What's going on, Albuquerque?

Taking Back the Streets

I've just had my third extremely creepy encounter this summer as a cyclist verses a seemingly crazy motorist. Three times in the last couple months I've had a car pull up behind me on traffic free two-lane streets and just lay their horn on me. One time I was outright terrified because the car actually followed me for over a block down Candeleria while continuously honking. Considering it was 6:45 in the morning there wasn't any other traffic, or even other pedestrians out, to give me a hand should this psycho decide to just run me over.

This weekend I was riding down Central on a scooter with a friend, and a car started tailgating us and honking like crazy. Again, two-lane street with no other traffic. In all of the situations there has been no reason why the car couldn't easily use the free lane to pass. The pure aggression of the situation is what makes it so scary.

I have no idea what to do the next time this happens. I would like to take down their license plate and report it to the police, but I have no idea who to call or what exactly to report. I don't even know if they're doing anything illegal.

Tags: bikes

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Comment by Khal Spencer on July 15, 2008 at 11:06am: Of late, I never leave on a bike ride without my cell phone, programmed to 9-1-1. People are getting weird out there.

Comment by Kenny on July 15, 2008 at 8:21pm: The ones who see you and react to you can be bad enough but the scariest ones are those who simply don't see you. Watch out for them.

It's a war zone out there for those of us on two wheels. Keep alert and be extra aware of your surroundings.

Comment by Pete Zaitcev on July 15, 2008 at 9:50pm: I've had plenty of negative encounters with cyclists, some outright nasty, and so I can understand this behaviour... but not condone it! Harrassing cyclists in this way is absolutely unacceptable. I agree that taking pictures and/or video is a good idea here. Too bad front plate is not mandatory in NM. Also, get a CCW, in case these jerks get wrong ideas seeing the camera.

Comment by Pat O. on July 15, 2008 at 10:16pm: Pete--How would a bicyclist (and I've been one) be able to draw a weapon, considering that cyclists need to keep their hands on their handlebars when riding?

Comment by Birdy-O on July 15, 2008 at 10:30pm: I am sorry to read about your recent encounters. My husband and I were harassed by a vehicle while riding our bikes to the Lavender Festival. It was an unnerving and rather baffling experience. We are recent arrivals in Albuquerque and to me someone using their car as a weapon against us with no provocation was shocking.

Comment by Brendan on July 15, 2008 at 10:57pm: You only need one hand to steer a bicycle (I've never figured out how people manage to peddle along without either hand on their handlebars), which frees up the other for cell phones, cameras, firearms... or more likely, a 6 pound Ulock available via quick release. You could put a camcorder on your helmet if you wanted to go all out. Or trick out your bike with James Bond-style countermeasures.

Comment by Kenny on July 16, 2008 at 5:58am: As I was getting ready for work this morning I remembered that there was a certain afternoon talk radio host here in Abq that was encouraging drivers to terrorize bicyclists in this manner.

Pretty sad.

Comment by bonnie on July 16, 2008 at 6:51am: Darren White actually encouraged the cyclists of the city to carry weapons on their rides. Hard to shoot the driver of the car which just ran you over. I agree with Kenny (as do the statistics); drivers that harrass you are annoying, but it's the drivers that don't see you that are the most dangerous. Everyone stay safe out there!

Comment by Kenny on July 16, 2008 at 7:55am: Yes, it's true. Jim Villanucci on KKOB-AM. There was a long discussion of that particular broadcast on another local forum.

Very irresponsible.

Comment by NikkyMonster on July 16, 2008 at 7:59am: It seems like this horrible road rage is just an Albuquerque thing. I mean, I know it happens elsewhere, but it seems like when I go on vacation the people in the other cities know how to drive and aren't as rude.