Car slapping

[BenM]

when I was young (lol 20 years ago or more) I slapped the side of a panel van who was pulling away from the kerb totally oblivious to my presence. It made a hell of a bang and he screeched to a halt... I just rode off into the rain, mission accomplished.

These days I just steer the recumbent towards them. Either they see me/get out of the way or they get pedal gouges in their paintwork - its their choice

B.

 

[magnatom]

On a rare occasion I will do this. Did it here on this video and at the same location on this video. In the first video I was trying to show the driver how close he was passing and on the second video I think it was pure reaction.

What is most important is that I learned from these incidents and now take a much stronger line when coming off that roundabout. I've not had an incident since.

Should we slap, well ideally not, as it can provoke a serious reaction as benborp discovered. However, as a method of alerting a driver that they are too close (way too close if you can slap) then it can work, it'sjust not to be used lightly. Of course, you are taking a hand off the handlebars, so it comes with its own risks.

 

[magnatom]

Oh and I should add, if you want a laugh, read some of the comments on the first video link. It is my most 'popular' video, and some of the abuse on there is fascinating to read. Yes I could delete it, but I think it is important to see how much vitriol exists. Understand the problem and all that....

 

[jmaccyd]

When I mulled over the incident later on, I thought I could have swerved and braked without touching the car

In short the whole incident could have been avoided.

 

[nightoff]

In short the whole incident could have been avoided.

Unfortunately, the whole incident couldn't have been avoided as I couldn't control the driver to prevent his poor judgement.
In that split second I had to judge what to do, a slap seemed the best way to draw the driver's attention to the fact I was still at the side of him as he swung back in.

I probably had a number of options such as mounting the kerb, just braking and hope he missed me or slap the car and brake. In that situation, self preservation kicks in. The fact is, I shouldn't have been put in that position in the first place .

Hopefully that rap on the wing will concentrate his mind and prevent him doing something similar in the future. Doubt it though.

 

[HLaB]

I've only ever slapped one car (well a lorry actually). I was in the primary in a bus lane approaching a left hand bend where the aforementioned bus lane disappears (this is the same junction but its been modified and the bus lane is now on the outside not the inside ); when I was 1/4 overtaken by a lorry in the regular lane. However there was a a queue in the regular lane so they started to move into the bus lane lane (then on his left) faced with the railing on my left and the lorry cab on my right I gave a few raps to let them know I was there. It had the desired effect and when I explained to the bloke why I'd done it he was quite rational and pleasant.

I must admit I've been tempted other times but I'd be too nervous to take my hands of the bars when the cars a few inches away from it.

The only other time I got close was my own stupid fault when I was less experienced and the first time in the cycling in the city. I put out my arm to indicate (should have looked first , I'm glad I didn't manoeuvre though), a car shot through brushing my fingertips (so you wouldn't really call it a slap ).

 

[mickle]

Slaps, punches, kicks, wing-mirrors, aerials, wiper-blades. I have stood in the middle of the road punching driver's side windows (wearing gloves - and knowing that it wont break), open driver's doors, removed ignition keys and thrown them. I once threw my bike at a the windscreen of a bus.

I am convinced that if they imagine there is even the slightest chance that the next cyclist they cut up is a total frothing at the mouth psycho they'll think twice about getting too close.

I'm happy to be that psycho.

 

[Jim_Noir]

Have taken a wing mirror off. Guy pulled out a giveaway on me then tried to left hook me on the next left! Tapped on the passengers window he looked at be laughed and started to move closer in.... so off with the mirror.... not sure how much a Bentley wing mirror costs, but I bet it’ll make him think twice. And for slapping windows, motorbike gloves with the kevlar inserts are a must

 

[jmaccyd]

Unfortunately, the whole incident couldn't have been avoided as I couldn't control the driver to prevent his poor judgement.
In that split second I had to judge what to do, a slap seemed the best way to draw the driver's attention to the fact I was still at the side of him as he swung back in.

I probably had a number of options such as mounting the kerb, just braking and hope he missed me or slap the car and brake. In that situation, self preservation kicks in. The fact is, I shouldn't have been put in that position in the first place .

Hopefully that rap on the wing will concentrate his mind and prevent him doing something similar in the future. Doubt it though.

You where there and I was not. But that is different from what you said earlier when you said 'on reflection' you could have braked and swerved. Difficult I know when split second decisions have to be made. Another road user (the car driver) committed a 'wrong' and you either faced a pragmatic course of action or an ego driven action.

The pragmatic decision would be to keep both hand on the handle bars, brake and move in to keep yourself away from a ton of steel capable of killing or crippling you. Get home safe and sound that evening, kiss the missis, and carry on with your life

The ego driven action would be to continue on your line, get close to a ton of steel capable of killing or crippling you, take a hand off your handlebars therefore making you slightly more unstable and show your displeasure and slap the car. Well you probably will get home safe and sound to kiss the missis (fingers crossed), and you probably will carry on with your life....hopefully.

Lets not dress up 'car slapping' as some sort of road safety device, its an ego driven means of showing dis-pleasure at another road user mis-deads. If I was faced with a situation of such danger I wouldn't be car slapping I would be car punching with all my strength and screaming at the top of my voice. You have to be honest with yourself, if you could have braked and swerved to avoid it then do it, you owe that to yourself and your family.

 

[Underdog1964]

Surely car slapping is a natural, non-thinking, non-reasoning reflex action. A last ditch affort to protect and stable yourself?

As a pedestrian, when myself and a friend were crossing a zebra-crossing during slow moving traffic. we looked and made sure it safe to cross then the car suddenly and slowing edged over the line into us. My friend closest to the car gave a mighty slap on the bonnet as the car driver looked embarrassed and ashamed.

 

[classic33]

You where there and I was not.

Lets not dress up 'car slapping' as some sort of road safety device, its an ego driven means of showing dis-pleasure at another road user mis-deads. If I was faced with a situation of such danger I wouldn't be car slapping I would be car punching with all my strength and screaming at the top of my voice. You have to be honest with yourself, if you could have braked and swerved to avoid it then do it, you owe that to yourself and your family.

Precisely.

Guilty of slapping cars. I've hit vans & lorries when they've passed too close for my comfort.
Flat of the hand seems to produce the greatest effect.

 

[ferret fur]

Don't understimate the value of percieved pyschopathy. First line of defence for motorbike couriers

 

[Mike!]

I've had to slap the front passenger window once in the same situation as the op. Someone joining from the right who pushed me straight into the kerb.

We both stopped (I was actually leant over the path at this point). At which point she did apologise but then shouted and beeped at me when I rode off

Yes I would do it again if I felt it was needed!

 

[BentMikey]

By far the winner is Cab doing a little vomit on the bonnet of a Mercedes.

I think I'd only slap a vehicle if it got really serious and that was the best way to warn the driver off. Drivers are *very* possessive of their vehicles, and touching it can lead to some very strong and psychopathic reactions. Do it, but be warned that you're much more likely to get an extreme response that you'd rather not have provoked.

 

[BentMikey]

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.

Dead interested in this one mate?