People who like to yell at cyclists

[MomOnBike]

OK, I'm showing my age, here, but that technique didn't work real well for the young Peter Fonda as Captain America in _Easy Rider_.

I would also guess that in some parts of the U.S., a Confederate flag would provide more protection(?), um, camoflage(?), um, ... whatever it is.

[missymaya]

I live in Orlando which has been claimed as one of the worst areas for pedestrians and cyclists in recent years and I've had all sorts of things said to me. I've gotten the stereotypical redneck in big truck yell outrageous things at me, the middle finger and so on. But there was one instance that blows my mind: I was biking on path that crosses an entrance into a set of college apartments. I'm usually very cautious here, b/c unfortunately, they may be college kids but most are incosiderate here. I was crossing at this truck blasts through the stop sign and comes within less than an inch of hitting me. The thing that gets me, is that this path is commonly used by families as well and there was a little girl crossing the path with her caretaker and this guy wouldn't have seen her.
All I tell myself is that the more they see me at here the more they'll have to deal with and fortunately, I'm not alone in getting out on the road when the day is beautiful. Recently, the Florida passed a law that states that cars and other motorized vehicles must allow 2-3 feet of room between themselves and pedestrians/cyclists and if not, can be fined heavily. Something is getting started but it must continue! Keep riding and stay safe!

[Eden]

I had a run in with a dumb a$$ in a car the other night, but I was on foot! I was walking down to the grocery store at the end of my street and some jerk in one of those mini pickup trucks comes blasting out of the parking lot - must have been doing 35mph coming out of a covered lot and did not stop at the sidewalk - he nearly ran me over and I yelled mostly in suprise. Jerk rolls down his window and starts yelling at me that I was hidden by the column blah, blah, blah. WTF! even if there is no one on the sidewalk you are supposed to come to a full stop before crossing it! Not only that there is a big feaking stop painted on the parking lot. He had the audacity to argue with me and tell me I was wrong. I don't know how half of these people pass their drivers test.

[Velobambina]

I live in Orlando which has been claimed as one of the worst areas for pedestrians and cyclists in recent years and I've had all sorts of things said to me ...

Miss---I was on a week-long TDY to Orlando a couple of years ago and I was appalled at the unsafe drivers there. I live in the metro Washington, DC, which also is a magnet for idiot drivers, but Orlando was much worse. Anyway, I had to drive a rental car while I was there and that was bad enough. I can't imagine riding a bike and trying to "share the road" with folks there. Maybe it's the tourist factor? Also, I couldn't believe the number of hummers!!

[missymaya]

Velo, the amount of hummers is ridiculous. I don't get it, it's not like there going off-roading anytime soon (or at all). I do see more and more commuters, but it's still quite frightening. I just go out and try and be as cautious as I can be.