"GET A CAR *******!!!" is what a motorist yelled at me today when I was riding. I was on West 7th St heading east.
I have never had anyone yell this at me. Typically it is "GET ON THE SIDEWALK!!!", or "GET ON THE BIKE PATH!!!", etc.
West 7th Street is a 4 lane undivided roadway with a posted speed limit of 30 mph. It is a near downtown west side commercial area of Sioux City and is used as a through way for people to travel from the west side to the downtown area.
The driver was in a black Cadillac Escalade half truck half Stupidly Useless Vehicle, or suv. This area of Iowa is nothing like LA, New York, Chicago or cities like it where vehicles like this are more common and typically has more of a usefulness than they would here. When people here drive vehicles like the one this jackass motorist was driving it is a symbol of materialism and status and nothing more.
I was riding in the right half of the right lane, where I was LEGALLY supposed to be riding. He, as far as I know, was never in my lane and did not have to wait for traffic that was directly behind me to get over to safely pass me. He was in the left lane and never had to slow down for anything. My reaction was I yelled: "THANK YOU!!!" and waived at him. As he passed he sped up and was over the speed limit.
I am left with 2 questions with this. First, why did he assume I do not have a car? I ride a recumbent. I am not some homeless person who rides one of the cheap big box store bikes the homeless shelter offers. Although I was riding within blocks of the Gospel Mission homeless shelter. I have rather fairly expensive bike and equipment on it and my person. My helmet, bike cloths, bike sandals, clip less pedals, Camel Bak water system, seat bag, even my cell phone which serves as my mp3 player and battery powered speakers are not cheap. My bike alone cost $1,100 when I bought it 10 years ago. Today it would cost between $1,800 and $2,000 to replace just the bike.
The second question is: Why does he assume I cannot afford a car? My wife and I have and have only ever needed one car. We only buy new cars when we replace one we have had for a while. We replace our motor vehicle about every 5 to 10 years.
OK, I also have a third question: I wonder if this idiot driver knows what the word assume is an acronym for?
If anyone can answer at least the first 2 questions I'd appreciate it.