Newbie here, but experienced rider....

[petec]

Hi guys and gals, been following this forum for a while but only just decided to share some of my experiences...

Anyway, I ride about 6 miles every day into work, and there's ALWAYS some ignoranous in a 2 ton killing machine either driving too close, cutting me up etc and today was no exception but this one REALLY took the biscuit!

I was doing a steady(ish) 20mph in primary going along a flat on Ringwood Road in Poole, approaching a zebra crossing with a island on it (the road can get quite busy), and this complete twunt in a big Disco comes hurtling up behind me (he must have been doing at least 45 in a 30), and, realising he isn't going to make it through, stands on the breaks and clips my back wheel! Thankfully I held it ok and we stopped just after the crossing where he proceeds to lay into me, storming that I should be using the cycle lane (a pathetic line on the pavement), that I was holding up traffic, etc etc...

Now, I'm no pushover, but this guy was a big bloke, at least 6' and built sideways, so I thought better of saying something and just stood there looking a bit sheepish through his tirade, and when he finished and got in his car, I started back on my route in, and caught him up at a set of lights at the Sea View Road junction and pulled ahead of him into the ASL there and he started shouting out of his window and tried to ram me (again) into the flow of traffic! I was getting pretty peeved by this point and floored it (figuratively speaking) cos I knew that I'd only say something which I'd end up regretting later (probably in Hospital for all I knew!), and thankfully lost him in the traffic flow...

Now, as I said, I'm a relatively experienced rider, but when you get idiots like this (who in the Bournemouth/Poole conurbation are unfortunately quite common), I really don't know what to do. Do I throw back the insults or just stand there, as I'm only 5'8 and quite weedy (probably helps with the speed )? Or do I not let it bother me? Unfortunately I didn't get the reg no as I was to busy thinking 'oh sh*t oh sh*t', so reporting its out of the question (not that plod would do anything)...

A bit long winded I know, but this did actually scare me a bit and I had to get it off my chest.

Any advice as to what to do the next time?

 

[hackbike 6]

I can't blame you for being worried by it.If I get some idiot like that throwing insults (and driving badly) then I generally let them clear,as they clearly are a danger to themselves and everyone else.

 

[petec]

Very true, as I said above it happens nearly everyday...

 

[hackbike 6]

Hmmmmm im lucky I don't get it everyday but rarely.Generally the odd chip on the shoulder cabbie or moton.

 

[BentMikey]

It sucks huh? Luckily having a helmet camera, telling them this makes them wind their necks in. No-one wants to misbehave when their behaviour might be filmed and used against them.

 

[petec]

I've got one coming, hopefully it'll help a bit cos my better half is getting fed up with me 'whinging' about it to her

 

[dondare]

Hi guys and gals, been following this forum for a while but only just decided to share some of my experiences...

Anyway, I ride about 6 miles every day into work, and there's ALWAYS some ignoranous in a 2 ton killing machine either driving too close, cutting me up etc and today was no exception but this one REALLY took the biscuit!

I was doing a steady(ish) 20mph in primary going along a flat on Ringwood Road in Poole, approaching a zebra crossing with a island on it (the road can get quite busy), and this complete twunt in a big Disco comes hurtling up behind me (he must have been doing at least 45 in a 30), and, realising he isn't going to make it through, stands on the breaks and clips my back wheel! Thankfully I held it ok and we stopped just after the crossing where he proceeds to lay into me, storming that I should be using the cycle lane (a pathetic line on the pavement), that I was holding up traffic, etc etc...

Now, I'm no pushover, but this guy was a big bloke, at least 6' and built sideways, so I thought better of saying something and just stood there looking a bit sheepish through his tirade, and when he finished and got in his car, I started back on my route in, and caught him up at a set of lights at the Sea View Road junction and pulled ahead of him into the ASL there and he started shouting out of his window and tried to ram me (again) into the flow of traffic! I was getting pretty peeved by this point and floored it (figuratively speaking) cos I knew that I'd only say something which I'd end up regretting later (probably in Hospital for all I knew!), and thankfully lost him in the traffic flow...

Now, as I said, I'm a relatively experienced rider, but when you get idiots like this (who in the Bournemouth/Poole conurbation are unfortunately quite common), I really don't know what to do. Do I throw back the insults or just stand there, as I'm only 5'8 and quite weedy (probably helps with the speed )? Or do I not let it bother me? Unfortunately I didn't get the reg no as I was to busy thinking 'oh sh*t oh sh*t', so reporting its out of the question (not that plod would do anything)...

A bit long winded I know, but this did actually scare me a bit and I had to get it off my chest.

Any advice as to what to do the next time?

Report it to the police this time with as many details as you can remember. Next time make sure that you get the number.

 

[hackbike 6]

Im trying the old tactic out of using the phone camera to click the old number plate if needed.Used it once for when a bus did a dodgy overtake at Stratford a few months back.I think the bus driver was aware as he was quite keen to leave the traffic light's behind.Either that or he was on his last trip.

 

[cheadle hulme]

Unlucky mate, sounds like a right idiot. If you know that though, why move ahead of him in traffic? They're better in front where you can see them.

Don't blame you if it was a "We'll see who's fastest moment" though - I'm guilty as charged.

 

[skmc1955]

at the lights, tap on his window with your 44 magnum and ask him to step out and discuss his poor driving! God, wouldn,t you just love that!

 

[Twiggy]

should have called the police the instant he started getting violent.

Though this can drive some people to doing utterly idiotic things, like trying to grab your phone, or worse to stop you reporting them.

 

[petec]

To be honest the thought never realy occured to me, as the 'self preservation' instinct sort of kicked in (thats why I stood there).

As for the asl thing, its there for bikes, right? Not that this clown seemed to care. Although your point is well made about keeping him ahead, I honestly didn't think he'd you his phallus extension to try and do me with the side traffic...

Think i'll start up judo or something...

 

[yello]

This is sadly the sort of stuff that you'll have to take in your stride (pedal?) as a cyclist.

I think you did the right thing just letting the guy have his rant. It's better that he lets of steam before he gets back into his car. I don't believe there's any point getting into an argument because it'll just make a bad situation worse, and I doubt he could have been reasoned with anyway. You were doing nothing wrong, tell yourself that. You can only hope that the driver realises that when he's calmed down.

 

[petec]

I've really gotta change my flamin' route...

A bit further down the road this time, I'm in the cycle lane heading towards another traffic island, a car goes past quite close but I let it slide as he's turning right just before the island.

Idiot in a black M5 goes past at warp 9, realises there's a car ahead and he slams on the anchors, pulling into the cycle lane RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!

I managed to stop ok and (stupidly) shook my fist. He looked in the rearview and stuck his middle digit up with a smirk before speeding away again.

What a prat... Although I had the last laugh when I calmly passed his car as it was pulled by the plod (they can do something right apparently).

 

[GrahamG]

You have my sympathy, I recently visited Bournemouth and was shocked at how the place seems to have been built around the car - it almost feels American. Given that I come from Birmingham, that's really saying something.