He touched my car

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Longshot

Guru
Location
Surrey
This is an odd one. I was driving 30 years ago and recall nobody leaning on my car at lights. I had a 2cv then, probably a car that invites hands more than most others.

I was also cycling 30 years ago (with rat cages) and do not recall needing to lean on cars. One might hang back and wobble, but not lean on cars.

I think motor cars have been a 'grand consumer fetish item' (your phrase) throughout those thirty years. For some people, but not for most of us.

I believe many car drivers would have objected thirty years ago to cyclists' hands and many still would today. Some might be the same motorists.

The 'road-ragey' aggressive nature of the objection might be a little more fierce these days, but the general ubiquity of objection is probably much as it was.

I agree with you that it's not a 'rights thing'. I'm not sure how it could be. It is a matter of manners. Like holding doors open for people and helping people with prams up steps.

It's not a terrible crime to lean on cars, ignore people following you through a door or let a parent with a pram struggle up steps on the tube.... It's just poor form.

For me it starts and ends with manners.


Excellent post, thank you.
 

400bhp

Legendary Member
This is an odd one. I was driving 30 years ago and recall nobody leaning on my car at lights. I had a 2cv then, probably a car that invites hands more than most others.

I was also cycling 30 years ago (with rat cages) and do not recall needing to lean on cars. One might hang back and wobble, but not lean on cars.

I think motor cars have been a 'grand consumer fetish item' (your phrase) throughout those thirty years. For some people, but not for most of us.

I believe many car drivers would have objected thirty years ago to cyclists' hands and many still would today. Some might be the same motorists.

The 'road-ragey' aggressive nature of the objection might be a little more fierce these days, but the general ubiquity of objection is probably much as it was.

I agree with you that it's not a 'rights thing'. I'm not sure how it could be. It is a matter of manners. Like holding doors open for people and helping people with prams up steps.

It's not a terrible crime to lean on cars, ignore people following you through a door or let a parent with a pram struggle up steps on the tube.... It's just poor form.

For me it starts and ends with manners.

We're with you maaan- [the silent majority]
 

marzjennings

Legendary Member
[QUOTE 2125403, member: 9609"]Coming within the shell of your car - or merely touching the outside of that shell?[/quote]
Touching will be met with words.
Getting in, uninvited, will be met with fist.
 
I was at AlpKit's Big Shakeout the other weekend, we got home and noticed a scratch on my wife's new car. I was a little upset. Obviously (due to the event - where it was parked, etc.) had been knocked by a bike. I'm always precious about possessions, I'm a little OCD. My reaction: "Sod it, I can polish it out."

As for leaning hands on cars, I'd not do it as I get chain skip a lot, and I don't clean my chain. If anyone has seen the black fingerprints along the street furniture of the A56, they will know I like to rest on things. (Really, it's been there for months).

Would I be annoyed about a cyclist leaning on my car? Not really, the pedals would make me nervous though.
 

Matthew_T

"Young and Ex-whippet"
I have never touched anyones car. Even when they have been too close when overtaking. I dont know why but I prefer to have both hands on the brakes and just shout at the driver. I think hitting that car would just make things worse as they would accuse me of 'damage'. Just like the cabbie in one of Gaz's videos.
 

lukesdad

Guest
2125625 said:
Don't knock it, it could be great and you could give it a go some time.
I' ll leave it up to you Adrian and associated 'nobbers' loony evangelists, looks like you need the practice :biggrin:
 
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