Looking to the Slowtwitch community for a bit of guidance on this one ....
Background:
I was out on a ride near Marlborough, MA this Saturday and had an interaction with motorist. Early in my ride (~7AM) I had come to a stop at a red light and was waiting for the signal to change. It was a relatively rural intersection and was completely empty at that hour of the day. The signals do have the car/bike sensors on them to detect waiting vehicles so I had positioned myself near the middle of the lane (two lane intersection; one outgoing one oncoming). As I was waiting the vehicle/driver in question approached from my rear attempting to make a right hand turn. When they arrived at the intersection they pulled up within inches of my rear tire, continuously blasted their horn, revved their engine, rolled down their wind, screaming insults and obscenities about getting off the road, and how as a cyclist I had no right to be in the road. Its not the first time I have had people yell so I wasn't overly phased by their actions. In fact I didn't respond at all, just waited for the signal to change and continued along my way as they sped off around the corner still yelling out their window. I finished my ride without incident.
On a personal level, I am happy letting the incident roll off my shoulders. No damage was done and no one was hurt. That being said, it was VERY clear that this motorist does not have any understanding of the rights that cyclists have out on the road, and I am willing to bet I am not the first, nor the last cyclist/runner they will harass. The kicker of this whole incident is that this motorist lives in my apartment complex. In fact, prior to this interaction I have made mental note on numerous occasions of how dangerously they drive around the complex (high speeds, blowing stop signs, etc.), but that's another story.
Now the question I have for the community is how would you handle this situation? Let it be, move on, pretend it didn't happen and hope they don't do it again? Walk the 10 steps out my front door, get their license plate number and report them to the cops so that when they do end up running someone off the road they have a prior record? Leave an anonymous letter on their windshield? My biggest concern is for the other cyclists this person has and will continue to interact with. I live in an area where there are tons of people out running and riding all the time.
Thanks!
______________________________________________________
| DRINKsimple (friendofhoffman for 15% off) | The Cupcake Cartel |
Background:
I was out on a ride near Marlborough, MA this Saturday and had an interaction with motorist. Early in my ride (~7AM) I had come to a stop at a red light and was waiting for the signal to change. It was a relatively rural intersection and was completely empty at that hour of the day. The signals do have the car/bike sensors on them to detect waiting vehicles so I had positioned myself near the middle of the lane (two lane intersection; one outgoing one oncoming). As I was waiting the vehicle/driver in question approached from my rear attempting to make a right hand turn. When they arrived at the intersection they pulled up within inches of my rear tire, continuously blasted their horn, revved their engine, rolled down their wind, screaming insults and obscenities about getting off the road, and how as a cyclist I had no right to be in the road. Its not the first time I have had people yell so I wasn't overly phased by their actions. In fact I didn't respond at all, just waited for the signal to change and continued along my way as they sped off around the corner still yelling out their window. I finished my ride without incident.
On a personal level, I am happy letting the incident roll off my shoulders. No damage was done and no one was hurt. That being said, it was VERY clear that this motorist does not have any understanding of the rights that cyclists have out on the road, and I am willing to bet I am not the first, nor the last cyclist/runner they will harass. The kicker of this whole incident is that this motorist lives in my apartment complex. In fact, prior to this interaction I have made mental note on numerous occasions of how dangerously they drive around the complex (high speeds, blowing stop signs, etc.), but that's another story.
Now the question I have for the community is how would you handle this situation? Let it be, move on, pretend it didn't happen and hope they don't do it again? Walk the 10 steps out my front door, get their license plate number and report them to the cops so that when they do end up running someone off the road they have a prior record? Leave an anonymous letter on their windshield? My biggest concern is for the other cyclists this person has and will continue to interact with. I live in an area where there are tons of people out running and riding all the time.
Thanks!
______________________________________________________
| DRINKsimple (friendofhoffman for 15% off) | The Cupcake Cartel |