coffeejo
Ælfrēd
- Location
- West Somerset
I think a new thread is required - how to get along with other people.
How to get along with other drivers
- Thread starter Garethgas
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Cheers.
This sounds really daft, but smiling at drivers seems to work for me sometimes. Just being overly happy or singing to yourself seems to make them much less angry! (Have to admit, it's difficult to do if I'm in a shitty mood, or even a normal one. But in a happy mood you really see the difference!)
Linford
Guest
How to get along with drivers...
if one of them lets you out of a side road, give them a smile or a nod...it humanises you.
If you expect them to respect traffic lights, then be seen to be doing the same...it isn't too much to ask
Stay off the pavements unless it is a shared space...all drivers are also pedestrians as well. If they see this, they think you don't respect others more vulnerable....and then reason that they shouldn't have to respect you.
if one of them lets you out of a side road, give them a smile or a nod...it humanises you.
If you expect them to respect traffic lights, then be seen to be doing the same...it isn't too much to ask
Stay off the pavements unless it is a shared space...all drivers are also pedestrians as well. If they see this, they think you don't respect others more vulnerable....and then reason that they shouldn't have to respect you.
Last edited:
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
Some good advice for drivers there Linf
cd365
Guru
- Location
- Coventry, uk
What a horrid nasty thread and I haven't seen all the stuff that was deleted.
If I was the OP, the impression I would be getting from this thread is that there are quite a lot of not nice cyclists around and to carry on enjoying cycling quitting Cyclechat would be a good place to start!
If I was the OP, the impression I would be getting from this thread is that there are quite a lot of not nice cyclists around and to carry on enjoying cycling quitting Cyclechat would be a good place to start!
fabregas485
Senior Member
- Location
- Harrow
Drivers near me tend to be very cycle friendly. They see when I may need space so they slow down. In return I give them a wave as they pass, and if they been stuck behind me a while, I will let them past.
In regards to cycling in the gutter, I try to avoid it as its where all the rubbish ends up (leaves, bottles, glass) and can be a hazard. If you cycle at slower speeds then feel free to ride in the gutter if you feel safer but I would avoid it at higher speeds.
In regards to your comment, 'Keep primary position to a minimum. A motorist will see when you do/do not have a chance to pull over. Giving way is a sign of courtesy not weakness.' I could not agree more.
In regards to cycling in the gutter, I try to avoid it as its where all the rubbish ends up (leaves, bottles, glass) and can be a hazard. If you cycle at slower speeds then feel free to ride in the gutter if you feel safer but I would avoid it at higher speeds.
In regards to your comment, 'Keep primary position to a minimum. A motorist will see when you do/do not have a chance to pull over. Giving way is a sign of courtesy not weakness.' I could not agree more.
Not true. There is no right to drive a motor vehicle on a public highway.
But as for the requested tips...
- Behave assertively towards those more powerful/dangerous than you, and indulgently towards those more vulnerable.
- Take responsibility for your own behaviour, and do not endanger others.
- Enjoy the space you claim, and be seen to enjoy it.
- Be calm, where possible, in response to poor driving, but cut yourself a bit of slack and have a pop back at real bullies when you get the chance - your gran was right when she told you they were cowards.
- Be especially nice to drivers who were about to endanger you with a stupid manoeuvre, but thought twice about it when you glared or shook your head.
- Ride two abreast more often.
- Behave predictably most of the time, but keep a spot of stealth in reserve.
glenn forger
Guest
Anyone extravagantly wave thanks to a driver who lets you pull out or whatever and you get the
minimal
acknowledgement?
I always wave thanks effusively, if a driver on my left lets me out I glance right then pull out and hold an open palm out, arm raised, sometimes the driver responds with one finger held up off the steering wheel (no, not that one).
Ha ha! It's as if they're embarrassed by courtesy from cyclists.
If they blank me I kill them and all their family, obv.
minimal
acknowledgement?
I always wave thanks effusively, if a driver on my left lets me out I glance right then pull out and hold an open palm out, arm raised, sometimes the driver responds with one finger held up off the steering wheel (no, not that one).
Ha ha! It's as if they're embarrassed by courtesy from cyclists.
If they blank me I kill them and all their family, obv.
Linford
Guest
There is if they are taxed and insured
glenn forger
Guest
You think there's nothing wrong with a ten year old child taking a car that failed its MOT onto the roads? You think it's their RIGHT!?
Worse than eleven Putins.
roadrash
cycle chatterer
- Location
- sitting on the edge of wigan pier
thats exactly what i meant , same goes for cyclists, horse riders, pedestrians, etc etc . we are all road users , i may be a bit dim but cant think of the correct word to replace RIGHT with in my previous statement
Last edited by a moderator:
I have yet to see a cyclist who rides in primary position by default, so I don't think this is really an issue. The problem is one of perception from some motorists who don't understand cyclists' positioning as taught in bikability - witness the Clarkson tweet from a couple of weeks ago or the recent ASA ruling.
As I gained experience and rode more assertively I found that I suffered far fewer problems with close passes and aggressive drivers than when I started regular commuting quite a few years ago now.
- Location
- Glasgow
How to get along with motorized traffic when you are on a bike - some tips from me.
Sitting at traffic lights, have a good look around, engage the attention of drivers: is there a big bike chasing rubbish lorry behind you? Turn, give the driver a big smile and a wave.
Big hill ahead, bus stopped: let it pull out.
Roadworks ahead, lane narrowing? If safe to do so, pull into a side street, let traffic pass you till you are the last.
Of course you can only do so much, or you might as well walk.
You can't please all drivers all the time when cycling.
Sitting at traffic lights, have a good look around, engage the attention of drivers: is there a big bike chasing rubbish lorry behind you? Turn, give the driver a big smile and a wave.
Big hill ahead, bus stopped: let it pull out.
Roadworks ahead, lane narrowing? If safe to do so, pull into a side street, let traffic pass you till you are the last.
Of course you can only do so much, or you might as well walk.
You can't please all drivers all the time when cycling.
glenn forger
Guest
I let buses out and if I get all their hazards flashing as a thank you I get ten points.
(off me).
(off me).
- Location
- Glasgow
