Maggie Edwards-Rising

Or how about a Portland Police Department emblem? If the motorist doesn't get the NRA or Marines hint, maybe the story of the commuting police officer will come to mind.

Sitting here writing this, I recall a tragic story of a family friend who was shot in a "drive by" one morning at 4:30 a.m. This happened in south Texas. It didn't kill him, but it ruined his life as he knew it, then he snapped. I honestly don't think it was the result of a road rage incident. It was just malice. But it's a good reminder that we don't know who's out there, and we're pretty defenseless on our bicycles.

maggie

From: pdx_ccx@hotmail.com
To: obra@list.obra.org
Date: Sat, 21 May 2011 09:26:18 -0700
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Commuter Rant

You might also try one of these ...
http://www.navygear.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=MC-CL-CYC

> From: kenji73sugahara@gmail.com
> Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 19:44:33 -0700
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Commuter Rant
>
> This is interesting. I've done sort of a social experiment over the
> past year and half to see what happens if I wear certain things out on
> my rides.
>
> I'm actually sad to say it, but this method works. It has gotten me
> over 2-5 feet of extra passing room by cars and trucks- and trucks
> have actually gone into the other lane to pass me even though I'm off
> on a shoulder. (especially in rural areas). This has been consistent
> too- and happens even on busy thoroughfares like highway 99.
>
> Whether or not you believe in this organization- for all practical
> purposes this seemed to have worked. What did I do?
>
> I pinned the following item on the back of my jersey.
>
> http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=SS%2021692
>
> Probably the best $15 I've spent in order not to be harassed while training.
>
>
> On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 7:31 PM, Dan H wrote:
> > I would wave him by. It's so much less trouble than having to kill him.
> >
> > Dan Houghton
> > Southwest Bicycle, LLC
> > 3605 SW Multnomah Blvd
> > 503-246-0333
> > www.swbicycle.com
> >
> > On May 20, 2011, at 6:19 PM, J Ballantine wrote:
> >
> >> It seems that it is that time of the year again. Today I was on my way home in a left turn lane and I waiting for some pedestrians to clear before proceeding and a guy in a Jeep starts loudly reving his engine behind me and pulls up to within inches of my rear tire repeatedly while I was creeping forward. After the left, we both get to the next red light at about the same time and he starts cussing me out. I ask, "Do you not stop for pedestrians?" and he says, "No, you were in the middle of the (expletive) road, you (expletive) clown," and the light turned green and he gunned it.
> >>
> >> This is the first time I have ever considered calling 911 because a driver in more than a decade of using my bike as transportation. Does anyone have any experience with doing this and how did it work out? Any suggestions for the next (hopefully not) time something like this happens?
> >>
> >> Rant over.
> >>
> >> Jeff
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> OBRA mailing list
> >> obra@list.obra.org
> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

dacrizzow

second on "doing nothing". after years of working as a bike messenger in atlanta, commuting and training on country roads, i've just about dealt w/ it all. and as some of you can guess, i've pretty much reacted in every way. our best call for these situations probably are a cell phone/ camera. our best defense is awareness and paranoia. when i head out i just assume that everyone in a car is an "idiot and trying to kill me". i know once i get in a car my IQ drops at least a little. even this morning on my way back from the tabor race i narrowly avoided what could've been a catastrophic incident. the woman driving was making eye contact the whole time and afterwards sat at the light and proceded to read the paper. i knew if i reacted the way i felt it wouldn't have done any good. i also knew if i called to report it it wouldn't have mattered.

Eric Chu

I say ditto on doing nothing. Be the better person and ride legally
and safely and ignore the harassment. Nothing gets accomplished by
shouting through a car window or windshield either direction.

In the history of humankind, such an exchange has never resulted in
a person on a bike or a person in a car saying, "well, thank you for
pointing that out. I was completely wrong."

it's hard to do nothing, but any kind of response could be
interpreted as provocation or escalate to real violence (and also
eliminate any sympathy a judge or jury may have for you if you are
seen to be a party in any sort of altercation).

I don't have any quarrel with gun ownership, but carrying a firearm
is a personal choice and serious business. If you can't trust
yourself to keep cool and think straight in an argument, maybe not a
good choice to have one on you.

A less lethal option could be something like the Pepper Blaster (made/
imported by Kimber) about the size of a pack of cigarettes, weighs
almost nothing. It sends blobs of pepper spray at 90mph at an
attacker from several feet away...and doesn't get blown around or
back in your face like conventional pepper spray when it's windy.

And the easiest thing to carry is of course a cell phone. Report
drivers if they harass, threaten or actually injure you. cops don't
know what goes on out there unless we report it. 'Cause you know
drivers are making their phones ring off the hook with complaints
about cyclists.

don't forget some sort of writing implement. In the heat of the
moment, it's hard to remember a license plate number when your
breathing hard and talking to 911.

They have those tiny sharpie markers now (and you can write on the
back of your hand). Or a piece of chalk can work...taped to a seat
rail with scotch tape...easy to remove in a hurry and scribble on the
pavement.

The opportunity to educate people who drive or people who ride, is in
a non-confrontational settling, one-on-one.

Start a conversation at work with co-workers, at church, with
neighbors at the grocery store... wherever you aren't on the road and
already in a situation of opposition. "Hey Joe Co-worker, how do you
pass a bike when you're driveing?" or "Hey Jane Neighbor, what do
you do when you're on your bike and the bike lane disappears and the
road narrows...?"

When we hear someone rant against cyclists at the store or wherever,
we should take the opportunity to say..."oh hey, I can see why you
might be angry, BUT, did you know that the law says blah-blah and and
your fellow road user is vulnerable, that's why they are behaving
like that." (Or yeah, that person was off the program, and we need
to find ways to better educate ALL road users, no matter what vehicle
they operate).

everyone stay safe and keep a cool head out there.

Eric in Bend

Rick Johnson

Actually I'd suggest a strategy of showing such a production in schools,
particularly elementary. Catch them young and get almost every demographic.
As a bonus can you imagine some little kid saying "Mommy, that's not how
your supposed to pass a bicyclist!"

Rick Johnson
Bend Oregon

* * *

Liberal intercourse - founding father approved since 1796

On 5/21/2011 10:41 AM, Tom Orth wrote:
> I've often thought it would be useful to shoot a series of educational
> public service videos demonstrating how to handle specific scenarios
> that seem to confuse both cyclists and motorists. A lot of this
> frustration stems from ignorance about these situations. I.e. the
> left hand turn when there is a left turn lane, right hand turn when
> there is a bike lane and a right turn lane to the right of the bike
> lane, etc.
>
> Imagine how much more effective these videos would be if they were
> narrated by, say, the police chief and aired during prime time.
>
> Any creative Portland types out there want to take up the challenge?
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Tom Orth

I've often thought it would be useful to shoot a series of educational
public service videos demonstrating how to handle specific scenarios that
seem to confuse both cyclists and motorists. A lot of this frustration
stems from ignorance about these situations. I.e. the left hand turn when
there is a left turn lane, right hand turn when there is a bike lane and a
right turn lane to the right of the bike lane, etc.

Imagine how much more effective these videos would be if they were narrated
by, say, the police chief and aired during prime time.

Any creative Portland types out there want to take up the challenge?

Brooke Hoyer

You might also try one of these ...
http://www.navygear.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=MC-CL-CYC

> From: kenji73sugahara@gmail.com
> Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 19:44:33 -0700
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Commuter Rant
>
> This is interesting. I've done sort of a social experiment over the
> past year and half to see what happens if I wear certain things out on
> my rides.
>
> I'm actually sad to say it, but this method works. It has gotten me
> over 2-5 feet of extra passing room by cars and trucks- and trucks
> have actually gone into the other lane to pass me even though I'm off
> on a shoulder. (especially in rural areas). This has been consistent
> too- and happens even on busy thoroughfares like highway 99.
>
> Whether or not you believe in this organization- for all practical
> purposes this seemed to have worked. What did I do?
>
> I pinned the following item on the back of my jersey.
>
> http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=SS%2021692
>
> Probably the best $15 I've spent in order not to be harassed while training.
>
>
> On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 7:31 PM, Dan H wrote:
> > I would wave him by. It's so much less trouble than having to kill him.
> >
> > Dan Houghton
> > Southwest Bicycle, LLC
> > 3605 SW Multnomah Blvd
> > 503-246-0333
> > www.swbicycle.com
> >
> > On May 20, 2011, at 6:19 PM, J Ballantine wrote:
> >
> >> It seems that it is that time of the year again. Today I was on my way home in a left turn lane and I waiting for some pedestrians to clear before proceeding and a guy in a Jeep starts loudly reving his engine behind me and pulls up to within inches of my rear tire repeatedly while I was creeping forward. After the left, we both get to the next red light at about the same time and he starts cussing me out. I ask, "Do you not stop for pedestrians?" and he says, "No, you were in the middle of the (expletive) road, you (expletive) clown," and the light turned green and he gunned it.
> >>
> >> This is the first time I have ever considered calling 911 because a driver in more than a decade of using my bike as transportation. Does anyone have any experience with doing this and how did it work out? Any suggestions for the next (hopefully not) time something like this happens?
> >>
> >> Rant over.
> >>
> >> Jeff
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> OBRA mailing list
> >> obra@list.obra.org
> >> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> > _______________________________________________
> > OBRA mailing list
> > obra@list.obra.org
> > http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> > Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Maggie Edwards-Rising

I'm convinced that the best policy is to remain stone-faced and play like I hear nothing! Over the last 4 years of commuting to work, I've had a few of those encounters that make my blood boil. The lady in the yellow hummer who yells "get in the bike lane!" out her window when, in fact, there is no bike lane. The guys who yell at me after a similar left-hand turn situation where we were all waiting at a traffic signal. They hollered, "you're not a (expletive) car!" The little old lady who caught up with me at a red light and sat on her horn to the point that I wondered whether she had had a stroke and was leaning on the steering wheel. When I looked more closely and saw her face, I knew she was outraged. For the life of me, I had no idea why, since she had only just caught up with me at this red light. I took the bait and walked to her window. She screamed at me, "you need to get a license!" That was really strange. Then there are the people who swerve violently into the bike lane and back out again right after passing me. Is that a message?

I do have my limits, and that's when people mess with my boys. I called 9-1-1 one time when my young son and I were descending a very steep hill on Mt. Park. We were going about 13, and there was no bike lane. I was just behind him. He was about 9 years old at the time. (Linn, not Jack) A car pulled up behind us and began honking long and loud pulse honks. I could tell it was freaking out my son so I told him not to turn and look. At the bottom of the hill is a stop sign. I felt about as adrenaline laden as the incredible hullk. I walked up to the window, and it was a kid no older than 20 in a $100,000 mercedes benz with a passenger of the same age. They were laughing away, very relaxed body posture. Just having a good ol' time messing with the little kid learning to ride a bike. I got his license number and called 9-1-1. The police called me later and said they went to his house (expensive house) and no one was home but that they would return later. This was in Lake Oswego. Don't know if Portland would follow up like this.

For me, the difference in the scenarios is that the above-encounters were a form of road rage. The second one was a young man who had not been taught manners. I fear the road rage people. So I am selectively deaf.

I'll be purchasing my NRA emblem soon. That's genius, Kenji! My comparatively pathetic choice of clothes is fashionable reflector vest. I like to think it sends the message to people that I care about whether I live or die, hoping motorists will share the sentiment.

maggie

> To: obra@list.obra.org
> From: jeff.ballantine@gmail.com
> Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 18:19:34 -0700
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Commuter Rant
>
> It seems that it is that time of the year again. Today I was on my
> way home in a left turn lane and I waiting for some pedestrians to
> clear before proceeding and a guy in a Jeep starts loudly reving his
> engine behind me and pulls up to within inches of my rear tire
> repeatedly while I was creeping forward. After the left, we both get
> to the next red light at about the same time and he starts cussing me
> out. I ask, "Do you not stop for pedestrians?" and he says, "No, you
> were in the middle of the (expletive) road, you (expletive) clown,"
> and the light turned green and he gunned it.
>
> This is the first time I have ever considered calling 911 because a
> driver in more than a decade of using my bike as transportation. Does
> anyone have any experience with doing this and how did it work out?
> Any suggestions for the next (hopefully not) time something like this
> happens?
>
> Rant over.
>
> Jeff
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Russ Rainforth

How many more feet do you get if you carry the actual *rifle*??
;-)
Russ R

Sent from my iPhone

On May 20, 2011, at 7:44 PM, "T. Kenji Sugahara" wrote:

> This is interesting. I've done sort of a social experiment over the
> past year and half to see what happens if I wear certain things out on
> my rides.
>
> I'm actually sad to say it, but this method works. It has gotten me
> over 2-5 feet of extra passing room by cars and trucks- and trucks
> have actually gone into the other lane to pass me even though I'm off
> on a shoulder. (especially in rural areas). This has been consistent
> too- and happens even on busy thoroughfares like highway 99.
>
> Whether or not you believe in this organization- for all practical
> purposes this seemed to have worked. What did I do?
>
> I pinned the following item on the back of my jersey.
>
> http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=SS%2021692
>
> Probably the best $15 I've spent in order not to be harassed while training.
>
>
> On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 7:31 PM, Dan H wrote:
>> I would wave him by. It's so much less trouble than having to kill him.
>>
>> Dan Houghton
>> Southwest Bicycle, LLC
>> 3605 SW Multnomah Blvd
>> 503-246-0333
>> www.swbicycle.com
>>
>> On May 20, 2011, at 6:19 PM, J Ballantine wrote:
>>
>>> It seems that it is that time of the year again. Today I was on my way home in a left turn lane and I waiting for some pedestrians to clear before proceeding and a guy in a Jeep starts loudly reving his engine behind me and pulls up to within inches of my rear tire repeatedly while I was creeping forward. After the left, we both get to the next red light at about the same time and he starts cussing me out. I ask, "Do you not stop for pedestrians?" and he says, "No, you were in the middle of the (expletive) road, you (expletive) clown," and the light turned green and he gunned it.
>>>
>>> This is the first time I have ever considered calling 911 because a driver in more than a decade of using my bike as transportation. Does anyone have any experience with doing this and how did it work out? Any suggestions for the next (hopefully not) time something like this happens?
>>>
>>> Rant over.
>>>
>>> Jeff
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> OBRA mailing list
>>> obra@list.obra.org
>>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Brandon

As a card carrying member of the NRA, I would have to say a carbon fiber gun rack on your sub 15lb SL3 keeps most a-holes away. Bear spray is a great tool as well but it may escalate force a bit! Lmao

BM

On May 20, 2011, at 7:44 PM, "T. Kenji Sugahara" wrote:

> This is interesting. I've done sort of a social experiment over the
> past year and half to see what happens if I wear certain things out on
> my rides.
>
> I'm actually sad to say it, but this method works. It has gotten me
> over 2-5 feet of extra passing room by cars and trucks- and trucks
> have actually gone into the other lane to pass me even though I'm off
> on a shoulder. (especially in rural areas). This has been consistent
> too- and happens even on busy thoroughfares like highway 99.
>
> Whether or not you believe in this organization- for all practical
> purposes this seemed to have worked. What did I do?
>
> I pinned the following item on the back of my jersey.
>
> http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=SS%2021692
>
> Probably the best $15 I've spent in order not to be harassed while training.
>
>
> On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 7:31 PM, Dan H wrote:
>> I would wave him by. It's so much less trouble than having to kill him.
>>
>> Dan Houghton
>> Southwest Bicycle, LLC
>> 3605 SW Multnomah Blvd
>> 503-246-0333
>> www.swbicycle.com
>>
>> On May 20, 2011, at 6:19 PM, J Ballantine wrote:
>>
>>> It seems that it is that time of the year again. Today I was on my way home in a left turn lane and I waiting for some pedestrians to clear before proceeding and a guy in a Jeep starts loudly reving his engine behind me and pulls up to within inches of my rear tire repeatedly while I was creeping forward. After the left, we both get to the next red light at about the same time and he starts cussing me out. I ask, "Do you not stop for pedestrians?" and he says, "No, you were in the middle of the (expletive) road, you (expletive) clown," and the light turned green and he gunned it.
>>>
>>> This is the first time I have ever considered calling 911 because a driver in more than a decade of using my bike as transportation. Does anyone have any experience with doing this and how did it work out? Any suggestions for the next (hopefully not) time something like this happens?
>>>
>>> Rant over.
>>>
>>> Jeff
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> OBRA mailing list
>>> obra@list.obra.org
>>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

T. Kenji Sugahara

This is interesting. I've done sort of a social experiment over the
past year and half to see what happens if I wear certain things out on
my rides.

I'm actually sad to say it, but this method works. It has gotten me
over 2-5 feet of extra passing room by cars and trucks- and trucks
have actually gone into the other lane to pass me even though I'm off
on a shoulder. (especially in rural areas). This has been consistent
too- and happens even on busy thoroughfares like highway 99.

Whether or not you believe in this organization- for all practical
purposes this seemed to have worked. What did I do?

I pinned the following item on the back of my jersey.

http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=SS%2021692

Probably the best $15 I've spent in order not to be harassed while training.

On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 7:31 PM, Dan H wrote:
> I would wave him by. It's so much less trouble than having to kill him.
>
> Dan Houghton
> Southwest Bicycle, LLC
> 3605 SW Multnomah Blvd
> 503-246-0333
> www.swbicycle.com
>
> On May 20, 2011, at 6:19 PM, J Ballantine wrote:
>
>> It seems that it is that time of the year again. Today I was on my way home in a left turn lane and I waiting for some pedestrians to clear before proceeding and a guy in a Jeep starts loudly reving his engine behind me and pulls up to within inches of my rear tire repeatedly while I was creeping forward. After the left, we both get to the next red light at about the same time and he starts cussing me out. I ask, "Do you not stop for pedestrians?" and he says, "No, you were in the middle of the (expletive) road, you (expletive) clown," and the light turned green and he gunned it.
>>
>> This is the first time I have ever considered calling 911 because a driver in more than a decade of using my bike as transportation. Does anyone have any experience with doing this and how did it work out? Any suggestions for the next (hopefully not) time something like this happens?
>>
>> Rant over.
>>
>> Jeff
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

Dan H

I would wave him by. It's so much less trouble than having to kill him.

Dan Houghton
Southwest Bicycle, LLC
3605 SW Multnomah Blvd
503-246-0333
www.swbicycle.com

On May 20, 2011, at 6:19 PM, J Ballantine wrote:

> It seems that it is that time of the year again. Today I was on my way home in a left turn lane and I waiting for some pedestrians to clear before proceeding and a guy in a Jeep starts loudly reving his engine behind me and pulls up to within inches of my rear tire repeatedly while I was creeping forward. After the left, we both get to the next red light at about the same time and he starts cussing me out. I ask, "Do you not stop for pedestrians?" and he says, "No, you were in the middle of the (expletive) road, you (expletive) clown," and the light turned green and he gunned it.
>
> This is the first time I have ever considered calling 911 because a driver in more than a decade of using my bike as transportation. Does anyone have any experience with doing this and how did it work out? Any suggestions for the next (hopefully not) time something like this happens?
>
> Rant over.
>
> Jeff
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

J Ballantine

It seems that it is that time of the year again. Today I was on my
way home in a left turn lane and I waiting for some pedestrians to
clear before proceeding and a guy in a Jeep starts loudly reving his
engine behind me and pulls up to within inches of my rear tire
repeatedly while I was creeping forward. After the left, we both get
to the next red light at about the same time and he starts cussing me
out. I ask, "Do you not stop for pedestrians?" and he says, "No, you
were in the middle of the (expletive) road, you (expletive) clown,"
and the light turned green and he gunned it.

This is the first time I have ever considered calling 911 because a
driver in more than a decade of using my bike as transportation. Does
anyone have any experience with doing this and how did it work out?
Any suggestions for the next (hopefully not) time something like this
happens?

Rant over.

Jeff