I did a bad thing today…

[CharlieB]

…so I need to salve my conscience by 'fessing up.

If I've learned anything from these forums, it's not to be confrontational with other road users.
When I started commuting 4 months back I spent the first couple of weeks getting really angry, particularly with the more aggressive motorists. Now I'm a lot more chilled and I learned that here!

However, this morning a large BMW (it's always the drivers of large German vehicles) pulled out of a left turn on me. I was as usual lit up like a Christmas tree, we'd made eye contact for a reasonable time. I guess she saw the gap in the motor traffic (I'm on the cycle lane in Avenue Road, NW8) and decided that getting into that gap was the priority. By now I'm too close to brake safely, and had to do a rapid swerve into the traffic stream. I raised one hand in exasperation, and got a clenched fist and a filthy look in response.

Catching her up at the lights at the bottom of the road (junct with Prince Albert Road), I saw she was obstructing the cycle lane, and adjusting speed and direction carefully aimed my right forearm squarely at her nearside door mirror, which to my delight obligingly gave way to bend forward on its mounting.

Is that bad?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

It'd have been worse if you'd missed ...

Seriously, yes, I suppose it is. But it's not always easy to avoid losing your rag a bit in situations like the one you describe, and you're only human. The very fact that you're asking the question speaks volumes.

 

[swee'pea99]

Yes. A fist-sized dent in the door panel would be a lot more costly to repair.

 

[Norm]

Depends if the mirror is broken or just swung forward. New mirrors are bloody expensive... so I hope that it is broken.

The driver was feeling guilty at her own actions. She is now feeling guilty and pissed off with cyclists. I bet she also has a small penis.

 

[I am Spartacus]

So well done, you really made every effort possible to make that driver refrain from thinking that every cyclist is a vindictive ignorant twunt.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

So well done, you really made every effort possible to make that driver understand that people think they're a vindictive ignorant twunt.

Fixed that for you.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

So well done, you really made every effort possible to make that driver refrain from thinking that every cyclist is a vindictive ignorant twunt.

Oh come on ... we're all human and occasionally we lapse.

 

[I am Spartacus]

I may have sworn a bit riding out there and had the odd verbal disagreement, but never, never felt it necessary to commit 'criminal' damage' to anyone or property.
Yes earlier this year was very intimidated by the actions of a car and the people inside and I reported ( for what it was worth) to the local police shop.
So, that's the limit of my direct action.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I may have sworn a bit riding out there and had the odd verbal disagreement, but never, never felt it necessary to commit 'criminal' damage' to anyone or property.
Yes earlier this year was very intimidated by the actions of a car and the people inside and I reported ( for what it was worth) to the local police shop.
So, that's the limit of my direct action.

Well, good. Some folk have a lower frustration threshold than you, that's all. I agree with you, mind - my days of hitting cars are long past - but I can understand how people sometimes resort to it.

 

[skudupnorth]

I've started parking in front of cycle lane obstructors and set off nice and gentle to teach them a little lesson of what this green bit of crap they have painted for us is really for cycles and not another lane for stupid car drivers !

 

[I am Spartacus]

I know it is broadening the debate but I am personally concerned about any potential 'backlash' against cycling despite its number of hi profile supporters.

If that driver was a senior decision maker in a council for instance?
Would she be thinking that if council could gain police powers to issue fixed penalties... easy pickings ... even if its just £30 for not having pedal reflectors... silly I know... and I am not advocating acting the 'victim' either, but forums like this can give good advice and not just fall into 'support group' way of thinking.

I hope she don't bear grudges ... they are the worst....

 

[John the Monkey]

Oh come on ... we're all human and occasionally we lapse.

V. True.

It is worth remembering though that there are some utter f*cking nutters out there, and they're in a vehicle that's a bunch heavier and faster than you and your vehicle are.

It's hard not to react, but when you do, it can have consequences you are ill prepared for.

 

[u9ge]

From experience of having pikies smash my mirrror off, it's not the mirror thats all the cost. The painted plastic covers need to be specifically sprayed and cause a lot of faff, time and money to get sorted. So if you attack one, make sure you cycle off with this piece in your hand or chuck it under another cars wheels.

 

[Twenty Inch]

You did a bad thing - the mirror won't have been damaged at all.

Next time, kick a hole in a panel.

Or, if you can find out where the car is parked, pour a litre of milk into the bonnet vents and over the sunroof. The resulting cheese will never come out and the car will be undriveable and unsellable due to the smell.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Or, if you can find out where the car is parked, pour a litre of milk into the bonnet vents and over the sunroof. The resulting cheese will never come out and the car will be undriveable and unsellable due to the smell.

Now that is nasty.