I got screamed at by a motorist while riding my bicycle today - Edit 1
Before modification by Deadsy at 28/06/2010 06:36:58 AM
The story isn't that exciting. It's just that I could probably count the times I've been yelled at in my adult life on a single hand. So getting yelled at is sort of an event. Also, I need to vent 
.
Anyway, first he honked at me. Luckily I was prepared for this after reading some horror stories from other cyclists and didn't get startled and crash.
Then when the guy passed me he yelled "Get on the sidewalk where you belong, dumb ass!"
I don't have much understanding for this in any situation. Cyclists have as much right to the road as anyone. That doesn't mean I think they should be riding a bike on a busy 35+ mph zone and slowing everyone else down. But this was a residential area. The speed limit is 25mph and I was riding 15. It's actually illegal in most places for bicycles to use the sidewalk, and frowned upon in others. I always make way for cars when I'm riding though.
In my town, where I ride, there is a car sticking out and blocking the sidewalk in every 3rd driveway. It's not possible to use the sidewalk. But more importantly, my town has a population of 7,500. It was Sunday at 11pm. There were literally (and I know it for a fact because the town is so quiet I could have heard them) no other moving vehicles in a 1/2 mile radius, and no parked cars on the road I was using. I could have driven 3 18-wheelers side by side on the road, and this idiot yells at me. It took no effort for him to pass me.
.Anyway, first he honked at me. Luckily I was prepared for this after reading some horror stories from other cyclists and didn't get startled and crash.
Then when the guy passed me he yelled "Get on the sidewalk where you belong, dumb ass!"
I don't have much understanding for this in any situation. Cyclists have as much right to the road as anyone. That doesn't mean I think they should be riding a bike on a busy 35+ mph zone and slowing everyone else down. But this was a residential area. The speed limit is 25mph and I was riding 15. It's actually illegal in most places for bicycles to use the sidewalk, and frowned upon in others. I always make way for cars when I'm riding though.
In my town, where I ride, there is a car sticking out and blocking the sidewalk in every 3rd driveway. It's not possible to use the sidewalk. But more importantly, my town has a population of 7,500. It was Sunday at 11pm. There were literally (and I know it for a fact because the town is so quiet I could have heard them) no other moving vehicles in a 1/2 mile radius, and no parked cars on the road I was using. I could have driven 3 18-wheelers side by side on the road, and this idiot yells at me. It took no effort for him to pass me.