No not all guys... just the ones that make we want to commit homicide. I live in phoenix and I don't live in the best neighborhood, but I think it shouldn't be expecting to much to be able to travel alone without having to watch all the cars/trucks to make sure they are minding their own business.

Seriously, it is really starting to bug me. I stopped walking alone after the 5th time I was confronted/cornered by a car, then tonight a damn truck tries to do the same thing while I was bicycling. This is really starting to irk me, and I am beginning to wonder if this is my area, or if it is pretty common in most suburbs.

I don't drive a car (nor do I want to) but I am beginning to think that I will have to in order to travel alone without dealing with these people.


(Yes I understand this is pretty funny considering my avatar, but in real life I generally dress pretty conservatively)

Guys are trying to hit you? Sounds odd.

Freak out on them; carry a baseball bat with a nail through it and talk in demon voices. Most guys don't hit on scary mean chicks; no matter how hot they are.

I would have to say that it's reasonable to hate men. For the most part, men are jerks. There are few exceptions to the rule. I like to think that Plime is the exception.

My Brother lives in Phoneix-- well Snottsdale actually, but he use to live in the south portion of Phoneix, I know whatcha talking about. carry some pepper spray, apply generously, if nessassery repeat. You can't catch what you cant see. I've been sprayed before and it sucks. cant see crap for like 10 minutes. if not move to snottsdale. I walked around there drunk at 3am, and cops wouldnt even stop to check out the guy peein in the taco bell drive thru.

Carry mace. Seriously. I agree that a large sample of guys are jerks - fortunately, we're not all that way. Some of us are the sensitive, caring guys that seem to have vanished entirely. They're still around, don't worry.

This reminds me of when I first moved to a city and went out rollerblading (had to buy them - the marvel! You can't use them on gravel, so I'd been looking forward to that for a year... anyway) in a white t-shirt on a nice sept afternoon.

Then a carload of stupid boys drove by ..... it was a drive-by waterballooning.


That story told - I've never felt in danger of being hit by a car. I think it's maybe your area, or at least that sort of thing doesn't seem to be common where I live.

Could you actually see inside of the vehicles? Because if you couldn't, how do you know it wasn't like Rawhide or Cliffjumper or even Jazz seeking you oot to help the Autobots destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons? I'm just askin'. ; )

I didn't see who was in the truck tonight... but I don't there are any red ford autobots (all GM's I think) but generally I get a good look at their faces... unfortunatly the stupid portion of my brain turns on when I get scared so I never look at the license plate..

I ahev thought about mace but I was told it is pretty ineffective... course on a bicycle it might be pretty useful.

Take pictures of them and their licence plates.

EEEW Scottsdale :P That is where they have drive by arguments.

<a href='http://www.plime.com/redir.p?http://youtube.com/watch?v=pHHIqSYXJGQ' class='plime' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'><b>flash video</b></a>

That would require me looking at the licence plate.. I rarely get a good look at them, but if I can find another minicam (or get a new cell phone) I will do that.

I live in Phoenix too and haven't run into that problem.
I take the puppy for walks, excercise, etc and haven't had any issues - it sounds like you've just run into a few wingnuts which, unfortunatly, can happen anywhere...

I think it is just my area, since this allways happens within a mile of my home.

Get yourself one of these.

Stylish and practical.

Does is come in purple?

Doesn't look like it. Is it going to clash with your colour scheme?

You can't leave us hanging like that. More details please.

The guys you are talking about are not men, they're boys. It does suck and I feel for you. Most guys honk the horn if they pass by. I've never known guys to try and actually run you over. Maybe they're recovering addicts from Grand Theft Auto games? Who knows.

My parents own a bike shop. And while I am now kinda fat and fairly sedentary I used to be a pretty good urban cyclist. My stepfather is unbelievable, but he is also 8 parts crazy and kinda fearless. He recommends a U-lock....or thick chain across the hood/to the mirrors/in the tail lights in addition to CS/OS or a Tazer. If you can't already...learn to parallel bunny hop, a primary skill of an urban rider. Practice at a school or some other area with a long curb.

Ehow article with good explanation. This can get you out of a situation where you might be stuck without a handicapped ramp. If you are getting tagged in ruralish areas where there are not curbs I don't really have any suggestions, except to make yourself and your bike as "frumpy" and "saftey" as possible scotchlight tape everything and get a flag, if your bike looks like it is being ridden by their grandma they probably won't mess with ya. Its your life at stake, and the more serious you are about making them pay for endangering it the less likely they will be to mess with someone else. Don't worry about damaging their vehicle, but be prepared to get to a populated area or store if they chase you, call the cops first, have them explain why you had to "get their attention" in the first place.

That's scary! I bike in the mornings, when there isn't much traffic, so I've never had any problems. Since you do have a description of the car, I would report it to the cops, and ask if they can provide more patrols through that area.