A group of us were out on a ride last night, and at one point found ourselves on a very narrow residential street with parked cars either side, having to pretty much take up the whole road.
A van behind us wasn't going to just wait the 20 seconds or so for us to clear this section, so decided to overtake about three of us (the larger group were a bit further up) dangerously close. One of us, thinking he was about to get crushed into the side of a car by an ignorant fool who didn't know he was there he tapped the side of the van whilst shouting oi.
Of course, the driver took great umbrage to this and stopped and started yelling at us. The guy who slapped his van told him he should be more patient and give more room and we all rode past. This wasn't enough to convince the driver and he wanted revenge. I could see him coming up on us aggressively and was pretty certain he was going to pull something so remained very wary.
He then passed the guy who'd spoken to him, and presumably because he was a coward and our rider was about 6'2" and pretty tough looking, decided to go after me. He then pulled a classic and heavy deliberate squeeze into the kerb which I was just able to brake to avoid. If I'd not been anticipating he might try something like that, he would have definitely taken me out. He then proceeded to harass the larger group in front, revving at them and bullying his way through, almost crushing one guy into the side of a car, before turning off.
I decided I wasn't going to let that one pass and immediately got on the phone to the police. I had a license plate, a description of the driver, 2 witnesses who saw what he did to me and about 8 others who witnessed him driving aggressively.
Shame I didn't have my camera as I don't tend to take it on group rides, but I expect my statement and that of 10 witnesses will count for more!
A van behind us wasn't going to just wait the 20 seconds or so for us to clear this section, so decided to overtake about three of us (the larger group were a bit further up) dangerously close. One of us, thinking he was about to get crushed into the side of a car by an ignorant fool who didn't know he was there he tapped the side of the van whilst shouting oi.
Of course, the driver took great umbrage to this and stopped and started yelling at us. The guy who slapped his van told him he should be more patient and give more room and we all rode past. This wasn't enough to convince the driver and he wanted revenge. I could see him coming up on us aggressively and was pretty certain he was going to pull something so remained very wary.
He then passed the guy who'd spoken to him, and presumably because he was a coward and our rider was about 6'2" and pretty tough looking, decided to go after me. He then pulled a classic and heavy deliberate squeeze into the kerb which I was just able to brake to avoid. If I'd not been anticipating he might try something like that, he would have definitely taken me out. He then proceeded to harass the larger group in front, revving at them and bullying his way through, almost crushing one guy into the side of a car, before turning off.
I decided I wasn't going to let that one pass and immediately got on the phone to the police. I had a license plate, a description of the driver, 2 witnesses who saw what he did to me and about 8 others who witnessed him driving aggressively.
Shame I didn't have my camera as I don't tend to take it on group rides, but I expect my statement and that of 10 witnesses will count for more!
