joec@aracnet.com

I would be curious to see how Ms. Erhard responds (if at all) to this
tidbit of information.

Joe

On Wed, 17 Aug 2011 01:15:30 +0000, Joe Zauner
wrote:
> Dear Laurel Erhard,
>
> As an editor, you need to fact check the articles that appear in your
> publication. Scott Wheeler's opinion piece in the April 2011 edition
> of the Skyline Ridge Runner, Bicyclists Should Obey Traffic Law,
> misrepresents the law it cites. You do your readers a disservice by
> publishing information that is wrong.
>
> Here is an accurate description [1] of the law as interpreted by
> Portland lawyer Ray Thomas. I think Thomas is, comparatively, a more
> reliable source, particularly in light of Wheeler's recent behavior on
> Rock Creek Road (see below).
>
> Joe Zauner
>
> From: Brianna Walle
> Date: Mon, Aug 15, 2011 at 11:28 AM
> Subject: RE: FW: Your message to OBRA awaits moderator approval
>
> I filed a report with police already- could you post the message on
> OBRAland chat?
>
> " Be careful riding on NW Rock Creek Road (Portland, OR). A month
> ago, I was descending down NW Rock Creek Road (Dropped down from
> Skyline). The lanes are double, solid lines with no shoulder (ditch)
> and only a few places to turn off. About ¼ mile into descent, a
> motorist tailed me and started honking (aggressively). I pulled to
> the far edge (borderline gravel) and signaled to pass (no on-coming
> traffic and at this point we were on a flat). He would not pass so I
> kept riding a SLOW pace (5 mph) until he felt comfortable to pass. He
> continued to honk and started creeping up on my back wheel. At this
> point, I do not know what he wants and I'm freaking out. So I pull
> over into ditch/gravel and expected him to stop and explain what's
> going on. He revs up and blasts past me w/in inches of my face. That
> freaked me out- I couldn't get tag # at time.
>
> Last Thursday, 8/11 at around the same time (6:20pm) the same guy
> crept up near the same spot, going about 45mph and slammed on breaks
> w/in feet of me and started the aggressive honking again. At this
> point I was riding on the edge, signaling him to pass. He continued
> to honk and ride my back wheel for another 10th of a mile until I
> stopped, he stopped, and I proceeded to chat with him at his window.
> Trying to stay calm. He started yelling out some statute "You are a
> slower moving vehicle and MUST pull over to side of road since you are
> slower than traffic! I can't pass you on a double line". As I started
> to explain my reasoning, he drove off. This time I managed to get
> this tag #. He didn't allow me an opportunity to explain why I can't
> simply "pull off"= ditch, gravel, etc and unsafe. Based on this
> situation, it's obvious to me that this guy lives locally and has
> aggression toward cyclists. If I dig into his brain, he's probably fed
> up with cyclist riding on "his turf", God forbid he has to wait an
> extra 10-15 seconds and can't speed at 60 MPH. It's clear to me he
> has aggressive intentions and who knows what will happen next time I'm
> riding (or anyone else) on that road. I've road numerous times on this
> road and never had issues- vehicles generally allow at least 3 feet
> and pass around.
>
> I pulled over (NW Elliott and Rock Creek RD) and called the sheriff to
> report the incident. A sheriff was supposed to meet me but failed to
> show (after 40 mins of waiting) so I'm going in today in person to
> file the report. As I started my descent down Rock Creek, I spotted
> him turn into his driveway and captured his address.
> Here are the details of the driver/resident for your information.
> My intention is to inform our community:
>> . Vehicle Tag #: 069 FEC
>> . Auto: Toyota Tundra (?) light red not sure on year. He was towing
> a flatbed trailer (about 5 x 7 feet) at time.
>> . Description: white male, over-weight, about age 45-50, white hair
> and beard. Aggressive
>> . Address: 14640 NW Rock Creek Road, Portland, OREGON- last name
> "Wheeler"
> There is numerous muddled, confusing information about 3 foot rule
> passing cyclists and crossing double line to do so. I can't seem to
> find anything conclusive. Point is that I felt threatened and I'm
> sure I'm not the only one out there.
>
> I filed a report with Portland PD last week and hope to get a follow
> up call as well. Be careful out there kids!"
>
> Links:
> ------
> [1] http://www.stc-law.com/slowmoving.html