Car slapping

[nightoff]

Not something I usually do but this morning I felt it was necessary.

I was chugging nicely along a village main road in a strong secondary position when an impatient driver decided to join me from a side road on my right.

He knew I was there because he was straddling the central white line as he tried to accelerate in front of me. He only managed to get his passenger side door level with my handlebars before he had to slow for traffic in front. At this point he drifted across into me forcing me towards the kerb. I braked and hit his rear wing with the heel of my hand to let him know I was there.

When I dropped in behind him, the idiot started to beep his horn at me and give me the v sign. I followed him into stationary traffic on the approach to a roundabout when I pulled alongside and tapped on his window to explain the error of his ways. The guy wouldn't even look at me. He just stared ahead looking embarrassed waiting for me to move on.

When I mulled over the incident later on, I thought I could have swerved and braked without touching the car in which case the driver might never have realised his driving was dangerous. The flip side is, the confrontation may plant a little seed of hatred against cyclists in the toe rags brain.

I think a warning slap on a car is sometimes justified. What do others think?

 

[fossyant]

If you can slap it, he is way to close. I've only slapped a car once - driver drifted into the cycle lane as I was in it - very close, so slapped the door panel - close enough that I didn't have to extend my arm.

 

[gaz]

As said already, if you can slap a passing vehicle, then they are too close.

I do it on occasions but only as a last resort as it often envolves removing your hand from the front brake!

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

I accidentally slapped one the other day!

I was indicating to turn right and as I did the car overtaking me was overtaking me so close that I accidentally hit it with my indicating hand!

Does that count?

I go by the same adage actually - if they are close enough for you to touch they are too close!

 

[upsidedown]

Only ever done it once, on the roof of a Fiesta that turned out to be driven by somebody much younger than me. I felt bad about it for a while after that and haven't done it since though i can understand why others do it.

I would recommend an Airzound but after the reaction i got on Friday (separate thread to follow) to using it i'm not so sure now.

 

[MarkF]

I think you did right. IMO, I don't think it plants a seed of hatred towards cyclists, the vast majoirty who warrant a car slap know damn well they are in the wrong and IMO they'll take more care when confronted with the same situation the next time, if only to avoid having their car slapped.

TBh I am a bit of a serial car slapper.

 

[nightoff]

I agree that if I can touch a car it is too close. However, if I slapped every car I could reach on my commute I would arrive at work with sore hands.
I usually save the slap for especially crap driving.

 

[small fish]

I have done it twice...

First time was pretty much self defence, circumstance very similar to yours - i slapped a car as I was about to be squashed/forced into the back of a parked car. Driver looked pretty terrified and continued driving... I felt guilty that I'd made them jump.

Second (and last time.... ) was when gold chain wearing bloke in a brand new flash Audi RS Quattro thing saw me look over my shoulder to pass a parked car and accellerated, forcing his way through the gap with about 6 inches to spare despite being about 20 metres from a queue of traffic. The same guy had done something similar when i was passing a bus about a mile before... So I slapped his back door - forgetting I was wearing a big ring - and it made one hell of a loud bang...
It was round about then that it dawned on me that the only reason someone would drive like a psycho in a 50 grand car is... because they ARE a psycho...

I managed to get away as he slowed then drove at me - thanks to the queueing traffic - and i got home in time to watch from behind the curtains as he drove up and down my road several times... I was so worried that for the next few weeks I took a diferent route home, wore different shorts and my wifes crash helmet in case he came after me!!

 

[Twenty Inch]

I'd never, ever slap a car. Never.


















I break the wing mirrors off instead.

 

[som3blok3]

I'd never, ever slap a car. Never.





I break the wing mirrors off instead

I pounded the offside rear quarter of a 4x4 with my fist once, left hooked me very badly. Had to peform a two wheel skid/fist pound all in a split second. As I glanced at the driver she wouldn't even acknowledge I was there, guilt I guess.

Looking back I should of hit it harder.

 

[SW19cam]

I haven't ever done it... but I did see it happen a few evenings ago, and I felt the cyclist was justified in making his presence known....

If the intention is to make your presence known i.e. not to damage the car, I’m on your side!

 

[markg0vbr]

i have had to slap the passenger side of a car bonnet, as the driver was trying to get through a gap that was just two narrow and i had no were to go, he backed off when i slapped the car.
i always have a chuckle when i am doing the theory bit, with motorbike riders on highway code for the IAM when it gets to the bit about you should pass bicycles as widely as you would a car. i have had cars come pass me doing well over 60mph less than a foot away, you just don't stand a chance of surviving been hit at that speed.
it is about time we had some thing like this http://www.3feetplease.org.uk/

 

[SW19cam]

i have had to slap the passenger side of a car bonnet, as the driver was trying to get through a gap that was just two narrow and i had no were to go, he backed off when i slapped the car.
i always have a chuckle when i am doing the theory bit, with motorbike riders on highway code for the IAM when it gets to the bit about you should pass bicycles as widely as you would a car. i have had cars come pass me doing well over 60mph less than a foot away, you just don't stand a chance of surviving been hit at that speed.
it is about time we had some thing like this http://www.3feetplease.com/

3 feet?? It should be much wider than that!!

 

[dellzeqq]

I think a warning slap on a car is sometimes justified. What do others think?

better to rap with your knuckles - it doesn't involve turning your hand, and makes a sharper noise

 

[markg0vbr]

3 feet?? It should be much wider than that!!

yes i agree but that is what seems to be acceptable by a lot of car-centric governments, explained here http://3feetplease.org.uk/