Do cars feel pain?

[handsome joe]

Had a driver screaming at me today through his open window as i peddled along. I had clipped his wing mirror by mistake 2 minutes earlier. He was in traffic but had stopped very close to the kerb. Unfortunately right next to a big 'men at work' sign which was sticking about 10 inches off the kerb. I had no choice but to squeeze slowly past and that's how i clipped his mirror. I said sorry but obviously he hadn't/didn't want to hear me. I couldn't stop and readjust his mirror because i had nowhere to put my feet due to this bloody sign and railings.

Anyway he caught up with me further down the road and harassed me for a couple of minutes....asking why i didn't say sorry etc....to which i told him i had and then repeated an apology. I did pull onto the pavement and stop thinking we could discuss it man to man but he just continued on.

Do people value their cars that much? Its not as if i had caused a big dent or repair job. It was only a wing mirror that can be simply pushed back into place. I mean its a vehicle that is driven around at speed surrounded by various objects. You can't expect nothing to touch your vehicle or is it part of your personal space. I've had my bike bumped or slightly damaged due to bad car drivers but i get more annoyed at their bad driving skills than what has happened to my bike.

 

[Joe24]

Well you hit his mirror. If someone had hit your mirror would you be happy?
Although really, there isnt a need to go undertaking rows of cars on the left, the right is fine, and i think is much safer.

 

[handsome joe]

Let me explain. I was travelling in rush hour, in a busy city, along a two lane road with works ahead of me. I couldn't overtake as that would leave me heading straight into vehicles coming around the road works.

Finally its a MIRROR. I didn't slap him/children/wife around the face. Just pushed his a easily adjustable mirror out of place...not broken....but pushed slightly back. That's what they are designed for.

 

[Tynan]

people are ludicrously protective of their cars, it's some mental thing

 

[hackbike 6]

+1

 

[handsome joe]

The other day a guy on a super bike had been rear ended into the opposite lane at a T junction. He must of been knocked off while the lights were red. I stopped to check and see if he was alright, which he was. In my mind i was worried that he could of been knocked into on-coming traffic as there was a double decker Bus at the lights right in front of him.

I was suprised he was so angry about the damage to his bike even though the driver who went into him was very guilty and apologetic. Maybe people act strangely in these situations.

 

[MessenJah]

I had no choice but to squeeze slowly past

Bollocks, you could have stopped.

 

[Willow]

Speaking as a cyclist and a car driver. My car despite being nothing special is the second most expensive asset I have and yes I notice and mind every scratch. I look after everything I buy because it's hardwork getting it and I would certainly mind if someone damages it. However I am a reasonable person and an apology just for flicking the mirror back would be more than acceptable. I certainly wouldn't chase you down and stop but I might shout in the car just the once to show my annoyance.

 

[Fab Foodie]

people are ludicrously protective of their cars, it's some mental metal thing

Sorry for the pedantry

 

[hackbike 6]

I make it a rule never to touch their vehicles.

 

[4F]

Had a driver screaming at me today through his open window as i peddled along. I had clipped his wing mirror by mistake 2 minutes earlier. He was in traffic but had stopped very close to the kerb. Unfortunately right next to a big 'men at work' sign which was sticking about 10 inches off the kerb. I had no choice but to squeeze slowly past and that's how i clipped his mirror. I said sorry but obviously he hadn't/didn't want to hear me. I couldn't stop and readjust his mirror because i had nowhere to put my feet due to this bloody sign and railings.

Anyway he caught up with me further down the road and harassed me for a couple of minutes....asking why i didn't say sorry etc....to which i told him i had and then repeated an apology. I did pull onto the pavement and stop thinking we could discuss it man to man but he just continued on.

Do people value their cars that much? Its not as if i had caused a big dent or repair job. It was only a wing mirror that can be simply pushed back into place. I mean its a vehicle that is driven around at speed surrounded by various objects. You can't expect nothing to touch your vehicle or is it part of your personal space. I've had my bike bumped or slightly damaged due to bad car drivers but i get more annoyed at their bad driving skills than what has happened to my bike.

If there was not enough space to filter then you should have waited. If I had been the driver I would have called you a twat as well

 

[Maz]

I had no choice but to squeeze slowly past and that's how i clipped his mirror.

I don't agree, sorry. I think you should've waited. Imagine if the driver was behind you on the approach to a pinch-point. He might say "I had no choice but to squeeze slowly past and that's how i clipped the cyclist and knocked him over"

 

[BentMikey]

+1 to either stopping behind, or better still overtaking on the right. There's usually plenty of space between the oncoming traffic and the queueing traffic on your side.

 

[handsome joe]

I appreciate that people appreciate their cars and don't want any damage. But please just step back a bit. A car is a piece of metal...just like a bike, car, bus, boat or plane. They are designed to be used day in day out.

When the airline pilot lands at an airport and spots some damage on the wing he doesn't go into a rage because some bird flew too close.

Or say a car is involved in a crash. I don't expect the driver to jump up and down, pissed off his pride and joy has been totalled. He gets out....if he can....... wipes himself down and thanks his lucky stars that his vehicle has done its job. Its done what its designed to do. That is take a person from A-B, offering a degree of comfort and safety. How a person feels about their vehicle is up to them.

My bike gets me to work in some comfort (ouch) and speed?. It does the job i want it to do. Along the way it has been scratched, whacked, bumped etc. If i were to worry about all these things i might as well leave it at home.

A bit more realistic. What if my friend the driver had clipped his mirror on piece of road maintenance equipment. Yes, it could of been avoidable but it happens I think he would have accepted/appreciated the fact his wing mirror is not broken but moved out of position.

 

[handsome joe]

I must add that i was a fair bit away from the temporary traffic lights and there was a couple of cyclists behind me.