As a cyclist how should I respond...?

Question

... when its a life-threatening situation for me and just a joke to him (or her)?

I communte daily through city traffic and many people either unwittingly or over-agressively create situations that are very very dangerous for me while almost zero risk to them. Even though I have a legal right to be there and even though I more or less keep up with traffic, and in some cases even go faster, some people still think they have the right to run me off the road.

Sorry dude, biking is not just a hobby, it is a bona-fide mode of transport; as well as a great hobby. Just because I burn calories instead of gas doesn't make me a second class citizen. Come to think of it, that should give me more rights, not less, but I'll settle for equal...

Its so tempting to respond violently and I get angry verbally frequently and physically sometimes too but I'm trying to reform.

However, come to think of it, I'm probably within my rights to use deadly force if I feel my life is being threatened and lets make no mistake, my life is threatened every day.

Most times it just results in escalation anyway: either they get mad at you for almost killing you (its just one of those human moments that just makes your head spin) or they actually try to kill you when traffic gets moving again (yup, I've had that too, kinda like one of those goofball answerers who need to seriously rethink their macho ********).

By the way, I have absolutely no fear of man or machine. I'm a very fit and well trained 200 lbs and if one of those ******* want to get out of their ego extensions, you'll find out quickly that cyclists are not wimps.

Oh yeah, I'm trying to learn a non-violent response? Its not about who's stronger anyways, is it?

Yeah, I actually was wanting an answer.

Answer 1

Unfortunately there is much ignorance and misinformation out there, and as result discrimination and hatred are directed at bicyclists across the nation for using the roads in a perfectly legal manner. In fact most states treat bicycles as motorized vehicles in their own right and perfectly capable of using paved surfaces just as an ordinary car, though keeping as far to the right as practicably possible to allow others to pass. For more information about how to respond to motorist intimidation and see what recourse you have in the legal system, check out the League of American Bicyclists' Web site and their Rules of the Road.

Answer 2

To be honest with you I think that cities need to create lanes specifically for cyclists so that people can't go running them off the roads. I know that the City of Ottawa has a couple places where there are cycling lanes, but that's the only place I've seen them so far. Short of taking it up with your city's council to have cyclist lanes put into major thoroughfares in the city, I'd say don't be afraid to tell people that you'll gladly sue them for trying to endanger your life. Bicycles are considered, as you stated, an actual form of transportation, and bikes with tires over a certain radius (I believe it's 24 or 30 cm) are required to remain off the sidewalk. If someone tries to either run you off the road or otherwise endanger you, sue their buttox. If you don't want to sue them, I would suggest staying to less travelled roads. You can probably get through faster that way anyways than certain idiots and their thirsty SUV's. Besides, with the cost of gas these days, I really doubt some of them want to have a law suit on their hands.

Answer 3

So are you really looking for an answer, or just whining?

Because we both know the answer: bike commuting is dangerous. Deal with it. You're not gonna change anybody's minds.
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More info:

Well if you read up on bike commuting and the law, you know the cops and the courts will never side with you, so don't count on being "in the right" to save you from being crushed, or if an altercation turns nasty.

So the only reasonable alternative is avoidance - pick lower traffic roads, ride to take the whole lane, etc. You probably already know this... like I said, it's a dangerous bidness.

Answer 4

I enjoy biking as much as anyone, but I do my best to stay off the main roads, and if I can, I'll ride on the side of the road. To me, the highways are made for cars. Even the main streets where there are no shoulders. Bikes are made for bike trails or less travelled roads.

Answer 5

Bike's are a pain on the road, you have trouble passing them safely, you come to a stoplight and the idiot on the bike come running up the right side, passing the vehicles that have just passed him, then the vehicles have to all pass the bike again when the light turns green. BUY A CAR.

Answer 6

i know how u feel bro. its tough out there, i bike manhatten alot, and people out there can be mean, you just have to be meaner. if a guy is crowding your space, scratch up his car "accidently" and whisk down an alley pronto. a guy just got killed recently, sideswiped by a truck in the villiage. its tough man.

Answer 7

keep a few cans of silly spray, and when a car tries to run you off the road........ chuck the can at the back window.

Answer 8

you shouldnt do anything because i think its halarious when i run bikers off the road or splash them.