New approach to careless motorists

[JamesAC]

Which graphically illustrates why "Having a word" is pointless. If even cyclists accept the inattention and lack of consideration of motorists as part and parcel of using roads in the uk, what chance have you of changing anyone's mind?

Quite a lot.

I had occasion once to have a "word" with a chap in a blue van who cut me up badly (he was on his mobile at the time). I caught him up at the next lights, and had a quiet, calm chat with him.

I encountered him several times in the following weeks. Each time he overtook me with care and consideration, followed by a "toot toot" and a wave.

It can't get better than that?

 

[400bhp]

There isn't much point engaging with car drivers, but most of have done it and I'm sure I will continue to do it.

Generally not much is achieved.

a)If they made a mistake, realised it and made a mental note to be careful in future/chastise oneself, then speaking to them is pointless as they understand their error anyway.

b)If they made a mistake, realised and don't care less then it's pointless to speak to them as their opinion is already formulated.

c)i)If they didn't realise they made a mistake then they are too dumb to take any criticism on board. cii) There may be the odd few who would genuinely take on board criticism.

Thing is, it's often difficult to tell which camp the offending driver sits. cii) group is probably small and so we are often wasting our breath/time.

I think if we are honest we like to have words with motorists because it makes us feel better.

 

[BentMikey]

I have not had the misfortune to have to have a verbal with a driver (too few miles). But I do make a positive effort to thank those motorists who hold back at a safe distance before overtaking and then leave a satisfactory clearance between their vehicle and mine. A friendly wave doesn't cost much. The hope is they will appreciate it and maybe even mention it to others, thus spreading a more positive message. Of course, the many ninja cyclists and other inconsiderates will probably undermine my efforts....

Well said Cardiac! This is very good cycling, and something I try to do myself.

 

[buggi]

just knock on the window, when they open it, squirt your drink in their face.

 

[fossyant]

YES, a bike with no brakes or lights, a dark hoody, bandero face mask and tuck your pants into your socks while leaving the top 4 or 6 lace holes of your boots undone. I certainly steer well clear of any cyclist like that and there are plenty of them!!!

Gonna try that...

BUT, Can I disguise a quick fixed road bike as a BSO though, SCR points and all ?

 

[fossyant]

Even talking with what you think are respectable folk behind a wheel doesn't work. Something happens........

The last two times I've responded to drivers -

1 the loonie that beeped me, then after I waved my arm (no fingers) decided to try and run me off the road......didn't work out too well, cops involved, he got YET another LOG on his record.

2 the woman this week that thinks turning right across on coming traffic means I have to stop (she'd have never spoke to a motor biker like that).

Nah, I'll ignore them, charge through (when I have right of way) and make them stop ! A good smack might help ?

 

[fossyant]

PS I always thank considerate motorists, and am also considerate to them too....

 

[Headgardener]

YES, a bike with no brakes or lights, a dark hoody, bandero face mask and tuck your pants into your socks while leaving the top 4 or 6 lace holes of your boots undone. I certainly steer well clear of any cyclist like that and there are plenty of them!!!

I would need very long socks to tuck my pants in .

 

[Cardiac]

I would need very long socks to tuck my pants in .

Or longer pants...?

 

[slowmotion]

There isn't much point engaging with car drivers, but most of have done it and I'm sure I will continue to do it.

Generally not much is achieved.

a)If they made a mistake, realised it and made a mental note to be careful in future/chastise oneself, then speaking to them is pointless as they understand their error anyway.

b)If they made a mistake, realised and don't care less then it's pointless to speak to them as their opinion is already formulated.

c)i)If they didn't realise they made a mistake then they are too dumb to take any criticism on board. cii) There may be the odd few who would genuinely take on board criticism.

Thing is, it's often difficult to tell which camp the offending driver sits. cii) group is probably small and so we are often wasting our breath/time.

I think if we are honest we like to have words with motorists because it makes us feel better.

Brilliant post.

I could not agree more. Rise above the red mist, let it go. Ride away.
It isn't easy, but it's worth it

 

[Oldie But Goodie]

Black and Blue
I see that a famous boxer has died on his bicycle in the early hours.
I face these idiots every day and because of my nature I just have a right go at them and snarl.
Its the wrong approach I know but after lighting myself up like a bloody beacon and making sure these idiots can see me it just seems that we are treated as second or third class road users.
Probably the best approach would be just to ride on and say shoot happend because half the time these morons play their music so loud they cant hear us anyway.
I have to say that overall Bristol is a great place to cycle on the roads

 

[ComedyPilot]

just knock on the window, when they open it, squirt your drink in their face.

I would have done that yesterday afternoon, but the Volvo was going 60mph in the opposite direction. ...........On MY side of the road

 

[ufkacbln]

Video works well.

I had a couple of close overtakes on the Hospital Grounds from the same Nurse.

Dropped a DVD of her driving and a print of the Highway Code on her windscreen - haven't had a problem since.

 

[mickle]

I'm in two minds about the whole 'cheery wave when they do the right thing' thing. I suspect that thanking drivers for doing what they should be doing sends the wrong message - like doffing our flat caps in gratitude for crumbs. We have every right to expect that drivers do the right thing by driving with due care and attention around us at all times. Why should we thank them for that?

 

[mickle]

And having a strong word when they screw up isn't 'pointless'. If they thought that every time they drove to close or took a chance with a cyclist's or a pedestrians safety they'd get a psycho like me punching their door glass and pulling at their door handle they might think twice. They drive like twunts because there are no consequences. We - as a group - have got nowhere by being nice. I absolutely refuse to be a passive observer when someone threatens my safety.