Getting harassed

[Snoop]

For the most part, my bike rides/commutes go smoothly and motorists are generally courteous to me. I tend to be cautious, and when on the road I use as much of the shoulder as I can.

Over the course of the summer, there is a particular black pickup truck whose driver has a vendetta against bicyclists. On at least 4 occasions, the guy accelerates by me, getting closer each time, and at the moment he is right behind me, he blasts his horn.

Needless to say, this is terrifying and has almost caused me to lose control of my bike.

After he flies by me, this is inevitably followed by him sticking his middle finger out the driver’s side window, and then he immediately starts pointing to the skinny pedestrian path adjacent to the road (not safe for bikes) implying that I should be using that instead of the road.

It happens so fast, and I am so startled each time, that by the time I think to grab a license plate number, he is too far in front of me to see it.

Last month I saw him do it to a cyclist about 100 yards ahead of me, and the guy almost wiped out in the road.

Has anyone else had to deal with something like this? It’s getting kind of scary as the guy seems to be getting closer each time. Maybe start wearing a GoPro?

 

["A"]

In addition to crazed motorist that tried to kill me with their vehicles, I've had bottles, cans, filled soda cups thrown at me over the decades.
I try my best to memorize their license plates, vehicle type, brand, model and color, keep track of time & place of the encounter, always file a police report when you have solid info.
It takes good amount of time to learn to ignore the adrenalin rush and focus on retaining info quickly.
I pay attention to my surroundings, I make sure I take up the road and motorist see my presence on the road.
I plan my exit route beyond the road, hop on the sidewalk, grass or make a turn quickly.
Part of the reason I don't ride at top speed very often, because I know using the brakes reduce the control I have on the bike, with top speed always on reserve, I have better chance to get away and avoid impact.

I don't agree with all of his methods, but it's a pretty good start:

 

[packnrat]

have a video cam looking to the rear. and another one to the front. get video showing the drivers face and the lp of the truck.
then take this down to the local sheriff, city police, state police, lawyer. pending who has authority there, file a complaint.
other wise don't be so jumpy.

 

[packnrat]

In addition to crazed motorist that tried to kill me with their vehicles, I've had bottles, cans, filled soda cups thrown at me over the decades.
I try my best to memorize their license plates, vehicle type, brand, model and color, keep track of time & place of the encounter, always file a police report when you have solid info.
It takes good amount of time to learn to ignore the adrenalin rush and focus on retaining info quickly.
I pay attention to my surroundings, I make sure I take up the road and motorist see my presence on the road.
I plan my exit route beyond the road, hop on the sidewalk, grass or make a turn quickly.
Part of the reason I don't ride at top speed very often, because I know using the brakes reduce the control I have on the bike, with top speed always on reserve, I have better chance to get away and avoid impact.

I don't agree with all of his methods, but it's a pretty good start:

I do like what you have to say. but different country's...different laws. stopping in the crosswalk is a trafic code violation in the USA (no mater who does it).
sad only California has lane splitting laws in the USA.
BUT. as a now retired class A truck drive for over 40 years. car drivers are stupid. they have hit our brightly painted trucks, and said they never saw us.
as a bicyclist, and a motorcyclist. we are invisible to them. so ride like you are invisible to them. and expect them to do the stupidest thing possible. ride with a front mounted cam and a rearward cam. for proof of what happened. and hope it is never needed. if nothing else you just might some good video to share.

 

[addertooth]

Yep, I have good months, with an occasional bad day on the road. I don't do sidewalks, as they ramp down steeply for driveways, and back up again along the main highly driven roads (commercial and business areas). We have a lot of pedestrian traffic on them as well. I have experienced pickup drivers acting badly, and then they get stopped by a red light. I go out of my way to ensure they see me photographing their tag when I catch up. They think they are anonymous. It is good to remind them they aren't.

But then, I am not a tiny guy, none want to venture out of their lifted truck for a confrontation. It appears they are only aggressive when they are in their steel cage. In the past 40 years of serious road cycling, I have only had one driver that had the stones to (briefly) step out of their vehicle. They reconsidered their options, got back in their vehicle and sped off.

 

[packnrat]

i used to have this cam on the back of my motorcycle. with a red sign around it, black letters saying "smile for the cam".
people stopped tail gating me.
were i live all roads are just two lanes wide. passing lanes are very rare. and it is 50 miles to the closest freeway.
retired now so i try to stay out of city's. i keep to these hills.

 

[biknut]

Sounds like a Dallas driver. This is why I ride a fast bike. If you can go the speed limit they'll leave you alone.

 

[Pinhead]

For the most part, my bike rides/commutes go smoothly and motorists are generally courteous to me. I tend to be cautious, and when on the road I use as much of the shoulder as I can.

Over the course of the summer, there is a particular black pickup truck whose driver has a vendetta against bicyclists. On at least 4 occasions, the guy accelerates by me, getting closer each time, and at the moment he is right behind me, he blasts his horn.

Needless to say, this is terrifying and has almost caused me to lose control of my bike.

After he flies by me, this is inevitably followed by him sticking his middle finger out the driver’s side window, and then he immediately starts pointing to the skinny pedestrian path adjacent to the road (not safe for bikes) implying that I should be using that instead of the road.

It happens so fast, and I am so startled each time, that by the time I think to grab a license plate number, he is too far in front of me to see it.

Last month I saw him do it to a cyclist about 100 yards ahead of me, and the guy almost wiped out in the road.

Has anyone else had to deal with something like this? It’s getting kind of scary as the guy seems to be getting closer each time. Maybe start wearing a GoPro?

Do you have laws in your ? country, get cameras, report it

 

[JerryB]

If this idiot is a regular on the road and is harassing bikers.....would seem the police could catch the dumb ass......I would report the guy.....if police refuse to help.....carry a few raw eggs with you........he's most likely just a chickens**t jerk!

 

[pagheca]

But then, I am not a tiny guy, none want to venture out of their lifted truck for a confrontation. It appears they are only aggressive when they are in their steel cage. In the past 40 years of serious road cycling, I have only had one driver that had the stones to (briefly) step out of their vehicle. They reconsidered their options, got back in their vehicle and sped off.

This reminds me of a scene I witnessed at a traffic light many, many years ago (in the '80s I think).

There was the usual crazy traffic in Rome. Endless lines of cars and people honking. At a traffic light for some reason a guy in a big sports car got mad at a guy behind him in a microscopic Fiat 500. He began to shout more and more as the one in the 500 apologized with gestures, showing his hands palm. Eventually he got out the car and kept insulting the 500's driver from a distance with phrases like "get out of that can and I'll kick your ass!" (in Italian, of course..."esci da quel barattolo e ti faccio un culo così!").

Finally that one said "ok!", opened the door, got out of his microscopic car and.... surprise! he was A GIANT . He must have weighed 150 kg and was a couple of meters tall. Probably a boxeur or a rugby player. A powerhouse, four times the tiny guy in the big sporty car.

Whereupon the other one said something like, "aaaaall right, let's let it go, that you got off easy this time!" Got into his big car and moved ahead (another 15 centimeters...).

 

[Mysery]

It's time for me to mount a camera on my bike or start wearing a body camera. Had 2 boys mess with me on a trail I ride to a local park by impeding my way even though there was plenty of room for everybody. Also had 3 people on their phones just about walk into me on a local multi use path at another local park. I don't ride fast in these situations and give people with kids and dogs and such plenty of space.

 

[Atavar]

And what good do you foresee the camera bringing about?

 

[Calsun]

With a video of the driver's unsafe behavior you can file a report with the police and press charges. Not ideal but the best option available.

 

[Atavar]

With a video of the driver's unsafe behavior you can file a report with the police and press charges. Not ideal but the best option available.

Lol. The police are not even tracking burglaries or assaults anymore. Good luck getting them to do something about aggressive drivers.

 

[Bohemoth]

Lol. The police are not even tracking burglaries or assaults anymore. Good luck getting them to do something about aggressive drivers.

You are basing that assumption on your location. In Tennessee the police would gladly arrest him and fellow motorists would gladly help kick his ass. Where do YOU live?

 

[Atavar]

You are basing that assumption on your location. In Tennessee the police would gladly arrest him and fellow motorists would gladly help kick his ass. Where do YOU live?

I’m up in the Midwest. We believe in personal responsibility up here.
Drivers might not see a bicycle right in front of them but they can see a holster from blocks away.

 

[Mysery]

I'm not looking to cause trouble for anyone but if I'm accused of something I didn't do it would be nice to have some evidence that I'm not at fault.

 

[major masingil]

I'm not looking to cause trouble for anyone but if I'm accused of something I didn't do it would be nice to have some evidence that I'm not at fault.

Yea, tons of people do that. Never know what you'll catch on camera. I've seen so many awesome things cruising on a bike. I wish I had a camera those times. Hopefully its never required for the purposes you are hoping to solve.

 

[Brian Egeberg]

With a video of the driver's unsafe behavior you can file a report with the police and press charges. Not ideal but the best option available.

This is correct. The police will generally show up at his house and give him a warning or a summons to appear in court for harrassing and reckless driving, especially if you have video and they can tell his actions were both dangerous and intentional. Often the police will know who it is as they’ve been reported before. A guy buzzed our cycling group years ago, we called it in and they got him before he got home. He got a DUI which is likely why he buzzed us.

 

[m@Robertson]

Maybe start wearing a GoPro?

There are cops out there for a reason.

I use these. 4k 30 fps native recording, plus electronic image stabilization means license plates both oncoming and leaving me are quite literally crystal clear. Vastly cheaper than GoPros. Vastly cheaper and better resolution than dedicated bike camera systems.

https://talesontwowheels.com/2023/03/12/diy-bicycle-front-and-rear-dash-cam-part-1/
And it is worth pointing out that the camera is so visible, there is a noticeable effect on passing drivers who see it and realize they are on candid camera.