Wednesday, May 30, 2012
With His Kids In The Backseat
On my Sunday ride, I was almost home when this guy, with his 2 kids in the backseat, decided he couldn't wait literally 2 seconds to pass me, like all the other cars on this road did. After he passes me by forcing another car off the road onto the shoulder, the oncoming lane is totally clear. So he jeopardized his whole family and everyone in the other cars for what? To save 2 lousy seconds on his way to wherever.
His license plate number was Wisconsin 429 AVJ. I would love for him to be able to see just how asinine and dangerous he acted. Maybe he wouldn't care, maybe he would realize the error of his ways. Maybe his wife would have something to say about it. If only there was a way for him to see it.
Monday, April 23, 2012
300 Miles of Gravel on TV
Tell all your friends.
Bikesafer
Jeff
Monday, April 2, 2012
If Only There Was A Way....
It must be something about spring. Maybe drivers aren't used to bikes on the roads after the winter. I'm not sure why but spring is usually a bad time for bad drivers. Two days, two rides, two dangerous drivers.
Since alerting the authorities to these incidents likely wouldn't result in any repercussions for the drivers, I was musing on my ride today, if only there was a way to easily, cheaply, and legally get information from these license plates...
perhaps if these drivers got a note from the cyclist they buzzed with a copy of the video and pertinent statutes they violated, maybe they would think twice about their actions.
Maybe, if only. I guess a public shaming on this blog will have to do for now.
In the first video I had to ride into the lane away from the shoulder because of two pedestrians on the shoulder, then I stayed near the white line because the shoulder ended soon and I didn't want to get run into the curb. Of course this guy couldn't wait 2 seconds for a second lane.
In the second video the pass didn't look that bad, from one angle, but what was bad was the fact that he honked and when I looked back at him, he waved rather violently as if I should get off the road or else and then when he cut back in front of me, he came within about a foot of my front wheel. I did lose my composure at the end and let go with a one finger salute. I feel a little bad about that but this guy clearly was trying to send me a message with a 2000 pound weapon. That tends to get me a little upset.
Since alerting the authorities to these incidents likely wouldn't result in any repercussions for the drivers, I was musing on my ride today, if only there was a way to easily, cheaply, and legally get information from these license plates...
perhaps if these drivers got a note from the cyclist they buzzed with a copy of the video and pertinent statutes they violated, maybe they would think twice about their actions.
Maybe, if only. I guess a public shaming on this blog will have to do for now.
In the first video I had to ride into the lane away from the shoulder because of two pedestrians on the shoulder, then I stayed near the white line because the shoulder ended soon and I didn't want to get run into the curb. Of course this guy couldn't wait 2 seconds for a second lane.
In the second video the pass didn't look that bad, from one angle, but what was bad was the fact that he honked and when I looked back at him, he waved rather violently as if I should get off the road or else and then when he cut back in front of me, he came within about a foot of my front wheel. I did lose my composure at the end and let go with a one finger salute. I feel a little bad about that but this guy clearly was trying to send me a message with a 2000 pound weapon. That tends to get me a little upset.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
She Should be Thanking Him
I have found that taking more of the lane can tend to subject me to fewer close passes. I have also found that more and more drivers are making ridiculously dangerous passes that could still get me, and others, killed.
Black Friday was almost truly a dark day for 3 families. A driver named Debra made this pass and when I tracked her down and talked to her she told me when she went around me there was a guy coming toward her but no one was coming at the time she passed.
HUH? Let me get this straight, there was no one coming, but there was a guy coming toward her????
As you can see for yourself in the video the oncoming car was only 10-20 car lengths away when she started the pass. The only way she realistically didn't see that car was if she wasn't looking.
She said I shouldn't be talking to her about this, that I should call the police. I told her that if she really wanted me to call the police I would, but with my video she might be facing a ticket.
She apologized, but continually blamed the oncoming driver for not slowing down. It's not readily evident in the video but the driver did slow down and almost stopped as the 2 vehicles passed. If he hadn't there would almost certainly have been a crash.
I am tempted to involve the police, they might say since I waited to involve them they can't do anything about it. I think my phone call may have enough of an effect that she might actually be more careful next time. She should be thankful that the other driver actually did his best to avoid a crash.
I'm thankful for all our sakes we'll have a next time.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
If You Reason, They Will Listen...
...occasionally.
I got out for an afternoon ride on Friday, during which I got buzzed by a Lincoln Navigator which immediately turned into a subdivision. Naturally I followed. A conversation ensued. Differing opinions were offered, but the driver seemed genuinely interested in the laws I was telling him about. I think it's because he believed he could prove me wrong. The conversation was passionate but not heated and eventually we both started to talk more calmly and even shook hands. The driver agreed to try to allow more room for bikes. I'll follow up with a copy of the video and the pertinent statutes, but I think this goes down in the win column. I think this driver will give more room next time.
The next driver I had an issue with on this ride however probably wont listen to reason unless it comes from a judge and has a fine associated with it.
He had to get past me so badly that he forced an oncoming car almost entirely onto the shoulder. The road widened to 4 lanes about a quarter mile up the street. I of course caught up to him at the red light. He looked like he was going to get out of his car and come after me until I told him I had his license plate number, which was Wisconsin truck plate #GK8502. When I told him that, he squealed his tires and took off very quickly.
Maybe he'll get his day in court before he kills, injures, or endangers someone else.
Bikesafer,
Jeff
I got out for an afternoon ride on Friday, during which I got buzzed by a Lincoln Navigator which immediately turned into a subdivision. Naturally I followed. A conversation ensued. Differing opinions were offered, but the driver seemed genuinely interested in the laws I was telling him about. I think it's because he believed he could prove me wrong. The conversation was passionate but not heated and eventually we both started to talk more calmly and even shook hands. The driver agreed to try to allow more room for bikes. I'll follow up with a copy of the video and the pertinent statutes, but I think this goes down in the win column. I think this driver will give more room next time.
The next driver I had an issue with on this ride however probably wont listen to reason unless it comes from a judge and has a fine associated with it.
He had to get past me so badly that he forced an oncoming car almost entirely onto the shoulder. The road widened to 4 lanes about a quarter mile up the street. I of course caught up to him at the red light. He looked like he was going to get out of his car and come after me until I told him I had his license plate number, which was Wisconsin truck plate #GK8502. When I told him that, he squealed his tires and took off very quickly.
Maybe he'll get his day in court before he kills, injures, or endangers someone else.
Bikesafer,
Jeff
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Cop Crossing
The good news is that after this driver crossed in front of me he apologized. The bad news is that he did it in the first place. It turns out he was an (I assume) off duty but in uniform city of Brookfield reserve police officer.
This is the same department that has threatened to cite me for disorderly conduct for shouting at a driver who ran me off the road, and told me that I have no right to ride on any street in Brookfield if I'm not going the speed limit.
I wonder how the Brookfield Police Department would have responded to this incident, since, when it occurred I was in fact riding at the speed limit.
Now this driver admittedly misjudged my speed. But if an officer can misjudge the speed of a bicycle on a crystal clear Saturday morning and almost cause a serious crash, I think it is time that the City of Brookfield police chief reinforces to all his employees the importance of understanding, following and fairly enforcing the state of Wisconsin traffic laws as they relate to bicycles.
He should stress to all his employees that bicycles have the same right to the road as all other vehicles. He should stress that bicycles can legally use the entire traffic lane in numerous scenarios. He should also stress that bicycles may not always behave as you expect them too, for example, they may be going significantly faster than you would expect.
Perhaps the Chief can get this officer to help him reinforce these principles to his other employees, at least he seems to have learned his lesson from this incident.
Bikesafer,
Jeff
This is the same department that has threatened to cite me for disorderly conduct for shouting at a driver who ran me off the road, and told me that I have no right to ride on any street in Brookfield if I'm not going the speed limit.
I wonder how the Brookfield Police Department would have responded to this incident, since, when it occurred I was in fact riding at the speed limit.
Now this driver admittedly misjudged my speed. But if an officer can misjudge the speed of a bicycle on a crystal clear Saturday morning and almost cause a serious crash, I think it is time that the City of Brookfield police chief reinforces to all his employees the importance of understanding, following and fairly enforcing the state of Wisconsin traffic laws as they relate to bicycles.
He should stress to all his employees that bicycles have the same right to the road as all other vehicles. He should stress that bicycles can legally use the entire traffic lane in numerous scenarios. He should also stress that bicycles may not always behave as you expect them too, for example, they may be going significantly faster than you would expect.
Perhaps the Chief can get this officer to help him reinforce these principles to his other employees, at least he seems to have learned his lesson from this incident.
Bikesafer,
Jeff
Friday, June 17, 2011
A Picture is Worth...
I had a lot of thoughts about this incident but I decided to let the pictures tell the story for the most part.
I know it wasn't the most terrible incident and the cop didn't buzz me, but if he can't even wait to pass safely on a 25mph parkway what does that tell you about his driving style?
p.s. My wife and I were riding the tandem that's why I was a little further out into the lane while passing the parked car. That tandem maneuvers like a school bus.
p.p.s. The cop was from Greendale
Bikesafer
Jeff
I know it wasn't the most terrible incident and the cop didn't buzz me, but if he can't even wait to pass safely on a 25mph parkway what does that tell you about his driving style?
p.s. My wife and I were riding the tandem that's why I was a little further out into the lane while passing the parked car. That tandem maneuvers like a school bus.
p.p.s. The cop was from Greendale
Bikesafer
Jeff
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)