Was I wrong?

[MrHappyCyclist]

It is surprisingly difficult at the time, isn't it. In my head, the rehearsed dialogue goes something like:

"Excuse me, could you explain why you passed me so close?"
"You were riding too far out in the road."
[argument about road position cut short]
"OK, so you disagree with my road position and you felt it was appropriate to risk my life by cutting me up in order to punish me for doing something you disagreed with?"
"Yes."
"Could you repeat that for the camera?"

Unfortunately, it never seems to go that way. This morning, when a flat-bed truck came up from behind when I was about 1m from the kerb and forced me into the gutter, it was:

"Excuse me, do you realize how dangerous that was?"
"You need to learn to ****in' ride a bike!"
"You need to ****in' learn to drive! You're on video pal!"
[Damn, damn, damn.]

Unfortunately, I forgot to press the start button on the camera this morning [damn, damn, damn].

 

[Jezston]

Doing nothing is as unhelpful as going too far.

Shouting as someone for putting your life in danger is perfectly understandable. It would seem weird to criticise someone for reacting like that.

The only time I'd consider that damaging someone's property was an appropriate response is if they actually hit you and tried to run away, or if they did something highly dangerous and when confronted implied they did it on purpose. But I'm not sure about that either.

 

[Mad at urage]

Yes, yes and no, as the others said.

Sometimes pulling alongside and giving them a very obvious slow handclap helps relieve the stress - also holds them up to ridicule.

 

[Hip Priest]

Y, Y & N.

Someone tried to do this to me in a long queue of traffic the other week. I just turned round to him, gestured to the car right in front of me and enquired 'where are you going?' He lifted his hand in acknowledgement and slotted in behind me.

People go on about drivers risking your life or trying to bully you, but in my experience these things are often just ignorance or poor anticipation, rather than malice. Therefore I wouldn't advocate being aggressive or causing damage.

Still, you're only human so don't beat yourself up about it.

 

[BlackPanther]

This happens regularly. I try not to be too loud, just a "Well that got you far mate" as I pass him.

 

[mr Mag00]

This happens regularly. I try not to be too loud, just a "Well that got you far mate" as I pass him.

use this one often and if they have passed and the road behind is clear i st up and give a slow hand clap. i used to lose my rag but after years of riding the quiet word asking them to explain their actions is the best, they know they have done wrong.

 

[Chutzpah]

Someone tried to do this to me in a long queue of traffic the other week. I just turned round to him, gestured to the car right in front of me and enquired 'where are you going?' He lifted his hand in acknowledgement and slotted in behind me.

You've just reminded me that I've done this as well, and it had the same effect. I think it wakes people up and isn't too confrontational.

 

[jonny jeez]

The only time I'd consider that damaging someone's property was an appropriate response is if they actually hit you

Tht's different, thats a straigh up fight...face to face. What I'm talking about is snide damage done on the quiet just to annoy them when thay are out the way.

If anyone ever feels the need then you go right ahead and stomp all over a car and the driver...but do it face to face.

 

[Arjimlad]

Y,Y & N again from me. There are certain idiots who have to overtake a bike at all costs, and cannot see past the bike. Usually they get past then have to do an emergency stop not to hit the queue of traffic in front, or because the road narrows and there is oncoming traffic.

 

[Morf]

Had a car do exactly the same to me today! Squeeze me to the kerb only to immediately stop at the traffic jam 100 yards infront... gained absolutely nothing as I filtered past the traffic and didn't seem him again because of the jam!

It is surprisingly difficult at the time, isn't it. In my head, the rehearsed dialogue goes something like:

Exactly this! I got clipped by a wing mirror a couple weeks ago (typically on the hand recovery from a fall!) and I was gonna have a quick word i.e. "Excuse me, do you relaise you actually hit me?" I just managed to cycle past before they pulled away and shout "You hit my hand!!?!" while cycling off The driver of course didn't look at me once.

 

[VamP]

If anyone ever feels the need then you go right ahead and stomp all over a car and the driver...but do it face to face.

Now you're talking!