Should you say something to drivers if they do something stupid?

[KnackeredBike]

As I think has been said on here before it depends on the rider. I often give words of advice. Generally they didn't see me no matter how obvious it is that they did see me.

But either way I think it is generally helpful to remind them that a real person with real feelings who is really cheesed off riding the bike.

I have had a few people ignore me and become engrossed in their steering wheel but I suspect they too get the message.

You do have to remember that you are effectively cornering the driver and there is the chance they will react poorly. I have - once - removed the keys from the ignition and thrown them into the hedge because the driver was so angry I felt it was the safest option.

 

[Slick]

Very much depends on the incident for me. After getting squeezed out by an 8 wheeled truck the other morning, I did invite the guy to pull over and discuss the issue further, when he refused, he just got the div. Not very bright or clever in the cold light of day, but at that moment I was really keen to talk to this guy.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Unless I need to ask them if they'd mind awfully moving their car off of my legs or some such, I just ignore them. I'm not risking getting stabbed, or a wheel brace round my skull, or, even worse, Ronnie Pickering coming for me bare fisted.

Good advise @Drago Who's Ronnie Pickering ??

 

[Drago]

Last week I had a driver pull across in front of me when we were both heading through a set of lights. His lane was stopped, I was moving on the inside. I had slowed as I anticipated that he was going to keep on coming to the point where I wasn't that far off his back window. Only another 500 yards or so down the road, he'd stopped at a pedestrian crossing as his son was jumping out of the passenger side onto the inside lane of traffic. I wasn't even speaking to him about cutting me up and bullying me out of the way but instead chose to calmly tell him that his brake lights weren't working (only the central strip was operational, 2 bulbs were out). He then goes off on one, saying that they are working so I just told him to maybe stick some bulbs in them. He swears at me and speeds off. Some people are just angry at the smallest challenge. The fact that I passed him 2 minutes later at the end of the road and gave him a wave, hopefully cheered him up.

If someone told me I had brake lights out I'd be mortified. I'd thank the chap and make a bee line for the nearest halfords or petrol station to buy some bulbs.

 

[snorri]

It's a long time ago now (10+years)but I was more than a little annoyed to be subjected to a very close pass on a left hand bend. The driver was stopped at temporary traffic light 100 metres up the road so I went alongside the car and the driver readily admitted the close pass but said she "couldn't help it". I just left it at that.
Last week I was walking on the pavement when a car on the road passed me and the driver pulled in to an entrance just ahead of me, but instead of entering the premises he drove along the pavement for 20 metres or so and stopped at the next premises completely blocking the pavement......it gasted my flabber!
I looked in to the premises he had entered and saw the driver working at something near the doorway. I decided to wait and have a word. As he climbed the steps from the premises I pointed towards car and pavement and asked what was going on. He was very polite, addressed me as sir, and apologised.
I just hope he has learned a little from my intervention.

 

[numbnuts]

Just found this on another forum

 

[Andrew_P]

I have done stupid things in the past when I have felt really threatened by someone's driving, nothing I am particularly proud of but a red mist has descended and when it is lifting I have found myself in a situation where I am totally outnumbered and realise it wasn't the best move.

I have also been "nudged from behind from one person after remonstrating with them. Three blokes in a Van who wouldn't even converse through their window I made the stupid error of going in front when the traffic slowed. Once they nudged they swung out overtook and belted off doing the normal gestures out of the window. Problem is we are creatures of habit, and he is not always carrying two extra bodies so a week or so later I had my opportunity in a much calmer state to explain the facts of life when he was on his way home. Still see him fairly regularly. One man operation distinctive Van same route day in day out. But the same applies to me on my bike and kit! But he gives me a wide berth these days.

A few others which were not brilliant either and discretion should have been deployed. Its pretty rare considering the amount of cycling.

 

[Randombiker9]

Very much depends on the incident for me. After getting squeezed out by an 8 wheeled truck the other morning, I did invite the guy to pull over and discuss the issue further, when he refused, he just got the div. Not very bright or clever in the cold light of day, but at that moment I was really keen to talk to this guy.

Ok. I've had HGV's overtaking me very closely. But it's always been when cycling in the morning and due to having college I don't bother saying anything as I don't want to be late to college because if you were it's not like they would believe your excuse :P

 

[ColinJ]

[QUOTE 4976454, member: 9609"]and if you do say something then make sure you stay behind them afterwards, there really is some complete loons out their.
[/QUOTE]
Sometimes, one fears that staying behind might not be enough ...

 

[Slick]

Ok. I've had HGV's overtaking me very closely. But it's always been when cycling in the morning and due to having college I don't bother saying anything as I don't want to be late to college because if you were it's not like they would believe your excuse :P

Being late would be the least of my worries after a close pass from a truck. You really are better saying nothing, but in the heat of the moment that can be very difficult. My plan was the cheap Aldi camera to film them and keep emailing the firm the footage. Obviously I would CC the traffic commissioner as well.

 

[Randombiker9]

The last time I tried setting a driver straight after pulling out from a side street despite seeing me, she corrected me in that she had more right to be there as I didn't pay road tax and she did.
I returned home with a look of shame because I had clearly got it wrong.
I've been trying to find my Road Tax payment book ever since. I fear it is lost forever.

What's road tax thought that doesn't exist. unless you mean veichle tax which doesn't exist to cyclists since we don't give emissions off.

 

[Drago]

I don't get mad. I get even.

When drivers give me the old "I pay road tax" routine, I reply "I pay top rate income tax", which usually leaves them floundering for a reply.

 

[Vantage]

What's road tax thought that doesn't exist. unless you mean veichle tax which doesn't exist to cyclists since we don't give emissions off.

I'm thinking you may possibly have missed the sarcasm in my post

 

[slowmotion]

I nearly always let it go, but if I'm awash with adrenaline because I think I came within an ace of being killed, I might chase after the driver and let rip. It's not smart but the prospect of imminent death makes one do strange things.

 

[petek]

I say nowt. No point. There's no remedy for boneheadedness.