my commute home from work !!!

[somegirl]

Ever been "Doored" ??  It's not pleasant (ask me how I know), but it is considered a "right of passage" among bike couriers here in Boston...

Hasn't happened to me, but I'm well aware of the dangers...that's why I'd only do it on my bicycle, and only going slow so I can watch carefully and stop quickly.  If I'm going fast on my bike and there are parked cars, then I "take the lane".

-Sorry for the threadjack....Honestly though, I feel like people do stupid things like that (trying to cut you off) just to do it, or to scare you... The best thing to do is just stay the hell away, which is easier said than done a lot of times...

+1

[x136]

I've come uncomfortably close to getting a face-full of door on a few occasions. Car windows are tinted so stupidly dark these days, and people are so airheaded and/or distracted, it often feels more dangerous to be anywhere near parked cars than to just be out in traffic amongst the moving vehicles.

[Pakhan]

+1 to just letting it go, not worth your time, effort, or repercussion.  You do something to him and think that's it, what if he sees you again on a commute and decides to retaliate?

If you really feel the need to retaliate, go for the passive way.  Pretend to break down in front of him and block him with your bike while your "checking" it for the problem.  Then when he finally is able to back up and get around you start the bike and drive off.   

[Ducatiloo]

Keep some batteries in your pocket.  [moto]

Use washers and bolts, then you can say they fell off your bike 

[Kaveh]

I got a door opened on me in Santa Monica, CA last year.  Not fun.  I was splitting *between* the only tow lanes traveling in my direction on a city street.  I never split next top parked cars, your on borrowed time if you do.  Anyways, as I'm crawling along (doing about 5mph) a passenger decides to get out of a car in the middle of the street!  I slammed on the brakes and made contact with the door but was able to keep the bike upright (barley, it was leaned over pretty far ).  I gave the dude a big earful and went on my way.  There wasn't even that much traffic, they could've easily pulled over to the side of the road 

[gnostic203]

Buddy of mine got pissed at some lady the other day for <insert stupid cage move here>.  Anyway he went to kick her door while moving and instead kicked her tire.  His foot swung back so fast it snapped his ankle inside his boot and he ended up lucky with a minor hairline fracture.  I've started to second guess my initial reaction on the road now.  Like it or not, or, right of way or not, we are the smaller physical mass and need keep that in mind.

Also don't bring a knife to a gun fight seems to fit here.  Keep cool, drink a cold one and laugh it off.

[ODrides]

Keep some emoticons in your pocket.  Seems like you have plenty to spare.

[Ducatiloo]

+1 to just letting it go, not worth your time, effort, or repercussion.  You do something to him and think that's it, what if he sees you again on a commute and decides to retaliate?

If you really feel the need to retaliate, go for the passive way.  Pretend to break down in front of him and block him with your bike while your "checking" it for the problem.  Then when he finally is able to back up and get around you start the bike and drive off.   

+1  this would tick them off the most.

[knightrider]

ive banged a couple mirrors. ussually when the driver sees me and then purposely move over to try and block me from lane splitting.  ive even had a guy hit the car in front of him  because he was trying to cut me off, and didnt notice he was close to the car in front of him, i stuck around til the police showed up to be a witness to make sure that the person he hit, and the police knew the reason for the accident.

[Wonked]

I don't mean to be preachy, but being aggressive while on a motorcycle - even if you're in the right, doesn't sound like a very good idea. When I'm on a bike, half the time I ride like I have something to prove - because I do. I want to prove that motorcyclists are polite, responsible, and cautious while on a bike.

Record the license plate, file a complaint, call the authorities - whatever, but motorcyclists don't need any more bad publicity.

Besides, if you're getting all riled up to the point where you even contemplate doing anything, you're probably too emotional to ride.

Just my $.02.

[turbowagon]

As long as you didn’t get hurt, just pass him and get over with.
I know it’s easy to say than do and if you ask me 10 years ago I would probably tell you to throw a brick to him. But really, there are too many idiots on the road, don’t bring yourself to their level. There will be another maniac to take care of him soon or later. 

[speedevil]

Please remember one thing - when it's car/truck vs motorcycle, the motorcycle ALWAYS loses.  Don't be a loser, they aren't worth it.  Dead right is still dead, and when you're dead you can't post about the latest mod you dreamed up.

Lugnuts do sometimes fall off other vehicles and can get tossed up by car tires, right onto windshields.  What a shame that would be.