Frank Selker
I had an unpleasant encounter with a Mercedes driver some years back and got
his license plate. Ray Thomas helped me get his address using that, and I
wrote the following fake newspaper article and sent it to him. I figured it
got the message across with a little humor. It also let him know that I
knew who he was (he's not anonymous in that car), and that he is cruising
for consequences that he may not want. I also wanted him to know cyclists
are not just cyclists - we're people with jobs and kids and such.
Frank Selker
4/9/06
Mr. Steven Ellis Ferber
2512 NW Pinnacle Dr.
Portland, OR 97229
"Successful Businessman Risks it All to Teach Biker a Lesson"
At 5:20 pm, Monday March 27, Steven Ferber had had enough. After a tough
day at the office he found himself behind a bicycle rider on SW Taylor near
about 3rd.
Mr. Ferber was not aware that it is legal, in fact recommended, for a
bicycle to occupy the full lane when (a) there is not a shoulder that allow
cars to pass bicycles, and (b) the bike can move with the flow of traffic
[excerpts from Oregon Drivers Manual below]. The bicycle rider, a sometime
racer, was moving move with the traffic which averaged 14 mph due to
traffic lights synchronization, but Mr. Ferber thought he knew the law and
was in a hurry or felt special and important in his fancy car (VIN
WDDDJ75X26A018036) or something. He commented "In retrospect, I don't know
why I'm willing to wait behind a person in a car in traffic, but not a
person on a bike."
Mr. Ferber honked, then threatened the cyclist. The cyclist, who is an
executive at a downtown financial firm, could waste his time and money and
press both civil and criminal charges for menacing and assault (punishable
with fines and/or jail time, in addition to going on record as a
conviction).
Mr. Ferber's colleagues expressed surprise "I don't understand why he would
risk his reputation, time, and money, to threaten the father of two young
children for basically nothing." Both men are involved in charitable
activities, and friends note that they may well be shaking hands at some
civic function next month. The cyclist may have a buzzer in his hand should
this occur.
The rider expressed some understanding "I know how driving can bring out
exaggerated aggression - road rage or whatever. It has nothing to do with
getting home 30 seconds sooner and everything to do with a misplaced sense
of righteousness and temporary loss of perspective that can come with
driving in traffic. I suspect that Mr. Ferber is a decent guy who thought
he knew the rules and lost his cool, but I do fear for the next cyclist or
pedestrian he encounters. Hopefully he will see that there is room for all
of us out there."
The cyclist expects to encounter Mr. Ferber again in his travels and hopes
the encounter is more positive.
---
Excerpts from 2005-2006 Oregon Drivers Manual
(http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/37.pdf)
A bicyclist also does not need to keep right if a lane is too narrow to let
a bicycle and vehicle travel side-by-side, or if riding close to the edge of
the roadway is unsafe because of parked vehicles, fixed or moving objects,
animals, or road surface hazards. doors of parked vehicles. Any of these
items could cause a bicyclist to move into your path or to slow down. Give
bicyclists plenty of clearance on the street so they will have room to move
around these hazards.
Do not honk at a bicyclist, unless you have good cause to warn the rider you
are close by. The loud noise could startle the rider. There may be a good
reason for the bicyclist to be riding in the travel lane, such as roadway
hazards not visible to motorists.
Drivers need to remember that road hazards not easily seen by drivers of
cars or trucks may hamper a bicyclist. These hazards could include potholes,
glass, litter, storm grates, and railroad crossings, as well as opened . Do
not crowd bicyclists. Wait for a clear stretch of road before passing a
bicyclist who is moving slower than your motor vehicle in a lane too narrow
to share.
Remember, the bicycle is a slow-moving vehicle and this may require you to
slow down. The greater the speed difference between you and a bicyclist, the
more room you should allow when passing."
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