Had someone brake check me while on the bicycle this afternoon.

mrsilv04

mrsilv04

Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
10,757
Location
Illinois
I know, it was all my fault.... I selfishly took 30 seconds of their day away from them.

Yes, they got caught behind me for about 30 seconds. Marked two lane road, no paved shoulders, still within city limits., with some oncoming traffic. When there's not a paved shoulder, I tend to ride within 2 feet of the white line (3 feet at the most).

I had the sense that something was getting ready to go wrong as they were passing me. As they were coming around, I checked my rear view mirror to see that there was no one else behind me.

As soon as they got in front of me, they put it all the way over on the right edge of the pavement, and brought it down to a complete stop. I was riding at somewhere between 18-20mph. I had three choices. Go to the right and take the ditch (and likely get hurt), run into the back of them (and likely get hurt), or pass them on the left using the oncoming lane.

I took #3 and went around on the left. Thankfully I already knew that there wasn't anyone behind me. There was no oncoming traffic, and I made a successful pass. I was around them quickly as they were at a complete stop, and I was still moving at a good clip.

My next fear was that it wasn't yet over for me, but it thankfully was. They turned off onto the first side street that they came to, and disappeared. Once I realized that I was in the clear, I pulled off in a safe place and let my heart rate come down a bit. I think that also being a motorcycle rider for 25+ years helped me on this one, to be able to quickly make a decision and execute it, that kept me upright with the rubber side down.

After several years and 18,000 miles on the bicycle, this one was a first... and a stunning new all time low.

As much as I hate to think it... it really may be time for me to ride with a GoPro or something similar.
 
mrsilv04 said:
As much as I hate to think it... it really may be time for me to ride with a GoPro or something similar.
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Absolutely. That's probably why they turned down the next street. They realized how stupid they are and good of a driver you are. You've spent more time on 2 wheels than most of us have on 4!
 
I was approaching a 3-way intersection in my car. I was going downhill on Sir Francis Drake Blvd and slowing down from 55mph to come to a stop before making my right turn in the town of Olema. A cyclist was approaching quickly from behind and started yelling "Don't stop, DON'T STOP!" I could clearly hear him because I had the top down. He ended up blasting past me, cutting in front of my car and making a hard right going probably 30 mph, narrowly missing the car that was approaching the 3-way stop in the opposite lane. You cannot see if there are cars approaching the intersection because buildings at the street corners block the view until you are at the stop sign. I don't know if he suffered brake or brain failure.
 
I hate riding on public roads these day. When I was young I did it all the time and I got run over only* once.

*technically I was flung over the vehicle and into the shrubs
 
I don't get mad at bikers when they are on backroads or in suburban areas, but there is no reason to ride a bike on a busy city streets for exercise or entertainment, just "because I pay taxes". Transportation is a different thing of course.

It also depends on the city and traffic flow. Charlotte or Las Vegas, oh no, NYC, sure probably faster than a car anyway.

The roads are for cars, not pedestrians who cannot do the speed limit.

I am not taking the side of the jerk driver doing the brake check at all, quite the contrary that being said, I understand the frustration of the driver.

sorry @mrsilv04 that is just my honest take.
 
What gets drivers in Boston lathered up is when they turn a 2 lane road into 1 lane because someone thought it was a great idea to put a bike line in a heavily congested area. Drivers have become even more hostile than usual to bike riders, making it way too dangerous for them, take the T it is safer. I hate driving there, it is sketchy even in a car.

Is it safe to ride a bike in Boston?
Dangerous Boston Streets and Intersections for Cyclists
If you must travel through these areas, look for protected bike lanes. And remember, it can really help to walk your bike route before you ride and observe the traffic flow. Commonwealth Avenue has long been one of the most dangerous roads in Boston for cyclists.
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https://www.bwglaw.com/blog/two-recent-cyclist-deaths-highlight-dangers-of-biking-in-boston/
 
I had a friend in college who was stopped at a red light and got rear ended by a bicyclist who came flying down a hill and tried to pass him on the right. The cyclist took out his passenger side tail lights and flew over the car and landed in the crosswalk.

Guess who's insurance was liable in our state when a bicyclist runs into a car and gets hurt?
 
mrsilv04's experience is typical of the behaviour of aggressive drivers and I simply do not care if I am annoying them with my driving style when I am in my truck.
Totally different when I am riding my motorcycle or my bicycle. I am much too vulnerable then and will get away from the situation quickly when I am on my motorcycle.
 
ripcord said:
I had a friend in college who was stopped at a red light and got rear ended by a bicyclist who came flying down a hill and tried to pass him on the right. The cyclist took out his passenger side tail lights and flew over the car and landed in the crosswalk.

Guess who's insurance was liable in our state when a bicyclist runs into a car and gets hurt?
Click to expand...
When backing out of your driveway and getting hit by a cyclist riding on the sidewalk you quickly learn that you just hit a pedestrian on a bicycle. I'm not making this up. I only ride on low-traffic roads and trails these days. Having to commute by bike or being a bike messenger is tough - we are not in Holland.
 
ripcord said:
All these anti bicycle folks need to remember that the cyclists paid for the roads with their bicycle registration and fees. If it wasn't for the cyclists we wouldn't we wouldn't even have those roads. </snark>
Click to expand...

And need to also remember cyclists all own cars and pay the same taxes and fees as anyone else.

I quit riding on roads years ago. Would rather be alive than "legally within my rights" and paralyzed or dead.

There are times a cyclist needs to "take the lane" as the OP did for his personal safety but the car driver doesn't get it.
 
I was forced to follow a couple of guys for a block or so in the city who were riding two across, taking the whole lane. It was late afternoon and I needed to get to my next job. I gave them a couple of friendly toots to give them a chance to move over, but nope. They flipped me off when I finally got around them... I have no patience for inconsiderate and arrogant people.
 
AZjeff said:
And need to also remember cyclists all own cars and pay the same taxes and fees as anyone else.

I quit riding on roads years ago. Would rather be alive than "legally within my rights" and paralyzed or dead.

There are times a cyclist needs to "take the lane" as the OP did for his personal safety but the car driver doesn't get it.
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Great point AZjeff. It seems lots of people who only drive autos have no problem rationalizing that they pay road fees and other taxes and those on bicycles don't. Besides your typical cycle enthusiast usualy isn't on lower socioeconomic tiers. Look at the price of bikes in a Trek store.

But regardless what is paid for in taxes and fees doesn't represent any more or less right to roads used by the public. For those that think that way there's a word for it: Preference
 
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