Ford - Castle Oil
Observed by RatherBeBiking on Wed, Jan 31 2007
This vehicle was parked illegally in a lane designated for bicycles on 9th Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan.
You can see more updates on our website - lagca.com/dangerous/dangerous.html
License plate numbers of the vehicles in these images are kept on file for legal reference.
In this photo, the license plate is included. While it is clear an illegal act is being committed, please respect the privacy of others.
The driver of this vehicle was aggressive and confrontational. I believe that if I had not left the scene where the driver followed me in his vehicle, I would have been physically assaulted. Below I have provided information on the Castle Oil corporation that employs this individual.
This vehicle is owned and operated by
Castle Oil www.castleoil.com
Update - I think it is also important to note that the driver verbally insulted and berated me while holding up traffic on 9th Street near 3rd Avenue. As he drove off, I cursed him. He swerved into a parking spot and got out of his vehicle, and began walking towards me, yelling. At this point, I rode away to avoid escalating the confrontation.
9 Comments
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Posted on Wed, Jan 31 2007 at 08:44 PM
Sounds like a violation of the stalking laws. Bet his employer would be interested to know.
Posted on Wed, Jan 31 2007 at 08:50 PM
Their website takes about 3 minutes to load on a fast cable connection. I was able to get their contact info, and may give them a ring tomorrow. Brooklyn Industries and Meurice Garment Care have not returned emails/messages yet though.
I will call Brooklyn Industries tomorrow about the van, and Meurice I've given up on.
Funny thing is, this guy accused me of harassing him by taking a picture of his plate. When I explained to him that what I did is perfectly legal and that he was breaking the law, he went from trying to defend himself to simply insulting me. Things along the lines of
"You think you're being a fucking good citizen or something?!!"
Me : Yeah, you got it.
"Get a life, get a job, etc."
Posted on Wed, Jan 31 2007 at 08:53 PM
Very similar encounter to one I had while photographing a Roofing van. Guy followed and berated me w/ insults. Something about performing homosexual acts while on my bike commute? His insults were so ridiculous, I could not stop laughing, which just made him more worked up.
Be careful out their folks. People really get upset when you point out to them that they are parking illegally.
I now am always prepped to sprint away while taking a picture in case someone flips out.
Posted on Wed, Jan 31 2007 at 08:58 PM
I can't be scared when I'm doing what I'm doing - I'm protecting myself in the long run out there by doing this, If I let myself get on edge everytime I snap a picture, things wouldn't be the same. That's part of the nice thing about having the plate # - it'd be very unwise of a driver to do anything else illegal.
Also, after this incident, I've decided to respond to drivers in as short and laconic a manner as possible. Things like,
"Yes." "No." "You broke the law.", and "No, I'm an artist and I just like taking pictures of license plates."
Posted on Wed, Jan 31 2007 at 09:03 PM
I've had some similar creepy experiences. Once on First Avenue, a guy waited until I had taken his photo and had passed him, and then he pulled up aside me in his car (next to the bike lane) and matched my speed, trapping me in the lane. Each time I stopped, either to let him move on or because there was a car parked in the bike lane, I had to stop and he started cursing me out. At one point he got out of his car like he was going to assault me, I pulled ahead and he came right back and trapped me again. I told him that if he kept harassing me I had his info (that usually works), but this guy kept right on coming. I hopped the sidewalk and turned down a sidestreet to get away. Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted his picture before I could post it here with this tale of woe.
You have to be careful . . . some people think their "car is their castle" and they are ready to defend it. On the other hand, there are plenty of people who will move if you ask them nicely.
Posted on Wed, Jan 31 2007 at 09:42 PM
I might try the asking nicely tactic on my commute tomorrow.
How many miles did yall' log for the glorious month of January?
Posted on Thu, Feb 01 2007 at 12:14 AM
I probably only did around 300 or so.
Posted on Thu, Feb 01 2007 at 12:00 PM
I probably only did half that.
Posted on Thu, Feb 01 2007 at 06:32 PM
geocoding is off