Angry Driver Attacks Cyclist... [NSFW - Swearing]

[Cuchilo]

What a tosser. Have to wonder if his reaction would have been the same towards a female cyclist...

If a female had given the hand signal for that I think he may have pulled over for other reasons

 

[format]

But the cyclist didn't stick up for himself. He called the angry man a w*****, then when confronted backed right down. In terms of learned behaviour the angry man believes himself the victor, and the cyclist the victim. Many others viewing the same footage would agree.

By all means, stick up for yourself, but if your behaviour itself is likely to lead to conflict that you find unpalatable, isn't it best simply to claim the moral high ground in your own head and carry on with your life?

The other side of the learned behaviour is that a man breaks the law and drives in a potentially life threatening manner (punishment pass) and learns absolutely nothing other than that it's perfectly alright to do so.

Besides, the cyclist never even called the guy a self-gratification artist (according to his testimony) He waved to the guy in a non threatening manner and the guy completely misinterpreted his actions. The driver in this case is a bully, and IMO it's perfectly fine to call them out.

Whether he called him a self-gratification artist or not, the driver's actions are completely unjustified.

 

[discominer]

I'm a wuss, but I'd be reaching for my D-lock. Just to lock the bike, obviously.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Why did the cyclist stop? You could see Mr Angry was all puffed up for a confrontation, i'd have given him a wide berth and another J Arthur Rank sign as i passed,leaving him all red faced and ready to pop his main arteries! Yes i know he might have chased me in his dick mobile but i'd be planning on him keeling over before he reached it!

 

[Cubist]

The other side of the learned behaviour is that a man breaks the law and drives in a potentially life threatening manner (punishment pass) and learns absolutely nothing other than that it's perfectly alright to do so.

Besides, the cyclist never even called the guy a w***** (according to his testimony) He waved to the guy in a non threatening manner and the guy completely misinterpreted his actions. The driver in this case is a bully, and IMO it's perfectly fine to call them out.

Whether he called him a w***** or not, the driver's actions are completely unjustified.

My advice is to avoid confrontation. You can argue against that all day long. Your choice. If you're prepared to deal with what happens next then good for you, carry on. If you think you can educate people like our angry chap in the clip by the power of hand signals, feel free to do so.

Nowhere have I justified the driver's actions. I've just suggested they aren't unexpected. There's a huge difference, I look forward to a video clip where you or any other cyclist bawls and shouts corrective advice to another road user and they react by thanking you or otherwise indicating that they accept your advice with good grace.

 

[downfader]

[QUOTE 2973112, member: 30090"]What do you mean by that? Care to back up this assertion.[/quote]
Your tendency to have a sly dig:
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/commuting-subforum.151229/#post-2964945
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/was-this-m25-cyclist-any-of-you.150655/#post-2949325
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/an-object-lesson-in-keeping-your-mouth-shut.149436/post-2921667
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/an-object-lesson-in-keeping-your-mouth-shut.149436/post-2921674
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/an-object-lesson-in-keeping-your-mouth-shut.149436/post-2921689 (in the last 3 you go from "not caring" about a RLJer to suddenly "caring" when another person suggests the same feeling you did earlier - at least make your mind up)
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/southampton-a-city-of-contradictions.150382/#post-2943112 (on several threads I have started oddly enough)
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/sunday-times-end-road-tax-references.148323/#post-2895767

 

[downfader]

[QUOTE 2973286, member: 30090"]Im not the only one with that opinion of helmet cammers on here.....

The M25 thing I was being very dry as I have been ticketed for riding on a motorway. Many peopoe got that first post and the reply. I dont think you did.

Im not bothered about rljing, but I am bothered when someone wishes harm on someone who does rlj.

Not quite sure what response you wanted for your rant about southampton drivers.

And i do like the term road tax.[/quote]

An unjustified opinion of helmet cammers... given that its legal, its protective in the event of an incident, and that the driving that spur the videos shouldnt be happening in the first place.

If you dont like a post, and it genuinely doesnt harm anyone - then why respond? Isnt that the very "advice" you gave on a number of posts?

I stand by what I said, I think you troll these forums. You may like the term "road tax" but its wrong, just as National Insurance doesnt go direct towards the NHS. Supporting such attitudes that are used against cyclists actively discourages cycling advocacy and often cycling itself.

 

[uclown2002]

[QUOTE 2973076, member: 30090"]Why stop?[/quote]
Exactly; why not shout 'firking wanka' as you ride past!

 

[Andrew_P]

Those who are saying don't stop, the problem is if you try and ignore them it fuels their fire, it pumps them up even further. I would put a reasonable bet that at the lights the confrontation was very one sided like second one, and the "self-gratification artist" was shouted or gestured once the car was moving off. All of this told the driver that the cyclist was not the type to get involved so being an outright bully he knew how the next one would pan out.

Either don't do anything in the first place, or don't stop turnaround and cycle away or stop but get off your bike and approach them as they are approaching you with your angry face on. The latter only if you think you can handle yourself in that situation should it develop further.

 

[MarkF]

My advice is to avoid confrontation. You can argue against that all day long. Your choice. If you're prepared to deal with what happens next then good for you, carry on. If you think you can educate people like our angry chap in the clip by the power of hand signals, feel free to do so.

Nowhere have I justified the driver's actions. I've just suggested they aren't unexpected. There's a huge difference, I look forward to a video clip where you or any other cyclist bawls and shouts corrective advice to another road user and they react by thanking you or otherwise indicating that they accept your advice with good grace.

Sensible advice. Having worked as doorman I know just how few wannabee fighters can actually fight and it has nothing to do with how big your are, or think you are. That's not a slur on anybody's "manliness" but unless you know that you can fight, don't ever start one, or, escalate a dispute into one.

 

[SquareDaff]

As someone who fights a lot (karate instructor) then the advice I always give my students is

1) if you can, retreat. You know nothing about the person, what their capabilities are etc.. and no matter how good you may be strange things can happen if the situation degrades to a fight.

2) if you can't avoid confrontation, keep you temper supressed and force yourself to relax. If you're tense you're slow if you need to react. You'll probably be experiencing a surge of adrenalin so bear that in mind. If in conversation keep your tone even and at a moderate volume. Maintain eye contact at all time. Shift your weight onto the balls of your feet (i.e. be ready to react but don't make any obvious agressive movements).

 

[glenn forger]

I left the SAS because the balaclava made me itchy but in confrontations it's best to keep the bike between you and your assailant, get off the bike, you are more mobile and can easily un-sling your machine gun and slot him.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Sensible advice* seems to be

Do not start a confrontation with another human being in any situation unless you are supremely confident that your own fight or flight skills could carry the day when they don't back down and push becomes shove or worse.

Only square up to a bully when you are sure you can/will win and you have no other choice. Because it will get messy, even if you are in the right. hurt someone in self-defence and your own behaviour will be put under the microscope with negative consequences.

Commenting on a drivers skillz or lack thereof, or even their outright law-breaking, by way of your words or gesticulations or gesture, is confrontational and escalatory. You'd get a more positive response from most drivers if you critiqued their performance in the sack rather than behind the wheel. Don't do it. Restrict yourself to a resigned grimace and an imperceptible shake of the head.

If you use a headcam then don't get mad get even. Stay calm, keep the moral high ground, ensure your own behaviour is beyond reproach, before during and after, record the nobber being a nobber and report it to the police.

*which I reserve the right not to heed.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

It's made it to the Daily Heil website now.

Watch the anti-cyclist hate and bile flow....

 

[Andrew_P]

Sensible advice* seems to be

Do not start a confrontation with another human being in any situation unless you are supremely confident that your own fight or flight skills could carry the day when they don't back down and push becomes shove or worse.

Only square up to a bully when you are sure you can/will win and you have no other choice. Because it will get messy, even if you are in the right. hurt someone in self-defence and your own behaviour will be put under the microscope with negative consequences.

Commenting on a drivers skillz or lack thereof, or even their outright law-breaking, by way of your words or gesticulations or gesture, is confrontational and escalatory. You'd get a more positive response from most drivers if you critiqued their performance in the sack rather than behind the wheel. Don't do it. Restrict yourself to a resigned grimace and an imperceptible shake of the head.

If you use a headcam then don't get mad get even. Stay calm, keep the moral high ground, ensure your own behaviour is beyond reproach, before during and after, record the nobber being a nobber and report it to the police.

*which I reserve the right not to heed.

I absolutely see where you coming from but if the cyclist or anyone else is not prepared for the situation to develop as it did in the video then I would have to give the advice for them to not start it in the first place. I have never picked my target of angst at their lack of driving skills by anything other than the poor way I feel I have been treated, but if I got a response like that from someone who looked like they could kick the shoot out of me or might have a weapon I would take avoiding action, I am not too proud to run and be able to cycle the following day. Of course if they attempted to follow me again at some point you would have to stand your ground but I would avoid it if the odds looked like they where stacked against me.

Having said that I have a point where upon I wouldn't care, which is unfortunate but has got me out of three sticky situations and every time (luckily) the perpetrator panicked and did a runner. All three times when in the car and all three times after prolonged bullying by the other person and occupants using their car, words and gestures which all kept escalating the more I ignored them and they assumed I was scared..