jimboalee said:What you have ALL missed here is...
45 years cycling in the West Midlands metropolis and I've had TWO incidents.
The first was 15 years ago and the second 4 years ago.
You are probably correct in saying "It was the motorists who were to blame", but what caused them to get so aggrieved? It was my riding 'In their way'....
OP committed TWO fatal mistakes.
1/ He rode away in 'Primary', effectively becoming 'the prat on the bike'.
2/ He TOUCHED Mr Focus' precious metal.
To avoid getting sworn at ( or if its really bad, smacked in the teeth ) again, get out of the idiot's way and DON'T lay a finger on his paintwork.
One persons alone is not statistically relevant. More to the point, I'm now entirely convinced that you're riding very passively and merely accepting close overtakes and being cut up with no comment. Its the only way you could have very few 'incidents' riding the way you do.
Your passive style is all too common.