Feeling vulnerable now...

[lady_rider]

I need some moral support! I commute every day, along the same stretch of road, and have done for the last 18 months or so without a problem. Yes, there is a cycle path to the left of it but we all know what they can be like, and this one may be useful if you want to practice some mountain biking skills on the ruts but on a road bike it's useless.

Cue a few weeks ago, when a motorist passed me very close, very fast, beeping and gesturing to the cycle path. I flicked a "V" in instant anger. He stops, gets out and stands in the middle of the road so I couldn't cycle past. He screams at me, yells, threatens, and finally grabs my bike handlebars and drags me and my bike across the road towards the cycle path, saying that I nearly caused his wife to knock me over because there was a car coming in the opposite direction... erm... hmmm. Anyway, finally he gets back into the car and drives away. Me, very shocked and very shaken. Reported to the police, who said they would send a letter to the registered owner of the vehicle (I got the numberplate).

Next day, he drives past again but way faster and way closer than is safe. A few days later again. And then a few days ago, as I got off my bike at my back door guess who drives past. I'm not sure they saw me but who knows. Both of us obviously use that stretch of road often and we are bound to cross paths.

Now instead of a joyous, fresh-air, chill out commute I am nervous and edgy. Every time a car comes up behind I tense up, wondering if 'this is it'. This morning on my commute a truck with three guys in it beeped really aggressively as I passed them twice (they got held up behind a bus, ha ha). I got into work feeling like a complete nervous wreck, and also I'm feeling targeted whether or not I actually am. Does anyone have ANY tips and tricks to seal with this new feeling of vulnerability???

 

[thomas]

Does anyone have ANY tips and tricks to seal with this new feeling of vulnerability???

Well, it sounds like the driver needs more than a letter for starters.

I know I got helmet camera after I had a few nasty events (not nearly as bad as yours). That won't really stop anything, but you would have it on video if you needed to. I find that by pointing to it or if people want to stop and argue you can just say that it's a camera and they'll usually loose interest or at least twig that if they do anything it'll be on film.

I would say that you shouldn't let it put you off. Could you take a different route for a couple of weeks to get your confidence back?

 

[Origamist]

Sorry to hear about this.

Go to the police again and complain forcefully: the guy is deliberately endangering you and needs a visit from the police, preferably with a tazer.

Were there witnesses to the first incident? Can you avoid this route? Get a camera?

 

[eldudino]

Go to the police again and again, note down times, dates etc. that this is happening as it's once person persistently targeting you. You could also think about getting a helmet cam or borrowing one until this moron is caught. This is absolutely scary as hell, no wonder you're shaken up by it! Be forceful with the police, make sure they do something about it.

 

[swee'pea99]

That's horrible - you have my unreserved sympathies. I can't really think of a solution, other than to get back to plod and stress that this guy is proving a real menace. You could get lucky and get one who takes it seriously.

Other than that I can't think of anything to suggest I'm afraid other than grit your teeth and try to get past it. It'll fade in time. But that really is nasty.

 

[eldudino]

He screams at me, yells, threatens, and finally grabs my bike handlebars and drags me and my bike across the road towards the cycle path, saying that I nearly caused his wife to knock me over because there was a car coming in the opposite direction.

I just really can't believe someone would do that. I'd love to tag along with you on your commute and see if he tried that again!

Is there anyway you can get someone to buddy-up with you at all? Or ask the police to send a plain clothes cycle officer to follow you. It's worth asking if there are any cycle officers in your area, they may be more sympathetic.

By the way, welcome to the forum!

 

[ianrauk]

wow, this is shocking behavior. It shouldn't be tolerated at all. As OP's have said complain to the police again. Have a camera or mobile phone ready to take pics.

Where abouts are you based.. Do you know any other cyclists that do that route or can get someone else to ride with you for a while.

I was going to say, is there another route you can take? But why should you? You have every right to cycle where you do.

 

[Absinthe Minded]

Shocking indeed.

I agree with the rest. I'm not easily shaken but I know I'd be uneasy at the kind of treatment you're sufferring.

As the others have said - get a helmet camera and make sure he knows you have it and that you are recording his behaviour. Also agree about badgering the Police - something needs to be done about this twat.

Good idea too about getting someone to cycle with you. If you're anywhere near my route, I'll be pleased to come along with you.

 

[I am Spartacus]

The police are not the best at customer relations to put it mildly.
We have at least 1 'tame' polizist on the forum methinks... hopefully he may give an opinion of how to get a result.
At the least the bloke should be ashamed of himself for getting physical with you... he molested your bike.. he molested you ... take it personal!
"Back off my bike !! "
Try to view it with a sense of humour but view it for what it is as well.

 

[fossyant]

This is deliberate intimidation - straight to the cops and report it.

 

[thomas]

I would also say, keep your mobile switched on in your back pocket and just phone 999 if it happens again.

 

[Yellow Fang]

My sympathies too. The man is obviously a bully and a total peanut, who suffers from road rage and shouldn't be allowed to drive on the road.

 

[2Loose]

Shocking stuff, can't agree enough with everyone else about pressing the police for action on this.

 

[snapper_37]

Next day, he drives past again but way faster and way closer than is safe.

Hi Lady Rider

Many sympathies for running into such a vile creature. I have had similar experiences with a car driver playing 'how close can I get'. Also a bloke on a bike trying to run me off a cycle path each morning (in the end I changed route slightly until he got bored with his huffing and puffing 'commute' and gave up). Probably the worst were a couple of peds waiting for a bus each morning who used to heckle, run into my path, try and grab my arse etc. The police were really helpful in regard to the last.

It is not nice and can make you feel really uncomfortable, to the point of being afraid.

My advice would be (like others) is to inform the police and keep a note of all the instances. I would consider changing route if it is spoiling your enjoyment of the commute. Finding it outside your house must have been really freaky so I would gather up as much evidence as possible - ie number plate blah blah just in case he does see you!

Good luck and keep us posted. Luckily such donkeys are few and far between.

 

[Crankarm]

What is the country coming to!!

Go back to the police tell them you are very frightened which you clearly are. Tell them you want to make a complaint of assault and harassment against this driver/person as he has done this to you on more than one occasion. You must though, be able to give a reasonable ID of the man. Presumably if he got out of his car, confronted you and dragged you and your bike off the road you could ID him. Request the Police take this matter very seriously. Ask them to give you a panic/rape alarm as you are a vulnerable female who has been assaulted - he has dragged you off the road on your bike which must have been terrifying. This man must be stopped. He is obviously a bully and has anger management issues in particular toward women. Have there been any witnesses as far as you know?

Also make the police aware that you believe he knows where you live and may well be local to you. This is serious. If you don't make any headway with the rank and file plods request to speak with a dedicated female officer who deals with assaults and offenses against women or failing this an inspector. Perhaps at the very least they can step up patrols in your area and along this part of your route. If this fails then your MP.

Also you need this recorded as a crime, crime number etc, a formal statement of the incidents and a victime impact statement. Don't let the police fob you. If this man isn't dealt with he might knock you off or knock you about.

In the meantime I would find an alterntive route and try to vary your time of cycling. Carry your mobile where you can easily access it and DON'T BE AFRAID TO CALL 999. Carry a camera as well if your mobile doesn't have one or is of poor quality. Photograph his vehicle and him. If he confronts you again tell him you taken his pic and of his car and emailed it to your boyfriend/husband/sister/brother who is a police officer/boxer. Select as appropriate.

And as some one has suggested try to hook up with another cyclist preferably one who can fight and built like a sh1t brick house who can kick the crap out of this idiot.

But usually cycling is an enjoyable and safe way to travel. I hope this immediate problem is sorted out quickly and it can be so for you.