Cant stop remonstrating with drivers

[barongreenback]

Life's too short to get angry at the behaviour of other road users. I commute by bike 2/3 times each week and drive about 30,000 miles a year as well. Idiots are in the minority and if I let those morons get to me, I'd go insane. Better to let it wash over you.

 

[BentMikey]

We can all understand why you're upset, god knows we'd be upset too. As others have said try and keep your cool. A camera has helped me as I can now know that if something bad happens it might end up on film and I can attempt to get something done about it.

Try to look for positive things that are the reason you commute/ride. I went through a period recently where I tried to count the good drivers who gave me space - I lost count. Did you do a good time? Did you lose a couple of pounds this week? Did you feel great when riding downhill at speed? Etc...

These are two excellent suggestions, quoted for truth. Another one is that the moment something that annoys you happen, spend time looking out for other road users to do a good turn to. Stuff like letting someone out in traffic, or slowing up and pulling left to let a queue pass you. Waves and smiles of thanks both ways will soon restore your faith in humanity, and are one of the great pleasures of my own commute.

 

[Bman]

I stopped shouting at drivers and now just shake my head safe in the knowledge that will soon find the accident they are rushing to be in.

I once shook my head at a car that almost puled out on me on a RAB.

Then he did pass it was very close and included lots of violent threats out of his passenger window.

Now I only do this when the driver has gone.

Smile & Wave

 

[Crankarm]

Crankarm, I'm sorry you continue to confuse intimidating with dangerous. Cycling is not particularly dangerous - regular cycling causes the average person to gain 2 years of life expectancy in the UK, despite experiences such as yours.

Ever the charmless nerk I remember you to be .

 

[Crankarm]

I have decided to no longer commute when the schools are on, my route to work takes me past a primary school at the drop off time, the standard of driving is unbelievable. I would love to get angry and tell them what I think, or better still a head camera and film the antics, but unfortunately I can't. I run a small business in a small town, a traditional Borders town where everyone knows everyone. I can't post these pratts up on YouTube as they are probably my customers.

Here is a rather funny example from last year; I am entering a RAB I spot a Q7 approaching at speed, I have right of way but decide to be prudent and brake. She sails straight out in front of me, right hand holding mobile to ear, and she is waving to me with her left. A few days later I see her in the town center, I am sure you know the type, full motor mouth little chance of ever getting a word in. Anyway she had spotted me on my bicycle and congratulates me on keeping fit, tells me I am so brave cycling on the roads and that I must get a helmet. I jokingly mentioned her being on the phone; She paused then said "Yes, Rebecca had just had a little baby girl ... .... ...." I got the whole F'n story. I would guess she has absolutely no concept what so ever about anything, these folk live in a different world, and it scares me that I share the same road.

Good post.

 

[Crankarm]

Life's too short to get angry at the behaviour of other road users. I commute by bike 2/3 times each week and drive about 30,000 miles a year as well. Idiots are in the minority and if I let those morons get to me, I'd go insane. Better to let it wash over you.

True, very true. But it doesn't take away the fact that you are extremely vulnerable on a bike. Any collision with a vehicle has a much higher potential of being fatal or resulting in serious injury for cyclists as we often see. This story is depressingly familiar. http://www.bikeradar...t-and-run-31354. Knocked down for the second time and left for dead by a driver who failed to stop.

In a vehicle one has so much more protection. As your post suggests you drive many more miles than cycle. The only solution is a totally separate and dedicated cycle network which is NEVER going to happen in the UK. It is bad enough sharing the roads with these incompetents but to be regularly abused, threatened and intimidated even run down and if it's your way remonstrating with these idiots, makes cycling in the UK a very unpleasant experience. For all the pluses and there are obviously pluses of course, there are some very real and hazardous negatives. I take a pragmatic view. Life is too short. Dying prematurely road cycling would be rather inconvenient.

BC Sky is trying to highlight the current situation of the hazards and dangers facing cyclists on UK roads. I wish them luck they are going to need it. If the situation dramatically improves then I might start road cycling again, but until this time, no way. I shan't hold my breath either.

David Holmes has cycled in almost every country of the world but reserves special praise for cycling the UK. http://www.crazyguyo...e_id=256122&v=Q

 

[jansman]

The best I can do is to tell myself before I set out that I will get cut up, expect it, it's normal. Makes it less infuriating when it happens! Just like getting on a motorbike - I'll always remember my instructor telling me, "ride like they want to kill you" - i.e. defensively!

Same instructor as me by the sound of it! They were wise words.

 

[onlyplugintown]

a slow nod of the head coupled with a look of disappointment seems to work much better than remonstrating, it's taken me nigh on 40 years to learn that!

 

[jonny jeez]

If you truly wish to avoid confrontation then there is a simple solution.

Avoid it.

*You* need to make the choice *yourself*, before you get on the bike, that you are going to enjoy the ride and that people on the road will make mistakes (as we all do). Keep reminding yourself that they are people (not objects) just like you and that they really don't mean you any harm, they just don't know any better (as you or I didn't before we started to ride on the roads)

This will filter out around 95% (my own guess) of close passes and bad examples of driving that you perceive.

If you are then unlucky enough to encounter the remaining 5% of truly gifted morons or nutters (they are spread pretty thin across the land) who will hate you no matter what mode of transport you chose, then you will be in a minority.

If you take the approach that you must regain some perceived loss of honour, or that you must educate them, then you will soon give up riding...or stop enjoying it, which is worse.

Good luck.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I've changed part of my commute route to avoid a hot spot, a mini-roundabout as it happens, where I think the local drivers see cyclists with a target superimposed on them.

The early part of the commute is on a rural A road with lots of double white lines. This equates to at least one too close overtake per commute (bar last Friday when it never came). Now I think "At least they didn't hit me", and carry on my way. I've tried shouting, waste of breath, I've chased people down and tired to reason with them, I've tried polite gestures, and ended up eyeball-to-eyeball with one muppet who reversed his car towards me. Not doing that again.

The best response to the inevitable lousy driving you'll almost certainly encounter at least once on each commute is to just keep pedalling and let them go on their way.