So quick explainer, I was approaching one of these speedbumps on my bike (not this one, but one just like it with sharrows on the street). Coming the other way was a truck (blue line) who started drifting to straddle the middle speed bump without actually going over any of them. I had no intention of hitting the speedbump either, so I kept my line (red) and went between the two speed bumps while staying in my lane, while the truck driver shouted at me because they had to stop to let me pass by before they could straddle the centre by driving in the centre.
The second one happened while biking on a residential street (speed limit like, 40km/h?) and I was approaching a traffic calming narrowing post. The gutter of the street was filled with sand/rocks/debris so I was pedalling in the lane. I heard a car coming up on me and as I passed through the narrows, they honked, revved their engine and shot past on the left. Of course they ended up stopping at a redlight like 300m down the road, where I caught up, and we both waited for like 40 seconds to cross. So they gained nothing by being delayed slightly by me because I chose to ride in the lane to go through a traffic calming device.
So just putting it out there because I'm curious what this sub of far more experienced bike commuters, am I the asshole in these scenarios?
by 2Tun21
10 Comments
I am a tough shitski rider.
Smile and wave and let them bitch.
Definitely not in the first case. Looks like the truck crossed the center line.
Maybe in the second case if you pulled out into the lane in front of a faster vehicle, cutting them off. If you had been in the lane all along, no, but it may have seemed like it to the other driver if they thought the shoulder was clear.
I don’t think you did anything wrong in any of these instances. I’d be a little worried playing chicken with a motorist in a pickup; stereotypically, they’re not the most compassionate or courteous of people.
First scenario – I’m not sure if I’m misunderstanding but the truck crossed the yellow line to hug the speed bump and crossed into your lane? He’s the asshole.
Second scenario – I wouldn’t have moved. Fuck that guy. You should have tapped on his window and asked if it was worth getting there that much sooner
I would not say you’re an asshole in either situation. When there’s a car, I prefer to go to the right of a speedbump so I am more towards the bike lane, but he was crossing a solid yellow line, which is not generally acceptable. If you had been a car, he would have just gone over the speed bump.
Second situation definitely not the asshole, people just suck. You generally have a right to occupy the full lane whenever the bike line or shoulder is not safe to ride in, which is true here.
Trying to not be killed overrides law.
Cue the “I know my rights but don’t give a rat’s ass about my responsibilities” and “hit their mirror with a u lock for honking” crowd, followed immediately by the “everyone hates cyclists crowd.”
Let them be emotional. Speed bumps are literally meant for them
Both NTA. In most places what you did is completely acceptable and legal behavior. In the first one, driver would be ticketed for driving in over the middle line. In the second one the driver would be ticketed for using their horn needlessly.
BTW I love how expressive your lines are!
NTA, but don’t wind up dead over it. Keep your head on a swivel and yield to TAs who use tonnage of metal, glass, and plastic as weapons and implements of intimidation