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04-09.-2003, 09:11 PM
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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 39
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Vocal Harassment from Drivers
I'd like to get your experiences on this. It seems at least once a week I get yelled/heckled at while riding my bike on my commute, to the tone of "Get off the road!", or "Get on the sidewalk". And these aren't friendly suggestions, they are mean spirited, bent-browed and loud. The latest is because a car had to wait an extra five seconds to pull out of their parking space while I came by.
Now I guess I have to get used to some of this, and when I get a chance I yell back to "Read the Laws" or "Its my right", but that probably doesn't go far. I guess I want to put my place in perspective. Do you all get this same treatment often, and is it more or less than I seem to experience in my riding area? |
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06-09.-2003, 01:02 AM
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#2 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Toronto
Posts: 13
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Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
Quote:
Yeah it happens. Reasonably rarely though. If its happening once a week for you I would guess that a) cyclists are relatively rare where you are, and/or b) drivers are particularly jerks where you are, and/or c) you are riding in such a way to infuriate them. Not much you can do about it, unless they stop, in which case you can have a debate  Best I think is just to smile and wave because they don't expect that.I find when it does happen (0 times this summer, possibly 2 or 3 times last summer) it is an aggressive driver yelling because I was in their "way" of making an aggressive move (such as using the parking lane to weave in and out of traffic at high speeds) I also find the occasional honk when I find it necessary to take the lane. (such as a reasonably short construction stretch with cones narrowing the lane and only one lane in the direction) It doesn't seem to matter that I'm travelling the speed limit either for that stretch. If there was a bus in front going slower and stopping at a stop in the stretch, the car deals with it. If there is a bicycle in front going at a reasonable rate of speed, these people somehow think its an impediment and honk. |
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10-09.-2003, 04:45 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London
Posts: 37
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Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
I find that a well contructed and logically coherent riposte is all that is required to convey my meaning to other road users. I tend however to avoid "it's my right" prefering earthier Anglo Saxon words of unambiguous meaning - generally shouted - turing on the parentage of my fellow road user and their genitalia.
Yours Aye. |
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12-09.-2003, 07:33 AM
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#4 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Gambrills, Maryland
Posts: 163
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Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
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May, I really feel for you guys who have to put up with harassment. I have found just the opposite. The overwhelming majority of drivers around Annapolis, Maryland are courteous and more than willing to cede the right of way to a bicycle! I have had only one incident in 15 months of riding, and that wasn't really all that bad. Most places have bicycle lanes, they are building new hiker/biker paths all the time, and "Share the Road with Bicycles" are in quite a few places. Perhaps you should come ride with me! |
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12-09.-2003, 01:19 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 940
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Re: Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
Yep,
all to common for me..... I just kind of ignore it now.. I have heard it so much... it usually just makes me laugh.. unless I am having a very bad day and it gets to me. I have had stuff thrown at me physically and verbally... grin and bear it...... and eventually it rolls off your shoulders.. otherwise go and cycle in doors or on bike tracks. yeah we should not have to put up with it.. but what are you going to do argue with a motor vehicle ? im currently on a personal campaign to strictly obey rules and wave a thank you to any car that waits nicely for me too pass, I figure they are at least waiting for me... if I am nice enough to enough drivers it will maybe rub off on them towards cyclists. cheers Mikey |
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14-09.-2003, 12:46 AM
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#6 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Gambrills, Maryland
Posts: 163
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Re: Re: Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
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I recently started that, too. Today, I was on a narrow, two lane road, coming up on a blind curve. A panel truck - a BIG panel truck - was behind me and didn't want to pass on the curve. As soon as I rounded it and saw the way was clear, I motioned for the truck to go ahead. He did, honked twice and waved his thanks. Commiting random acts of courteousness can have its rewards! |
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16-09.-2003, 12:14 AM
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#7 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: on my bike
Posts: 392
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Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
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I find when I go out cycling with my 9 yr old daughter, I get NO negatuve comments, and actually some cute ones. If you are kidfree, maybe borrow a kid from someone (girls seem to work better, maybe because they're cute--lol), and use the kid to help prevent neg comments.
__________________
"He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior"--Confucius |
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16-09.-2003, 05:09 AM
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#8 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 39
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Re: Re: Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
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Oh I am hoping it rubs off, but not the way you mention. I hope the behavior rubs off on other cyclists. I follow all rules as strictly as I can, but my one good example to 5 or 10 other bad examples I see every day (folks riding the wrong direction/wrong side of the road is the biggest culprit, squeezing alongside cars in a narrow lane to pass them, not signalling, etc, etc) is a plop in the bucket. I'm not being pessimistic, I will keep going and eventually the tide will turn (maybe not in my lifetime) but it is so depressing. And the kids will always give bikers a bad name. Its not like they have to follow any rules when they get a license, or that thier behavior on bikes is at all scrutinized. You see them all the time weaving through the middle of the roads, jumping up and down from sidewalks, etc. Good for them, bad for me. |
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16-09.-2003, 05:09 AM
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#9 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 39
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Re: Re: Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
Quote:
Oh I am hoping it rubs off, but not the way you mention. I hope the behavior rubs off on other cyclists. I follow all rules as strictly as I can, but my one good example to 5 or 10 other bad examples I see every day (folks riding the wrong direction/wrong side of the road is the biggest culprit, squeezing alongside cars in a narrow lane to pass them, not signalling, hopping up and down sidewalks frequently, etc, etc) is a plop in the bucket. I'm not being pessimistic, I will keep going and eventually the tide will turn (maybe not in my lifetime) but it is so depressing. And the kids will always give bikers a bad name. Its not like they have to follow any rules when they get a license, or that thier behavior on bikes is at all scrutinized. You see them all the time weaving through the middle of the roads, jumping up and down from sidewalks, etc. Good for them, bad for me. Not the cute little ones of course, though I dont think they can keep up with me on my commute, or want to come to work at the office for the day. |
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20-09.-2003, 05:45 PM
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#10 |
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 74
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Personally I think all you can do is rise above it and not let it get to you. I think the longest time I have *ever* gone without abuse from a driver was 10 days, and than was on a tour in Victoria. Here in Queensland it's a surprise if a day goes by when I don't get it.
I have something of a personal policy here: if it's verbal abuse I just ignore it and go on with my ride. If it's more (throwing something) I take down a number and go straight to the police. I've long given up the whole process of trying to reason with drivers. There are some people you just won't convince, no matter what you say - and to be honest, I don't care about convincing them. They don't have to like leaving me alone, they only have to do it. So if it bothers you, just call the cops and let them deal with it.
__________________
Stop the world... This is where I get off. |
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03-10.-2003, 02:10 AM
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#11 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Suburban Chicago
Posts: 2,778
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Quote:
In the Chicago suburban area where I live, commute, walk, and shop I have similar experiences. Cycling is full of a lot of "little things", including the verbal "assaults". As long as they are just verbal, I just go on, without changing my riding. If I find a route selection that works best in avoiding verbal "assaults" I try to take it, even if it takes more time and effort. I think the idea of going to the police is something that may have merrit. I found that police forces that include bicycle units are more responsive. I only resort to police when I can get the license plate number, vehicle description, offender's description, and they have thrown an object at me. The only time the police weren't responsive is when I didn't have a complete description. The particular department also doesn't have any police bicycle patrol or police involvement in school children's bicycle safety program. I think community involvement in bicycle safety programs and encouraging police bicycle patrols can help. When community events involve police, in a community relations effort, I try to show my support to them and build my relationship with them. If and when I need them in an official capacity, I have a better base for communications. David Ornee, Western Springs, IL |
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04-10.-2003, 12:27 PM
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#12 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 88
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Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
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I get the same all the time. The other day I was stopped at a light and a car pulled up next to me. A teenager shouted out the window "Hey! Where's your license plate" followed by "What kind of mileage you get on that thing" and then "Isn't it about time to change your oil?". When the light changed, they floored it and pulled into my lane right in front of me. Then there's the drivers that yell "Get off the road" or "Get on the sidewalk *)&()*(". I really wish the police would start ticketing/arresting people for riding on the sidewalks. If the 95% of cyclists on the sidewalks would ride on the road where they are supposed to be, drivers would learn to accept it. If we could get most cyclists to start obeying the traffic rules and riding responsibly, we would all get a LOT more respect. |
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04-10.-2003, 03:47 PM
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#13 | |
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Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 74
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Re: Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
Quote:
I'm sorry, but I just don't buy this at all. As I related in another thread, what about the large number of drivers around here who frequently run red lights and the like. Does anyone use that as a justification to shout abuse at drivers generally? I know for a fact that around here at least, it's the law abiding acts (such as stopping at marked pedestrian crossings) that seem to pre-empt most of the abuse. The point is, you have no way of knowing if a driver's anger was actually caused by a cyclist doing something to upset them. About the only hope any of us have of finding out is to ask them, and even then it's no guarantee. Even if that is the cause (which I seriously doubt), it's not the responsibility of drivers to "police" cyclists. That job belongs to the police themselves. I really think the whole "drivers abuse cyclists because cyclists break road rules" is just another cop-out to put the blame on the victim. Isn't harassing or assaulting someone also a breach of the law? I really think that cycling advocates should forget about trying to come up with ways to explain or rationalise driver aggression and look at it for what it really is.
__________________
Stop the world... This is where I get off. |
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04-10.-2003, 05:33 PM
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#14 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 750
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Re: Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
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Just read this post, you're a hoot, toosore, you have a way with words. Earthier anglo Saxon words of unambiguous meaning... A regular poet, I'd say! S |
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05-10.-2003, 04:11 AM
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#15 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 88
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Re: Re: Re: Vocal Harassment from Drivers
Quote:
The basic difference is that the "large number" of drivers to which you refer are the minority. The cyclists who are breaking traffic laws are the vast majority. A bicycle is a vehicle. It is to be operated by the same rules that govern all other traffic. The sidewalk is for pedestrians not for vehicles. A red light means "STOP" not "JUMP ON THE THE SIDEWALK AND RIDE RIGHT ON THROUGH". I have never seen another cyclist stopped at a traffic light. And of course you're right, I get rude comments BECAUSE I am stopped at the light. But if I wasn't the only one that does it, this would not be the case. Vehicles in the United States use the right hand side of the road, not whichever damn side they choose. I see several bikes riding on the left hand side every day.. I have never seen a car doing that. Likewise, I have never seen a motorcycle being driven on the sidewalk although they would fit just as easily as a bicycle. I see probably 50 or more (probably over 100 if I were to actually do a count) bikes on the sidewalk for every one that I see on the street. I have never seen a car going down the street with a passenger on the hood. I see several bikes a day with two or three kids on them. And again, you are right. There are really bad drivers out there but we don't shout abuse at every driver we see. Why? Because the really bad drivers are in the minority. Why are cyclists in general the target of abuse? Because most completely disgregard traffic rules and act like they are completely unaware that they are doing anything wrong. And remember: Its not just the majority of cyclists that think that they are supposed to be on the sidewalk instead of the road. Most drivers actually think that cyclists are SUPPOSED to stay off the road... and why wouldn't they think that? 99% of the bikes they see are on the sidewalk. Tired of the abuse you get while riding on the road? If you weren't in a tiny minority then drivers would be used to it and you would get much more respect. Maybe WE need to start yelling at the sidewalk warriers as we pass. |
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