it was a beautiful thing

[kedab]

not far from work on the commute in:

i take off from a set of lights behind a couple of motors - just about keep up with their pace as they pick up speed and the lanes divide - i stay in the 'straight ahead' lane, not taking the cycle lane which is where many drivers expect you to go without question, i was ready for beeps and finger pointing.

i'm still only about 4 feet from the bumper of the mini in front and there's a cab behind - not long before angry horns regardless of my speed i think - i check my shoulder so he knows that i know he's there - i signal right to move across and filter right, i hear him back off the revs and give him a thumbs up behind my back - he pulls past on my left, toots me and gives me the thumbs up out of his cab window!

i was quite taken aback i can tell you - i gave him another thumbs up and a big smile and it made my little right, left sweep in to work's car park all lovely and fuzzy and warm despite the shoddy weather.

 

[Globalti]

I always follow a right-turn hand signal with a wave of thanks when a driver behind me has slowed to give me space. When I'm going through a narrow bit of road and a driver has waited patiently behind me I will always wave thanks as they pass.

 

[byegad]

I always follow a right-turn hand signal with a wave of thanks when a driver behind me has slowed to give me space. When I'm going through a narrow bit of road and a driver has waited patiently behind me I will always wave thanks as they pass.

I agree.
I think the more we reinforce good driving the better it will get. OK the guy who lets you in has probably done it for years and will always do it. BUT! Other drivers see this courtesy and the fact you thanked him. MAYBE, just maybe, next time they follow a cyclist they'll do the same.
It also shows you are a human being not merely 'one of the other gang on the road'

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I always follow a right-turn hand signal with a wave of thanks when a driver behind me has slowed to give me space. When I'm going through a narrow bit of road and a driver has waited patiently behind me I will always wave thanks as they pass.

+1

 

[kedab]

I always follow a right-turn hand signal with a wave of thanks when a driver behind me has slowed to give me space. When I'm going through a narrow bit of road and a driver has waited patiently behind me I will always wave thanks as they pass.

yep me too. i always make sure to thank those that have been courteous even if, as has been said, that kind of driver has probably always driven around cyclists like that.

it just lifts you a little, makes you feel like 'we're all human' and i mentioned it and it struck me as a 'cool' thing this morning cos i had quite a 'discussion' with a cabbie on Sunday night who decided he needed virtually all of my oncoming lane to overtake a parked car & made me move my road position which was secondary to begin with to avoid him.

 

[VamP]

Not to mention that any animal trainer will tell you that the key underlying principle is to reward good behaviour, not punish bad behaviour.

 

[jonny jeez]

not far from work on the commute in:

i take off from a set of lights behind a couple of motors - just about keep up with their pace as they pick up speed and the lanes divide - i stay in the 'straight ahead' lane, not taking the cycle lane which is where many drivers expect you to go without question, i was ready for beeps and finger pointing.

i'm still only about 4 feet from the bumper of the mini in front and there's a cab behind - not long before angry horns regardless of my speed i think - i check my shoulder so he knows that i know he's there - i signal right to move across and filter right, i hear him back off the revs and give him a thumbs up behind my back - he pulls past on my left, toots me and gives me the thumbs up out of his cab window!

i was quite taken aback i can tell you - i gave him another thumbs up and a big smile and it made my little right, left sweep in to work's car park all lovely and fuzzy and warm despite the shoddy weather.

At the risk of comming across as a patronizing git, I suspect you have found the key to an enjoyable city ride.

treat everyone with courtesy and most will reflect it right back acha. It can instantly difuse many moments of potential hostility and (as you see the same road users each day, or even many times each journey) will make for a safer ride
with greater/shared respect.

 

[Becs]

There must be something in the water - I had a similarly nice encounter with a chap driving down Chiswick high st last night. I still think it's a shame that the good experiences stand out so much though!

 

[derrick]

not far from work on the commute in:

i take off from a set of lights behind a couple of motors - just about keep up with their pace as they pick up speed and the lanes divide - i stay in the 'straight ahead' lane, not taking the cycle lane which is where many drivers expect you to go without question, i was ready for beeps and finger pointing.

i'm still only about 4 feet from the bumper of the mini in front and there's a cab behind - not long before angry horns regardless of my speed i think - i check my shoulder so he knows that i know he's there - i signal right to move across and filter right, i hear him back off the revs and give him a thumbs up behind my back - he pulls past on my left, toots me and gives me the thumbs up out of his cab window!

i was quite taken aback i can tell you - i gave him another thumbs up and a big smile and it made my little right, left sweep in to work's car park all lovely and fuzzy and warm despite the shoddy weather.

Was that a black cab, have never heard of a black cab being curtious on the road

 

[Matthew_T]

After realising that I will get nowhere if I just take a bad attitude towards drivers, I have taken a more 'laid back approach', where I am courteous to pretty much everyone and let people out at junction as much as possible.

I have got quite a few smiles and thanks from people and it does cheer me up.

I still keep an eye out for those bad drivers who just barge their way through and always have an arguement cooking inside me for such occasions.

 

[BentMikey]

Most drivers in London are brill, it's only a very few that are poor. I love those positive interactions we get on commutes, thanks and cheers can go both ways. Even black cab drivers are pretty awesome for the most part.

Must admit I struggle to give Addison Lee drivers the benefit of the doubt, but even they aren't all bad. Bad Mikey!

 

[jonny jeez]

After realising that I will get nowhere if I just take a bad attitude towards drivers, I have taken a more 'laid back approach', where I am courteous to pretty much everyone and let people out at junction as much as possible.

I have got quite a few smiles and thanks from people and it does cheer me up.

I still keep an eye out for those bad drivers who just barge their way through and always have an arguement cooking inside me for such occasions.

I rest my case m'lud.

Although, just to test my own theory I made a double effort this morning to thank drivers who didn't squeeze past me, something i dont always do...the results were staggering, I got a friendly toot, a wave and a repetition from one driver who almost seemed to be trying to collect waves from me. People are clearly making a conscious effort and liked to be thanked for this, no thanks leaves them thinking, "well that was a waste of my time"

By the time he had done it 3 times we were chuckling to one another. Today was a great ride, and I realise that more than the rain, the wind, the snow, the sun, dark or anything...my attitude is what makes the ride work.

The only downside to all this cheeriness, is that when something nasty does happen, your defenses are down and it often takes me a while (sometimes til after the event) for me to get rally angry.

 

[rualexander]

"Four feet from the bumper of the mini in front", sounds a bit too close to me in moving traffic, hope you're fast on the brakes!