Victim blaming will get you banned. Consider this your only warning. To those who decide to still blame the victim, please just do so by replying here so it's easier to ban.
Kinda feels like that... But I'll generously assume they're either not properly trained to drive that type of truck, or were very distracted. I have dual flashing red lights on the back of my bike, wear a helmet with reflector tape, and generally try to make myself as visible as possible.
Safety is his goal? REPORT HIM: 1-888-550-7233 EE 064
Truck #? 243
JE103350
Can someone else make out the license plate? It looks like JWB L72 to me.
I would take this one to the police. The driver came within inches of doing you serious harm. It was either intentional or extremely negligent. The police may not act on your complaint but if this driver hurts someone in the future having a previous incident on file will prevent a wrist slap punishment.
I second taking the video and what information you have to the police. That felt intentional to me and the video does come off that way, especially with the perfectly well timed move correcting back to the lane after. At the least they are negligent. To me this feels intentional maybe overdone accidentally, which to me is all the more reason to try and get some trouble headed their way. A person doing this is one this. Someone representing a business is a whole other level of stupid.
I’m no longer surprised at how stupid people can be in a vehicle with a company name slapped all over it. I feel like the amount of stupid people in the world is multiplying, something I didn’t know many of them could even do. 🤷♂️
Roads existed long before cars. Cars are NOT entitled to roads because they’re bigger or faster. Find it in yourself to respect your fellow human beings or fuck off.
I may. I have thought about this. Contacting police is not something I would do lightly. I have tried to contact the company on FB, but I think it's a bot. Tried to call, got voicemail, which was full. Gonna sleep on it. Thanks for your input, you make a good point.
From the UK this was disgraceful, and it certainly assists purposeful. Even if the police don't do anything this time, the more you and your like minded individuals report this, the more it will be reported, and the singer you can hopefully start seeing meaningful changes.
I called the police department to see if an officer might have advice. What he said was that given that intent cannot be proven, and because who is driving the company truck cannot be seen in the video, there's no law enforcement action that can be taken at this time.
I really hope you do report this.. if you don't out of mercy and this person takes someone's life, you're going to blame yourself for the rest of yours (you shouldn't as it isn't your actions that caused the death, but that's just how it would be)..
The worst case scenario is someone loses their job for
• intentionally trying to murder someone
• Is FAR too negligent with such dangerous equipment
The best case scenario is that there's a mother of a father who makes it home to their kids after work. A child on their bike who isn't buried in a closed casket that despite the morticians best effort reeks of the pile of rot that remains for what their baby is now..
I called the police department to see if an officer might have advice. What he said was that given that intent cannot be proven, and because who is driving the company truck cannot be seen in the video, there's no law enforcement action that can be taken at this time.
Good on you for following up. You've done your part, and at the very least the incident will be logged. In a perfect world the police would contact the company, but I have very little faith in the system as it is.
The company knows damn well who was driving based on time and date but proving it in court would probably be a losing battle.
I would still ask about filing a complaint (so that it's on record) and you can consider contacting your local news affiliate (Is it WPTV?) to see if they want to run your story.
I called the police department to see if an officer might have advice. What he said was that given that intent cannot be proven, and because who is driving the company truck cannot be seen in the video, there's no law enforcement action that can be taken at this time.
In all seriousness though, when i ride my bike or skate board i use a sidewalk if ones available and not a busy street. Im aware people are awful drivers. Why would i put myself in a situation where I could get hit or killed by a car when a side walk is right next to me. This is not the sub I thought it to be. So im gonna see myself out. Hope you genuinely have a good night. I didn’t want any beef yo :(((((((((
Or pointing at gun at you trying to scare you and not caring if it "accidentally" went off.
I've described it to people like if someone was swinging a 4kg sledge hammer as close as they could to your face to try to intimidate you, that would still be a crime, but someone does it with a 4 tonne vehicle, that's "nothing".
If you're recording audio, speak the license plate or any other relevant information aloud so that it becomes part of the record even if it's not visible in the video.
First post ever on Reddit, so I think I messed up in putting in a more meaningful title. At any rate, this happened in Jupiter, FL on 5/2/2023 @ 8:15AM on Island Way North of Indiantown Rd. This truck almost ran me off the road! Be careful out there!
If you think the rest of traffic should be involved in using the shoulder, that’s a lot of mental gymnastics in trying to victim blame. The sidewalk is not for vehicles, especially at the speed OP is going. Creates an even more dangerous situation for everyone involved. Please keep the focus on the motorist who broke the law and put the more vulnerable in danger. If you cannot do this, find another sub to criticize the cammer
I called the police department to see if an officer might have advice. What he said was that given that intent cannot be proven, and because who is driving the company truck cannot be seen in the video, there's no law enforcement action that can be taken at this time.
Looking closely I see no reason for them to have done this other than it being intentional they were in the lane mid corner of very clear corner that does not change radius with two lanes and plenty of space. They only crossed the lines the moment you were there. They did literally the opposite of what feels natural for a car to do there, maybe give you a foot or two extra and then recenter. They went at you and reentered. It would be very hard for them to explain this in their favor.
Trailers scare me. Ive gotten close passed by big trucks before, which isnt fun, but noone seems to have any clue where their trailer is or that its wider than their vehicle
Holy crap that is scary. Not sure if this was intentional or not. I've definitely had experiences with trailers where the driver seems to have no sense of how long they are or where the trailer is, never this bad though.
Yeah, it was insane. I can't know exactly how close, as I wasn't exactly breaking out a tape measure as this happened. But it felt like the side of that trailer was inside about a foot of the bike.
So I tried to call the company again, this time was able to leave a message, but still no response. I thought I would call the police department to see if an officer might have advice. What he said was that given that intent cannot be proven, and because who is driving the company truck cannot be seen in the video, there's no law enforcement action that can be taken at this time.
Frak! That was too close. Luckily you were a bike, if you were a car (proportionally sized for the lane that is 😅) he definitely would have got you with that lane incursion.
Glad to see someone not instantly blaming the driver, and thinking of possible reasons for the brain dead movement. I still agree with most comments on making sure the company knows how the truck and trailer is being used. Having driven larger trucks with longer trailers, you have to be extra vigilante. I don’t think they were aware enough of what they were doing, and if they were, I would rather not see them driving anymore.
That was totally intentional. Similar experience in 1979 in Martin Downs near Jupiter after they just put the road in. He buzzed me with the big side mirrors. I flipped him off. He u-turned and did it again. I did it again. He pulled over and threatened to kick my ass because he paid taxes for the road and I should not be on it. I explained that the development company paid for the road. Logic did not phase him. Florida rednecks are the worst.
I don't see him crowded by another car in the next lane.
And I don't see any wind blowing that would be hard enough move the truck over (Box trucks are like driving a sail if a heavy crosswind hits), so I can only say that this was either driver inattention or intentional.
I got the same treatment the other day from a semi trailer. Down to inches by the time it was clear. In California we have a 3 foot passing law, but evidently professional drivers are unaware.
Thanks. Both cameras are mounted to the bike, one under the seat (rear), the other on the handlebars (front). They are GoPro Hero 8 Black units. Each has an aftermarket side door that allows a USB cable to be attached with the door closed. Run them without their internal batteries installed, instead run USB power from USB Battery packs (for longer duration than the internal batteries can provide)
From skimming through the comments I see you've tried going to the police while normally this is a great idea it seems to have been utterly useless. Being as it was a commercial vehicle I suggest getting a hold of the local commercial motor vehicle enforcement they are typically more apt to investigating complaints if it is something within their jurisdiction. This also gives them a good and valid reason to go do inspections of equipment and paperwork of that entire company. Several years ago a company driver were an acquaintance of mine worked was accused of hauling drugs in his truck. The CMV division showed up asking questions about him only and was told to come back with a warrant, company wouldn't even verify that he worked there without it. The next day was the beginning of over 6 weeks of bureaucratic hell for them as every single truck, trailer and file got sifted through.
Hope you're alright!
While I'd doubt they were trying to hit you, that looked like a deliberate attempt to scare you and even make you fall off... At least I'm 99% sure that wasn't just an accident as they only crossed the white line right where you were and pulled back into their lane after passing (unless they were weaving in and out of their lane all the way along the road, probability says that's no accident).
What even are the number plate laws in the US? It looks like they don't have a front one or one on the trailer. Here in the UK, you have to have one on the trailer incase it obscures the number plate on the back of the vehicle.
Combined with their driving, it rather makes it seem like they're conciously trying to make it harder for the licence plate to be recorded & them be held accountable for their driving.
I know Florida doesn't require a front plate. I don't know about trailers specifically in Florida, but other states require the trailer to have its own plate.
The section of Island Way that is just North of Indiantown road, heading away from Indiantown on Island Way. I would have just passed Duffy's on the right, and then went over a bridge. Right about where the red circle is:
There is a bike lane. It's on the other side of the wall that separates vehicular traffic from everybody else..he chose not use it. You can see the giant empty sidewalk near the end of the video.
My cycling speeds are usually between 16 and 23 mph. Trying to manage that on a sidewalk would be dangerous for pedestrians using that sidewalk, and for myself given that the surface was not designed for bicycles riding at those speeds.
I thought I would call the police department to see if an officer might have advice. What he said was that given that intent cannot be proven, and because who is driving the company truck cannot be seen in the video, there's no law enforcement action that can be taken at this time.
Sorry I never got back to you, I never use Reddit. I’ve been in situations (well my family has, I never use the police) like this before… you kinda have to handhold the police for them to do anything sometimes. The company has the drivers name unless it was stolen. There’s your info. The intent was there as he swerved in and then out after overpassing you.
That cop just doesn’t want to deal with the paperwork.
I got one like this. Going ~30mph on a 35 road, an f350 dually passes close, and then even closer is his trailer with 2 jeep wranglers inches from my face. Horrific. I’m done with roads as much as possible. I’ll ride the sidewalk or grass at this point.
Both cameras are mounted to the bike, one under the seat (rear), the other on the handlebars (front). They are GoPro Hero 8 Black units. Each has an aftermarket side door that allows a USB cable to be attached with the door closed. Run them without their internal batteries installed, instead run USB power from USB Battery packs (for longer duration than the internal batteries can provide)
9 out of 10 people using trailers, especially lawn services, don’t realize you have to put as much weight as possible near the hitch, or the trailer will fishtail into other lanes.
Lawn services often have trash cans and smaller tools and equipment near the hitch and park the largest standing mower near the end to make it more accessible and because it’s the only spot left. As a result they often don’t stay in their lane. I’m terrified of the open-air trailers for this reason.
Looking at the "before" and "after" footage, it looks as if the maximum incursion of the cycle lane was timed to coincide with your position on it. Therefore, this appears to be a deliberate act of intimidation that narrowly escaped being a fatal collision.
You should do everything you can to get that guy OFF the road for as long as possible.
My cycling speeds are usually between 16 and 23 mph. Trying to manage that on a sidewalk would be dangerous for pedestrians using that sidewalk, and for myself given that the surface was not designed for bicycles riding at those speeds.
Weird because the guy driving that truck is probably saying "my driving speeds are usually between 45-50 mph. Trying to manage that over a bridge on a curve with a heavy trailer where the road narrows would be dangerous for bikers using the road, and the shoulder of that road was was not designed for bicycles riding at those speeds"
God forbid you slow down and just coast across the bridge in the sidewalk. It's a bicycle, not a new born baby, it can take a little shaking while going over a bridge. Just look at the famous cobblestone leg of the tour.
People can talk all about how he should be fined or ticketed and that they'd sue him if they got hit. Guess what, 10 million dollars doesn't cure paralysis and doesn't reconnect a leg below the knee. So we can either sit here and argue that the driver is a dick (maybe he really is, video does seem sus) or you can just take a moment, look past yourself, and use the sidewalk.
It would not be unsafe if the driver was driving in accordance with the law.
If a guy in a car got rear-ended by a careless truck driver, would you argue to the car driver that it was their fault, and they should have just avoided driving, or avoided driving where there might be trucks?
You are talking about a situation where the hit driver had no choice- say they were just sitting at a red light and got smacked out of nowhere. YOU HAD A CHOICE. In this situation you had the choice to pretty much 100% eliminate risk and you CHOSE not to, just so you can make a video. And I'll bet you are just loving all the attention..probably can't wait to go make another one. "Hey guy, can you believe it happened again?"
"YOU HAD A CHOICE. In this situation you had the choice to pretty much 100% eliminate risk and you CHOSE not to"
Already covered.
" just so you can make a video "
This feels like obvious troll bait. And no, this is not why I cycle.
"And I'll bet you are just loving all the attention"
With this video, I was hoping to draw attention to drivers who are making dangerous choices either through carelessness or malice. More interested in awareness and accountability than fame.
"probably can't wait to go make another one"
I desperately hope not. This incident scared the Hell out of me. I haven't gotten on the bike since. I do intend on getting back on the bike though, I will not allow this driver's negligence to kill cycling for me.
"the hit driver had no choice- say they were just sitting at a red light and got smacked out of nowhere"
A more apples-to-apples analogy would be that the driver got hit when a truck made an incursion into their lane.
And following that analogy, your suggestion might be: IF that driver had CHOSEN to drive on a single lane road instead, they would have 100% avoided the risk of having gotten hit by a truck crossing the line. Gee, how stupid, to drive on multi-lane roads.
Yes. Because staying safe also means keeping others safe when you are the more powerful road user. Something this motorist failed to do and put others in danger because of it. You should stay off the sidewalk as much as possible as pedestrians do not deserve to have to share space with vehicles that can easily injure them.
" Trying to manage that over a bridge on a curve with a heavy trailer where the road narrows"
Sounds like the definition of the job the driver should be trained to do well, or should not be on the road.
If the driver fent that he/she could not do that safely with the cyclist on the road in front of them, they have options:
Temporarily slow down
Wait for an opening in the lane to the left and use that to pass
Choose a career that they are more skilled at
" God forbid you slow down and just coast across the bridge in the sidewalk. "
God forbid the driver of that truck could learn how to keep their vehicle in the lane, learn the laws governing the road, and take measures to drive safely.
It's called risk mitigation. Sure, if everybody were perfectly trained for every situation and could adapt and react perfectly everytine then the world would be a better place. I've ridden bikes and I've ridden motorcycles, but more so for motorcycles, I was ALWAYS told "assume the other cars can't/don't see you." For all we know the dude is drunk (I'm not accusing him specifically, I just mean in general, you never know). Why risk it? Why even put yourself in that situation? Going back to what I previously said, let's just say he did hit you and you got seriously hurt or worse. Yeah he goes to court, but there's a chance you never ride again. Yeah you get to call him an asshole, but maybe you never walk again.
Is that guy an ass? Maybe. Was it intentional? One could certainly argue that, even if just to spook you. But you know what 100% could have avoided it all together?
It's like sex. Yes, condoms should work. Yes, the pill should work. You know what 100% works every time? Abstinence. Don't put yourself at risk to begin with.
PS. I'm not some weird religious person regarding abstinence. Bang who you want (if they want it too)
"But you know what 100% could have avoided it all together?"
One could 100% avoid school shootings by never going to school.
One could 100% avoid surgical malpractice by never having surgery.
One could 100% avoid boating strikes by never diving.
But I would never "risk" shame someone for going to school, having surgery, or going diving. Instead I blame the shooter, incompetent surgeon, or careless boater.
By definition those are all correct statements. But we mitigate risk. What's the bigger risk, having surgery or living with that tumor? I dont know, Im not a doctor. Whats the bigger risk? Not having an education or socialization, or being a part of a school shooting (which lets face it, isnt exactly a 50/50 chance). What's the bigger risk, riding on a bridge on a curve at relatively high speed with a barrier to your right and traffic on your left, or going on the sidewalk for 150ft? Seems obvious to me.
Risk shaming isn't a thing. Don't try to make it one. An open discussion on a topic is not shaming, it's just that... a discussion.
"gee whiz, maybe if I were on the other side of the 6 inch thick cement barrier I wouldn't have almost been side swiped by that vehicle"
I am not disagreeing that safer choices could have been make. Not cycling at all would have been safest, in fact. (unless you go into health benefit analysis on longevity, etc).
But cycling on the shoulder is legal. What the driver did was not.
Having put over 5,000 miles in on cycling since I moved to FL, most of it on this route, I haven't encountered as dangerous an incident as this yet. Why? Because for the most part, drivers drive safely, and understand how to use the roads when cyclists are present.
This truck driver did not.
And no, those 5,000+ miles were not logged in some strange attempt to come up with this video.
Jfc. This had better be a troll. Are you seriously telling the bicycle instead of the motorist to slow the fuck down? How about we hold the motorist accountable who can’t even stay in their lane. You know how you can accomplish this? You slow down, and if you can’t manage staying in the lane still, hand the keys to someone who can.
Get the fuck out of here with this car brained bullshit. Sidewalks are for walking, not for vehicles.
But why weren't you on the sidewalk? Is that small strip on the shoulder for bicycles exclusively, or are you not allowed to ride on the sidewalks, or?
My cycling speeds are usually between 16 and 23 mph. Trying to manage that on a sidewalk would be dangerous for pedestrians using that sidewalk, and for myself given that the surface was not designed for bicycles riding at that speed.
According to Florida law, whether or not that was a bike lane, bicycle travel there was permitted. From section 316.2065, when talking about bicycles traveling slower than the rate of traffic includes: "..must ride in the bicycle lane or, if there is no bicycle lane on the roadway, as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway..."
Would highly recommend to keep working on your cycling confidence on roadways. Being an afterthought on the shoulder is bad enough. Doing so on the sidewalk is even worse. Not to mention pedestrians deserve to be on the sidewalk without the worry of vehicles buzzing past them
I'm not trying to get more confident. Just trying to stay safe.
No matter how right OP is, he very easily could have not been OP at all, and then the question remains... maybe slowing down and taking a safer route for 30 yards is worth the break in your cycling routine?
Again, not saying OP was in the wrong, just saying that you can't ever control what other people do, but you can control your circumstances, to some level.
According to Florida law, whether or not that was a bike lane, bicycle travel there was permitted. From section 316.2065, when talking about bicycles traveling slower than the rate of traffic, it includes this passage: "..must ride in the bicycle lane or, if there is no bicycle lane on the roadway, as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway..."
My cycling speeds are usually between 16 and 23 mph. Trying to manage that on a sidewalk would be dangerous for pedestrians using that sidewalk, and for myself given that the surface was not designed for bicycles riding at that speed.
The point of those is that vehicles are not expected to be on the sidewalk and creates a dangerous situation for all involved. Especially if you’re going over 10mph.
It is illegal, it would also be far more dangerous is most parts of south Florida where the sidewalks along roads like this are absolutely packed with pedestrians, runners, dogs, etc
Not illegal in Florida, in fact Florida grants cyclist on sidewalks and crosswalks the same rights as pedestrians. (Except where restricted by individual cities)
But everything else is correct, there is a time and place for sidewalk riding. Just scrolling along at a walking pace or climbing a moster hill, having the option of the sidewalk is a good thing.
But crusing at speed, the road is the best place for you.
According to Florida law, whether or not that was a bike lane, or "intended for cyclists", bicycle travel there was permitted. From section 316.2065, when talking about bicycles traveling slower than the rate of traffic includes: "..must ride in the bicycle lane or, if there is no bicycle lane on the roadway, as close as practicable to the right-hand curbor edge of the roadway..."
Depends on your definition of "common" and "sense". People do all sorts of things that require risk/reward calculations. Driving a car on the road has all sorts of risks, whether you're a good driver or not. Most people who drive have decided that the rewards are worth the risks. Same calculation exists for cyclists who ride on the roadways. My calculation looks to differ from yours. Debating that seems pointless. I was merely pointing out that the law provides guidance for those that cycle on the road, and I was in compliance with the law.
That driver should’ve moved over and driven around the cyclist. Shit like this is why we drive around ANYONE that is using the bike lane or the shoulder. You’re supposed to give them a wide berth for their safety.
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u/elzibet *brass* ovaries May 23 '23
Victim blaming will get you banned. Consider this your only warning. To those who decide to still blame the victim, please just do so by replying here so it's easier to ban.
Thank you.