Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Road rage in our neighborhood
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February 16, 2013 at 9:23 am #784603
Jeff HParticipantI like to think that me biking (or running) is one less car on the road and one more seat for someone on the bus. Getting to Redmond in 25 minutes is a little absurd via bike, but AVERAGING 15mph is pretty normal for most people riding bikes (in my opinion).
I don’t understand why people live so far away from where they work, but it’s their choice I suppose. I like to choose where I live and work, and for me it’s wherever it’s easiest to bike, walk, or run. I love living in West Seattle!
I’d love to help people live closer to where they work, or work closer to where they live. Or figure out how to get around faster without a car.
February 16, 2013 at 3:38 pm #784604
SmittyParticipantJeff, I admire your choices – but am guessing you are single and/or without children and/or rent?
It answers a lot of your inquiries. Kids to/from sports, picked up and dropped off for school, etc. Two very simple answers to why people choose to drive.
As for long commutes, companies move locations quite frequently, and people with children rooted in a community/school often times choose to let them finish out and make the commute. Not to mention some homeowners are “under water” on their mortgage and moving at the moment is not a financially viable option. No shame in that.
February 16, 2013 at 4:01 pm #784605
anonymeParticipantWhile I agree that there’s no excuse for road rage, it does seem likely that there’s something amiss with the OP’s driving skills. Too many coincidences. Most people don’t know how to navigate traffic circles, so I wonder if one or both parties were at fault there. And it’s a Seattle tradition to never use turn signals until you’ve actually begun to make the turn.
February 16, 2013 at 6:12 pm #784606
thansenMemberWhy are people blaming the recipent of the rage? Why not the blame the people that keep their rage/emotions under control?
I have found when I’m feeling that rage at another driver, it’s usually because I’m upset about something in my life that I have no control over and raging in my car at another drives is the outcome.
When it happens to you, just lock you car door and never get out of the car!
February 16, 2013 at 6:19 pm #784607
JanSParticipantthansen, that was my question, too, and I got a negative reaction from on of the blamers…sigh…
February 16, 2013 at 6:34 pm #784608
jissyParticipant@ #19, JeffH — that’s what I do — was at Costco on Thursday and someone was waiting for my parking place (decided mine was the best spot right as I parked a FULL cart to unload). Just as I finished unloading and closed all my car doors he apparently got pissed and gunned it down the drive lane when he saw I was going to put my cart in a corral, 20 feet away (I know, how DARE I!?!?!?!?!).
I noted who he was and slowly drove by him as I was leaving, rolled down my window, smiled my best corncob smile and yelled, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” Made me feel better at least.
February 16, 2013 at 6:41 pm #784609
SmittyParticipantjissy,
MAJOR peeve of mine! If someone is “hawking” my spot I typically take even more time.
Lazy butts don;t want to walk an additional 50 feet!
As to the beginning of this thread, I don’t think people are excusing the road rage, but rather wondering if someone has been the recipient of rage multiple times over the last week that there “might” be more to it. Broken signal light, etc……..
February 16, 2013 at 8:14 pm #784610
happywalkerParticipantSmitty, sometimes it isn’t a matter of walking 50 feet…sometimes there are no other spots and why drive all over a full parking lot in search of…? You can unload even take your time if you have that much resentment for ??? me waiting? Sounds like a “quiet rage” to me. Take a deep breath and breathe out slowly.
February 16, 2013 at 8:20 pm #784611
CMPParticipantEven if ElizabethElaine had a burned out tail/headlight/whatever, that is no reason to tailgate her and flash bright lights for a few blocks! If I notice someone driving without their lights on I give a quick flash of my brights and if they don’t notice it, then that’s their own fault. I’m an impatient driver sometimes but the worst I’ll do is honk my horn or shake a fist at the offending driver, then go about my way. Anything more than that is a bit ridiculous and embarrassing for the person exhibiting such behavior. I once dated someone who would pull that crap and turns out he was bi-polar so while I try to be sympathetic, it’s still not pleasant witnessing it or being on the receiving end.
February 16, 2013 at 9:00 pm #784612
Jeff HParticipantBeing married with kids in the near future, I used part of Uncle Sam’s tax return to buy a cargo bike. I love seeing kids stare while I pedal with my wife on the back, and we’re smiling, talking, waving. I can’t wait to haul my own kids around…it’s so much fun!
I’ve noticed that as I ride slower, I become happier. Not much I can do to make a cargo bike go faster, so might as well enjoy it. People know cars can go fast, and maybe it gets them irritated that they can’t always use this “speed”.
Cars aren’t always the right “tool for the job”. Neither are bikes (like for those who are physically disabled). I’m just on here sayin I know how cars make me feel, and I find biking to be a much more enjoyable form of transportation. Friendly honks welcomed from cars who see two people on a big cargo bike riding around West Seattle! ;-)
February 16, 2013 at 9:29 pm #784613
velo_nutParticipantJeff, you aren’t alone. We’re a tandem with trailer family. Our lives revolve around bikes wether it be racing training commuting or grocery runs.
It can be done :-)
February 17, 2013 at 12:52 am #784614
SmittyParticipantLove your attitude.
To be honest, I treat bikers like a treat busses. With nothing but respect and courtesy. I figure they are all leaving more pavement for me, so the more busses and bike riders the better.
I wish everyone had your attitude Jeff, hopefully it is contagious!
(you too velo!)
February 17, 2013 at 2:00 am #784615
Genesee HillParticipantI treat all vehicles on the road with respect.
Buses and bicyclists.
The buses, though, generally stop at stop signs.
The bicyclists: not so much. Or, more aptly, never.
February 17, 2013 at 2:12 am #784616
Genesee HillParticipantI hasten to add, most cars don’t either. So, I just remain vigilant about driving and walking. I avoid rage.
February 17, 2013 at 2:36 am #784617
velo_nutParticipantBy the by…. I stop at all stop signs and lights on my bike.
February 17, 2013 at 3:07 am #784618
SeekingEurosParticipantWhat – you are surprised at the tailgating? Happens regularly to me, and I just pull over, if I can, to let the speedier go ahead if me. I am more surprised when it DOESN’T happen. Last week I was going east across the tall bridge and I was going 50 (speed limit is 45, yes I was speeding), and a “Lady” in a red car came up upon me and seemed like she was inches away from my bumper. I slowed down so she could go around me on the Spokane merge lane (unsafe, but there wasn’t anywhere to pull over on the ramp to 99). Regularly on California and also on Admiral, I see people passing in the turn lanes. I’ve come to believe that WS has a lot of “entitled” (or at least those deluded to believing that in the somewhat anonymity of their car they can show their form of Seattle niceness). Its not worth getting your panties twisted over…. Not something per se you are doing. My suggestion, just get out of their way in a safe manner. Karma is a b$&@h.
February 17, 2013 at 3:25 am #784619
JKBParticipantAh, the cyclist attitude…
Today, 44th Ave just up from Alaska. Bicycle northbound in the travel lane, blocking traffic behind him. I was on the sidewalk, walking.
Me: ‘Ride next to the curb!’
Cyclist: ‘Aw, shut up!’
mmmm, nothing tastier than a little attitude.
The part of this that’s relevant to the thread is about how motorists agree that some other motorists are irresponsible, but cyclists close ranks and pretend they’re all perfect.
February 17, 2013 at 5:43 am #784620
cwitParticipantJKB – if you actually yelled a command at someone, regardless if they were on a bike or driving a car, I wouldn’t be surprised that they reacted negatively.
February 18, 2013 at 4:53 pm #784621
WSratsinacageMemberI’ve seen a lot more road rage in neighborhood West Seattle areas vs even just 4 or 5 years ago.
February 18, 2013 at 6:16 pm #784622
EscondidoMemberSo I was recently talking with a fellow who admitted he was a pretty impatient driver and would find himself driving a bit aggressively. He asked how I approached driving and this is what I told him: when I see someone driving poorly I remind myself that 95% of the people out there are not malicious or selfish. They are just trying to get through their day. I simply send a blessing their way and continue on. I truly try to be a good, safe driver and if someone else is impatient with me, then they are only making their life miserable, not mine.
February 18, 2013 at 7:07 pm #784623
amaliaParticipantAgree that drivers have gotten crazier and cars create evil. I have been driving 2x/week this winter (I have a 25-mi bike commute, and it does take a LOT more time than driving), and I have been harrassed and witnessed some terribly aggressive and selfish driving. Being insulated by a hunk of metal with dark windows breeds self-centeredness. I do think it’s gotten worse. Jeez, would you want someone to treat your mother that way?
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I choose to take the OP at face value and believe your driving was just fine. Ignore the accusations, veiled or otherwise.
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JKB – If you shout some command (presumably ignorant, as cyclists have plenty of reasons for not hugging the curb) at me on my bike, you will be lucky to get a mere “shut up.”
February 18, 2013 at 7:09 pm #784624
amaliaParticipantWait… if I stop at all red lights and stop signs, and yet cyclists “never” do… do I exist in an alternate universe? Nah, I think the other guy does.
February 18, 2013 at 7:53 pm #784625
WorldCitizenParticipantWhy is pointing to the possibility of an oversight by the OP “blaming the victim” or an “accusation”? Just because road rage is never justified, doesn’t mean the OP was in the right…what if it was a tail light out or some other not so obvious situation causing these aggressions? Those incidences of road rage, unjustified as they most definitely were, may have an actual root in a reality not understood by the OP. Pointing this out is what the original post asked with the plea for insight into the situation.
February 18, 2013 at 8:04 pm #784626
HMC RichParticipantBicyclists need to have their bikes licensed. They are getting a “free” ride. Enjoy it while it lasts.
I don’t care whether you bike, drive a car, or bus. There is such a thing as patience and courtesy. Sadly, our society is deteriorating and common sense is going along with it.
Don’t you love it when you are a Pedestrian, cyclist, or car driver, stopped at an intersection and you start to turn or go across the intersection and some idiot who is going way over the speed limit goes crazy and honks their horn or yells, or flips the bird. Part of the reason for speed limits is to give people a chance to join the traffic flow safely.
Do non motorized commuters get tickets for going through camera traps when the light is red?
February 18, 2013 at 8:24 pm #784627
amaliaParticipantUh oh, the “free ride” straw man! I’m not going to bother knocking it down, because I’m pretty sure everyone already knows the truth about who exactly is getting the free ride.
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Enjoy the fruits of my property taxes peacefully :)!
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