tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post8902527051330906586..comments2024-01-18T09:29:42.707-05:00Comments on Biking in Heels: Letter to a driverCyclerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12072776738519243521noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-13430439326629965442010-12-08T18:58:52.535-05:002010-12-08T18:58:52.535-05:00coming in late to say cycler I agree about the iss...coming in late to say cycler I agree about the issue of VC and making ppl angry. My Mother in law was in our car on cape cod as we were going somewhere. there are lots of summer bikers on the narrow roads and when going around a bend you def want to take the lane to be seen. However my MIL who lives there was all angry ( as a passenger) saying " I don't know why they do that. Don't they know they have more to loose than a car?" I think she saw them as being aggressively risky just daring to be hit. she couldn't see my point when I explained that it's actually safer since you clearly see them and have to slow downand switch lanes to pass. <br /><br />It's interesting- as a new driver it took me a long time to realize that cars do not want to hit me ( in my car) that if I turn out into traffic or am turing left and give enough room the car ahead does not want to hit me- will not speed up to hit me and actually will slow down even if they do not want to b/c they don't want to hit me. <br /><br />However it seems drivers don't nec have this same thought process for cyclist or people. On one hand they don't want to hit me and taking the lane should ensure they don't hit me like they wouldn't hit a car. Yet there is still this thing that happens in the brain that one doesn't compute the bike or person and the need to slow down. and thus drivers get mad and act dangerously around us. We are like debrie to swerve around.MamaVeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09519007680870604271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-21680023190151906682010-12-07T10:14:56.498-05:002010-12-07T10:14:56.498-05:00I read once about someone who responded to obnoxio...I read once about someone who responded to obnoxious behavior--being shouted at from a car or harassed by a teenager--by calling pleasantly "Say hi to your mom for me!" which I thought was hilarious, though I don't think I'd ever have the sangfroid. Apparently it always startled the perp into a state of total puzzlement ("wait--does she really know my mom?? huh?") and then yes, maybe tapped the shame button just a little.Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-77808634517192487462010-12-05T02:19:36.950-05:002010-12-05T02:19:36.950-05:00The problem with VC is that many drivers (it only ...The problem with VC is that many drivers (it only takes a couple, right?) have never come across the concept of "taking the lane" and have no idea what it means.<br /><br />These drivers just get honestly confused, startled, angry when they see a cyclist riding in the middle of the road. I really don't know the solution.<br /><br />I have basically stopped taking the lane altogether, instead focusing on maintaining a constant, safe distance from parked cars. Occasionally cars pass too closely, but honestly, I'd rather deal with that than honking, tailgating, and yelling.Iyennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-17946463417035995712010-12-04T22:54:47.601-05:002010-12-04T22:54:47.601-05:00Cycler, Here's to your frayed nerves recoverin...Cycler, Here's to your frayed nerves recovering, and or hardening. It's not a pretty picture. Im a slow driver, I get may of the same expressions of exasperation. Unfortunately these people are just looking for a release of their own bad days. So help them out, wave, tell them "Have a nice day" or other appropreate reply. YOU will feel better! Maybe even shout it. Yes I bicycle also, and often face the same jerks. Think of it as an encounter with a species that is becoming extinct, sooner or later they'll have an accident acting this way, and you will probably be able to ride right on by. Peace to you my riding friend!david...no the other one!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-61093028065517020412010-12-04T22:34:22.766-05:002010-12-04T22:34:22.766-05:00Steve,
It was not until I started riding in the m...Steve,<br /><br />It was not until I started riding in the middle of the lane, (aka vehicularly) , that the honking and abuse began. This is what I find to be the fatal flaw of VC, that it makes drivers so angry and hostile that A) they behave in a dangerous manner- as in this guy who swerved into me sideways, forcing me either to let him hit me or relinquish my lane position and B) your average bicyclist is not willing, and should not need to be willing to incur such wrath.cyclerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10331461189944538729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-90357408051999551862010-12-04T15:49:27.228-05:002010-12-04T15:49:27.228-05:00I'm blaming holiday stress. I had a very angr...I'm blaming holiday stress. I had a very angry driver behind me on Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving while I was waiting behind several cars in the left turn lane; not holding him up in the slightest. I have his plate number, if he does it again I'll report him. I've also had a few people honk as they go around me on Washington St near Forest Hills Station before Ukraine Ave when I take the lane (with sharrows) this week, it's been more than normal.<br />Instead of respond, I try to remember that it's their problem, not mine. I don't always manage too, but I do try.<br />Keep your head on straight and be safe,<br />MarkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-5127143741816370312010-12-03T19:54:17.089-05:002010-12-03T19:54:17.089-05:00Insert sincere sympathy here.
OK, the REAL questi...Insert sincere sympathy here.<br /><br />OK, the REAL question here is can YOU do, since you don't know where to send this letter to directly reach the jerk? For sure, the infrastructure won't be much different tomorrow.<br /><br />I suggest the following practical actions:<br />1. Send your letter to the newspaper. While I'm sure it won't reach the jerk, it might make a couple of people think which will make things a little better for someone.<br />2. Practice getting license numbers in stressful and unexpected situations. The benefit of this skill should be obvious and your post has reminded me I need to practice more. Thank you.<br />3. Consider whether there is really any downside to riding in the MIDDLE of the lane in such situations so that passing motorists make a FULL lane change instead of being able to just "skootch" over. Review the commuteorlando post on that subject for why, but I can assure you that for darn sure motorists will wait for a gap in oncoming traffic if their downside is something much worse than simply running you off the road into a parked car if they misjudge and suddenly "scootch" back. Besides, on that street, it isn't as if they'll get there any faster regardless.<br /><br />Having driven in Dallas, and in Boston, I'd rather drive in Dallas. I expect that means I'd probably also rather cycle in Dallas, though the distances are also a lot greater.<br /><br />If you are ever in Dallas, I expect a comparison report upon your return.Steve Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13650405341304401203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-39754888876114506402010-12-03T15:59:45.212-05:002010-12-03T15:59:45.212-05:00I've been biking in the area for years and thi...I've been biking in the area for years and think it is getting better, but there are still many issues. One is that most drivers do not know the current laws regarding cyclists. Yes, you can take the WHOLE LANE if you need it and do not need to move out of the way because a FASTER vehicle is behind you. You do not need to be in the bike lane.<br />Anyway, I've started writing down some offences and reporting the worst. In one case, a transit (non-MBTA) van driver was yelling at another cyclist to get out of the way because the cyclist was STOPPED in the right turn late at a red stop light with a no-right turn on red and he wanted to make an illegal right turn on red. I got the van number and called his boss who said, "I understand. I bike as well. I'll follow up." Last I heard they pulled the video from the van to see what happened as the driver claimed he was only "asking" if the cyclist was turning right or not. Note: the company advertises how "courteous" its drivers are.<br />Then last week, in my own neighborhood a driver yelled at me for impeding traffic because the car in front of him would not pass me. Bizarre. This was strange for a lot of reasons including that its a slow-speed residential side street; we were all turning left and then having to stop at the next stop sign; gave me plenty of time to get his details and call the police. In this case I called because its my neighborhood and I don't want crazy drivers in my neighborhood. A cop came to my house and the first thing he said was he understood how I felt because he use to commute by bicycle to his previous job! i think in this case they followed-up with the driver and explained that he wasn't the only vehicle on the road.<br />The officer also told me that the RMV website has a place to log complaints against a driver. I think all you need is the license plate, description, time of day. Anyway, the complaints get reviewed and if they seem to warrant follow-up someone may contact you.<br />Its not much, but its a start.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-87730773199815320382010-12-03T13:51:55.617-05:002010-12-03T13:51:55.617-05:00Boo. I'm so sorry to hear about your altercati...Boo. I'm so sorry to hear about your altercation.<br />Aren't you glad your blood pressure/stress is lower than his must be?<br /><br />On my way home Wednesday I passed a fatal auto wreck on the Mass Ave bridge, minutes after it happened. Yikes. Stay safe out there.Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08036691849337099909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-24436028368309889252010-12-03T13:46:16.479-05:002010-12-03T13:46:16.479-05:00You are much more mature and restrained than I'...You are much more mature and restrained than I've been in similar situations. They seem to teeter somewhere between frightening and ridiculous.Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-34201577580332937762010-12-03T13:18:28.145-05:002010-12-03T13:18:28.145-05:00>:-(
nice letter. Wish he could read and reall...>:-(<br /><br />nice letter. Wish he could read and really hear it.MamaVeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09519007680870604271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-54450696849671088072010-12-03T10:31:11.037-05:002010-12-03T10:31:11.037-05:00cycler, i'm sorry to hear of your bad experien...cycler, i'm sorry to hear of your bad experience... ones like that one really do stink. if i were to write a letter in response to an experience such as yours, i don't think it could ever be written so objectively or maturely.somervillainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13903377050982678550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-89950754044828600702010-12-03T09:09:01.012-05:002010-12-03T09:09:01.012-05:00sorry to hear about the stressful commute. And I ...sorry to hear about the stressful commute. And I hope writing this was at least a little bit cathartic.<br /><br />one comment stuck out for me: "Unfortunately there's not enough space in this old town's old streets for that." After going to Amsterdam this summer, I realized that Boston is relaly not so different. they've just come to terms with either not allowing parking or just setting cars up as second class transportation. I don't think that will ever happen in Boston, but it's certainly not because of the lack of space on the streets, but rather the lack of initiative and imagination in the city's infrastructure.<br /><br />i hope today was a better ride!JPTwinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10348686531981776474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-57146202811635991272010-12-03T00:46:44.976-05:002010-12-03T00:46:44.976-05:00Some days are just close-buzz days, aren't the...Some days are just close-buzz days, aren't they? I hope the momentary stress of the encounter passed soon, and I sincerely hope your letter reaches a few drivers out there who could benefit from its message.John Romeo Alphahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01289456379789026152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356723782465446786.post-29780011884892393032010-12-02T23:10:16.302-05:002010-12-02T23:10:16.302-05:00god that's too bad... hot on the heals of the ...god that's too bad... hot on the heals of the good experience last night, too...<br /><br />I'm sorry that happened, but glad that all there was was name calling.<br /><br />Ride safe!Astroluc (Find me on Tumblr and Instagram @Astroluc)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02035410750985093621noreply@blogger.com