Avoidance? Why?

[Matthew_T]

When I read on here that people have had altercations on their commute with drivers, peds, anyone... why do they automatically say 'There is no alternative route', meaning that they just want to avoid the person straight away. Whenever I have encountered a bad driver, I haven avoided that road because they might be on it again tomorrow, people shouldn't let bad drivers or incidents with them deter them from the quickest route to their place of work.

 

[Crankarm]

Indeed, but there are some real pyschos out there. Some incidents leave some cyclists with genuine anxieties and fears. If or when you experience one of these you will know what I mean. In some cases there genuinely is no other route particularly if you live in a rural area or if detour will add 25 miles to your commute. I am sure you will appreciate this.

 

[Hip Priest]

I wouldn't avoid a route over a minor incident. But if, as happened to someone on here the other week, someone threatened to do me with a baseball bat, I'd probably be quite apprehensive.

 

[snailracer]

It's worth trying out alternative routes, you might enjoy them more than the most direct route.

 

[her_welshness]

It's worth trying out alternative routes, you might enjoy them more than the most direct route.

Great answer! When I used to cycle to Clapham on the A3 (which is now CS7) I found that some of the junctions were rather dangerous and then one of my colleagues showed me the LCN route. Lovely roads, houses and a lovely incline up to the Library where I worked, how fab is that? Even fabber, the LCN route joined up all of the 5 libraries that I worked in.

At the end of the day have an easy life, enjoy your environment and add some more mileage on to your journey - simples!

 

[trustysteed]

Every morning on my commute I would encounter a Numax van that would habitually exceed the speed limit, tailgate other cars, cut in and out of the bus\cycle lane despite the presence of cyclists, stop in the ASL section at lights, etc. Same driver every day. The last straw came when he passed me 20 yards from my place of work going up a hill around a blind left corner after I had indicated that I was about to turn right halfway up the hill into a side road. If I'd actually moved across to the right 2 seconds earlier, he'd have hit me hard as he accelerated up the hill and for the overtake. As it was he almost took my outstretched arm off.

i got the details from the web of the company's local regional sales director and customer service manager and wrote them both an anonymous email letter as well as sending one via their online customer service feedback form. I detailed the previous behaviour of the driver, specifically stating the exact route he took which co-incided with my commute and covered about 4 miles worth that i'd seen him along, and then the final incident. I also gave them a description of the driver and two of the registration plates of the company vans I'd seen him in. I said that it was a friendly warning for them to have a word with the driver otherwise i'd be submitting my video evidence (i didn't have any) and a formal statement to the police.

i then avoided that route for a week, i had holiday so it worked out well. back on the usual route, i've never seen a Numax van since and that was about two months ago.

 

[Dan_h]

When I read on here that people have had altercations on their commute with drivers, peds, anyone... why do they automatically say 'There is no alternative route', meaning that they just want to avoid the person straight away. Whenever I have encountered a bad driver, I haven avoided that road because they might be on it again tomorrow, people shouldn't let bad drivers or incidents with them deter them from the quickest route to their place of work.

I agree with the sentiment, but often this comes down to wanting to just get where you are going with a minimum of fuss. After a serious altercation with a driver on a particular route many people would rather get on with their lives and avoid any further incidents.