The Chainlink

How would you have handled this situation?

Hi everyone,

This is my first time adding a discussion on Chain Link forum. I read Chain Link everyday. I would love to read how you would have handled this situation. I should have been patient and realized the driver was clueless.

I started cycling to work a few months ago. I have noticed more people clueless of their surrounding as the cold kicked in. I primarily been using Lincoln, Wells, and Dearborn and noticed people double parking, drifting (due to texting) and just standing in the middle of the bike lane which is causing dangers to cyclists. I really hope this gets better.

Also is there a Strava group for chainlink members?

Here is my Strava profile
http://www.strava.com/athletes/2548995

http://youtu.be/EDng5AD0K6E

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on December 5, 2013 at 8:37am

Seems to be an epidemic.  This morning on the way in on southbound Noble a little red car pulled over to the right and stopped twice before abruptly pulling out again just in front of me.  At least it was not in a bike lane. :-) Then, she did whatever she was going to do and sped past me up to the light at Grand where she stopped at the light in the oncoming lane of traffic.  She was lucky the guy turning from westbound Grand onto northbound Noble was paying attention!

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on December 5, 2013 at 9:11am

+1 What Jeff says is consistent with many experiences I've had on that section of Wells over the years. I often use Sedgwick as an alternate route in Old Town - less traffic, no big trucks blocking the lane while doing deliveries, etc. It tends to be a lot less crazy.

Jeff Schneider said:

This is typical for Wells.  Drivers are always parking, loading/unloading, making U-turns, etc. in and across the bike lanes.  Through most of Old Town, I don't even try to use the bike lane, I just take the lane.  It's safer.

I don't think the driver was messing with you.  This area has a lot of suburban/tourist/drunk drivers, all desperately seeking parking spots or valets.  They are just not too competent driving in the city.

All you can do is assume that every driver is incompetent, keep your distance, slow down, and take the lane as necessary.

Permalink Reply by PFEggs on December 5, 2013 at 10:22am

Not sure I would have passed on the left, but if I were going your pace -- which I sometimes do -- I probably would have.  I also probably would have not have handled the situation as well as you did.  Your calmness and technique is an inspiration.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on December 5, 2013 at 11:16am

Welcome to being part of the problem...

Is it really worth property damage and escalation like that just because somebody is to stupid to pay attention?  The second you kick the car door over that you just became the aggressor, broken the law and helped to contribute to the legend of the crazed cyclist.


Reboot Oxnard said:

Safety first, destination second. This driver is someone who is asking for a kick to the door (or worse) but I don't want to ever be close enough to someone this unpredictable to deliver that kick. There's no telling if the driver was impaired or just NCM but it also doesn't really matter - I'm going to react defensively and avoid him. Pace be damned, I'm too pretty to leave this world looking like a bug splat on the hood of some car.

You'd think they would notice the flashing light but all too often they don't so a loud horn should be standard equipment for anyone riding the streets. Especially at your pace.

Permalink Reply by T.K. 3.5 mi on December 5, 2013 at 12:12pm

+1 to this.

h' 1.0 said:

I would have slowed, hung back, and ultimately stopped completely until the front wheels of the car were pointing in such a way that guaranteed the driver was not about to pull out again.

When I see someone behaving that unpredictably I am not putting myself in their line of fire.

I automatically go on defense mode when a car does anything slightly erratic. Pull back and wait for them to do something definitive, then pass slowly. This has resulted in zero car-bike accidents in 4 years of riding. 

This is the norm on Wells. Last time I was there with another cyclist and we got held up for a good minute waiting for a clusterfuck of people and taxis and drivers to clear space for us. We obliged and stayed clam, because we are all a part of the traffic.  



Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 5, 2013 at 12:27pm

Here's another strategy for riding on S/B Wells which involves a dogged determination to take the bike lane regardless of what surrounding vehicles may be doing or what the safest position may be for riding a bike. 

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on December 5, 2013 at 12:39pm



notoriousDUG said:

Welcome to being part of the problem...

Is it really worth property damage and escalation like that just because somebody is to stupid to pay attention?  The second you kick the car door over that you just became the aggressor, broken the law and helped to contribute to the legend of the crazed cyclist.


Reboot Oxnard said:

Safety first, destination second. This driver is someone who is asking for a kick to the door (or worse) but I don't want to ever be close enough to someone this unpredictable to deliver that kick. There's no telling if the driver was impaired or just NCM but it also doesn't really matter - I'm going to react defensively and avoid him. Pace be damned, I'm too pretty to leave this world looking like a bug splat on the hood of some car.

You'd think they would notice the flashing light but all too often they don't so a loud horn should be standard equipment for anyone riding the streets. Especially at your pace.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 5, 2013 at 1:29pm

Agreed. I actually like that part of Wells: Commercial, busy, but relatively wide, and traffic speed are relatively low. A good street to ride on, as long as you take it easy.

If you are dead set on riding fast, Wells may not be the street for you. Sedgwick may be a better option in that case

Jeff Schneider said:

This is typical for Wells. [...]

Permalink Reply by Jose Fonseca on December 5, 2013 at 10:33pm
Thanks everyone for the great feedback. I am definite going to try some of the option mention here.

Here are some great suggestion:
1. Buy an air horn
2. learn to yell "Hey" really loud.
3. Stop and wait until they remember they are driving a car.
4. Give myself more room to pass car up
5. Try some other streets

If all else fails. Kill them with kindliness by introducing them to my u-lock. Jk
Permalink Reply by Reboot Oxnard on December 6, 2013 at 11:24am

No, that was exactly my point. While the driver might deserve a smack down, that's not what should happen. For many reasons, most importantly personal safety but also general public relations, it's not a wise course to take. Ride defensively - because when cars and bikes tangle, the bike *never* comes out ahead.

notoriousDUG said:

Welcome to being part of the problem...

Is it really worth property damage and escalation like that just because somebody is to stupid to pay attention?  The second you kick the car door over that you just became the aggressor, broken the law and helped to contribute to the legend of the crazed cyclist.


Reboot Oxnard said:

Safety first, destination second. This driver is someone who is asking for a kick to the door (or worse) but I don't want to ever be close enough to someone this unpredictable to deliver that kick. There's no telling if the driver was impaired or just NCM but it also doesn't really matter - I'm going to react defensively and avoid him. Pace be damned, I'm too pretty to leave this world looking like a bug splat on the hood of some car.

You'd think they would notice the flashing light but all too often they don't so a loud horn should be standard equipment for anyone riding the streets. Especially at your pace.

Permalink Reply by Brad Bauer on December 6, 2013 at 12:43pm

I totally saw that u-turn coming.

I'd have done about the same thing you did...I may have stopped when the uturn happened and verbally assaulted the driver.

Permalink Reply by Shaun Jacobsen on December 6, 2013 at 12:47pm

I like riding on Wells too mostly because there are other people out when I'm out there too, and it just gives me a feeling of being safer. That said I don't go too fast on Wells either. It's just a short part of my commute and when I'm on it I try to relax.

Anyway, I must not be the only person that feels like people are driving completely oblivious to their surroundings more often? I feel like it's worse with the cold and especially in the dark. I will be waiting at a four-way stop for my turn to go, and the driver, either not noticing or caring, will just go as if I don't exist! I have had to ride very carefully lately, assuming everyone is ignoring me. In some cases this makes it impossible to ride on certain streets.

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