I paid £5 for this and it has reduced close passes.

[Globalti]

To add a more serious note - I really do believe that a cyclist's "body language" plays a big part in this. Okay, nobody can avoid the blind or distracted or drunk or just incompetent driver but most close passes are the result of poor judgement and we all know that drivers on auto-pilot - as most are most of the time - make their decisions based on the threat they perceive to themselves and their road territory. I used to find that when I drove my old Land Rover I seemed to become invisible until I got close to people, when they would suddenly wake up to the presence of something that could do them some harm, almost as if a Landy is so low in the alpha-driver pecking order that it doesn't even figure as a car until it gets within touching distance when it suddenly becomes a threat.

Admittedly I don't ride in built-up areas but in rural Ribble Valley and Bowland I very seldom experience anything other than the utmost care and courtesy from drivers. Is that because I don't hug the gutter but ride confidently, letting drivers know that I'm aware of them and am singling out as soon as possible? I see cyclists on my car commute who creep along timidly and are just asking to be pushed around by their position and appearance; can't define it but that's the body language.

What do other drivers think?

 

[fossyant]

£5....

Robbed you were

 

[andyfraser]

Admittedly I don't ride in built-up areas but in rural Ribble Valley and Bowland I very seldom experience anything other than the utmost care and courtesy from drivers. Is that because I don't hug the gutter but ride confidently, letting drivers know that I'm aware of them and am singling out as soon as possible? I see cyclists on my car commute who creep along timidly and are just asking to be pushed around by their position and appearance; can't define it but that's the body language.

I think it depends on how busy the road is too. I've noticed I get given plenty of space when a motorist can see the road ahead is clear of approaching traffic. If there are cars coming the other way they'll just try to squeeze through anyway, even if that means only give me a foot of space.

 

[Drago]

^^^ a good reason to keep a primary appropriate to road and traffic conditions,

 

[Globalti]

A lot of drivers' behaviour is related to the time of day and the purpose of their journey - if I nip out from work during working hours I find the roads completely different from during commuting time; you are more likely to be hindered by a bumbling elderly driver on their way to the shops than bullied by an angry young man in a van. So I've no doubt that if I commuted every day I'd be in the Commuting section complaining about being cut up bysome nutter on his way to work or late for an appointment.

As a side note, I recently got given a new company car and for the first time in my life it's an automatic; the traffic is getting so bad around here that I went to see the boss and asked for an auto box. This has had a benefit beyond just saving my aching left knee from pushing the clutch - suddenly the 45 minute commute is much more relaxing and I'm finding I drive in a more sedate and grown-up way, possibly because stopping and starting are now a pleasure rather than a chore. It really has been a remarkable transformation.

 

[Drago]

I can never understand why people are so keen to rush to work? I'm happy to take my sweet time and arrive with 4 seconds spare.

 

[djb1971]

I don't need any stickers.

Wide bars and a few well timed wobbles keep most at a good distance

 

[Mr_Kipling]

Do you have a picture of it on your rucksack?

Yep.

 

[Col5632]

Yep.

Looks better than I thought it would

 

[Tim Hall]

I don't need any stickers.

Wide bars and a few well timed wobbles keep most at a good distance

I carried an edging spade in my right hand whilst cycling at the weekend. I got lots of room.

 

[Drago]

What sort of bike do you commute on?

 

[sidevalve]

Having driven and ridden all sorts of different vehicles and bikes from fully marked [chevrons flashing beacons the lot] motorway maintenance cars to big [ish] trucks to m/cycles [both large and loud and small and dinky] to bicycles [obviously] I don't really think it makes a scrap of difference. The world is full of stupid arrogant twerps [sadly on two wheels as well as four and more] and all you can do is expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised by the good ones.

 

[Sunny Portrush]

I just wear brown coloured shorts - everyone gives me a wide berth

 

[Mr_Kipling]

I was thinking of getting a cheap £10 pay-as-you-go phone & ordering this custom sticker then adding it to my rucksack.
I'll most likely get lots of abusive messages, but I think it may be a little interesting.

 

[buggi]

I'm thinking of strapping a gun to my thigh ...