Comments on: Defusing The Ted Bomb http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/ A community for cyclists in Boston Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:57:29 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Dub http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/comment-page-1/#comment-2676 Dub Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:24:40 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1407#comment-2676 I'm a new Boston cyclist, though I've ridden my fair share of miles. Needless to say, your response was perfect, and I'm glad to see Ted go away with something to think about. To the above: Despite my fairly new introduction to city riding, I've managed to make good progress at learning how to bike safely. I stop at red lights (barring the odd crosswalk or empty road), I don't ride on the sidewalk, and I stay behind cars when I feel that threading my way to the front wouldn't make sense, as they'll pull away from me anyway. That being said, I see MANY new and, more notably, not-so-new cyclist that ride like mad people. I understand I don't have the skill these road warriors do, but running a red through a busy intersection seems like an easy way to tempt fate. Cyclists aren't all that well treated on roads; however, in my opinion, the ones cycling like jerks do more damage to drivers' attitudes than the ones that are courteous do good. Unfortunately, I'm not sure this situation is salvageable until more bikers are on the roads, or legislation/bike lane zoning is shifted into the cyclists' favor. (all of this IMHO) cheers I’m a new Boston cyclist, though I’ve ridden my fair share of miles. Needless to say, your response was perfect, and I’m glad to see Ted go away with something to think about.

To the above: Despite my fairly new introduction to city riding, I’ve managed to make good progress at learning how to bike safely. I stop at red lights (barring the odd crosswalk or empty road), I don’t ride on the sidewalk, and I stay behind cars when I feel that threading my way to the front wouldn’t make sense, as they’ll pull away from me anyway. That being said, I see MANY new and, more notably, not-so-new cyclist that ride like mad people. I understand I don’t have the skill these road warriors do, but running a red through a busy intersection seems like an easy way to tempt fate. Cyclists aren’t all that well treated on roads; however, in my opinion, the ones cycling like jerks do more damage to drivers’ attitudes than the ones that are courteous do good. Unfortunately, I’m not sure this situation is salvageable until more bikers are on the roads, or legislation/bike lane zoning is shifted into the cyclists’ favor. (all of this IMHO)

cheers

]]> By: Marc http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/comment-page-1/#comment-1499 Marc Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:43:54 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1407#comment-1499 I'm glad to see that the situation ended on a positive note. I try to make way for drivers like that. I remember a couple years back, a BU student was shot in a crosswalk for getting mouthy with a driver. I've also been chased through East Cambridge and I had a can of food thrown at me... You never know what a person hiding in armor on wheels will do. Not that this situation fully warrants this, but school is back in session. There seem to be dozens and dozens of new amateur cyclists. It's probably not a bad time to error on the side of caution rather than fight back. I know just from riding a bike around that a lot of "new to city riding" cyclists do some pretty insane things. I’m glad to see that the situation ended on a positive note. I try to make way for drivers like that. I remember a couple years back, a BU student was shot in a crosswalk for getting mouthy with a driver. I’ve also been chased through East Cambridge and I had a can of food thrown at me… You never know what a person hiding in armor on wheels will do.

Not that this situation fully warrants this, but school is back in session. There seem to be dozens and dozens of new amateur cyclists. It’s probably not a bad time to error on the side of caution rather than fight back. I know just from riding a bike around that a lot of “new to city riding” cyclists do some pretty insane things.

]]> By: Joe Linton http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/comment-page-1/#comment-1415 Joe Linton Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:19:34 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1407#comment-1415 What I like to do when some unhappy driver behind me gets the honks - is to just raise my hand and give an enthusiastic "thumbs up" sign. Treat the honking as encouragement. Perhaps this does sometimes piss off the driver, but it usually gets them to stop honking if they think it's actually encouraging me... and it keeps things fairly positive. What I like to do when some unhappy driver behind me gets the honks – is to just raise my hand and give an enthusiastic “thumbs up” sign. Treat the honking as encouragement. Perhaps this does sometimes piss off the driver, but it usually gets them to stop honking if they think it’s actually encouraging me… and it keeps things fairly positive.

]]> By: carpundit http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/comment-page-1/#comment-1414 carpundit Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:02:43 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1407#comment-1414 It could have gone very badly, Ted. If he were a cop, and you attacked him with a U-lock, he might have felt his life was in danger and shot you enough times to make sure you couldn't hit him with the U-lock. It probably would have been legally justified, but it even if it weren't, you'd be dead. Glad it worked out differently. CP It could have gone very badly, Ted. If he were a cop, and you attacked him with a U-lock, he might have felt his life was in danger and shot you enough times to make sure you couldn’t hit him with the U-lock. It probably would have been legally justified, but it even if it weren’t, you’d be dead. Glad it worked out differently.
CP

]]> By: teeheehee http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/comment-page-1/#comment-1413 teeheehee Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:51:30 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1407#comment-1413 I remember reading of another cyclist who uses a similar approach with many of their mad-driver interactions, nearly always with a positive outcome. It's amazing how much a handshake and some concerted eye-contact can impact a situation (provided the explosion hasn't already reached a critical point.) Very glad it didn't escalate. Even knowing of a "good way" to handle a situation like this it's tough to pull it off without some serious brass cojones. I remember reading of another cyclist who uses a similar approach with many of their mad-driver interactions, nearly always with a positive outcome. It’s amazing how much a handshake and some concerted eye-contact can impact a situation (provided the explosion hasn’t already reached a critical point.)

Very glad it didn’t escalate. Even knowing of a “good way” to handle a situation like this it’s tough to pull it off without some serious brass cojones.

]]> By: Sam http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/comment-page-1/#comment-1412 Sam Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:57:28 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1407#comment-1412 Your response was brilliant (the walking over, not the abandoning bike thing)! I know getting motorists to empathize with me more is the only solution to road rage...I continue to work on this. Your response was brilliant (the walking over, not the abandoning bike thing)!

I know getting motorists to empathize with me more is the only solution to road rage…I continue to work on this.

]]> By: cyclostat http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/comment-page-1/#comment-1410 cyclostat Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:40:44 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1407#comment-1410 Ryan, I'm just going to say it. I'm a cyclist and I break the rules on the road because cyclists live in a transportation anarchy. Cyclists get in trouble for both following the rules and breaking them, it's just that the former is on the road and the latter is mostly text-based. Personally, I prefer anonymous, internet based fist shaking to Ted situations. And it seems that most accidents are the drivers fault anyway: http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/who-causes-cyclists-deaths/?scp=1&sq=cyclist%20deaths&st=cse The Ted situation is sort of the "damned if you do" situation: had the author weaved through traffic, and ran a few red lights, Ted would have been miles behind (Or so I would assume, please let me know if this is correct). I'm not saying it's right, but personally I don't care, so I'd say the author is a better person than I am. Anyways. I'd rather be illegal, fast, and alive than live legally and take my chances on the latter two. I'll probably repost this response on my blog, since I feel this might provoke some discussion. Ryan, I’m just going to say it. I’m a cyclist and I break the rules on the road because cyclists live in a transportation anarchy. Cyclists get in trouble for both following the rules and breaking them, it’s just that the former is on the road and the latter is mostly text-based. Personally, I prefer anonymous, internet based fist shaking to Ted situations.

And it seems that most accidents are the drivers fault anyway:
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/who-causes-cyclists-deaths/?scp=1&sq=cyclist%20deaths&st=cse

The Ted situation is sort of the “damned if you do” situation: had the author weaved through traffic, and ran a few red lights, Ted would have been miles behind (Or so I would assume, please let me know if this is correct). I’m not saying it’s right, but personally I don’t care, so I’d say the author is a better person than I am.

Anyways. I’d rather be illegal, fast, and alive than live legally and take my chances on the latter two. I’ll probably repost this response on my blog, since I feel this might provoke some discussion.

]]> By: Cyclists rise up, and a jackass backs down « BikingInLA http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/comment-page-1/#comment-1409 Cyclists rise up, and a jackass backs down « BikingInLA Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:28:11 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1407#comment-1409 [...] to a rash of cycling accidents by ticketing riders and handing out bells. Finally, a Boston cyclist defuses a dangerous situation with an angry motorist with an unexpected, and surprisingly effective, technique. And yes, I am [...] [...] to a rash of cycling accidents by ticketing riders and handing out bells. Finally, a Boston cyclist defuses a dangerous situation with an angry motorist with an unexpected, and surprisingly effective, technique. And yes, I am [...]

]]> By: Ryan http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/comment-page-1/#comment-1406 Ryan Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:41:21 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1407#comment-1406 Absolutely, driver's need to chill the F out and realize that it is an actual human being on that bike, and realize that even riding to close could be enough to shake the riders concentration enough to cause an accident. Like I said, I see both sides (I don't ride a bicycle, but a small moped (not a scooter, an actual moped) so I see how crazy drivers can be. But it does seem that bicyclists sometimes have a holier-than-thou attitude and feel that they can do no wrong, and then get pissed at drivers. When I am driving, I sometimes get upset with bikers becuase they are riding like assholes and I DON'T WANT TO KILL THEM! But they seem to tempt that fate more than they should. Absolutely, driver’s need to chill the F out and realize that it is an actual human being on that bike, and realize that even riding to close could be enough to shake the riders concentration enough to cause an accident. Like I said, I see both sides (I don’t ride a bicycle, but a small moped (not a scooter, an actual moped) so I see how crazy drivers can be. But it does seem that bicyclists sometimes have a holier-than-thou attitude and feel that they can do no wrong, and then get pissed at drivers. When I am driving, I sometimes get upset with bikers becuase they are riding like assholes and I DON’T WANT TO KILL THEM! But they seem to tempt that fate more than they should.

]]> By: Boston Biker http://bostonbiker.org/2009/09/14/defusing-the-ted-bomb/comment-page-1/#comment-1405 Boston Biker Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:36:01 +0000 http://bostonbiker.org/?p=1407#comment-1405 ryan: I fully agree, but I want you to know I didn't have my u-lock in my hand when I came to this mans window...I wouldn't take my u-lock out unless I was going to use it, which I wouldn't cause I am a peaceful guy :) if you read my previous posts you will see I am an advocate of the "behave and follow the laws" system of getting along for everyone. However you make an interesting point, do you think it is valid for drivers to act like crazy people, almost killing a cyclist because the cyclist is breaking the law? I would say that no matter what the cyclist does, killing them or injuring them severely with a car or truck is never justified. ryan: I fully agree, but I want you to know I didn’t have my u-lock in my hand when I came to this mans window…I wouldn’t take my u-lock out unless I was going to use it, which I wouldn’t cause I am a peaceful guy :)

if you read my previous posts you will see I am an advocate of the “behave and follow the laws” system of getting along for everyone.

However you make an interesting point, do you think it is valid for drivers to act like crazy people, almost killing a cyclist because the cyclist is breaking the law? I would say that no matter what the cyclist does, killing them or injuring them severely with a car or truck is never justified.

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