Sorry for this, I am VERY annoyed!

[gb155]

It seriously isn't worth your while talking to these idiots.
You got the whole thing on video, just breath in, breath out, forget about it and continue your ride.

Agreed

Video it - upload it but there is never ever any point in education as no one wants to hear it - just ends up pissing everyone off

 

[gaz]

This is the type of incident which I personally wouldn't bother talking to the driver about, I also probably wouldn't upload it on to youtube.

Why? Because I can learn from it, there clearly isn't enough space for someone to overtake a cyclist safely on the bridge, so what can we do? cycle on the left and complain about everyone that does overtake us? Or take a stronger position next time?

I'll do the later and learn from minor incidences.

 

[Matthew_T]

Why? Because I can learn from it, there clearly isn't enough space for someone to overtake a cyclist safely on the bridge, so what can we do? cycle on the left and complain about everyone that does overtake us? Or take a stronger position next time?

That is the problem with this bridge. It is wide, but not wide enough for a good pass. And if you take primary, people will try to squeeze past.

In the evening, when there is little traffic on the bridge, I normally take secondary and allow people to overtake because I have very few incident in the dark (just the odd nutter going at a ridiculas speed).

 

[Matthew_T]

1) While I applaud your attempts to single handedly make the roads safer I really think you are on a loser. The people you are talking to are unlikely to care, if they did they would drive more patiently in the first place.

Well as I the only cyclist around who does a great deal of cycling in town, and as every vehicle driver around seems incapable of figuring out how to act around a cyclist on the road, that is the reason why I encounter so many incidents.

I am very unfortunate with the amount of close passes I get and I am probably the most conscious cyclist in the country. I am constantly making shoulder checks and expecting the unexpected, and you will see that when I decide to get a helmet cam.

 

[Hip Priest]

There was no point in passing either, as he just ended up stuck in traffic a few yards later. I would've thought someone in a Lotus might be a good driver who could read the road properly

 

[Cubist]

Matthew, just a word from someone who used to get very wound up, relishing confrontation in many forms . The adrenaline come-down after any confrontation, whether you win it or not, will eventually make you feel ill.

You are not in a position to educate people by the roadside, and I'm afraid your manner will give some people the excuse they need to confirm their stupidity/aggression/arrogance by arguing back. The guy in the Lotus will never take advice from a young person on a push-bike, so you were only ever going to be wasting your breath.

It can get very frustrating, and on many occasions downright frightening when drivers make stupid and dangerous manoeuvres, but you have got to just let them go. Post them on Youtube and tut at them if you want to , but you will very, very rarely feel better after confronting anybody.

You also need to bear in mind that this sort of behaviour is nothing personal. Try to think that they would have drive like that no matter who or what was there, and realise that you are not a deliberate target of malicious behaviour, but simply a coincidental subject of stupidity. This helps to reassure you that he wasn't doing it to hurt you or frighten you (no matter what the outcome) it's just that he's utterly selfish and stupid. Use this thought to add a feeling that you are far better than he is, and you already have the upper hand. He doesn't need to know how stupid he's been. It wouldn't make any difference, and deep down I expect he already knows it.

 

[Dan_h]

Well as I the only cyclist around who does a great deal of cycling in town, and as every vehicle driver around seems incapable of figuring out how to act around a cyclist on the road, that is the reason why I encounter so many incidents.

I am very unfortunate with the amount of close passes I get and I am probably the most conscious cyclist in the country. I am constantly making shoulder checks and expecting the unexpected, and you will see that when I decide to get a helmet cam.

That is not really the point I was trying to make. I don't think there is anything wrong with your riding or that you are not aware of what is going on around you. It was more your reaction to these kind of things that I was questioning.

We all have people overtake us closely or SMIDSY us or just ignore us. On my commute I get a few of these a week, sometimes a few on one trip. The only thing that I am disagreeing with is that it is worth speaking to these people as in general it gets them annoyed, you annoyed and does not change their behaviour.

 

[fossyant]

Let it go - really not worth getting in a fight about.

 

[Dan_h]

There was no point in passing either, as he just ended up stuck in traffic a few yards later. I would've thought someone in a Lotus might be a good driver who could read the road properly

Why? Your ability to afford an expensive car is in no way linked to your ability to drive it (unless, perhaps you are a racing driver!).

 

[akb]

Video shows a close pass; i encounter these every single day on my commute to work. 8.30am, school run; plenty of mummys rushing to get their little scrots to school. As has been mentioned to you previously (in this post and plenty of others) keep calm and carry on. You have to understand that not every motorist is a member of this forum and driving lessons do not emphasise the need for care around cyclists. Yes, you may know the right way to overtake a cyclist (appreciating that you dont drive) but not every motorist does.
Plus, t'is nearly Christmas...so take a chill pill and keep enjoying your cycling.

 

[akb]

Why? Your ability to afford an expensive car is in no way linked to your ability to drive it (unless, perhaps you are a racing driver!).

A friend of mine ( 24 years old, driving for a year) has just brought a brand new Audi TTs. I wouldnt get in the car with him. Inexperienced driver, fast car is a cause for concern! Plus he drives like a dick!

 

[martint235]

I agree with almost everything cubist says. I used to get wound up a lot and it used to ruin the ride. Never let the idiots do that. I also agree it was a close pass but I get those a lot in Central London. You have to relax.

However that said, there are two things I'd tell you to bear in mind:

1. It is sometimes very satisfying to have a row with an idiot. I've been known to chase them down occasionally just to have the row.
2. If you start a row, you have to be prepared for it to end very badly for one of the parties. The only time a guy took me up on my offer to get out of his car, he quickly changed his mind. I've never had anyone try to run into me afterwards either but it does happen. Maybe I'm lucky.

 

[Hip Priest]

Why? Your ability to afford an expensive car is in no way linked to your ability to drive it (unless, perhaps you are a racing driver!).

I wasn't referring to the price tag. It's just that Lotus's are seen as enthusiasts cars, and in my experience, car enthusiasts tend to take a bit of pride in their driving ability.

 

[Cubist]

1. It is sometimes very satisfying to have a row with an idiot. I've been known to chase them down occasionally just to have the row.
2. If you start a row, you have to be prepared for it to end very badly for one of the parties. .

Yeah, and I'm getting too old to win them all.....................

 

[Nantmor]

A consolation is that your adrenaline is used for its proper purpose. It floods your leg muscles with energy. His is unused and rots his flabby body.