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Hydro-one said it best. :wink:
I don’t own pepper spray. Never thought of owning pepper spray. I’m a little guy. Too old now to run fast. If someone wants to mug me I know I’ll get at least one good punch in where it counts – and that’s all that matters. Other than that – I depend on my wits and wisdom and humor and humility. It is far far easier to
apologize than to
escalate – even if you are in the right. It costs nothing, no money whatsoever to save lives and property.
Doesn’t mean I always did this. No, this is experience talking. Walking or riding away in any direction is by far the best method, and apologizing and not arguing or reaching to something is the second best.
I like the
police report idea. Many years ago I had some asshole follow me on the freeway and jack with me. I got his license and made like a bee for the CHP office nearby – which like an idiot – he followed up to the point where I pulled into the parking lot. I have no idea what happened after the report.
One important note:
I rarely use bike trails. There is one that runs along the freeway that saves me an awful lot of time – so I take it, but I make sure to slow down when passing peds and cyclists; I use the little “people bell” <ding ding> to warn them before I pass. They still give the “
WFT!?!” expression cos they’re going at their top speed and don’t expect anyone to pass them. Except for one in particular – no one has complained; the “people bell” gets me off the hook.
If they’re old people (or women with prams) I slow right on down to 5 mph – seriously! And I say “Hello”.
Funny someone mentioned cyclists with headphones; there’s no helping those people – they have tuned out and will always be startled.
Idiots.
The one particular previously mentioned was a big oaf cyclist back in 2011 that I’d encounter up to 2X/day going in the opposite direction on my commute to Seattle and back over the I-90 Floating Bridge. There is no other way for me to go to Seattle unless I want to take a 30-mile detour above or below Lake-WA, and I can’t go on the freeway proper cos I’m a bike. But here’s this big inbred phuk who thinks he’s got the right to bitch me out and try to block my progress. Fortunately I use Hydro-one’s idea and with plenty of hp and maneuverability, he couldn’t catch me. Heaven help him if he ever did cos I don’t know what I’d do – but touching me and my ride is unacceptable and I am certain I would react most diligently to prevent another assault – little elf that I am.
Grrrr! :x
I’m non-violent, but you don’t want to box me into a corner – that’s all I’m sayin’
As a rule, I try not to harsh on peoples’ mellow. Treat others as you wish to be treated. So I pass with care and consideration. Not always, and I know I can be a jerk sometimes – but I do try to be mindful. It’s work-in-progress; I am flawed – I know it, though not nearly as bad as my last neighbors.
Normally, during the commute - I ride in the street with traffic until I hit the freeway, then I take the bike path that runs parallel. As I said – I try to be mindful and friendly. It’s best to just avoid confrontations – end of story.
~
KF