Defusing road rage.

[BlackPanther]

Rather than have arguments with drivers I've recently taken to replying in a foreign/made up language. Last week I beeped (airhorn) someone who'd jumped a red in front of me. He started ranting, so I replied, "Mamma Mia, das a spicey-a meat-a ball-a". He looked perplexed, and it cheered me right up. Try it.

The Missus has an Enrique Eglasias Album, which I've learned the lyrics to, so I've also replied
"Si pudiera ser tu heroe
Si pudiera ser tu Dios!"

Apparently it means "I can be your hero baby, I can kiss away the pain", but hey, it sounds good!?

Or there's always "Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb". Any things better than resorting to swearing/threatening/criticising. Ignoring/looking away winds some drivers up more than confronting them. Just my opinion.

 

[J1780]

Stick with the makey upy language just in case someone speaks the language you decide to use. Personally I just smile and wave, like you would to a friend, at motorists who beep or shout at me. If I have to shout or gesticulate at them I tend to ignore them after if they try to engage me I'll just leave them stew in it I find it gets to them more so than trying to reason with them. Generally there is no reasoning with motorists here quite simply a larger percentage of motorists despise cyclists so much so that when the topic comes up in the media people can barely contain their rage towards cyclists.

 

[Markymark]

You could try not beeping your air horn at them?

I usually find if I had time ti do that I have time to avert instead.

 

[Moodyman]

never understood the need for arguments. Just enjoy the ride and rejoice in the smugness as you filter.

 

[Drago]

I just start at them, and stare, and stare, if if they still don't take the hint I start dribbling saliva. Not found a motorist yet who could think of a response to that.

 

[BlackPanther]

You could try not beeping your air horn at them?

I usually find if I had time ti do that I have time to avert instead.

It's the usually bit that I'm focusing on. The more you ride, the more dangerous situations you come across. In 5 years/25,000 miles of commuting, I've very rarely felt the need to use the 'zound. I make sure I never use it in anger, but in this instance I'm pretty sure he didn't see me and potentially he could've collided with me. I think his anger was mainly due to the fact that I'd surprised him, and (as with many motorists) he didn't like being reprimand by a mere cyclist. However, if I feel my safety is compromised then I'll use the horn. I'd say that in the 5 years commuting my horn has saved me being hit on at least 2 occasions. Once from a guy turning left on a roundabout whilst in the straight on lane, and once when a side road emerger failed to see me. On both occasions I would've had nowhere to go, and I would've been hit, probably run over.

I'm 100% with anyone who says horns should not be used in anger, or to antagonize, but I'm 100% certain that they can be lifesavers, probably literally on 2 occasions in my case.

 

[gambatte]

I can't see the diff. If you don't think there's need for a bell, horn whatever on a bike - why'd you want one on your car. Bells I find too quiet. If I've been 'working' and I'm out of breath, dry mouthed... the zound works great. Usually use a quick light blast from 100yds away on quiet country lanes, just to alert peds of my presence if they're all over the road. IMO makes more sense to do that than use my voice or a bell at 10-20yds.

 

[robjh]

The Missus has an Enrique Eglasias Album, which I've learned the lyrics to, so I've also replied
"Si pudiera ser tu heroe
Si pudiera ser tu Dios!"

Apparently it means "I can be your hero baby, I can kiss away the pain", but hey, it sounds good!?

Let's just hope your ranting driver doesn't turn out to be a Spanish speaker as you'll actually have told them you'd like to be their hero and their god!

 

[downfader]

never understood the need for arguments. Just enjoy the ride and rejoice in the smugness as you filter.

"I never understood why women get so upset with a groping, they should just enjoy it.."

Its the same argument and it doesnt work for most people - hence why so many abandoned cycling over the past 50 years... and why a certain Gary Numan hit rings true for so many people....

 

[Cuchilo]

How about jumping off your bike every time you get scared and holding your shin . It works for footballers and they get 50 k a week or something like that .

 

[Moodyman]

"I never understood why women get so upset with a groping, they should just enjoy it.."

Maybe you've been unlucky or you ride in the rough end of your town, but I can't recall ever being so wound up about something that I felt the need for a word let alone an argument. PS - I ride in the less desirable parts of both Leeds and Bradford.

I think a person's outlook plays a key part in their view of the world.

 

[Crankarm]

I just start at them, and stare, and stare, if if they still don't take the hint I start dribbling saliva. Not found a motorist yet who could think of a response to that.

And if they give you abuse you flash them your warrant card.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

I don't have a hooter on my bike, but if I'd been in a situation where I felt the need to toot one, I'd have no qualms in explaining why to the driver.

Derren Brown suggested saying something random to someone being aggressive toward you. I his example he would say "my garden wall is three feet high". He reckons it throws the train of thought. He suggests carrying on a similar vein, so "my neighbour doesn't even have a wall".

 

[Cycling Dan]

Doing a strip tease and erotic dancing in front of their car normally has a positive effect

 

[glenn forger]

Defusing, FFS.