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1. Al
   Member Profile

   I was the target of a road rage incident this morning, approx. 6:30 am at the intersection of SW Edmunds and Fauntleroy Ave SW.

   I am posting this so other cyclists are aware of a very angry driver out there who is a danger to anyone on a bike.

   I, a daily cycle commuter, pulled up to the red light in the right lane (northbound) in the right tire track (over the "Sharrow" symbol on the street) on Fauntleroy at the Edmunds intersection. A driver pulled up suddenly and too close, within inches of me (he was over the double yellow on his side, between me and the car in the left lane). Startled, I unthinkingly slapped the hood of his car - a purely visceral reaction to his car suddenly entering my space. I have never, ever touched anyone's car before, it was purely a startle reaction to a vehicle being so close (if he had continued forward I would have been knocked down by either his side mirror or my pannier would have been caught by his rear bumper). He was so close all I did was reach down, not out, to slap the hood - those who ride know how close this is. I believe if I had been further to the left, he would have rear ended me. If he had not been so close, and pulled up behind me like he should have I would not have slapped his hood.

   He went ballistic - to keep the story short, he followed me several blocks, stopping and trying to stop me, finally stopping in the middle of the Alaska just east of the Alaska/Fauntleroy intersection near the bus stop(I had to get in an area with more people around). He is dangerous and I expect him to do this to other cyclists who happen to be in front of him even if they are following all the street laws.

   I am freaked out enough that I will alter my route in the area for several days so I don't see him again, or he doesn't see me. He was driving a 1990s Ford Mercury or Chrysler LeBaron type car, teal, with a broken windshield. I did not get the plate. I can describe him physically and this incident was reported to SPD.

   If this devolves into a bash-session, I will request this information be removed from the Forum. It's purely informative for other cyclists.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

2. miws
   Member Profile

   

   I know that you're an experienced sensible cyclist, Al, but as one long time, regular Forum member to another, I just feel like I gotta say; Be careful out there!

   Mike

   Posted 3 months ago #         

3. amalia
   Member Profile

   I hate hearing about this. I know how terrifying it is when you're reminded that these kinds of people are out there. Miserable cretins who have so little going for them that they feel the need to take it out on stronger people (but only when they are armed with a motorized hunk of metal).
   I will watch for this car and report any dangerous behavior I see.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

4. kootchman
   Member Profile

   Cyclists... may I suggest... http://www.sigsauer.com/

   Posted 3 months ago #         

5. sbre
   Member Profile

   

   Like minds Kootchman: My handlebar bag isn’t just for snacks or extra gloves!!!

   Posted 3 months ago #         

6. 2 Much Whine
   Member Profile

   

   Al, I'm both a cyclist and a driver. I have also experienced road rage as a cyclist randomly and for no apparent reason and it sucks. I'd like to think I'm a pretty level-headed guy and it takes a lot to get me riled up. I can tell you, however, that one of the few times in my life when I got "in your face" confrontational was when someone did the same thing to my car. It was in a gas station, not on the road. As soon as the guy slapped my car with his hand I went from 0 to 60 in a tenth of a second. I think it had something to do with the sound it made (it was really loud to me inside the car although I suspect he didn't hit it that hard) coupled with the feeling that someone was damaging my property with me in it. It's hard to explain but 20 years later I can recall the feeling and emotional escalation like it was yesterday. I'm not covering for the guy but I can understand how something as simple as a slap on the hood of a car can send your pulse racing and a flood of emotions can kick in and you behave in a manner that is not typical to your demeaner. Glad you are safe and please do not think this is in any way a bash - I'm just sharing a different view.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

7. amalia
   Member Profile

   If the cyclist had slapped the car BEFORE THE DRIVER THREATENED HIM/HER WITH IT, you might have a point. Otherwise, reprehensible behavior may have repercussions, like the minor one of getting your stupid hunk of metal "slapped." [Not calling *your* hunk of metal stupid, just speaking generally.]

   Posted 3 months ago #         

8. 2 Much Whine
   Member Profile

   

   I didn't say it made sense, it's just what happened. I really have no attachment to my hunk of metal and was surprised at my reaction at the time.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

9. kootchman
   Member Profile

   Sometimes shit happens. It's not mandatory if you are cut off that you lay on the horn... mistakes happen.. It's not mandatory you slap the car hood.. A loud bang Two visceral reactions... ain't human nature a great thing? Ya got busted dude... If ya want to be a two wheeled traffic court.. get some armor. Two adrenaline supremacy cases.

   Posted 3 months ago #         

10. dhg
    Member Profile

    

    Geez, Kootchman. I figured your link was to a GoPro camera or some such thing and I thought, yeah, that makes sense. Cameras can document the moment. instead, you advocate a stray bullet into the baby crib of someone's house. Not at all a reponsible choice in an urban environment.

    Posted 3 months ago #         

11. datamuse
    Member Profile

    

    Two of my friends who ride everywhere in the Bay Area have made it a point of photographing (with camera phones) any car that does something unsafe (crowding is the most common complaint). If something happens to either of them while riding, their spouse is instructed to check their phone. If the last photo is of a vehicle, chances are it had something to do with whatever happened.

    Kootch, I hear good things about Sigs but have never fired one. What's the recoil like? Cause you know, that could be an issue.

    (Relax, people, I don't carry while riding.)

    Posted 3 months ago #         

12. Al
    Member Profile

    2 Much, regarding the slap on the hood, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. That's why I never, ever touch someone's car - and also if I yell at a driver or say something to them, I never, ever swear. Just bad policy on all parts.

    However, the slap was a purely visceral reaction on my part. The car came up and I slapped it so fast because I didn't want to be run over. It was like, "Hey, STOP! Don't run me over!" With a little push away. There was no malice in it at all, only a survival reaction. I've had friends who have been hit by cars who say that their initial reaction was to push/hit/kick a vehicle partly in a panic manner. That's exactly what it felt like.

    My worst fear as a cyclist is to be hit from behind - what almost happened today.

    The situation was begun purely by a driver who didn't like the fact that I was in front of him. Stopped. At a red light. Like the law requires. Nothing I did was in error, he set the ball rolling.

    Posted 3 months ago #         

13. kootchman
    Member Profile

    No no no dhg... I advocate for accurate, precise weapons control.. training is everything. Datamuse..you know that energy thing...depends on caliber.. but. as an automatic is has less sear slap and the bushings are tighter and the trigger pull is consistant through the movement.... sans a complete custom job.. I like em. Urban setting.. the .45 has a lower velocity than the 9mm... so it's far less likely to deflect and go errant. Al you slapped the car...he didn't touch you. As you tell it. C'mon an evil eye would have done the job. A tale of two viscerals

    Posted 3 months ago #         

14. miws
    Member Profile

    

    Okay, before this turns into a bashAl fest, I want to step forth with an opinion/observation.

    Disclaimer: to my knowledge, I have never met Al.

    However, from her many bicycle related postings, and regular updating of the Bicycle/Viaduct Routing thread, I have come to the conclusion that she is a very conscientious rider, and very calm, sensible, and non-confrontational, in posting on bicycle related threads here in the Forums. Only voicing a strong opinion, in scenarios as this, where she was put in danger due to the outright aggressiveness, or extreme carelessness, of an automobile driver.

    Personally, I used to have a very long time, bad opinion of cyclists in general, prompted by several years of very negative interaction with Downtown bicycle messengers, from the perspectives of both a pedestrian (see Avatar ;-) ) and an auto driver. That opinion changed probably at least two or three years ago, mainly from reading Al's postings, and frankly, from my own continued challenges in dealing with inconsiderate drivers, as a pedestrian.

    The attitude of Al, from a cyclists perspective that comes through in her posts, show her as being fair and sensible in sharing the road, expecting other cyclists to obey the traffic laws, and for auto drivers to do the same, including respecting cyclists rights.

    Mike

    Posted 3 months ago #         

15. was
    Member Profile

    Al, I'm glad to see you post this and see you are ok, becasue hoenestly I was worried he would circle back and find you again.

    I was at the bus stop when you and the car pulled up. I believe the first three digits of the license plate were 046 (or maybe 064). I tried to remember them but by the time I got to a pen I couldn't recall the whole plate.

    I thinks its a good idea to adjust your route and I'll keep my eyes open as well.

    no matter what you did, he was definatly looking for a fight. I'm glad you pulled over where there were witnesses.

    Posted 3 months ago #         

16. datamuse
    Member Profile

    

    I've actually got a lot of sympathy for Al here. If someone gets in your space the instinct to fend them off is strong, and this car was definitely in Al's space. I'd be leery of a person sans car getting that close to me, never mind a large vehicle.

    Posted 3 months ago #         

17. HMC Rich
    Member Profile

    

    Although I just tore into an idiot cyclist on another post, the driver of the car was way out of line. Road Rage by anyone is wrong.

    Yes, I get riled up by bad drivers and cyclists, but it is because of safety concerns. I do not want people to get hurt.

    I have to remember everyone makes mistakes, but a little understanding does go a long way.

    Posted 3 months ago #         

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