Taking off the door mirror...

[GrumpyGregry]

Straight answer is no. I have come across some arses on the road but never been unlucky enough for one to hit me. If its more than a touch then you will probably be on your arse. In which case you wouldn't be catching them back up and smashing their wing mirror off.

Depends. And catching them up on a heavily traffic-ed rural A road as it comes into a bypass-less town centre simply involves getting back on the bike and riding slowly to work.

Of all the vehicle/bike contacts I've had since '95 when I took up cycling again only two have ended up with me unable to continue my journey, one due to mechanical damage and the other physical.

WHOOPS: Liar. August last year. Make it three. But does it count. I wasn't on the bike when it was hit by the van.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I know a while back GG you openly admitted you had some 'mojo' issues about getting back on the bike. There are better ways of dealing with idiots.

There is no need to take wing mirrors off. I never have. I've been driven at, threattened, but just note the reg and let the coppers have the details. It goes as intelligence against the vehicle. We all know that two idiots having an arguement get's nowhere ! Look at that video of the guy with the Audi posted a couple of weeks ago. Idiot driver, idiot cyclist, and idiot passenger = a mess ! I am prone to shouting loudly at folk who do stupid things, but what's the point of smacking a car - then the driver is going to be 'hissed' - you know what folk get like.

Remember, they are the one in 2 tonnes of steel. Can't get away smashing mirrors in areas where there are less cyclists, especially if you and or your bike stand out. What's to say they won't jump out and smack you one when you are waiting at lights 2-3 weeks later ? I see the same cars day in, day out, and certainly notice the ones which are 'less ordinary'.

In a civilised society, someone has to be the better 'person'. You've already got one idiot on the road, adding yourself as the other idiot can result in disasterous consequences.

Must be something about you southerners ?

A well reasoned argument. Since finding my mojo again (and doing a spot of CBT) I've found a better way tis true.

Now oddly I know for a fact that I've been passed and have in turn passed at least two of the people whose vehicles I've come to blows with. I stand out simply by being on a bike around here. No one has ever jumped out.

So, Idiot is as idiot does. One idiot is enough. Idiot strikes wise man with his car. What should wise man do; given plod apathetic about plight of the wise man?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Ok, sorry if my understanding of negligent is off. I read failing to take proper care to mean just that and not that the person doesn't care.

At the moment/for the period of time when they fail to take proper care, well, simply put, they don't care.

 

[Andrew_P]

I am not cycling this week due to a lot physical at work but I was thinking about this as I drove home and came upon a cyclist and waited for a safe pass. All my near misses that have agitated have started from behind this is now IMO totally unforgivable and I couldn't think of one possible acceptable excuse for it. Can anyone enlighten me? I think someone miss reading my speed and pulling out of a junction or across me is slightly more understandable, in fact thinking about it most of times this has happened an apologetic hand comes up and when it does it totally defuses me. I have never had a close passer who was confronted apologise or accept it was an error of judgement.

From behind they have loads of time in the decision making process, and the decision they make when they close pass me is that their progress out weighs my safety, it is this that really agitates me.

 

[400bhp]

I am not cycling this week due to a lot physical at work but I was thinking about this as I drove home and came upon a cyclist and waited for a safe pass. All my near misses that have agitated have started from behind this is now IMO totally unforgivable and I couldn't think of one possible acceptable excuse for it. Can anyone enlighten me? I think someone miss reading my speed and pulling out of a junction or across me is slightly more understandable, in fact thinking about it most of times this has happened an apologetic hand comes up and when it does it totally defuses me. I have never had a close passer who was confronted apologise or accept it was an error of judgement.

From behind they have loads of time in the decision making process, and the decision they make when they close pass me is that their progress out weighs my safety, it is this that really agitates me.

In the circumstances you have presented then, no there isn't an acceptable excuse.

There's a list of reasons for sure.

 

[Hip Priest]

I wouldn't knock a wing mirror off because:

1) It'd only make me feel worse in the long run
2) I'd fear any repercussions

On the rare occasions I've had words with drivers, I've always been worried I'll come across them the next day.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I wouldn't knock a wing mirror off because:

1) It'd only make me feel worse in the long run
2) I'd fear any repercussions

On the rare occasions I've had words with drivers, I've always been worried I'll come across them the next day.

Thanks for your honesty.

 

[Jody]

I think someone miss reading my speed and pulling out of a junction or across me is slightly more understandable, in fact thinking about it most of times this has happened an apologetic hand comes up and when it does it totally defuses me. I have never had a close passer who was confronted apologise or accept it was an error of judgement.

From behind they have loads of time in the decision making process, and the decision they make when they close pass me is that their progress out weighs my safety, it is this that really agitates me.

Yes the driver has plenty of time to assess the situation and pass in a reasonable manner. I feel it is down to the government and law makers to educate the few people who seem oblivious to others safety. Also, maybe revise the Highway code to also educate non cyclists about the use of primary positions for safety. It would be nice if everyone had manners but attitudes may change quicker with an advertising campaign.

I went out last night, not sure why as it was cold, raining 5 minutes into the ride and snowing on the way home. I had 1 person pull out of a junction in front of me plus one who was going to and the car over shot the junction whilst trying to stop. Both times the driver's slowed and were going to stop but then saw it was a bicycle and went for it. They either miss judged the speed which wasn't fast or thought feck it.

Anyway, I was watching out for people taking close passes (thanks to this thread). Almost all people were waiting and using an appropriate time to go round. Some people going fully over onto the other side of the road. But there were 2 people who pushed their way through when I was going past small crossing islands with bollards that are built in the middle of the road. There was barely room for them to pass and it left me with no space to maneuver if needed.

So, what should I do? Take a more primary position every 300 yards then move back. Stay in primary throughout which would p*ss people right off. Or just keep to the left without gutter riding and hope for peoples better judgment?

 

[beastie]

Yes the driver has plenty of time to assess the situation and pass in a reasonable manner. I feel it is down to the government and law makers to educate the few people who seem oblivious to others safety. Also, maybe revise the Highway code to also educate non cyclists about the use of primary positions for safety. It would be nice if everyone had manners but attitudes may change quicker with an advertising campaign.

I went out last night, not sure why as it was cold, raining 5 minutes into the ride and snowing on the way home. I had 1 person pull out of a junction in front of me plus one who was going to and the car over shot the junction whilst trying to stop. Both times the driver's slowed and were going to stop but then saw it was a bicycle and went for it. They either miss judged the speed which wasn't fast or thought feck it.

Anyway, I was watching out for people taking close passes (thanks to this thread). Almost all people were waiting and using an appropriate time to go round. Some people going fully over onto the other side of the road. But there were 2 people who pushed their way through when I was going past small crossing islands with bollards that are built in the middle of the road. There was barely room for them to pass and it left me with no space to maneuver if needed.

So, what should I do? Take a more primary position every 300 yards then move back. Stay in primary throughout which would p*ss people right off. Or just keep to the left without gutter riding and hope for peoples better judgment?

I would certainly take the middle of the lane through those pinch points. If there is not enough room to pass don't give a bad driver the option. I would also facilitate overtaking by moving to secondary in between.

 

[Boothy]

Last nights journey home was awful. Turning left at a T-junction, I had a car try to overtake me whilst also making the same left hand turn, only to find there was a car on the main road, coming from the left so instead of overtaking me by going into the other lane, he just squeezed me onto the pavement.

Then a few miles down the road, an insignia passed me on a 60mph road, I was doing early 20's, but he must have been doing 80mph, on a blind bend. Something came the other way so he managed to squeeze between me and the other car but I swear he must have been an inch from hitting me.

All because they couldn't wait for maybe 10 seconds until it was safe to overtake. There may have been some door mirrors hanging off if I'd caught those muppets up

 

[Boothy]

especially since I'd just changed a flat tyre in the snow so I wasn't in the best of moods anyway!

 

[50000tears]

I would certainly take the middle of the lane through those pinch points. If there is not enough room to pass don't give a bad driver the option. I would also facilitate overtaking by moving to secondary in between.

This is how I ride these situations too. Even if the drivers around you don't understand why you move into the middle of the lane every couple of hundred yards, it should cause them to make a far safer pass just in case you do it as they are overtaking! Drivers don't always have to understand your riding, but doing so correctly gives them a better opportunity to get their part right also.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Anyway, I was watching out for people taking close passes (thanks to this thread). Almost all people were waiting and using an appropriate time to go round. Some people going fully over onto the other side of the road. But there were 2 people who pushed their way through when I was going past small crossing islands with bollards that are built in the middle of the road. There was barely room for them to pass and it left me with no space to maneuver if needed.

So, what should I do? Take a more primary position every 300 yards then move back. Stay in primary throughout which would p*ss people right off. Or just keep to the left without gutter riding and hope for peoples better judgment?

Don't assume or rely on folk 'playing nice'. Assume you're in a good secondary on approach to your bollards. Lots of rear observation from a good way out as you approach the pinch point, sometimes a "Paddington Bear Hard Stare" may be needed if a complete nobber is crowding you, then, well before the pinch point, deep breath, "life saver" over the shoulder, signal if you want to, and judge it wise, and then claim primary. Own it, own the damn thing, it's yours, it belongs to you, you are now in control, so hold on to it like your life depends on it. Force chummy behind to make a choice; drive through and over you, or round the wrong side of the bollards/refuge, to get past. And trust me, one day someone will go all buffalo gals* on you. And when they do, you shake your head, and smile cos you've powned their ass and they are a nobber. Ignore the revving engines, ignore any horns and flashing head lights they are all just signs of a small manhood. And when it is safe, and only then, gracefully slide back into secondary, and nice little wave of, or thumbs up on right hand as they pass you safely. And abuse from passenger door window. Ignore it. Shake your head and smile. You powned them too.

*First buffalo gal go around the outside
'Round the outside, 'round the outside
(You know it)
Two buffalo gals go around the outside
'Round the outside, 'round the outside
Three buffalo gals go around the outside
(Baaa, baaa, ba, ba)
Four buffalo gals go around the outside
(Baaa)

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Last nights journey home was awful. Turning left at a T-junction, I had a car try to overtake me whilst also making the same left hand turn, only to find there was a car on the main road, coming from the left so instead of overtaking me by going into the other lane, he just squeezed me onto the pavement.

Then a few miles down the road, an insignia passed me on a 60mph road, I was doing early 20's, but he must have been doing 80mph, on a blind bend. Something came the other way so he managed to squeeze between me and the other car but I swear he must have been an inch from hitting me.

And I thought these things only ever happened to me and everyone else is escorted by a convoy of rainbow spewing unicorns...

 

[Andrew_P]

When I first rode I was a timid gutter dweller, occasional bump up the pavement to miss the red light, mountain bike baggy short and jacket fairly slow hybrid rider - the Car was King, and I always bowed to its superiority.

Since I joined this forum in 2010 and bought my road bike, started wearing a bit of lycra, obeying the laws of the road and started riding in these weirdly named primary and secondary that's when the agro started! Merely pointing out that people in cars think we are below them in the food chain and as long as you act as such they will leave you alone..

@User30090 My main fantasy is in a heavily congested confrontation that I am able to grab the keys and ride off laughing my head off waving the keys around like some mad man, leaving them stuck and fuming or even better chasing me. Even this came from a cycling forum..