Aggressive Drivers and Responses

DCist picked up the intentionally hit cyclist story and that led to the questions

do you all think responding to vehicular assault by banging your fist down on a trunk is so wrong? And what about a well-placed U-lock to a tail light? Where do you draw the line?

To the first question, no. I don't think it's so wrong, but I would still say ill-advised. To the second question, yes. To the third question, when I cause someone else real harm (financial or otherwise).

I would not advise yelling or escalating a situation with a driver. On a ride with a friend once a driver cut us off and yelled something like "get off the road." We caught up to him and my friend squirted his water bottle at their car. Pretty harmless right? The guy started gunning for us and chased us up onto the sidewalk at Washington Circle before a streetlight made him stop. I decided then not to confront drivers anymore.

Nonetheless, in my less calm times, I have. I always regret it. I can't imagine that my yelling or banging a fist on their car makes them decide to change their ways, and I once had a guy get out of his truck with a baseball bat in his hand [I assume any guy who carries a baseball bat around has probably used it before]. Pretty scary stuff.  One of the commenters, Ol Chappy, wrote

As a longtime DC cyclist (~9yr DC messenger) and someone who's been in many of these confrontations, I can only say that instigating violence against your antagonist, however justified you think it is at the time, is always -- always! -- a bad idea. It may be that one could improve on the outlook of certain drivers with the business end of a U-lock. But I think it's unlikely, and more importantly, when you take that kind of step, you give up the high ground. This has immediate, practical adverse consequences, not just moral ones...a cyclist already has a hard time getting drivers, cops, judges to see things their way, but it's possible. When you take the role of a belligerent, that's off the table. Even though the driver may be much more of a real threat to your physical person, by virtue of curb weight, than your Kryptonite lock is to their side panels, that's not how it's going to be perceived. In the moment, the driver may decide they're justified in using their vehicle as a weapon. Afterwards they can make a case to a cop or judge that you were threatening their life; sadly or hilariously, they'll probably be believed. It's not worth it. To get around by bike in this city you have to let a certain amount of shit slide, near misses, plain disrespect, whatever. If you do get in a serious situation, keep that high ground, get a cop involved and stay safe, don't pull that u-lock unless you're acting in defense.

That sounds like solid advice.

Photo by FABIOV Creatore Di Fantasmi

Comments

[think a little]

Someday Congress will do away with all of DC's gun laws and I can bike with a .357 strapped to my back.
Then I might get more room when cars pass me

[Ron Alford]

@think: That reminds me of the Spike Bike.

[Ikon O' Klasst]

Retribution or lashing out isn't always about being right or converting the hopeless. Sometimes it's about making you feel better.

Not advocating one way or the other, just sayin'...

I think you have to take each situation on its own merits and thendecide for yourself how you will react.

[ibc]

I think you have to take each situation on its own merits and thendecide for yourself how you will react.

Yep. And why in Heaven's name would you hit a car with a u-lock while riding along beside it, or what have you? Much better to catch up at a light, when it's stalled in a line of cars, knock off it's side view mirror, tell the driver off, and ride away down a one-way street on the sidewalk, or whatever.

Sheesh, people. It's not rocket science.

[SteveH]

I did bang on someone's trunk before and felt quite good about it. I know it's not the "right" thing to do, but sometimes you need to vent. Otherwise I might just hate all drivers!