What a self-righteous jerk.
She probably was running late for a post-ride pedicure.
2011-07-24 17:48:57
13
Black Jeep Grand Cherokee (cyclist operated)
I had to run home from the PVGP and because of the closures, I came through Central Oakland.
Riding down Meyran, just passed where Rui Hui Lin was killed, I feel a car just a few feet behind me. I am riding around 17mph, about three feet from the cars parked on the right side. The black Jeep Grand Cherokee, somewhere between 2005 and 2010, squeezes past with about a foot between my arm and the right mirror.
As he open window passes, I yelled, "What the hell?" There is a 20-something female, tan, long dark hair, soccer jersey, and the bottom half of a kit. She yells back, "Get on the side of the road!" She go a little more forward and pulls over.
I ride up to the still open window and say, "Not only is it the law, but it is a matter of humanity to not pass if it isn't safe."
She replied, " I ride too--my bikes are in the back. When I ride, I ride on the side."
I said, "Look, this s a narrow road, and it is short, I was riding a few feet from the cars to prevent someone from trying to squeeze past. It just isn't safe."
"I ride a bunch in New York, and I ride on the side of the road." She continued, "If a car is behind you, you have to let them pass.
"But this isn't New York," I said. "I have the full right to ride away from the cars to prevent being door, and not allow you to pass if it isn't safe. The laws are different here"
I'm not positive, but I think there is a difference of legislation between the cities/states.
I continue, "It's a short road, and you would only be inconvenienced for a few seconds."
After all, we were already less than 50 feet to the end of the street.
She argues, "It's not a matter of the law--it's disrespectful to block a car from passing."
This is where I became thoroughly angry. Not only was this a stupidly dangerous drive, but she also rides bikes, and she believes she has a good defense for her irresponsible behavior behind the wheel.
I said, in a slightly more aggressive tone, "It is a matter of the law, because it is illegal to pass if it isn't safe."
She proceeded to say, "Look, let's just agree to disagree."
She pulls forward, in order to have the last word, pulling towards my direction a little more. For a second I though my foot was going to get run over.
As she pulls up to the stop sign, just ahead of where we were, I yelled, "it's not a matter of disagreement, it's a matter of disrespect for other people."
She turns right without a turn signal, I stop, follow her direction, and make a left onto Semple--extreme aggravated.
So, little miss "I ride in New York all the time"... I am outing you.
-Twenty something female
-Tan
-Dark hair
-Thin/athletic build
-2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, black, in good condition
-License plate: HTM-8499
If you know her, I would love to have a conversation with her under better circumstances. They way she was operating her vehicle not only puts people in immediate danger, but it perpetuates half-a-dozen illogical and selfish arguments that no one who ever rides a bike should make.
2011-07-24 17:40:51
NY or PA plate?
2011-07-24 17:51:30
Section 1234. Riding on roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes and bicycle paths.
(a) Upon all roadways, any bicycle shall be driven either on a usable bicycle lane or, if a usable bicycle lane has not been provided, near the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or upon a usable right- hand shoulder in such a manner as to prevent undue interference with the flow of traffic except when preparing for a left turn or when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that would make it unsafe to continue along near the right-hand curb or edge. Conditions to be taken into consideration include, but are not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or traffic lanes too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane.
(b) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast. Persons riding bicycles upon a shoulder, bicycle lane or bicycle path intended for the use of bicycles may ride two or more abreast if sufficient space is available, except when passing a vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian standing or proceeding along such shoulder, lane or path, persons riding bicycles shall ride single file. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall ride single file when being overtaken by another vehicle.
* * *
To me, this wording is vague. I take "...in such a manner as to prevent undue interference with the flow of traffic..." to mean what Nick said. She apparently focuses on the earlier phrase "...if a usable bicycle lane has not been provided, near the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway..."
New York and PA both need to make explicitly clear "Bicycles are always entitled to use the full lane."
2011-07-24 17:55:46
I have learned in the last few months not everyone who rides a bike is nice. In fact I don't like to post about them but I have met a couple of real jerks on a bike. Its rare but they are out there. That's why I tend to only hang with the flock group or Team Dropped. Not everyone reads the message board if they did it would make them better riders...... I think
2011-07-24 17:56:44
Uggh, jerk. Sounds like you handled it well, glad it wasn't me.
2011-07-24 18:27:23
edmonds, it was hard to stay civil. At one point I almost gave her the finger, but gave her the whole hand as a last minute decision.
2011-07-24 21:36:11
You can take the lane in NY. BUT.. You can only do so if there is NO bike lane or shoulder. In NYC you WILL get a ticket unless you can prove something was in your way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQHkU6770ig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-IMaegzQ
2011-07-25 01:21:15
Speaking as a Brooklyn expat, let me point out that "obnoxious", "aggressive", "self-entitled", and "New Yorker" are not mutually exclusive.
Regarding the finger/hand duality, I wonder if you might find these gloves useful?
Mr. Marv: what is Team Dropped? any info? sounds like my kind of thing.
2011-07-25 01:39:01
What a c word. How frustrating. I would have probably tried to smack her car with my hand if she got that close to me, just to make her aware that she IS close enough for me to do that. I wonder if she rides on the sidewalk or on the side of the roads in the park. She probably drives her bikes to the trails. Explains why she had her bikes in the back. Since i started to ride more, I am more aware of the cyclist's point of view. maybe she was just stupid.
2011-07-25 09:24:05
I'm glad her... demeanor and driving manner didn't leave either of you with physical consequences. I hope she acquires a broader perspective on the situation before someone gets hurt. Being correct is of little comfort if such correctness hurts or kills others. My father's favorite quote may also apply - "You can be certain, and you can be wrong." (John Kerry).
The knowledge that there may be an entity titled "Team Dropped", however, makes me very happy.
2011-07-25 14:18:17
@Vannevar: here's the thread that led to "Team Dropped." Hope to meet you on a ride soon!
2011-07-25 14:28:20
@Vannevar team dropped is a group of us slightly slower riders who can go the distance but not at top speed. We get together at various group rides and we stick to tether making sure no one gets "dropped ".
2011-07-25 14:33:28