Is a driver getting out of their car an act of potential aggression?

[gaz]

On my ride home tonight i witnessed a driver pass a cyclist with not much space. The cyclist was overtaking another one and whilst she didn't indicate clearly she didn't swerve around the cyclist suddenly. The driver should have easily been able to anticipate this but choose to ignore it.

As is the case in London, we soon caught up with the driver. The cyclist knocked on his window so she could have a quick chat about his idiotic behaviour. I pulled up at the front of the car just to make sure nothing went sour with this. As it happens the driver gets out of his car and walks towards the female cyclist. I make sure my bike and my self are in his way so he can't get close to her and i make him aware that everything he does is being recorded. He doesn't want to listen and just blames the cyclist for some unknown reason.

He didn't like the cyclist knocking on his window, but how would he like the cyclist knocking off his wing mirror and scratching his paint work when he knocks one over with his appalling driving.

He clearly didn't get the picture as straight afterwards he cut up a cyclist behind me, the cyclist tapped on his bodywork but he didn't want to make a point out of that when we where sitting next to him at the lights.

Video:
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frdeRNX9FSY

 

[jimboalee]

"With intent to cause Actual Bodily Harm".

Is that still a recognised offence??

 

[buggi]

Brilliant! Cyclists unite! that looks like a fun commute. wish i had a few more cyclists around on my commute to back me up when twats like this do a close overtake.

had one the other day overtake me at the bollard after i had already indicated to her to hold back as there wasn't enough room. unfortunately for her i caught her up at the island and told her off in front of her mother who was in the passenger seat

"did you... DID YOU JUST PASS ME ON A BOLLARD???!!!!" [without letting her answer or getting a word in edgeways whilst wagging my finger] "YOU DO NOT EVER OVERTAKE A CYCLIST ON A BOLLARD, DO YOU HEAR ME?!!!! DO YOU HEAR ME????!!!! YOU NEVER PUT A CYCLISTS LIFE IN DANGER LIKE THAT AGAIN!

It was quite funny looking back on it.

Anyway, back to your vid, he was totally wrong, she didn't pull out in front of him, she was already there for quite a while, so he shouldn't have overtaken her. Glad you were there to stick up for her.

 

[Davidc]

You can't account for every tosser in London. The only thing you can do is report it to the police, who might act once in a decade or so.

More important is to make sure no-one gets injured!

 

[marinyork]

Instant replay. Not watched any of yours in a while, you are getting posh . You should have your own OB unit going round London.

 

[Aperitif]

I would put that down to a cyclist taking a chance on an overtake, out of 'lane' and accepting that any passing traffic would be close. Cyclists must share - not dominate, and these 'close things' will happen as a consequence. No point getting uppity about it - move on and concentrate, errant cyclist.
And look at the position of the car in relation to the white lines when passing. Nothing wrong with the car's position there.
Not the most opportune time to be pious Gaz. (In my opinion, that is...I may be toatlly out of order)

 

[lit]

I'd say just by getting out of the car he has acted aggressively because it is escalating the dispute and it seemed to intimidate her, what's even more scary is he asks you "have I got aggressive?" which would suggest he isn't very self aware of how he is coming across.

I would report that for sure, sometimes it takes a visit from the police (though I maybe a bit over optimistic that might actually happen in this case) for people to reliase that how they behave can be intimidatory to other road users.

 

[campbellab]

Too close, but unfortunatly riding on the edge of cycle lane is bound to get that reaction from some drivers as they think as long as they are keeping to their lane that's ok. Cycle lane just promotes the idea that cyclists should be inside it. Good driving elsewhere is generally about sticking to your lane round the roundabout or on the motorway etc.

I'd consider reporting your rear view of him cutting up the cyclist on purpose if anything.


You do sound a bit OTT he doesn't shout originally and only raises his voice as between you and her he can't get a word in edgeways... Although you can't really make out from vid if he is trying to work his way past you etc.

'Because what I want to say madam...' 'Stand back! Stand back!'

 

[Peter10]

"With intent to cause Actual Bodily Harm".

Is that still a recognised offence??

CPS would never run with it but the guy is an arse.

 

[ianrauk]

Poor cycling skills by the woman and bad and aggressive driving by Mr Angry.
A dangerous overtaking manoeuvre by the woman, she did not look to check as she wobbled to overtake the other cyclist. She was outside the white line when there was no need to be on a busy road like that. Bad lack of perception by the cyclist.

That of course does not excuse Mr Angry for his threatening behaviour.

 

[campbellab]

Poor cycling skills by the woman and bad and aggressive driving by Mr Angry.
A dangerous overtaking manoeuvre by the woman, she did not look to check as she wobbled to overtake the other cyclist. She was outside the white line when there was no need to be on a busy road like that. Bad lack of perception by the cyclist.

That of course does not excuse Mr Angry for his threatening behaviour.

IMO she should have been out of the cycle lane clearly showing the room she needed rather than trying to squeezing past the other cyclist. I don't want cars squeezing next to me, and I don't want bikes either!

 

[clarion]

Thing is, the cycle lane doesn't really have a legal status where it isn't delineated, so the cyclist is actually in the lane the car is in. The blue paint just causes confusion.

Just yesterday, I saw a bus pull in on a woman cyclist. I couldn't believe how stupid he was. The woman decided to speak to the driver, so I stopped as well, just in front of the bus. Good thing I did, because he was so aggressive and sure he was right. He'd indicated, so it was OK to pull into the lane and squish her against the kerb, wasn't it? :-\

I wish I'd had others stop when I've had problems, so I do when I've witnessed something.

 

[Riding in Circles]

In London I always figure that any overtake that does not hit me is ok.

 

[ianrauk]

IMO she should have been out of the cycle lane clearly showing the room she needed rather than trying to squeezing past the other cyclist. I don't want cars squeezing next to me, and I don't want bikes either!

yes I agree with that.
She should have looked then clearly signalled. She did not and took a risky chance.

I friggin' hate bike lanes.

 

[magnatom]

I would put that down to a cyclist taking a chance on an overtake, out of 'lane' and accepting that any passing traffic would be close. Cyclists must share - not dominate, and these 'close things' will happen as a consequence. No point getting uppity about it - move on and concentrate, errant cyclist.
And look at the position of the car in relation to the white lines when passing. Nothing wrong with the car's position there.
Not the most opportune time to be pious Gaz. (In my opinion, that is...I may be toatlly out of order)

It is up to the following driver who is considering an overtake to ensure that it is safe to do so. However, I will admit her lack of rear observation didn't help, and she should have taken more of the lane if overtaking.

However, the driving after the initial incident concerns me more. Look how close he is to the cyclist (in the rear view video). He forces the cyclist over towards the edge. There certainly looks like intent there. Using his vehicle as a weapon, I would suggest.