t's a funny old world and cowards

[Ben M]

In fairness, it isn't just directed at cyclists. Admittedly we do get more than our fair share though.

I was once stood at a bus stop (just a pole, not a shelter) on my own waiting for the bus home from school. A white van was driving past, and out of the window flew a polystyrene cup of what I assume was coffee. Thankfully the moron wasn't too good at physics/ quick calculations, because the coffee missed me by a good margin.

Some people are just dicks, sadly there's nothing that can be done.

 

[threefingerjoe]

I guess I've been fortunate. I've had a few bad incidents, but I've had just as many good ones. Once, while pulling away from a traffic light, a guy in a passing car rolled down his window and shouted, "Good on you! I admire a guy who rides a bike!"

Another time, I reached a 4-way stop at the same time as a guy on a big Harley Davidson motorcycle on the crossroad. I was going to let him go first, but he smiled, waved me on, and shouted, "Clean power first!"

Once, where a bike path crossed a road at a stopsign, bushes at the side of the road obstructed the view, and a car stopped suddenly when he saw me, after almost running the stopsign. He made his turn, onto the street parallelling the trail that I was on, rolled down his window, and shouted, "I'm sorry! I always watch out, there, but this time I just had my head up my arse."

I guess it helps, also, that I'm commuting the same route, at about the same time every day, and I figure that most of the passing cars are people who see me regularly, and are expecting me. In fact, one fellow that I met on a bike, told me that he started riding to work, after seeing me out there every day! That felt good!

 

[snapper_37]

I remember a few months ago a white van man had a lot off when I was on a cycle lane and it bothered me to the point where I wanted to have a lot off back,

I'm guessing this means 'losing one's temper'.

Sounds very funny though. Must be a regional thing I suppose.

Back to the OP, I can honestly that run-ins with other drivers have been very few and far between. Also, on at least 2 occasions, I'd been the one in the wrong anyway

 

[Ben M]

I'm guessing this means 'losing one's temper'.

I hope so... If not, there are lots of people going around pleasuring themselves in public!

 

[snapper_37]

I hope so... If not, there are lots of people going around pleasuring themselves in public!

That's just what I initially thought Ben

 

[very-near]

In fairness, it isn't just directed at cyclists. Admittedly we do get more than our fair share though.

I was once stood at a bus stop (just a pole, not a shelter) on my own waiting for the bus home from school. A white van was driving past, and out of the window flew a polystyrene cup of what I assume was coffee. Thankfully the moron wasn't too good at physics/ quick calculations, because the coffee missed me by a good margin.

Some people are just dicks, sadly there's nothing that can be done.

I sometimes think that cyclists are a magnet for idiots and nutters. I really don't enjoy cycling in town - especially through the council estates. The feral kids are like wild animals on some of them around here. It is a totally different mentality to the other areas where the parents actually teach their kids to show a bit of respect for others around them

 

[grhm]

I've had a few incidents. I can't think of one where I reacted that made the situation better, nor calmed me down.

I now try to either just go for a 'what a muppet' head-shake . A few times I've shrugged my shoulders at the other drivers present - this make sme feel better, as I've reacted/vented and often the other drivers will signal that they too thought the muppet driver was a muppet.

Sometimes you then get the other motorists feeling a bit of sympathy and waving you through or sitting behind and shielding other muppet overtakes.

In fact, one fellow that I met on a bike, told me that he started riding to work, after seeing me out there every day! That felt good!

That's got to feel good!

 

[yello]

Some people are just dicks, sadly there's nothing that can be done.

A remarkably commendable (and philosophical) attitude.

I have had occasion where I have been moved to have a few choice words but by-and-large I'm usually one to just shrug the shoulders.

 

[palinurus]

Tonight I had an old guy open his door on me, I was quick enough to kick it shut.

Nice move.

 

[Banjo]

I remember a few months ago a white van man had a lot off when I was on a cycle lane and it bothered me to the point where I wanted to have a lot off back, had the sense not to and carried on, gave him no reaction. I was still feeling angered for an hour.

I realised what was the point it was only me who sufffers with negative anger feelings so decided in future to anything go that happens whilst cycling.

Tonight riding on road "White Van Man" passes and passenger yells "Go f*** your bike". Didn't react, thought you always get the odd one.


25 mins later, car going past, girl in teens throws milk all over me and bike. Initially speeded up to try and catch up with them but after 2 seconds thought it was daft idea. Silly minority teenager.

Strange how none had the courage to stop and do it to my face. Cowards.

2 mins later a 15 year old girl walking with 3 friends stepped towards me whilst I was cycling past and said "Had I had a nice bike ride" which took me by surprise to which I replied "I have thank you". how pleasant and surprising. weird how it happened straight afterward.

I wonder if I'm mellowing about the above (never had really had a go back), or I was tired and couldn't be bothered??? who knows.

I'm glad of one thing though. This forum to post my experiences and to work through them rather than bottling it up.

Thanks for reading and listening.

cheers
steve jubb

Hi Steve You will never change them so try to ignore all the insults bad driving etc. Easier said than done I know. You will just stress yourself out trying to have any sort of dialogue with the morons.

I had a young lad shout some abuse out the back window of a car the other day as it passed. Caught up at the lights and pulled up alongside his window(now shut) I totally ignored them no eye contact nothing and not a word of abuse from them while I was close enough for them to smell my sweat

Cowards as well as idiots it seems.

They are the low life from a different planet ,dont even try to understand what motivates them to be aggressive.

 

[thomas]

They are the low life from a different planet ,dont even try to understand what motivates them to be aggressive.

'cos it's cool innit!

 

[Typo]

I now try to either just go for a 'what a muppet' head-shake .

An alternative is the exaggerated shoulder-height finger-wagging, preferably when the offender & everyone else can see you do it. I once saw my (motorbike) IAM observer do this to a White Van Man to great effect - he turned pink!

Ian

 

[grhm]

An alternative is the exaggerated shoulder-height finger-wagging, preferably when the offender & everyone else can see you do it. I once saw my (motorbike) IAM observer do this to a White Van Man to great effect - he turned pink!

I like the sound of that - but not sure I'd actually use it. It could very easily come across as condesending and I'd have to feel my moral high-ground was sufficiently elevated and fortified.