Staying calm during an altercation?

[2pies]

On the ride in this morning, a taxi driver hit the back of my bike as we both moved on, from a stationary position, to a roundabout.

I turned round and shouted "you've just hit me", he starts shouting back saying I pulled out in front of him, more shouting from both of us and he drives off. I get back on the bike and see that the rear wheel is buckled, though still ridable.

If I'd been smarter, I would have got off the bike, walked over to him calmly and discussed the situation in a sensible manner and asked for his details. That's common sense. The problem was the adrenaline kicked in, heart racing, anger and shouting. Which achieved nothing, except a likely trip to the LBS to get the wheel trued.

How do you prevent this from happening? Its easy to say stay calm and be rational, and I'd give the same advise to others, but I find it very hard in practise, especially with aggressive drivers who probably have a strong dislike of cyclists.

 

[iacula]

You did well as it is, common problem, tough call. Maybe the Chimp Paradox book would help.....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chimp-Paradox-Management-Programme-Confidence/dp/009193558X

 

[glenn forger]

Get the reg?

 

[fossyant]

Just d-lock him and be done with it.

 

[martint235]

Put the bike on the floor in front of the cab and then go and discuss it with him. I usually ask that they step out of the vehicle to chat. To date only one driver has done that. Many drivers have wound the window up and waited for me to go away.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Fight or flight. You choose. If the former be sure the odds are stacked in your favour. I admire martin's approach and was an advocate for it but having seen someone get their bike slowly run over this spring I've abandoned it.

Which reminds me. I gave a witness statement. Must find out what's happened.

 

[2pies]

Get the reg?

No, too caught up in the moment to think about that.

Fight or flight. You choose. If the former be sure the odds are stacked in your favour. I admire martin's approach and was an advocate for it but having seen someone get their bike slowly run over this spring I've abandoned it.

I, too, would be very wary of doing that. The sound of a carbon fork snapping in two wouldn't make me any calmer.

 

[ayceejay]

Calm is not always better, perhaps the anger will be placed elsewhere where it doesn't belong.
When I was doored, I had a graze on my knee and bent handlebars I picked myself up and gave the guy sh*t. He apologized and offered to pay for new 'bars, he gave me the money and the whole event passed very quickly leaving no residual angst.

 

[2pies]

Yes, it depends on the driver I'm sure. On another occasion a driver was extremely apologetic and practically forced money into my hand to buy a new wheel. Its the likes of taxi drivers who will never accept that they are, in any way, to blame for an incident. The "bloody cyclists" brigade, essentially.

 

[MarkF]

Always stay calm, too many (incapables) are going to "do this" and going to "do that" to an aggressor. The reality is that if you are not used to fighting and getting hit, then getting hit will send you into shock, whereupon, you'll get hit some more. If you are not confident that you are capable then the thought of meeting somebody who is, should be enough to bring calmness and clarity to the situation.

 

[brucers]

I think this is a very valid and noteworthy viewpoint. There are far more nasty thug types driving than cycling.

Always stay calm, too many (incapables) are going to "do this" and going to "do that" to an aggressor. The reality is that if you are not used to fighting and getting hit, then getting hit will send you into shock, whereupon, you'll get hit some more. If you are not confident that you are capable then the thought of meeting somebody who is, should be enough to bring calmness and clarity to the situation.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

You did well as it is, common problem, tough call. Maybe the Chimp Paradox book would help.....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chimp-Paradox-Management-Programme-Confidence/dp/009193558X

Quite apt book for 'us' really, with him being the British Cycling Psychologist

 

[BSRU]

Should always stay calm but when the adrenalin kicks in sometimes it's not possible, especially when someone has put your safety in danger just to save a few seconds.

 

[nilling]

When I got right-hooked a few years back I just went into "record mode" getting as many witnesses as I could find. Should really have have used my camera phone at the scene as well.

 

[Hill Wimp]

You did well as it is, common problem, tough call. Maybe the Chimp Paradox book would help.....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chimp-Paradox-Management-Programme-Confidence/dp/009193558X

Excellent book and an easy read too.