Feeling vulnerable now...

[Camgreen]

Definitely contact the police. Essentially this is worse than a road rage incident, which while one couldn't condone it, the actions would at least of been heat of the moment.Since the behaviour has been repeated there is premeditation, the driver intends to intimidate or harm you. If we substitute the car for a gun/knife and it was aimed at you, you'd soon have the attention of the police; a car is no less of a deadly weapon.

Bottom line is his boorish behaviour is intimidation pure and simple. Maybe the driver just wants to scare you and make a point, but one wobble and there could be serious consequences for both of you. Maybe you're not the only one being targeted, act now, contact the police, if not for you (but hey look after number one is what I say) for anyone else who falls foul of this menace.

 

[repairtec]

I once got attacked by a chap wielding a wheel brace, still got the scar on my arm now. I'm a peace loving person and this chap had cut me up several times in his 4x4 imitation tank and oneday I cornered him albeit in full race gear, I asked him what he thought he was up to and he jumped down for the all inspiring heights of his 2 tons of eco friendly Mitsuikiayota and produced a wheel brace and started lashing out, as always the people that drive these monsters are inversly proportional in size to the vehicule they drive and he'd misjudged his lack in stature before it was too late, he high tailed it into the wilds and I was just content to freewheel down to the local Gendarmerie bleeding from the wounds. 3 months later we met face to face in the courts, unbeknown to me he had previous convictions but to prove that intelligence and compassion are within the grasp of us all I said I was claiming no damages and I pardoned him, he eventually became a good customer of mine and I forgot the whole issue. Perhaps he'd had an argument with the wife, girlfriend or boss who knows but with experience I think its better to use common sense and reason, report the chap to the police and take photo's but don't let it become an obsession just point out to the person in future that he could be in the same situation some day but not get off so lightly.

 

[purplepolly]

You could also try disguising yourself - I've done this before after being intimidated by motorists and it's pretty easy on a bike as motorists are going so much quicker and don't look too closely especially if they're overtaking.

Do anything that makes you or the bike look a bit different - different style of clothing, a hi-viz helmet band or helmet cover, add or remove panniers or backpack, different colour of bar tape, cover up any disctintive writing on the bike frame, that sort of thing.

Add in a slightly different route and start time and you could be someone else entirely.

 

[Absinthe Minded]

repairtec,

Admirable - I salute you.

 

[downfader]

Can anyone who has had one of these rather nasty overtakes, or even worse threats and physical abuse, please have a look at filling out some info on it over at: http://www.stop-smidsy.org.uk/ (report bad driving)

The CTC set it up (but anyone can use it) to log how things are becoming due to recent reports and they will be using it to lobby government and the police, as well as councils in some cases to do more and take this seriously. You dont have to be a member of the CTC to take part.

I'm sorry to hear of these incidents, but lets be clear - as soon as anyone gets out, touches you and your bike its assault. If they swear at you its a Public Order Act related offence too (and the very same if you give Vs back or swear yourself tbh, though you could put this down to shock). If they drive at you deliberately its a Dangerous Driving offence.