tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235409615481275305.post8376653278869894813..comments2013-02-26T07:03:02.102-08:00Comments on Righteous Velo-Metal Broad: Been quiet, but must write about an incident...Righteous Metal Broadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13491546965554017706noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235409615481275305.post-34346472802866434622009-07-28T12:25:00.097-07:002009-07-28T12:25:00.097-07:00That was a really alarming incident. I'm glad...That was a really alarming incident. I'm glad you're okay. Good for you for pressing charges, to make an example of it. What they were doing was clear-cut harassment and intimidation, whatever they thought of it. And how cool, that the police were kinda-sorta fans of your work.sxoidmalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00622946839908244709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235409615481275305.post-50440459231580785002009-05-27T10:06:26.812-07:002009-05-27T10:06:26.812-07:00Thank you for your story. These incidents are real...Thank you for your story. These incidents are really frightening, especially when you are inexperienced and trying to convince yourself that cycling is the right thing to do.<br /><br />This is only my third month on a bicycle after 12 years of not riding, and I have already had a traffic shake-up. I was standing at a crosswalk outside of Vienna that is quite large but has only stop signs, no lights. There were no cars coming, so I prepared to cross. Just at that moment, a sports approached the cross-walk with incredible speed (as if it had no intention to stop at the stop sign), and only at the last second screeched to a halt inches away from my left side. I was slightly shaken, but seeing as the car was letting me go, I put my foot on the pedal again and was about to cross. As soon as I did this, the car revved its engine and began to <I>drive</I> -- expecting, I imagine, that I would clear its path by the time it actually lunged forward. <br /><br />An experienced cyclist would have just kept going at this point, to quickly clear the car's path. But I got so freaked out, that I froze and lost my balance. The bike tumbled sideways between my legs and it was by sheer luck that I did not fall directly under the car's wheels. <br /><br />The man inside the car was calmly smoking and listening to music the entire time, looking at me distractedly and not acknowledging any fault on his part what so ever, let alone showing concern or caution. Not encouraging, to say the least.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235409615481275305.post-84407557668782892152009-05-16T13:17:00.000-07:002009-05-16T13:17:00.000-07:00What a horrible experience and one of the reasons ...What a horrible experience and one of the reasons I prefer segregated lanes for bikes. You are correct the cars win in an accident. No matter how curteous you as a cyclist are, if a driver decides he wants to have some fun at the expense of the cyclist the cyclist will be the one to get hurt. Have you thought about writing an editorial in your newspaper? Was there ever any follow up from the van owners? Good luck (to all of us).She Rides a Bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269615938898501712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235409615481275305.post-75276504538972646732009-05-02T20:33:00.000-07:002009-05-02T20:33:00.000-07:00That's like out of some kind of movie--you know wi...That's like out of some kind of movie--you know with the killer car stalking some innocent person. Effin' scary. I'm glad you're alright, firstly and I'm glad you decided to make a stand.<br />I hope the company fires that drivers sorry ass. I know there are people out there who are respectful drivers and would be less of a liability to the company and would love to have a job.The Jolly Crankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09413710628789759348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235409615481275305.post-34097765482413809122009-05-02T19:21:00.000-07:002009-05-02T19:21:00.000-07:00That was a good call, Paula!! Absolutely, take the...That was a good call, Paula!! Absolutely, take them to court! I am glad that you have made some friends in high places with similar goals (road safety) who can help you when you call.<br /><br />Do post the company name if it doesn't interfere with your court case.Zanna Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02707427684099976254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235409615481275305.post-68963494272005217932009-05-02T16:59:00.000-07:002009-05-02T16:59:00.000-07:00Hell, Yeah! Take them to court. Although I don't k...Hell, Yeah! Take them to court. Although I don't know why you'd have to take them to court if they break the law.<br /><br />I'm disappointed that it was downgraded. When somebody uses a motor vehicle to terrorize somebody, it should be treated as a serious crime. <br /><br />I'd like to know who'd on the case and I'd like to know the company name. <br /><br />Professional drivers operating commercial vehicles should be held to a higher standard. <br /><br />"See you on the Streets!"SoapBoxLAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03423782294035596253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2235409615481275305.post-71817259403331415952009-05-02T16:25:00.000-07:002009-05-02T16:25:00.000-07:00Take 'em down and show 'em who's boss. I've seen t...Take 'em down and show 'em who's boss. I've seen too many drivers treat too many cyclists with disrespect over the years (both here and in the UK, where even pedestrians will yell at cyclists...).<br /><br />I think I told you about this incident that happened to my about a year ago, but here it is again: I was cycling to work, and I cycled past a Bank of America. Someone was pulling out of the Bank and decided to just hammer the accelerator and pull out, despite the fact I was there. I watched her do it. I could see her, and she would have been able to see me just fine if she was, y'know, looking for something car-sized or larger.<br /><br />She pulls out, I swerve to avoid her, at which point I am clipped by another car clips my side and knocks me down.<br /><br />I hit my head pretty hard on the sidewalk. Luckily I was wearing a helmet. I scraped my legs and arms up a fair bit, but other than that I was fine. The first car, the one that pulled out of the Bank of America, stops beside me not to offer aid but instead to shout at me for being in her way. I respond by calmly and carefully telling her exactly what sort of dog she reminded me of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com