair.

The hair might make a difference, but I'm 43, and probably
not significantly different in appearance from you other
than that. I normally wear "cycling" clothes when on the
bike for more than a quick run to the store, so the lycra
factor would probably be the same.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in
the newsgroups if possible).

Quoted message said:

David Kerber ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net said:

Me, neither. I've been yelled at (only once so far), but
the guy just continued driving along in his lane after
passing me, while I was outside the white line on the
shoulder. No threat at all, therefore no assault, just
wonderment as the idiocy of some people.

Quoted message said:

David Reuteler at [email hidden] wrote: whoa? just
*ONCE*? *EVER*?

i was yelled at 2 times last weekend. neither having
anything to do with traffic, etc. but just stupid young
males leaning out of passenger windows and screaming
nothing in particuliar.

it's hardly even annoying. for my own faith in humanity i
track the number of real confrontations with cars (it's
surprisingly low when you actually write them down) and i
don't even include these guys.

i suspect being an early 30s male makes me a bit more of a
"challenge" to them. more fun to yell at. i'm sure it
doesn't help that i'm a long hair.

Since I switched from diamond frame to recumbents, the car
drivers have been treating me VERY differently on the roads.
For the past 8 years ( year-round), I get about 20-30
positive comments per hour by car drivers and other people
in the area (pedestrians, cyclists, etc) I get the same
amount again per hour of positive or 'noticing' non-verbal
stuff ( pointing, head nods, waves, etc) Car drivers also
give me a full-lane width of space while passing.

Rude or dangerous behaviour by car drivers went from about
2-6 incidents per day when I was on a diamond frame to about
once every ten days to two weeks when I ride a recumbent.
BTW I ride about 15-30 hr per week in an urban setting and
up to 130 km per day when on tour.

Basically, far more friendly treatment, being seen more
readily and safer passing by motorists. I'll take it!

Jay said:

Basically, far more friendly treatment, being seen more
readily and safer passing by motorists. I'll take it!

Riding a recumbent, in their eyes, you are merely a loveable
eccentric instead of underemployed, tax-evading, illegal
immigrant scum (or broke-ass, drunken, no-good native-born
loser, whichever may be most immediately applicable to you
or your roadway environment).

Novelty as security. Fascinating stuff.

-Luigi

Luigi de Guzman said:

Riding a recumbent, in their eyes, you are merely a
loveable eccentric instead of underemployed, tax-evading,
illegal immigrant scum (or broke-ass, drunken, no-good native-
born loser, whichever may be most immediately applicable
to you or your roadway environment).

jeez. it can be tough coming back to the USA after an
extended stay overseas. i nearly cried when i came back from
australia this time last year. some of that had to with the
weather, tho.

.. but not all.
--
david reuteler [email hidden]

loki said:

"GABIKE" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:20040311072055.16260.00001277@mb-
m11.aol.com...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But yelling is hardly assault. I wouldn't hesitate to
call the cops on aggressive and dangerous driving,
though.

Its not asssault but many areas have laws against yelling
at cyclists.

From

Quoted message said:

what I recall they are fairly stiff fines.

Actually I think, depending on circumstances, it can be
construed as an assault.

Good luck convincing a jury! I can see a successful "sticks
and stones" defense here....

-Luigi

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

Quoted message said:

loki said:

"GABIKE" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:20040311072055.16260.00001277@mb-
m11.aol.com...

Quoted message said:

>
>But yelling is hardly assault. I wouldn't hesitate to
>call the cops

on

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>aggressive and dangerous driving, though.

Its not asssault but many areas have laws against
yelling at cyclists.

From

Quoted message said:

what I recall they are fairly stiff fines.

Actually I think, depending on circumstances, it can be
construed as an assault.

Good luck convincing a jury! I can see a successful
"sticks and stones" defense here....

Nowhere near as serious, to be sure, as a physical asault;
but in the local
paper's 'Police Blotter' section I have seen the charge of
'verbal assault'.

And I recall, eon's ago when I lived in Toronto, a case
that was adjudicated wherein the TO police charge a man who
had told the police officer attempting to question him to
'go way' - or at least a two word phrase with the initials
F.O. that is often used to convey that message - at least
that is what the man's lawyer argued when the police
charged him with a verbal assault.

--
' You don't have to look good; you just have to look good
enough. -red green

David Reuteler said:

Luigi de Guzman said:

Riding a recumbent, in their eyes, you are merely a
loveable eccentric instead of underemployed, tax-evading,
illegal immigrant scum (or broke-ass, drunken, no-good
native-born loser, whichever may be most immediately
applicable to you or your roadway environment).

jeez. it can be tough coming back to the USA after an
extended stay overseas. i nearly cried when i came back
from australia this time last year. some of that had to
with the weather, tho.

.. but not all.

I'm prepared for my fellow human beings to think the very
worst of me from the outset. It leaves less room for
surprise later.

-Luigi

On Thu, 11 Mar 2004 12:26:40 -0500, David Kerber

ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net said:

Quoted message said:

whoa? just *ONCE*? *EVER*?

Yes, just once ever, and that was early last year. Maybe
the area I ride is a little more accomodating to cyclists?
Of course, until 3 years ago, I hadn't been on a bike for
nearly 20 years (since I graduated from college), but in
the last 3 years there has been just that one incident,
with at *least* 1 ride per week, and often several.

I'll second that. Same area, not as much riding, never been
yelled at as far as I can remember.

Once, when I was a little kid, I got tired of waiting for
traffic to clear before crossing the street on my bike, and
somebody stopped and yelled at me for it.
--
Rick Onanian

"Luigi de Guzman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message ..

Quoted message said:

I'm prepared for my fellow human beings to think the very
worst of me from the outset. It leaves less room for
surprise later.

How are you guys dressing yourselves before you get on the
bike?

I just got home from my Thursday anaerobic threshold workout
and all I can think of is the really approving looks I
received from several female motorists.

Ok, I realize just having the proper kit isn't going to do
it for some of you types, but at least try.

Fabrizio Mazzoleni said:

I just got home from my Thursday anaerobic threshold
workout and all I can think of is the really approving
looks I received from several female motorists.

Fabs:

Next time put the potato in FRONT.

Same goes for eastern Maine...as far as the Endur-o-Joy meter. 1) it kicks
ass 2) it's way hardcore riding at plus or minus 32 degrees F. (while we are
riding others are still thinking about getting their bikes out for spring!)
Plus we really lack the yelling drivers here. They don't shout...they just
lood amazed at what sort of fool would be out on at bike at these temps with
all that sand (gravel in Maine) on the road. LDofA per capita...mto
"Dan Cosley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
Just zis Guy, you

know? said:

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 10 Mar 2004 02:04:27 +0000 (UTC), Dan Cosley
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
<[email hidden]>:

Quoted message said:

...when you're not in their way?

And then a bike comes along, actually enjoying the
journey. I mean, how dare you? Journeys are to be
endured, not enjoyed!

I have to say, riding in Minneapolis in early March is
maybe half and half on the endur-o-joy-ometer. It does,
however, kick ass compared to driving.

-- Dan

--
Dan Cosley ([email hidden] *
cs.umn.edu~cosleyOpen ↗) GroupLens Research Lab,
Univ of MN (movielens.umn.edumovielens.umn.eduOpen ↗ *

612.624.8372)

Quoted message said:

*** Just a foot soldier in the Army of Truth
***

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

Quoted message said:

David Kerber <ns_dkerber@ns_ids.net> wrote:

Quoted message said:

whoa? just *ONCE*? *EVER*?

i was yelled at 2 times last weekend.

I got yelled at last week. I was thinking, "wha...?" when I
realized it was my husband, yelling "hey cutie!" from his
car as he was dashing off to class.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
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Home of the meditative cyclist:
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