Even the guy behind me honked!

[mothra]

So, Ok ok one more story...

I was riding to campus down town and I jumped on the freeway, feeling like staying off of Colefax. It was about 4:00, I know not the best time for commuting. Anyhow I was in the far left lane, and riding along, when all of a sudden this lady cuts 3 lanes over, and just about side swipes me. I didn't even see here until she started to head right on over, didn't even look. She entered my peripheral vision way to quickly.... On the phone completely brain dead. Well I must have to much pedal bike experience because I remained completely un-phased and started to speed up to get out of here line of intersection. My initial though was just "Wow and your really coming over here now, I think I'll be using the edge of this lane here" In fact the guy behind me by two car lengths even felt compelled to honk at her, it was pretty sad. I mean when another motorist feels compelled to tell you hey you should be paying more attention not even about to be involved in a collision.. I mean you know. In fact on her way over I gently tap on her window (She approached me from an angle in which she was about 1/3 into my lane when the driver side door met up with me on my bike), give here a F$**%& Look with the two finger eye motion. She freaks out Oh my god and starts to break. I'm pretty sure that I yelled Look Twice and some unpleasantness. The only saving grace for me was that I was expecting that to occur and was mindful of my escape options and started to utilize it giving myself enough distance to remain in control, remain on a solid path, and avoid the situation and had I not been watching closely I think I would have gotten hit. Still She got a tap on the window, some gestures, and honked at twice by the guy behind me maintaining a safe distance, or trying to. I think that wow I will be watching 3 lanes over when people are changing lanes. LOL The only think that I am completely baffled by is the fact that she didn't look for ANYTHING! It's just so amazing. Anyhow the rest of the ride was well. I found some excellent downtown bike parking, and met a few bikers on campus who though that I rode a scooter! guess its my helmet? HA HA or the fact I am a CS student perhaps... So I officially have 2,000 miles of riding under my belt! Whoo. And one crazy story. Yea not going on the freeway again for a bit.

[Tim Tom]

Yea freeway driving is crazy. Head on a swivel. If you think it's bad in Colorado try it in Jersey. More idiot drivers per square mile than any other state. (NOTE: Slight exaggeration based on NO facts at all )

You did the right thing by moving out of her way. Waiting for her to see you would have been bad. Always be aware of where cars blind spots are and avoid them. Bike are hard enough to see as is. With that said, ride like your invisible because you probably are to most absent minded drivers.

[sedelen]

If you think it's bad in Colorado try it in Jersey. More idiot drivers per square mile than any other state. (NOTE: Slight exaggeration based on NO facts at all ).

Actually I think the most idiot drivers than any other state should go to
Florida, it's insane down here.
Wow, you actually tapped on the window! that's close, real close. You're a very lucky guy! Now if you only tapped on that window with a hammer you would've made a lasting impression!

[Tim Tom]

Haha I'm pretty sure every rider thinks his state has the worst idiot drivers in it

A by-product of our immediate environment no doubt.

[sedelen]

Haha I'm pretty sure every rider thinks his state has the worst idiot drivers in it

A by-product of our immediate environment no doubt.

Oh, C'mon, New Jersey is the 4th least dangerous state to drive in, (your so lucky!)

http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f24/the-most-dangerou-least-dangerous-states-to-drive-59355/

But, maybe I'm just crazy but I checked and out of the 15th most dangerous cities to drive in Florida has 4 of them, Fort Lauderdale No.1,
followed by Orlando, where I live (I thought I wasn't imagining it, really),
Jacksonville ranks 11, and St. Petersburg ranked 12. Florida has a full 1/3 of them and not one was in the northeast.

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/15-dangerous-cities-for-driving.html

And that is closely related to this article, except tied to motorcycles, I live in the 2nd most deadly city to ride a motorcycle in. I really thought I wasn't imagining it.

http://www.motorcycleinsurance.com/unsafe-at-any-speed-the-most-dangerous-cities-to-ride-through-on-your-motorcycle-in-america/

Unfortunately, my girlfriend attended a funeral last Saturday of a 28 year old that she used to babysit and her sons use to play with years ago.
The cause of death, motorcycle accident on Interstate 4 in Orlando.

[Tim Tom]

Wow. Those are surprising statistics to say the least. However are they only based on deaths? If so then they aren't a true indication of what traffic and idiots are actually like. Simply by being one of the most densely populated states and in an urban area the roads are insane.

Interesting that if you read some responses to that article there are plenty of people echoing similar sentiments to mine.

Any way you look at it though riding in a city or congested area is risky.

[Dodik]

that story sounds like pretty much everyday riding around here. i had two people cut in front of me today on the way to work in similar fashion, Im so used to it that i just slow down let them merge and then move on with the rest of my day. They are not even worth my adrenaline anymore.

[Bill]

Thats evey day around here to. Just like last sunday I was on my way home running about 75 in the fast lane and I had some guy in a SUV pass me in the same lane I was in. REALLY no sh*t. I cound not baleave it.

[dueller]

Thats evey day around here to. Just like last sunday I was on my way home running about 75 in the fast lane and I had some guy in a SUV pass me in the same lane I was in. REALLY no sh*t. I cound not baleave it.

Yeah, 75 in the fast lane will get you a lineup around here too! Hey, it's Michigan, we build em, we can drive them any way we want lol

[1_v8_merc]

I agree about NJ....it's very bad.
Just go to any junkyard in this state, and 50% of the cars have airhorns left under the hood....they were there for a reason.

Florida is worse though....just more idiots down there.

[ddaniels]

Way to go handling a bad situation in a smart, rational manner. You just have to ride on the freeway like nobody sees you.

[makenzie71]

I love to use those situations to remove mirrors, dent doors, or...if I have something blunt and heavy handy...break glass.

[sedelen]

I've only been close enough to tap on a window once, but I ended up keying the car instead.

[earlfor]

I've only been close enough to tap on a window once, but I ended up keying the car instead.

I haven't been close enough to key a car yet, but I have been close enough to pat four deer on the rump simultaneously.

Earl

[mothra]

Florida and New Jersey hua? I'll have to remember that... Yea that was a little close, I will have to keep an eye out on that angle from now on, alway a new direction to watch. I think that riding like some on is going to pull that on you was a my saving grace on that one. Had plenty of room to maneuver and get out of the way... A coworker suggested carying a small hammer clipped under the seat...Not one week before... You know as a part of your tool kit. Saw one just perfect with a clamp.... I might be getting that. Lol well not one day before I said, you know I should check that battery again, last time it was full but it looked to have been venting, I'll do that Thursday (tomorrow) when I can stop and get some water to top it off. Well turns out that I killed the battery, dryer then the navada desert (and no not the strip...). Lol oh well a good opportunity to order new parts and finish my maintnce. It was the right size, but size isn't everything....Shhh Don't trust Walmart (ps I don't).