It was a Sunday morning group ride in Portland, ten minutes from home, when a Range Rover driver decided the traffic lights ahead were more important than the cyclists in his way. He braked hard, nearly took one out, and then had the nerve to smirk about it. What followed was one of the most memorable roadside exchanges you will read this year. Here is his story.
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Every UpRider has a story. Here is Paul’s.
What happened prior to this incident and why do you record your ride?
I record all of my rides so that my wife knows who is responsible if I am ever involved in an incident and unable to provide witness myself.
On this occasion, a group of five riders were out in NW Portland, Oregon for an early Sunday morning ride before the World Cup final. This was the last ten minutes of the ride, where we were starting to encounter more traffic as we approached a busier residential area. In and around Portland drivers are usually pretty respectful towards cyclists, but as we approached the traffic lights ahead, a bunch of cars were all trying to get ahead of our group, passing with oncoming traffic on the opposite side of the road.
Two of us were about 50 to 75 metres back, and the last two cars seemed to be racing to get ahead of us without any consideration for the proximity of their vehicles or safe stopping distances. The Range Rover sped past quite close and then proceeded to slam on the brakes. I only just managed to stop in time to avoid hitting the car.
I pulled up to the side of the vehicle afterwards, and an extremely smug, smiling male driver, bald, moustache, in his 40s, just smirked and said something about having given me enough room. I clearly disagree with his assessment of the situation and used some choice words to let him know. The three people in the car were all dressed up, and I assumed they were heading to church. I said to him: “All dressed up for church and attempting to kill someone on the way there.” He smirked, told me I shouldn’t use bad language in front of his wife, and drove off.
Some people have zero consideration for vulnerable road users.
When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?
I feel most vulnerable in residential areas.
What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road?
Driver awareness and education programs. And a general respect for human life. Whilst driving is becoming increasingly safer for the occupants of a car, vulnerable road users also want to get home safely, we have families to return to. Driving a two-tonne metal box can be extremely life-threatening when consideration is not given to those sharing the road.
Did you report your incident? What was the reporting process?
I called the local non-emergency number, left a message, and the police called back. I was unable to speak with them at the time but expect to follow up with them this week.
What is your advice for other cyclists?
Stay spatially aware, signal your intentions and also be courteous to the good drivers thanking them for giving you the space to continue on safely on your journey. A thumbs up or a thank you goes a long way
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