Nor does 'banging on a person' i.e. defending yourself against someone who tries to attack you. It does seem to lose you the legal high ground in a lot of cases, though (which it really shouldn't).
Lashing out
- Thread starter Cycling Dan
- Start date
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Nor does 'banging on a person' i.e. defending yourself against someone who tries to attack you. It does seem to lose you the legal high ground in a lot of cases, though (which it really shouldn't).
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
That is not the same as losing the moral high ground. It's a good reason not to fend off a vehicle, OTOH.
d87francis
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Oxford
Still love this classic clip!
I think people need to differentiate between violence against people and violence against objects. Most vehicle drivers who put cyclists in danger fall into the first category, they are behaving violently towards other people. Cyclists who touch cars to alert them of their presence and even those who give them a whack for driving like morons, are only behaving violently towards inanimate objects. The monetry or personal value ascribed to these objects is meaningless compared to the value of ones life. These moral arguments over the use of violence are hegemonic in society, an example is condoning the use of violence by police over demonstrators whose only violence is against property. We must stop grouping all forms of violence together and criticising them as one.
kedab
Veteran
- Location
- nr cambridge
I can't believe anyone would say that banging on a car is always wrong.
I've done it more than once. The funniest time was a guy in a Passat Estate gave me a very close pass, so I banged on his window as he went past (there was no need for it to be close, I've had buses give me much more room on the same road). He immediately anchored up, and pulled in closer to the row of parked cars. I had to slam on the brakes, and ended up beside his car whereupon I commenced banging on it even more because he'd been so stupid. I hadn't unclipped, and after a few hits, I of course lost uprightness. When I picked myself up off the floor, he'd cleared off. I got on to chase after him, and this would be the day I was riding around with the crank bolt off (stripped the puller bit the day before trying to get the crank off, so was riding around to loosen it naturally) - I got about 300 yards up the road before the crank disconnected itself from the bottom bracket and I realised I probably wasn't going to catch him.
The least funny time was a 3 inch fast pass from a WVM. When I caught up with him I was so angry all I could do was thump his van and shout incoherently. He didn't get out.
I've done it more than once. The funniest time was a guy in a Passat Estate gave me a very close pass, so I banged on his window as he went past (there was no need for it to be close, I've had buses give me much more room on the same road). He immediately anchored up, and pulled in closer to the row of parked cars. I had to slam on the brakes, and ended up beside his car whereupon I commenced banging on it even more because he'd been so stupid. I hadn't unclipped, and after a few hits, I of course lost uprightness. When I picked myself up off the floor, he'd cleared off. I got on to chase after him, and this would be the day I was riding around with the crank bolt off (stripped the puller bit the day before trying to get the crank off, so was riding around to loosen it naturally) - I got about 300 yards up the road before the crank disconnected itself from the bottom bracket and I realised I probably wasn't going to catch him.
The least funny time was a 3 inch fast pass from a WVM. When I caught up with him I was so angry all I could do was thump his van and shout incoherently. He didn't get out.
Hear,hear
I had the misfortune to raise my arm up in disgust at one driver who came out from a side road without looking/stopping!!
The bastard stopped, did a u turn then chased me down the road then started ranting at be!! Only words but could have been a lot worse!!
Some serious nutters out there
clarion
Guru
- Location
- Exiled from Hyperborea
To be fair, it must be very frustrating having to be cooped up in a little box like that.
d87francis
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Oxford
Just don't flip them the bird because when they try and attack you, the two cancel each other out in the eyes of the law. Both are public order offences (although insulting someone soon not to be!) without witnesses, and the police/CPS deemed it not worth following.
Yes I did have a fat driver run at me and try to punch me repeatedly because I stuck my finger up at him for trying to run me off the road. Section 5 is stupid and the sooner they repeal it the better.
Yes I did have a fat driver run at me and try to punch me repeatedly because I stuck my finger up at him for trying to run me off the road. Section 5 is stupid and the sooner they repeal it the better.
I don't think I would touch a car, but that's more because I would be worried about falling over.
I have found that the 4x4 drivers and white vans are the worst for close overtaking, maybe they're not spatially aware of how big their vehicle is. Lorry drivers are usually OK.
I have found that the 4x4 drivers and white vans are the worst for close overtaking, maybe they're not spatially aware of how big their vehicle is. Lorry drivers are usually OK.
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
Whilst still a student, I put out a boot to fend off a Volvo which overtook me then stopped and reversed into a drive. I had to swerve round and my outstretched boot connected with the front wing. There was a mighty thump and I suspect the famous Volvo crumple zone may have copped it.
I managed to carry on. It was dark but there was no excuse because I had lights on and the driver had overtaken me before pulling over & stopping, so clearly knew I was there.
Last week I was filtering and a van decided to chop lanes without signalling, and I slapped the side of the van again to fend it off somewhat, to let him know I was there and to steady myself as I unclipped & braked. The move was somewhat predictable despite the lack of signal and I got a polite & friendly apology from the driver.
Of these, the first was probably more of a gratuitous whack than the second and I didn't need to do it. The slap on the side of the van was by way of alerting the driver & not set out to cause damage. Both instances I think were justifiable.
I managed to carry on. It was dark but there was no excuse because I had lights on and the driver had overtaken me before pulling over & stopping, so clearly knew I was there.
Last week I was filtering and a van decided to chop lanes without signalling, and I slapped the side of the van again to fend it off somewhat, to let him know I was there and to steady myself as I unclipped & braked. The move was somewhat predictable despite the lack of signal and I got a polite & friendly apology from the driver.
Of these, the first was probably more of a gratuitous whack than the second and I didn't need to do it. The slap on the side of the van was by way of alerting the driver & not set out to cause damage. Both instances I think were justifiable.
OP
OP
Cycling Dan
Cycle Crazy
Give the car a bitch/pimp slap rather than a punch. It wont hurt or cause you to lose balance and it will make a big noise with no damage.
and this weeks cycling accessory is - some Kenny Everett hands !
http://www.videovista.net/reviews/nov04/kenever3.jpg
http://www.videovista.net/reviews/nov04/kenever3.jpg
Boris Bajic
Guest
Generally speaking, I am not in favour of lashing out. I used to be prone to it, but I got older.
The only thing I've done recently was almost suicidally stupid, but it had the desired effect. Quite why I did it, in my late forties. I have no idea.
I was commuting up a hill on some NSL single-carriageway I drive and ride on frequently. It has doble unbroken lines between lanes and I was in what might be called a prominent secondary, alone in my lane.
A line of cars coming towards me, but no-one in my direction. Out of the line of cars pops an overtaker, across the doulbe line and headed at speed my way. He'd have missed me, but not by much.
I was furious (still not sure quite why) so I swung right out into my lane and forced him to swerve back into his lane and miss me by not very much. Altogether, it was a cluster-fornication. Two or three cars honked at me or him. He honked at me (with his foot on the sustain pedal, by the sound of it). Two or three cars stooped heavily at the nose as they braked.
I'm not particularly proud of having done it and it doesn't fit with my usual manners on the road.
I imagine he learned a valuable lesson, but I might easily have caused a fairly ghastly pile-up.
Confession cleanses the soul. Apparently.
The only thing I've done recently was almost suicidally stupid, but it had the desired effect. Quite why I did it, in my late forties. I have no idea.
I was commuting up a hill on some NSL single-carriageway I drive and ride on frequently. It has doble unbroken lines between lanes and I was in what might be called a prominent secondary, alone in my lane.
A line of cars coming towards me, but no-one in my direction. Out of the line of cars pops an overtaker, across the doulbe line and headed at speed my way. He'd have missed me, but not by much.
I was furious (still not sure quite why) so I swung right out into my lane and forced him to swerve back into his lane and miss me by not very much. Altogether, it was a cluster-fornication. Two or three cars honked at me or him. He honked at me (with his foot on the sustain pedal, by the sound of it). Two or three cars stooped heavily at the nose as they braked.
I'm not particularly proud of having done it and it doesn't fit with my usual manners on the road.
I imagine he learned a valuable lesson, but I might easily have caused a fairly ghastly pile-up.
Confession cleanses the soul. Apparently.