I've just been hit for pointing out to a car driver that he shouldn't be using his phone while driving. I yelled something like, 'Oi, mate, you shouldn't be driving while on the phone'. He stopped sharply and got out of his car and walked towards me. I was off my bike by this time. He then faced me and started a tirade. I thought that was all he was going to do and started to make the point that driving with a mobile is as dangerous as drink driving but then suddenly he started hitting me: three times with his right fist and once with his left. He was pretty unfit and clearly never learnt boxing because at the end I was still standing up and at the moment I reckon the only effect is a thick lip. I didn't hit him back because I didn't consider myself to be in serious danger. Amusingly, while he was hitting me, his car, on which he clearly hadn't put on the handbrake, started rolling forward and hit something, I think damaging his front left light. Anyway I've reported the incident to the police who were very kind, but as I didn't get all his registration or the names of any witnesses I'm not sure if they'll be able to get him. Note to self: leave mobile phone users alone, they can be agressive!
Just been hit
- Thread starter Alexios
- Start date
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C
chillyuk
Guest
I can't help feeling that if people get this overwhelming urge to play policemen then you should join the police and do it properly.
Unless something affects me personally I leave drivers and other cyclists well alone and just concentrate on what I am doing. If they want to break the law that's between them and the police.
Unless something affects me personally I leave drivers and other cyclists well alone and just concentrate on what I am doing. If they want to break the law that's between them and the police.
numbnuts
Squire
- Location
- Gone over the hill and far away
ComedyPilot
Secret Lemonade Drinker
- Location
- The Kingdom of Yorkshire
Devil's advocate: What stage along the scale of wrong-doing do you suggest people stop turning the other cheek?
Trevrev
Veteran
- Location
- Southampton
Same as!!
beanzontoast
Guru
- Location
- South of The Peaks
I'm with the 'leave well alone' sentiment here. It risks your personal safety to open a dialogue with someone you don't know in situations like this. IMHO, if they're breaking the law it's 99% sure they already know it and don't need telling by another member of the public.
downfader
extimus uero philosophus
- Location
- 'ampsheeeer
This is true. When I was a teen I pulled a lad off another younger one when I saw him wailing on him. Had I not done so he would hae ended up with a black eye or worse the way the lad was going.
I'll still assess what I feel is safe to do and if its telling a driver to put down a phone for the good of others then so be it. Not everyone will react violently and its wrong to assume they will. Infact the chances of it happening are pretty remote.
ComedyPilot
Secret Lemonade Drinker
- Location
- The Kingdom of Yorkshire
Edmund Burke, anyone?
Moodyman
Legendary Member
Hope your lips gets better Alexios.
But I can't help feeling that you could have avoided this had you ignored it and kept pedalling.
Unless your a police person on duty, it's not your place to tell someone else off for what they perceive as a white collar driving offence.
I tend ignore driver misdemeanours. I'm 6ft 2 and used to box, so I can look after myself. I just don't think it's my place to correct the ills of society.
But I can't help feeling that you could have avoided this had you ignored it and kept pedalling.
Unless your a police person on duty, it's not your place to tell someone else off for what they perceive as a white collar driving offence.
I tend ignore driver misdemeanours. I'm 6ft 2 and used to box, so I can look after myself. I just don't think it's my place to correct the ills of society.
Note to Alexios. Learn karate.
Moodyman
Legendary Member
Devil's advocate: What stage along the scale of wrong-doing do you suggest people stop turning the other cheek?
A granny getting her handbag swiped, a child being beaten by an adult, a gang of yobs attacking a single male - these are vulnerable individuals who should be helped.
A cyclist riding on the pavement or a driver using his phone, whilst wrong, ain't worth a bust lip.
A granny getting her handbag swiped, a child being beaten by an adult, a gang of yobs attacking a single male - these are vulnerable individuals who should be helped.
A cyclist riding on the pavement or a driver using his phone, whilst wrong, ain't worth a bust lip.
Crankarm
Guru
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
Whoa! I think you have opened a can of worms for yourself then and now.
1) Don't take on any situation you cannot control or can't predict the outcome. Don't start something you cannot finish.
2) ALWAYS have an escape route plan B and C to fall back on.
3) ALWAYS get the important info: registrations, pics of the offender, details of witnesses if present and time.
4) Your safety while on your bike is primary to anything else.
Maybe this episode will be a sobering wake up call. What if you had been stabbed or ................ shot? All for telling some scrote scum bag off for using his phone whilst driving. Not worth it unless he drove into you. Life is cheap these days.
Anyway he subjected you to a frightening assault so hopefully plod will catch the guy. I am not sure why you feel so proud of yourself for not defending yourself against what sounds like an unhealthy fat slob? Why didn't you just ride off when he got out of his car and came after you? "See ya later fat potater!"
