Bikers with Road Rage - My Story
05-27-2010, 09:11 PM
#1
Race Car
Thread Starter
Bikers with Road Rage - My Story
With the news full of "bikers with road rage" and motorcycle accidents I thought I'd share my story... it's also a way for me to put my mind at rest.
I'm on my way home from work this evening, headed south down Bathurst in the left lane stuck in traffic. There's no oncoming traffic and I decide I'd rather go up and make a right at college than continue and try to make a left at Dundas. So I start a 3 point turn. As I'm in the "reverse" phase of my maneuver I first hear, then see out the passenger window (as I'm pointed across the road) some guy on a sport bike screaming up the road... he sees me and slams on the brakes, rear tire smoking and skidding, and after coming to a stop about 10 feet from my car goes around the front of my car yelling. I complete the turn and he stops his bike in front of my car, gets off, comes over to the driver side window (which was open) and grabs my arm with both hands and starts trying to twist it in a way it doesn't twist. I'm now yelling at him "wtf are you doing buddy" and he takes a swing at me through the window. After missing he tries opening my door, and when failing to do so proceeds to smash my drivers side mirror with his fist, walk back over to his bike and remounts, then pulls onto a side street and starts pointing at me. I'm not dumb enough to get out of the car, so I jot down his license plate and the people in the car next to me give me their phone number telling me to call them if I need a witness, and I drive away from the enraged biker.
In the end, I'm taking it as a life lesson learned, as I don't need the headache or the financial expense of trying to take this anywhere, especially given the joke of a legal system we have. It's not an expensive repair and other than a marked up arm I have no injuries (except for my pride).
I guess the point of posting my story is, watch yourselves on the road, things happen so fast and we all know that even if we aren't at fault, a bad situation can become one hell of an emotional and financial headache... something none of us need in our lives.
Oh, I was driving my Jetta. No P-cars were harmed in todays events!
I'm on my way home from work this evening, headed south down Bathurst in the left lane stuck in traffic. There's no oncoming traffic and I decide I'd rather go up and make a right at college than continue and try to make a left at Dundas. So I start a 3 point turn. As I'm in the "reverse" phase of my maneuver I first hear, then see out the passenger window (as I'm pointed across the road) some guy on a sport bike screaming up the road... he sees me and slams on the brakes, rear tire smoking and skidding, and after coming to a stop about 10 feet from my car goes around the front of my car yelling. I complete the turn and he stops his bike in front of my car, gets off, comes over to the driver side window (which was open) and grabs my arm with both hands and starts trying to twist it in a way it doesn't twist. I'm now yelling at him "wtf are you doing buddy" and he takes a swing at me through the window. After missing he tries opening my door, and when failing to do so proceeds to smash my drivers side mirror with his fist, walk back over to his bike and remounts, then pulls onto a side street and starts pointing at me. I'm not dumb enough to get out of the car, so I jot down his license plate and the people in the car next to me give me their phone number telling me to call them if I need a witness, and I drive away from the enraged biker.
In the end, I'm taking it as a life lesson learned, as I don't need the headache or the financial expense of trying to take this anywhere, especially given the joke of a legal system we have. It's not an expensive repair and other than a marked up arm I have no injuries (except for my pride).
I guess the point of posting my story is, watch yourselves on the road, things happen so fast and we all know that even if we aren't at fault, a bad situation can become one hell of an emotional and financial headache... something none of us need in our lives.
Oh, I was driving my Jetta. No P-cars were harmed in todays events!
05-27-2010, 09:18 PM
#2
Race Car
Wow, you are tolerant. I'm envious. At minimum I'd have him busted for assault and get my insurance company to recover the damages....you know the mirror, any dents or scratches in the general vecinity, etc.
05-27-2010, 10:18 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
That was you!!!! Aw man, I'm sorry I overreacted, but you should have been paying more attention to oncoming traffic.
Just kidding...
I probably wouldn't have been able to restrain myself... good for you, and I agree with the others, you should report him.
Just kidding...
I probably wouldn't have been able to restrain myself... good for you, and I agree with the others, you should report him.
With the news full of "bikers with road rage" and motorcycle accidents I thought I'd share my story... it's also a way for me to put my mind at rest.
I'm on my way home from work this evening, headed south down Bathurst in the left lane stuck in traffic. There's no oncoming traffic and I decide I'd rather go up and make a right at college than continue and try to make a left at Dundas. So I start a 3 point turn. As I'm in the "reverse" phase of my maneuver I first hear, then see out the passenger window (as I'm pointed across the road) some guy on a sport bike screaming up the road... he sees me and slams on the brakes, rear tire smoking and skidding, and after coming to a stop about 10 feet from my car goes around the front of my car yelling. I complete the turn and he stops his bike in front of my car, gets off, comes over to the driver side window (which was open) and grabs my arm with both hands and starts trying to twist it in a way it doesn't twist. I'm now yelling at him "wtf are you doing buddy" and he takes a swing at me through the window. After missing he tries opening my door, and when failing to do so proceeds to smash my drivers side mirror with his fist, walk back over to his bike and remounts, then pulls onto a side street and starts pointing at me. I'm not dumb enough to get out of the car, so I jot down his license plate and the people in the car next to me give me their phone number telling me to call them if I need a witness, and I drive away from the enraged biker.
In the end, I'm taking it as a life lesson learned, as I don't need the headache or the financial expense of trying to take this anywhere, especially given the joke of a legal system we have. It's not an expensive repair and other than a marked up arm I have no injuries (except for my pride).
I guess the point of posting my story is, watch yourselves on the road, things happen so fast and we all know that even if we aren't at fault, a bad situation can become one hell of an emotional and financial headache... something none of us need in our lives.
Oh, I was driving my Jetta. No P-cars were harmed in todays events!
I'm on my way home from work this evening, headed south down Bathurst in the left lane stuck in traffic. There's no oncoming traffic and I decide I'd rather go up and make a right at college than continue and try to make a left at Dundas. So I start a 3 point turn. As I'm in the "reverse" phase of my maneuver I first hear, then see out the passenger window (as I'm pointed across the road) some guy on a sport bike screaming up the road... he sees me and slams on the brakes, rear tire smoking and skidding, and after coming to a stop about 10 feet from my car goes around the front of my car yelling. I complete the turn and he stops his bike in front of my car, gets off, comes over to the driver side window (which was open) and grabs my arm with both hands and starts trying to twist it in a way it doesn't twist. I'm now yelling at him "wtf are you doing buddy" and he takes a swing at me through the window. After missing he tries opening my door, and when failing to do so proceeds to smash my drivers side mirror with his fist, walk back over to his bike and remounts, then pulls onto a side street and starts pointing at me. I'm not dumb enough to get out of the car, so I jot down his license plate and the people in the car next to me give me their phone number telling me to call them if I need a witness, and I drive away from the enraged biker.
In the end, I'm taking it as a life lesson learned, as I don't need the headache or the financial expense of trying to take this anywhere, especially given the joke of a legal system we have. It's not an expensive repair and other than a marked up arm I have no injuries (except for my pride).
I guess the point of posting my story is, watch yourselves on the road, things happen so fast and we all know that even if we aren't at fault, a bad situation can become one hell of an emotional and financial headache... something none of us need in our lives.
Oh, I was driving my Jetta. No P-cars were harmed in todays events!
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05-28-2010, 12:05 AM
#8
Team Owner
Well you obviously scared the total CRAP out of the guy and it was all adrenaline . still he has to be able to control himself and he should be charged with assault
05-28-2010, 12:41 AM
#9
You really should file a police report if you haven't. What if he flips out on someone else and there's a trial over it? Reporting it now might very well prevent him from getting a slap on the wrist later for something more serious. Also, that was crazy. Way to play the situation smart.
05-28-2010, 03:35 AM
#12
2nd Gear
Join Date: May 2010
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new poster here (long time, as in old sports car owner and long time cyclist)....not sure re road rage issues, but seems to me from logistics of your traffic manouveur...was it illegal, no? and perhaps you put life & limb at risk....So well all posters here are onside with you, and while I dearly love P-car crowd last guy that jerked with me in traffic got a severe thump on his roof with my bike pump.....and well deserved indeed.
But if you were making a legal turn and paying all due car & attention, i will stand to be corrected.
If not "reporting the *****" as has been recommended" may only land you further in hot water.
But if you were making a legal turn and paying all due car & attention, i will stand to be corrected.
If not "reporting the *****" as has been recommended" may only land you further in hot water.
05-28-2010, 04:14 AM
#13
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: on the waterfront, Kobe, Japan
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Sorry to hear about that , imo there is never an excuse for road rage whether from motorist or bicyclist.
And this may be off topic.....but from my personal experience as having lived for many yrs off & on in Vanc. (bike friendly), familiar with Portland (bike friendly) New York (actually bike friendly cause traffic moves so slow), Toronto (not bike friendly) and for the greater part of the last 15 yrs in Tokyo (bike friendly), somehow we should all (pedestrians, drivers, cyclists) find a way/get supporting rules & laws to get along.
Tokyo (and contiquous areas of Chiba & Kawaski & Yokohama) has a combined population of perhaps more than all of Canada in a land area of perhaps less than10,000 sq. miles, and yet with tolerance
all forms of transport (walk/drive/pedal) seem to co-exist without issue.
Not intending to spark a debate, only expressing a view/valid point.....
busy area of Tokyo-last wk.
And this may be off topic.....but from my personal experience as having lived for many yrs off & on in Vanc. (bike friendly), familiar with Portland (bike friendly) New York (actually bike friendly cause traffic moves so slow), Toronto (not bike friendly) and for the greater part of the last 15 yrs in Tokyo (bike friendly), somehow we should all (pedestrians, drivers, cyclists) find a way/get supporting rules & laws to get along.
Tokyo (and contiquous areas of Chiba & Kawaski & Yokohama) has a combined population of perhaps more than all of Canada in a land area of perhaps less than10,000 sq. miles, and yet with tolerance
all forms of transport (walk/drive/pedal) seem to co-exist without issue.
Not intending to spark a debate, only expressing a view/valid point.....
busy area of Tokyo-last wk.
05-28-2010, 08:40 AM
#14
Race Car
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the input, I will likely report it but not press any charges... like was stated above reporting it may help some other unfortunate motorist that isn't so lucky in a confrontation with the guy - that's a good point I didn't previously consider. Personally, it's not worth the headache for me to go after him... I'll move on to bigger and better things than dealing with this guy. I also firmly believe that if he keeps driving like he was in city traffic, he's not going to be so lucky sooner or later and I'll have my justice.
As for the traffic maneuver, I believe it was a legal turn, when I began the turn there was no oncoming traffic and I don't believe U-turns are illegal unless otherwise stated? Perhaps somebody here can shed more light on that.
raspberry - I agree. Toronto has a real traffic problem and it isn't just congestion. A large part of the problem is the attitude that exists between cyclists and motorists and all those in-between (scooters and such).
oh, and peritus - you owe me a mirror! haha.
As for the traffic maneuver, I believe it was a legal turn, when I began the turn there was no oncoming traffic and I don't believe U-turns are illegal unless otherwise stated? Perhaps somebody here can shed more light on that.
raspberry - I agree. Toronto has a real traffic problem and it isn't just congestion. A large part of the problem is the attitude that exists between cyclists and motorists and all those in-between (scooters and such).
oh, and peritus - you owe me a mirror! haha.
05-28-2010, 08:57 AM
#15
Racer
First off, good for you and your staying calm in a situation such as that. You never know to what level some one like that is willing to go to ( read concealed weapon, or weapon of opportunity). Second, YES you should report the incident - you say you have a marker, so again yes even if the traffic guys can stop the bike and ID the rider (which is why traffic stops help,-another subject ). As for assault, the difficulty is in the identity, if the rider was wearing a full face helmet could you recognize that individual without the helmet. Conviction if you could identify the rider would more than likely have a very disappointing out come for most. The level of this assault is very, very minor - and could be considered a waste of courts time as well. so even getting to trial might be difficult.
just my .02
BG
just my .02
BG