Lashing out

[dodd82]

There was a report on the BBC a couple of years back that showed a cyclist being threatened by a driver after the cyclist had banged on his van during a close pass.

It's easy to be logical about it on here and I'm in no position to judge people who let emotion get the better of them when it happens, but certainly incidents like that make you think about what could happen when you hit someone's vehicle, no matter how in the right you are.

 

[dodd82]

Haven't got sound on my computer at work but think this might have been it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12330181

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Haven't got sound on my computer at work but think this might have been it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12330181

Yep, that's the one. Thankfully nothing like that's happened to me and I hope it never will!

 

[Davidsw8]

As a ped, I tapped the back of a cab as it sailed past my nose on a zebra crossing, the cabbie went ballistic!

You can't even sneeze on a man's car and not expect him to lose it so be very careful when lashing out in anger. It's like you've grabbed his dick or spat on his wife!

 

[BentMikey]

Does anyone remember that story from Cab about how some pushy Mercedes driver got too close to him in Cambridge, and that he was feeling quite unwell? Cab ended up doing a little vomit on the car's bonnet. I *cried* with laughter over that story. It ranks second only behind that tale from URC from many years back of the old chap on a bicycle with basket and the revving porsche anchor, witnessed by the copper. I wonder if anyone here can recall enough detail to be able to search on it. Was the copper's username "sniper84543345" or something like that?

 

[Cycling Dan]

Haven't got sound on my computer at work but think this might have been it:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12330181

I would have hit that guy with my U lock or bike as soon as he punched me just in case he tried it again of which he did in this video.
From the looks of this fellow unclipped so it seemed unlikely a cycle getaway would have worked as he could outrun you in the first few feet.
As you can see this fellow had his bike up in a defensive position.
Although I would think he represents a few small amount of people who would act like this(reference to van man).

 

[sickboyblue]

You shouldn't hit a vehicle unless you are prepared and able to physically defend yourself if needed.

 

[jarlrmai]

Its weird isn't it they drive the car within inches, but if you touch it all hell breaks loose.

 

[glenn forger]

Isn't it weird they're rushing past and taking absurd risks to gain seconds then have all the time in the world to stop and argue the toss.

 

[hennbell]

I understand the want to hit a vehicle to make them aware of your presence. I also understand wanting to hit someone after/during and incident. But odds are good that if you hit a car, van, or person the moral high ground is lost and the odds of an altercation increased.

 

[BentMikey]

I understand the want to hit a vehicle to make them aware of your presence. I also understand wanting to hit someone after/during and incident. But odds are good that if you hit a car, van, or person the moral high ground is lost and the odds of an altercation increased.

All of tht is correct, except for the part about losing the moral high ground. Banging on a vehicle does not lose you the moral high ground. At all.

 

[glenn forger]

It's not hitting the vehicle, it's alerting an idiot driver of your presence. Look at this:

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3632283.ece

If a driver was unaware of my presence and was chatting on a mobile I wouldn't hit the vehicle, I'd D-Lock the windscreen, if I get a fine at least I'm still alive.

 

[hennbell]

All of tht is correct, except for the part about losing the moral high ground. Banging on a vehicle does not lose you the moral high ground. At all.

I am pretty sure that if you ask any vehicle owner the second you touch, not even hit their vehicle, they will have an issue with you.

 

[gaz]

I am pretty sure that if you ask any vehicle owner the second you touch, not even hit their vehicle, they will have an issue with you.

I'm sure they would also have an issue with me when i'm under their wheels. touching someones vehicle should be left for the extreme situations when there is no other option. Either make them aware or get run off the road, i know which I would choose.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I had a car overtake head on to me, doing about 70mph and go under my outstretched waving arm. I have wondered with hindsight if he would have been deserving of my aluminium water bottle slung at his windscreen.
But hindsight is wonderful, and such things probably left to an angry daydream.

... or maybe I should have?