3 ms·

> some cars will pass you then slow down to walking speed in front of you. I have never heard of this happening to anybody.

SOLAR_FIELDS 4y ago
Do you drive much in the States? The amount of insane hostility that I see on the road in general, not even directed toward cyclists, is mind boggling. For instance, I would never respond to anything with any sort of escalation of anger, because people literally get shot and killed over it in my state on a regular basis. Here are a few recent incidents, just in my city alone: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/ax-wielding-road-rage-east-austin/269-35db701a-17ba-4ec2-a122-4ce34ef280b1 https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/ax-wielding-road-rag... https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/south-austin-road-rage-shooting/269-0f0dc717-3395-4923-b0b8-0dc4fab164da https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/south-austin-road-ra... https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/road-rage-on-the-rise-in-austin/ https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/road-rage-on-the-rise... https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/apd-releases-video-of-mopac-road-rage-crash-in-march-still-looking-for-driver/ https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/apd-releases-video-of... All of those are just in the last few months. The last one in particular is just absolutely over the top batshit insane Mad Max level behavior.
- deleted 4y ago
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mplanchard 4y ago
I had a car actively swerve into me to try to run me off the road after I took the lane to get around a stopped bus. Car drivers can definitely get crazy aggressive if they think you’re not riding “in your place.” Edit: I still agree that taking the lane when appropriate is the safest option, but it’s hard to deny that some people are insane.
- cmurf 4y ago
  Not insane. Malicious. It's intent to intimidate or injure or kill. It absolutely should be an arrestable offense, but without witnesses or video, the police will not take it seriously. Those in aggressive driver areas should consider "bikecam" video an insurance policy. If you're injured, you'll need the money, and they should have to pay. A lot. And get a lawyer. I suppose it's a small deterrent but also a cheap one.
alisonatwork 4y ago
Sadly this sort of thing happens a lot in the US. You can even see shades of it in HN threads about cycling - there seems to be an unreasonable level of anger and resentment toward people who choose to bike. Another thing you see in certain parts of the country is "coal rolling", which I had never even heard of (much less experienced) until I cycled through the US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_coal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_coal It's really astounding how far out of their way some people will go to try to annoy or harass those who made a different lifestyle choice. Best thing I figured to do was ignore it. Fortunately the majority of drivers aren't this petty or antagonistic.
wizofaus 4y ago
I'd describe it as a near-daily occurrence! To be clear they're slowing down because of traffic congestion or the need to navigate an intersection etc., but it still amazes me that a driver's first instinct is "get past the bicycle no matter what" even if it's clear they'll need to slow right down shortly after.
lobocinza 4y ago
Seem it daily. Generally it's kind of unconscious and dumb but sometimes it's malicious and dangerous (I guess being passed by a cyclist hurts some idiots ego).

SOLAR_FIELDS 4y ago

Do you drive much in the States? The amount of insane hostility that I see on the road in general, not even directed toward cyclists, is mind boggling. For instance, I would never respond to anything with any sort of escalation of anger, because people literally get shot and killed over it in my state on a regular basis. Here are a few recent incidents, just in my city alone: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/ax-wielding-road-rage-east-austin/269-35db701a-17ba-4ec2-a122-4ce34ef280b1 https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/ax-wielding-road-rag... https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/south-austin-road-rage-shooting/269-0f0dc717-3395-4923-b0b8-0dc4fab164da https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/south-austin-road-ra... https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/road-rage-on-the-rise-in-austin/ https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/road-rage-on-the-rise... https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/apd-releases-video-of-mopac-road-rage-crash-in-march-still-looking-for-driver/ https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/apd-releases-video-of... All of those are just in the last few months. The last one in particular is just absolutely over the top batshit insane Mad Max level behavior.

deleted 4y ago
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mplanchard 4y ago

I had a car actively swerve into me to try to run me off the road after I took the lane to get around a stopped bus. Car drivers can definitely get crazy aggressive if they think you’re not riding “in your place.” Edit: I still agree that taking the lane when appropriate is the safest option, but it’s hard to deny that some people are insane.

cmurf 4y ago
Not insane. Malicious. It's intent to intimidate or injure or kill. It absolutely should be an arrestable offense, but without witnesses or video, the police will not take it seriously. Those in aggressive driver areas should consider "bikecam" video an insurance policy. If you're injured, you'll need the money, and they should have to pay. A lot. And get a lawyer. I suppose it's a small deterrent but also a cheap one.

alisonatwork 4y ago

Sadly this sort of thing happens a lot in the US. You can even see shades of it in HN threads about cycling - there seems to be an unreasonable level of anger and resentment toward people who choose to bike. Another thing you see in certain parts of the country is "coal rolling", which I had never even heard of (much less experienced) until I cycled through the US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_coal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_coal It's really astounding how far out of their way some people will go to try to annoy or harass those who made a different lifestyle choice. Best thing I figured to do was ignore it. Fortunately the majority of drivers aren't this petty or antagonistic.

wizofaus 4y ago

I'd describe it as a near-daily occurrence! To be clear they're slowing down because of traffic congestion or the need to navigate an intersection etc., but it still amazes me that a driver's first instinct is "get past the bicycle no matter what" even if it's clear they'll need to slow right down shortly after.

lobocinza 4y ago

Seem it daily. Generally it's kind of unconscious and dumb but sometimes it's malicious and dangerous (I guess being passed by a cyclist hurts some idiots ego).