What to do if a car purposely drives too close?

[ICU812]

I have had this happen to me not only once but 2 or 3 times in a single ride. Do I have rights to report? Some cars are purposely driving within 1m or less to me on a country road that is marked 80km. The road is not lined and has no gutters or lights. Honestly my heart is in my mouth and makes me feel sick that they are so close at such high speed. I believe they do it on purpose because I am female (wearing pink) and to scare me. I am visible with a flashing red light, and riding in broad daylight. Most drivers are courteous since Bathurst is a big cycling city, but there are some out there that hate cyclists. Is there anything I can do?

[biker jk]

Get the rego number and report to the police. Perhaps a camera is your best option especially if riding alone often. I guess you must get a fair few bogan motorists around Bathurst.

[trailgumby]

I'd report them, but without cameras or an independent witness to back you a traffic infringement notice is not going to be issued. Even then, you have to be prepared to go to court to back your evidence with testimony. The reason for this is the standard of proof is at the criminal law level, that is "beyond reasonable doubt"

The good news, though, is this:
I can confirm that I have had 3 bus drivers disciplined ("counselled") by their employers as a result of my video footage, and I'd have had a further TIN issued to a woman who left hooked me except I was unable to meet with the Constable due to conflicting schedules (ball was in my court on that, not a reflection on him). In fact the constable was really keen to issue the ticket.

Unfortunately these (choose prefered expletive)-heads are out there. 99% of drivers are courteous, but it only takes the one to connect.

I'd be looking for a training partner, too. There's a great club in Bathurst. One of my colleagues moved out there because of it.

[ICU812]

Ha ha that made me laugh about the bogan motorists. You do occasionally get the Holden supped up utes with a dozen fat areials, RM Williams painted on the rear window and naked ladies on the mudflaps, yelling obscenities out the window. They are not the problem I have only been yelled at once by them in my lifetime of cycling. It just seems like ignorant motorists. It is a very frequently used route by cyclists. Maybe I should get a jersey from Amy Gillet Foundation!

[Nobody]

Maybe I should get a jersey from Amy Gillet Foundation!

Somehow I don't think they would be able to read it at the possible 90Km/h they are passing you at. Not that it would likely matter to them. Might be easier to avoid that road.

[Mulger bill]

Call me an old fashioned sexist pig if you like but what sort of oedipal onanist with a liking for coprophilia would monster a lady just because she rides a bike? She's still a lady for Freds sake

Not a new jersey ICU, you need to accessorise


Shaun

[ICU812]

Maybe if I borrowed by son's biggest Nerf gun with bullet jacket and fling a few bullets in the cars direction. And added to that, my son has opened up these guns, modified them with my husband's guidance so that they throw bullets twice the distance........ oh yeah

http://conflictedracer.wordpress.com/20 ... -projects/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


oh dear this is getting a bit too far fetched

[Baldy]

I swear.Then unclinch my sphincter and keep riding.

[jcjordan]

A couple of cars have found themselves with a dent when they have gotten close and then tried to turn over me

[g-boaf]

Call me an old fashioned sexist pig if you like but what sort of oedipal onanist with a liking for coprophilia would monster a lady just because she rides a bike? She's still a lady for Freds sake

Not a new jersey ICU, you need to accessorise


Shaun

That would be quite useful.

A camera is a good thing to have, then you can report them and hope the Police will take action.

[Ken Ho]

The true answer is "not a lot". You have just had a metal projectile fired at you.
A camera is the best answer, but it's still an after the event thing.
I choose my routes and ride times with care to minimize shaves, but I still get a few.
It's not your pinkness, it's because you are there.

[rjk]

i wonder if you could have a paint ball gun on your bike and mark the car with a non staining paint that will wash off with water, dont want to get charged with criminal damage

[m@]

Without video or at least the plates there's not much you can do after the event other than try to remain philosophical and remember all the cars that did pass safely... Does rattle you though; my most memorable fly-by was from a white tradie yoot on a rural road in the early AM - reckon he went past at over 100Kmph with less than 20cm to spare

What you can do is try to avoid a repeat; a good tactic for relatively quiet rural roads is to move to your right, into the middle of the lane as you hear a vehicle approaching in the distance, then move back to the left as they're about to pass. This gives you have more space than you would otherwise whether they leave a safe distance or not, and gives you 'bailout' room to your left if you need it. I also puts you in a more visible position on the road, so inattentive drivers are more likely to notice you, particularly on left-hand bends with limited visibility. Doesn't really work if it's a busy road, though.

[AKO]

i wonder if you could have a paint ball gun on your bike and mark the car with a non staining paint that will wash off with water, dont want to get charged with criminal damage

there are actually tighter restrictions on paintball markers than traditional firearms in this country. They can only be used on registered paintball fields and shall not be displayed in public. Being charged with criminal damage would be the least of your dramas. It boils down to the fact that markers primary function is to shoot a projectile at another human, but it is fun. A better option would be to....... Nah, better not.