You swore at me for riding my bike

Providence RI

Description

I was riding my bike westbound on Westminster into Olneyville on 8/31 around 2:30pm. You were in a silver sedan with Mass plates just behind me. Somewhere past Bainbridge I heard a car horn. I wondered if it was directed at me. When we got to the red light, I turned around and we briefly made eye contact. I thought, no, it must not have been her, maybe it was another car. I was riding as near to the right side of the road as practicable, not blocking anyone from passing, and also there was no where to go; ahead of us were more cars and the red light. But by the time we crossed over the 6/10 you had found your voice. You rolled down the window and yelled at me "Get out of the f**king road. Use the sidewalk you f**king idiot!". I wanted to reply but you had rolled up your window and drove away. Hopefully you were not in a rush! Because after you tried to speed away from me you immediately approached a red light. Although it may not seem like it, we aren't so different. According to RI law, a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties of a driver of a motor vehicle. I know you kindly asked, but it is not a requirement for me to be on the sidewalk. So, what were you so upset about? I know, I also wish there were more bike lanes. It's something Providence is working on, but we aren't there yet. I don't blame you for not knowing road laws; a lot of people don't. But hopefully the next time you go out of your way to needlessly call someone else a "f**king idiot" you learn a little bit more about what you are talking about. Until then, I look forward to sharing the road with you!