Bottle Thrown At Me

Chris516

I know you weren't implying anything and, if I seemed pissed off at you, it is the drivers, not you, that I am pissed off at. I was pointing out, how I deal with motorists that do that. While a motorist can reach 50mph before, I could, that is where, I make use of the maneuverability advantage.

Christopher

cbjesseeNH

Of course, the option of self-defense, in almost all states, is nullified if, given the chance to break off and avoid, you pursue to renew contact (with the exception of defending within your home or chasing certain violent felons).

Hence, if you chase them down and get in a scrap, you are just as likely to get in trouble as they, assuming they don't admit fault. Scum-of-the-earth types have been known to lie, as it turns out.

An interesting exception has arisen in FL, where your car is considered an extension of your domicile, so the "Castle Doctrine" (your home is your castle, and you have a right to defend it) might be applied to your bike.

But pursuing to renew a conflict usually turns the table from self-defense to mutual conflict.

I might suggest suggest a progressive training program for those planning to exercise the chase-em-down option:

1. Approach old people in old cars, on 1-way streets, and make comments about their mothers.
2. Approach young people in new cars, on two-way streets, and make comments about their mothers.
3. Approach a carloads of cruisers, on two two-way streets with uphills in all directions, and talk about their cars and women.



One upside one has about a conflict while on a bike, is the presumed greater speed and injury potential of a car vs a bike, the inability to navigate off-road with a road bike and the inability to run away wearing cleats or barefoot. So if there is no chase, and you find it necessary to stand your ground, just make sure you are carrying a big stick. There is another thread going about carrying a "big stick" while cycling, in the Cycling Equipment forum (some people consider self-defense tools the same as pumps, patches, multi-tools and such that one uses in case of emergencies on the road).

BRET

ncb

Bottles, Sundaes, Creme Puffs...you guys are lucky! They usually throw the whole F*****G car at me with them still inside...I'm an ultra cautious daily commuter and TRUST NO ONE but I've been hit twice SMACK HARD in 45 years. Usually doesn't hurt too bad and I often do worse to myself when I'm Mountain Biking :-) They always (as in ALWAYS) claim they "didn't see me", which is a great clue that they won't see the right hook I throw when I roll off their hood and stand up to their chorus of "Are you OK?".

My back-up is now at least a 4 oz. rock preferably with "jaggy" edges...it leaves more of an impression on the "impressionable young scalliwags" that throw things from cars. I've taken lately to making my camera phone available for quick shots of idiots and their licence numbers. Would it be illegal to post those pics on my website?

Induray

Jacksonville Fla. Down here throwing thins at cyclist is considered a sport! I've been thrown beer bottles, pennies, soda cans, dead possums, you name it. Luckily most of these red necks have either bad aim or simply too drunk to hit me. Hey...who said that cycling wasn't a contact sport?

ncb

LOL...no kidding, watching the replay of Lance A in TdF 2003, he crashed hard after catching his handlebar on a musset bag belonging to a little kid...blames himself. (un)Fortunately I don't have to worry about cycling fans knocking me down, just those less forgiving infernal combustion buggies.

bomber

Great point.... I commute day in and day out in London and although there are those days when you get cut off, sworn at or even squeezed into the curb it really is in the minority. Generally people are pretty good at giving way or making way and thats when I make a point of thanking them. As much as we may hate the tin can travelling over the speed limit down the same road as you we're never going to get rid of them so we need to get those drivers on our side or at least in some way sympathetic to our safety zone.

ncb

Well said...let's look for the good in people...it's there...I remember it!

Andoo

Greetings,

Sorry to revive an aging thread, but this past week I have finally become victim of random flying objects from cars. As most of you, I try and commute to work on my bike when I can. Last week I commuted Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday on the way to work, something hit me on my left arm and kinda rolled/bounced off of me. By the time I realized what happened, the green Lexus was speeding away. I got real angry, but I calmed my self down and just let it go. The same day on the way home, a car came near me and the passenger blew an Air-horn right in my ear. This time I caught up with the car at the light and I cursed him out, and proceeded to leave him behind with all the rush hour traffic. My coworker told me to try and get plate numbers, as her father is a judge and knows many police officers. They might not be able to legally do anything to these people, but they can pay the house a visit and put a bit of scare into them...

Anyway, it's what I get for living on Long Island, NY where the UAV (Urban Assault Vehicle (SUV)) rules supreme .

Andrew

__________________
Nothing in the world makes people so afraid as
the influence of independent-minded people.
-Albert Einstein

Ryanotokyo

[font=&quot]Quick advice from a 7 year commuter:[/font]

[font=&quot]1. Use a mirror - Blackburn type folding mirrors are the best, because they don't impede your ability to get through the stinking great rush hour traffic jams of motor vehicles blocking the road (should be illegal, that). Firstly, they force cars to stay that extra foot or so away from you when passing. Secondly, it gives you an early warning when a car is coming closer than it should, so that you can respond by using your whistle, or just sticking your arm out to wave them around you. [/font]

[font=&quot] [/font]

[font=&quot]2. Use a whistle or air horn (Airzound), or learn to whistle like a sheepdog trainer. Ideally we could all whistle like a sheepdog master, but I haven't found anyone who can teach me the secret. So next best thing is a cheap umpires whistle. I prefer whistle over horn because it is cheap, light, simple and doesn't break or require pumping up. Shouting is fine too, but tends to aggravate bad drivers, as if you are picking a fight with them or something, and the whistle is MUCH louder. With a whistle, leave it hanging around your neck in safe zones, and hold between your teeth only along those tricky sections/intersections. [/font]

[font=&quot] [/font]

[font=&quot]3. Stay calm at all times, ride slowly and be seen. I like to use my hands a fair bit, waving at cars that wait for me before turning, waving at cars to go around me, and giving them a thank you wave when they do. The regular commuting drivers generally appreciate it and get to know you. Ride in the middle of the outside lane also, for the same reason. Being seen is vital, and this means lights at night. Whatever works, but if you use battery lights make sure that they are charged properly. [/font]

Sham

when they ask, "are you ok?" i would seriously consider ( if i had the skill to walk or ride off with just a couple bruises) i would let them now that i had sustainted horrible minor injuries.
really, reporting the license plates to the police, i hope would help with the problem. at the least, wouldn't it be reckless driving, in some of these instances?
i carry an index card and pen, more for my random writing inspirations, but it's a good idea to have a pen and some writeable surface, at least for that million dollar idea, or the perfect quip to shout the next time.

Andoo

I was half thinking of getting one of those digital flash memory audio recorders, that way one could could quickly note the information with one hand... thus not having to stop... Just an idea, I think I saw some at Office Max for US$ 30ish... but I am sure i can find it cheaper on the net...

Andrew

__________________
Nothing in the world makes people so afraid as
the influence of independent-minded people.
-Albert Einstein

huhenio

I commute only 3 times a week on the bike, but I do it at the same time of the day on the same routes every time. Most people are nice ... no doubt about it ... but I got yelled at yesterday.

I know If I sit around in the same area - In my jeep - I will see him again.

I know that my towhook is something that the average compact car does not want to crash against.

I know that I can slam on my brakes and make most compact cars suffer damage without having any damage to my steel bumper and towhook.

I know I can get some help to track down a licence plate from the local LEO's by reporting a hit and run.

I know that I am a vindictive prick.

I know that I commute the same road and I better refrain to cause arguments with the other commuters.

__________________
2003 Gary Fisher Zebrano (standard gearing)
Comfort commuter with drop and aero bars.
Think of a Buick.

1974 Schwinn Traveler Fixed Gear Conversion (42x13)

Think of some medieval torture element that goes fast

Wheelist, show me the bike!!!!!!!