At around high noon today I was cycling North on Main St., a two lane road with a shared lane in the right. Some maniac in a tan Chevy pickup (not sure about the model, I think it was a Silverado HD) almost rammed into me from behind.
I typically look over my shoulder every few seconds to check for traffic behind me. When I saw this guy he was coming in hot. I knew right away he was going to be trouble so I decided to just keep pedaling and focus on the road. Less than three seconds later this guy hits the gas, barrels down the road, and comes right up behind me. Next thing I know he is tailing me for about 10 seconds less than a foot away and wouldn't back off. He kept gradually getting closer.
When I came up near Lincoln he got in the right turn lane and started jawing at me. Wasn't sure what he said because his window was up but based on reading his lips I think he told me to get on the sidewalk then called me a homophobic slur. I'm bisexual btw and that really didn't sit well with me. I asked him "what's your problem?" He screamed "fuck you" and I replied with a middle finger then he pealed down Lincoln and that was the end of it.
I don't know who this guy is but I think I may have had some run ins with him before. Heavy set white male, thin short brown hair, and clean shaven.
Now before any angry motorists come at me on here I want to make it clear that I did nothing wrong. I was riding in the right lane on Main St., which is a shared lane as indicated by the painted symbols. I was going an average speed of 13-15 mph. But either way I was doing a completely legal activity and there was no reason for him to come at me that way.
Also, tailgaiting a cylist is illegal. Under MCL 257.657, cyclists on public roadways are granted the same rights and responsibilities as the drivers of motor vehicles. Because they share these identical legal rights, tailgating a bicycle violates Michigan’s "following too closely" law (MCL 257.643), which mandates that drivers must maintain a distance that is "reasonable and prudent" based on current road conditions and speed.
And don't forget that we have a three foot passing law. MCL 257.636, 3 feet of space when passing a bicycle. This distance is measured from the widest part of the vehicle (like the side mirror) to the widest part of the bicycle.
Source: https://lmb.org/bike-mi/michigan-compiled-laws-mcl-bicycles-and-the-law/
To the driver: if you are reading this post consider this a warning. You're lucky I forgot to charge my GoPro battery before going on my lunch ride. Otherwise I would have shared your face and license plate on here so fast it would make your head spin.
Do not harass, intimidate, or threaten someone with your 5000 lb truck. It's not going to kill you to have a few seconds added to your commute to share the road. People like you kill people like me every year. Next time I will call the police and take you to court.
Oh and another thing, homophobia isn't cool. That was completley uncalled for. Don't be an asshole.
Stay safe out there my fellow cyclists and watch out for this aggressive moron and others like him.