I guess they win.

[telegirl]

I have decided to take a break from road riding.

Last night, after work, I went on a road ride. On one of the first fast downhill sections, a dually work truck passed me very closely and cut in right after he got by. The only problem was that he was pulling a long, flatbed trailer, which pushed me off the road and onto the dirt. Thank goodness I started mountain biking, because it gave me the skills and confidence to keep myself from doing a header into a tree.

Heading into the second half of my ride, I was on a straight road - you could see me for miles- and I saw several cars approaching me from behind (I always wear a helmet mirror). The third car back was a jacked up pickup truck with extra large mirrors. As they approached, I could see that he was over toward the side of the road so far that the mirror disappeared behind my head - This particular road was pretty torn up over the winter, so the edge of the road was not rideable at all. As he got closer, all I could think to do was to drop down onto my cross bar and duck as low as I could get - the mirror passed over me, but I had to try to ride through broken up asphalt. Again, love those mountain biking skills.

To get home, I have to ride over the Conneticut River, on a really well traveled road, but the road has a very wide shoulder so I thought that at least there, I could relax a little. As I was about half way over the bridge, I noticed a white car coming from behind, but instead of staying in his lane, he was drifting onto the shoulder. As I was on a bridge, I had nowhere to go. And there was a biker killed on that bridge by a drunk driver a few years ago and I literally thought that it was a good thing I had my Road ID, so that they could identify my body right away. I actually thought I was dead. And then the car slowed as it approached, leaned on the horn, a guy screamed at me out the window and then threw trash at me. Not young teenagers, either, but probably in their 20's.

I rode the remaining 5-6 miles to my car, sat in it and cried. Last year, I gave up road riding for awhile because of the close calls I had. But I figured I didn't want them to win and went back out this year with a vengence. But now, I just can't take it anymore and I would rather live to fight another day- So with sadness, I am saying goodbye to my road bike for awhile.....:(

[crazycanuck]

:( Telegirl. At least you made it to your car!

Are there any other areas you could bike to or around?

You mentioned you've taken up mountain biking: Perhaps stick to that for the time being. I hate being around cars & I think that's why I took up Mtb.

How far are the Mtb trails & do you have anyone to ride with?

I wish you luck in your quest to find a safe road :)

Take care

C

[Kimmyt]

:( Your post made me so sad and angry for you.

I am so filled with anger against these people. They just don't understand. :mad:

I hate that because of people like who you encountered, you have to give up a wonderful sport. But I know that you're making the right decision for you. Good luck, and keep pedalling, whether it be on the road or the dirt!

K.

[missymaya]

:( Oh telegirl, Im sorry this all happened, what are people thinking. Just reading your post really got my goat. But what can you do about it, even though your not riding the road anymore? Others might be riding the road too and might not be so lucky to live or not get hurt. Could you call up a local state representative or congressional member for your district and complain? (cause they do care). Call the cops? Talk to your local municipality or transportation group? Something needs to be done about this, whether it be a bike lane, share the road sign, or some ordinance providing more protection for cyclists.
But, whatever you do, if you love to ride, find some way to ride, whether on the trails or somewhere else. Dont let them stop you from enjoying your life.
I'm glad your ok and hope better riding days come your way.

[mimitabby]

Telegirl, Would you consider writing a letter to your local newspaper or even CALLING them and telling them what happened ? (ask for the city desk)!

I can't believe all that happened in one ride! what a bummer!

(it's the full moon!)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes PLEASE write a letter to your newspaper- or even ask to be interviewed for a small article! It might help someone, somehow, or might make some driver think for just a moment.
See if you can get license plate numbers as offending cars drive away, and report to the police. Report to the police anyway and tell them your story.
You never know where these efforts might lead- they could save some future biker's life if people are made more aware of what's going on.
Meanwhile...are there other safer roads that you could ride on in your area? Bike paths maybe, or rail-to-trail paths?

I'm so sorry- it's hard to believe that people act this way. :(

[7rider]

That is really distressing, Telegirl.
Vermont (and New Hampshire, if you crossed the CT river on your ride) seems to pride itself as a cycling destination. In fact, several tour companies I can think of off the top of my head have trips to VT. Cycling is a big industry in Vermont and it's terrible that there aren't better facilities (and treatment) for cyclists where you are.
I agree - talk to your local reps, the newspaper, even the chamber of commerce where you live.
Ignorant motorists should not be allowed to rule the roads.
Good luck. Don't give up on bikes all together. There are other options -- and perhaps better roads - for you out there!

[telegirl]

I'm afraid that right around my house, the roads are fairly narrow and heavily traveled. And unfortunately, more times than not, I am trying to save myself from getting thrown off my bike, into a tree or under someone's wheels and haven't gotten a license number.

Vermont (and New Hampshire) are definitely either bike friendly or bike haters. Not a lot inbetween. Most of the people I know have taken a year or two off of road riding after having one too many close calls. I can't tell you the number of times that people in my local coffee shop will explain to me why bikes shouldn't be on the road and how much they hate them. There are a lot of groups trying to push for more shoulders, cleaner shoulders, harsher penalties for drivers who are caught, etc., and I have started a draft of a letter to our local paper outlining my Ride for My Life last night.

It just really amazes me how clueless people are and how they don't realize that if they hit and kill me, their night is going to be ruined as well! :rolleyes:

[mimitabby]

yay! Telegirl! go for it! and feel free to post your letter here if you'd like and we'll help you make it better.

I'm sorry that your neighborhood is so intolerant!

[RoadRaven]

I got the shivers reading that account, telegirl.

I completely understand you wanting to take a break from riding on the road - but OH WHAT A SHAME!!!!

Some of the things I have done to try and raise bike-awareness in car drivers...

Asked the local council to put up signs with bikes along our road (I am rural and it is 16kms to the nearest 'settlement' with a shop)

Talked to our neighbour, a traffic/police officer, and he has "had a chat" with a few locals on the road and drives his work car home when he can.

Asked the local school to pop occasional reminders in the school newsletter regarding bikes, and how many of the people on the local roads are children of the school, or children's parents/older siblings.

I really hope you can find somewhere safe to ride on the road, even if it means a drive.

Can you find someone else to bike with so you are more visible on the road?

Also, do you have long hair? If not, I suggest you make a fake pony tail and attach it somehow - research shows that people are more considerate of a cyclist when they believe the cyclist is female...

Good luck with finding a solution... I really hate to think you are being deprived of something you enjoy.

[Jenn]

Oh my gosh, telegirl, bless your heart, ugh...I HATE that crap. I don't know if you've seen some of my other posts but I mountain biked for years and was thinking that maybe I was just overly sensitive to being on the road with cars but no there are just ALOT of jerks out there,.:o
However, I've come to the conclusion that I am NOT and there are a bunch of angry, lazy A-HOLES out there that just want to make our lives hell for trying to make ours better.
I am so sorry that your rides are so limited due to your location. But, even then, like here, we could have 14 lanes WIDE open and I guarantee you some SOB is going to ride right up as close to you as he can get. Your paper is definately a GREAT idea. I actually wrote the base paper here after our "BMW" close call and the Base Commander addressed it stating that if drivers did not acknowledge and allow more room for people riding there would be heavy penalties..what those would be....(would probably not be much, if any) BUT he did address the incident!
I hope you are feeling better!!!
Jenn

[7rider]

I can't tell you the number of times that people in my local coffee shop will explain to me why bikes shouldn't be on the road and how much they hate them.


You know, it just blows my mind how so many people hate cyclists on the road and are so agressive towards them. And most of the reasons have to do with them being slower than traffic and "taking up space on the road." But, good grief, don't those descriptions apply to farm equipment and payloaders and street sweepers on the road? But, you never see motorists buzzing them, or screaming out the window to get that d**n tractor back in a field where it belongs, or throwing trash at them. It's always about picking on the little guy. It's all about intimidation and control (or lack thereof) in their sad little lives. <sigh>

[Jenn]

It comes down to today everything and everyone is rush, rush, rush, and that REALLY means drivers!! Like it takes a few seconds longer to get around a cyclist.

[cosc]

Telegirl, I'm so glad your still living and breathing to tell this horrible tale. People can be so selfish all they think about is hurry and get there or something worse. I want to go back to slug-bug horse-buggy lifestyle. Yes, the gals gave you good advice. Write about your experience to "letter to the editor" section of your paper. The people that put your life in danger might never see the article, but it would remind others not to be so clueless while sharing the roads with bicyclist. I think schools should have safe driving assemblies and include comments on driving safely w/ bike on roads, as well as no alcohol. I'm very leary of any teen driver. Just hearing about close-calls on the forums give me the hebie- jebies so I can understand your feelings. I hope you can find a place to ride that you feel comfortable again.

[Batbike]

Telegirl ... I hope you were able to report this to the media, police, or SOMEbody that can draw attention to the situation -- how AWFUL!! Glad you are OK. Can't blame you for wanting to stay off road bike, but sounds like it is more the roads than the bike, so maybe can find some better roads (in time). Heal ... ride your mountain bike and enjoy the ride! :)

[DebW]

Telegirl, I just read your story and so thankful you lived through this, and so upset that it would happen. To me, the beauty of biking has always been that I don't have to get out my car in order to enjoy a ride on my bike. My other sports require that I drive somewhere to do them, but biking means I can leave the car at home, save gas, not pollute, not add to global warming. If I had to drive to somewhere I considered safe for riding, then riding would lose alot of its appeal. So upsetting that certain drivers force us into this position. But your safety is most important.

[telegirl]

Share the Road –

In my last road ride, I had a truck pulling a trailer run me off the road, a pickup almost take me out with his side mirror (it actually went over my head only because I ducked), and a car pass me honking while its passenger screamed and threw trash at me. For two states which want to promote bicycling, I’m amazed at the negative attitude of the residents toward cyclists.

I am sure that a large number of my own close calls result from drivers who do not understand how fast a cyclist can travel, resulting in cutting in too quickly, those who follow too closely to the car in front of them, which does not allow them to see cyclists or pedestrians along the roadside, or even those drivers who don’t really understand how much room to give a bicycle when passing. There are also those who are in such a hurry that the average 3-5 seconds wait to pass a cyclist safely seems like an eternity that they just can’t accept. There have been many times I have been passed on a blind curve, only to have the driver cut back in due to unseen oncoming traffic, resulting in my being run off the road or having to slam on my brakes to prevent an accident.

What I have trouble understanding is the anger and animosity directed at a large number of us riding our bikes, as well as the carelessness with which people operate a vehicle. While I know there are cyclists out there who may not obey traffic laws, there are a large number of car and truck operators that are not stellar drivers. Rarely does one see drivers trying to force cars off roads for going too slowly, or passing a car on a blind curve, or running them off the road with their trailers. Is it because of the fact that I am on a bicycle, vulnerable and unable to fight back, that drivers feel empowered to bully me?

Please, share the road and remember that if you hit and injure or kill a cyclist, your day is going to be ruined as well.

[7rider]

Share the Road –

In my last road ride, I had a truck pulling a trailer run me off the road, a pickup almost take me out with his side mirror (it actually went over my head only because I ducked), and a car pass me honking while its passenger screamed and threw trash at me. For two states which want to promote bicycling, I’m amazed at the negative attitude of the residents toward cyclists.

Please, share the road and remember that if you hit and injure or kill a cyclist, your day is going to be ruined as well.

Looks good.
I'd recommend that you start out with the fact that you were on a bicycle - something like "On my most recent bicycle ride on local roads, a pickup truck pulliing a trailer nearly hit me with a sideview mirror. Only by ducking at the right moment, did I avoid being hit in the back of the head. This latest incident, coupled with events where motorists would honk, yell, and throw trash at me while I was on my bike, has led me to sadly re-evaluate my standing as a vehicle on local roads. For tow states which promote bicycling..."

[mimitabby]

I took the liberty to edit. Your ending is very strong. I like it.


Share the Road –

The last time I rode my bike, a truck pulling a trailer tried run me off the road, a pickup almost took me out with his side mirror (it actually went over my head only because I ducked), and a car passed me honking while its passenger screamed and threw trash at me. For two states that want to promote bicycling, I’m amazed at the negative attitude of their residents toward cyclists.

I am sure that a large number of these close calls resulted from drivers who do not understand how fast a cyclist can travel; so they cut in too quickly, drivers following too closely to the car in front of them; so they don’t see cyclists or pedestrians along the roadside. There are even those drivers who don’t really understand how much room to give a bicycle when passing. There are also those who are in such a hurry that the average 3-5 seconds wait to pass a cyclist safely seems like an eternity that they just can’t seem to accept. There have been many times I have been passed on a blind curve, only to have the driver cut back in due to unseen oncoming traffic, resulting in my being run off the road or having to slam on my brakes to prevent an accident.

What I have trouble understanding is the anger and animosity directed at a large number of us riding our bikes, as well as the carelessness with which people operate a vehicle. While I know there are cyclists out there who may not obey traffic laws, there are a large number of car and truck operators that are not stellar drivers. Rarely does one see drivers trying to force cars off roads for going too slowly, or passing a car on a blind curve, or running them off the road with their trailers. Is it because of the fact that I am on a bicycle, vulnerable and unable to fight back, that drivers feel empowered to bully me?

Please, share the road and remember that if you hit and injure or kill a cyclist, your day is going to be ruined as well.


an alternate sentence: While I know there are cyclists out there who do not obey all the traffic laws, we all know that there is an equal number of motorists who also break traffic laws, sometimes with fatal results. But I loved your use of the word stellar! :D

[telegirl]

Thank you for taking the time to read it and give input. :o .....I forget that not everyone is versed in cycle-speak....oops. I am going to modify and send it off to at least two (if not three) of the local papers and see what sticks.....

Thanks for your support, kind words, and anger on my behalf! :D

[mimitabby]

good luck and keep us posted!

[lph]

Great letter!

But I actually prefer the one you wrote us... it wa so vivid, and painted a very clear picture of what it was like seeing these "accidents waiting to happen".

If you have more papers to write to, I'd suggest a letter that was as descriptive as your first post - crying and all, if you don't mind putting that part in. It really hit home how vulnerable we can feel out there.

[smilingcat]

Your horrible ride story really leaves me wondering about the horrid drivers out there. Things like this really make me angry. And like Road Raven says, how many of the bike riders are children riding after school or commuting to school. Just horrible horrible horrible.

Next time you are in coffee shop and some arse says about wanting to harm the cyclist or just scare them, maybe you should remind them that it could be a child. I wonder how he would feel if he killed an innocent child or someone killed his child. People just don't think about the consequences of their action. GRRR!!!

And one way of getting attention for a newspaper story is put it in a context of children riding bikes. People who hate bicyclist don't care about adults but if its a child riding they tend to soften up and think a bit.

Thank goodness for your cycling skill and attentiveness.
and do stay on Mtn bike for a while.

[pooks]

Next time you are in coffee shop and some arse says about wanting to harm the cyclist or just scare them, maybe you should remind them that it could be a child. I wonder how he would feel if he killed an innocent child or someone killed his child. People just don't think about the consequences of their action. GRRR!!!


Something else comes to mind. I recently read about an incident where protesters were throwing rolls of toilet paper at a group of people that included the Queen Mum. She calmly picked one of the rolls up and carried it to the man who had thrown it and asked quite "innocently" and "helpfully," if it was his...? That she thought he'd want it back.

He was so startled that he took it and everybody stopped throwing them.

I have a friend who occasionally pulls something similar when somebody says something outrageously ugly as a joke. She will play innocent and wide-eyed and "not understand," forcing them to explain, and perhaps explain again, until they shut up in embarrassment.

I wonder how somebody who made comments about running cyclists off the road to scare them would respond to a wide-eyed, "Really! You would do that? Do you know one of them? They must have done something horrible to you! Wait, you would run a stranger off the road? Why?"

Etc., until they realize what asses they're making of themselves!

Pooks

[Aint Doody]

Pooks, I really like that idea. If they have to explain, they might finally understand just how outrageous their idea to run somebody off the road is.