Was it worth it?

[Typo]

I've just had a civil discussion with a car driver.

Usual scenario, he overtook me too closely when there was no need. I caught up with him at the next traffic lights, where he had stopped over the first stop line, made eye contact but said/did nothing, just pulled in front of him in the advanced box.

We both take off, going straight on, & right after the lights he did it again! Overtook much too close for my liking - I've had worse of course, but decided twice in 5 minutes is taking the pee. Apparently he lived about 400 yards further on, as he parked & got out, so when I (puff, pant) got there, I stopped for a chat.

(Bear with me if you will, there's a query eventually!)

So we're discussing for a few minutes - me asking if he knows how much room he's meant to give a bike, if he's read the Highway Code recently, if he's cycled recently, potholes, gusts of wind - you know the sort of stuff, I'm sure. He's adamant that he overtook me carefully & gave me plenty of room (9" to 12" - gee thanks), the roads are the council's fault, most cyclists ignore red lights etc etc. So eventually we agreed to differ - my parting request was that he give cyclists a bit more consideration in future.

The point of this ramble, finally - should I have bothered? Will he be more careful of us in future or deliberately aim at the next bike he sees? Was I risking a road rage attack or being civic-minded? Will he go & read the HC? Should I go & let his tyres down? (Just kidding!)

Dunno, I'm new-ish at bike commuting, & I'm confused. Any thoughts?

 

[DJ]

Well done, education is the key and you managed a civil discussion without it escalating in to a row.

 

[lazyfatgit]

The fact it was a civil discussion means he may think about it.

I try to avoid getting involved with motorists now. Just too much stress, and you can never be sure when the mild mannered janitor will turn into hong kong fui (sp?)

 

[marinyork]

It's always hard to gauge. Even if you get what initially is an aggressive one they'll back down sometimes after initially letting off some steam. If they don't get on your bike! Different tactics different things. Maybe you could get an airzound?

 

[JamesAC]

I think so.

I had a blue van (driver on mobile) cut me up during a very close overtake. I caught him up (as you do) at the next tl's. He was still on his mobile.

My first inclination was to beat the crap out of his van, and then ram the mobile up his ars*.

What I did was to point out, in a friendly, chatty, non-threatening sort of way, that he'd not given me much room when he overtook me; that I was a very vulnerable road user, and that I was someone's husband, father, brother. I also pointed out that using a mobile whilst driving ..etc.

A week or so later, in roughly the same place, a blue van overtook me. It overtook me cleanly, carefully and with consideration. It went "toot toot" - I looked up, and saw the driver with whom I'd had the little chat. He waved - I waved.

Result, or what?

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

A week or so later, in roughly the same place, a blue van overtook me. It overtook me cleanly, carefully and with consideration. It went "toot toot" - I looked up, and saw the driver with whom I'd had the little chat. He waved - I waved.

Result, or what?

Nah, he's just letting you know that he knows who you are.. and that he's biding his time... don't let your guard down, or you'll be toast!!

 

[mm101]

I think so.

I had a blue van (driver on mobile) cut me up during a very close overtake. I caught him up (as you do) at the next tl's. He was still on his mobile.

My first inclination was to beat the crap out of his van, and then ram the mobile up his ars*.

What I did was to point out, in a friendly, chatty, non-threatening sort of way, that he'd not given me much room when he overtook me; that I was a very vulnerable road user, and that I was someone's husband, father, brother. I also pointed out that using a mobile whilst driving ..etc.

A week or so later, in roughly the same place, a blue van overtook me. It overtook me cleanly, carefully and with consideration. It went "toot toot" - I looked up, and saw the driver with whom I'd had the little chat. He waved - I waved.

Result, or what?

Brilliant!!!

And well done to the OP for being civil. I think people so often, these days, get aggressive when there really is no need.

Most people, i believe, are not malicious but genuinely lack the understanding of the room we need and how vunerable we are to the elements and road conditions.

"e's adamant that he overtook me carefully & gave me plenty of room (9" to 12" - gee thanks), the roads are the council's fault, most cyclists ignore red lights etc etc. So eventually we agreed to differ - my parting request was that he give cyclists a bit more consideration in future."

Quite why he used the council to excuse his poor driving skills, anticpation and lack of courtesy is a mystery. Still, at least he is aware that 'road tax' doesn't pay for the upkeep of the roads

This coupled with blaming cyclists who RLJ is an extremely juvenile tacting of justifying his behaviour and is merely a distraction to keep you from discussing the actual point - his poor driving skills. What a woeful display of lack of personal responsibility. Surprised he didn't use his astrological sign to further bolster his case

 

[Trevrev]

It's always worth it !

 

[lazyfatgit]

It's always worth it !

Not when you've just been passed at 60+ with 12" to spare, were knackered before the adrenalin kicked in, and are now so pumped up (and out of breath) you can only have an incoherent rant at the traffic lights.

I have had 3 discussions over the summer, one with a very satisfactory outcome, one I'm unsure about, and the one above where the guy was totally convinced I had plenty of room - and his pals sitting next to him at the traffic lights (dual carriageway) were absolutely dumbfounded.

Not all situations are the same.

 

[PK99]

. Any thoughts?

3 Roofing nails sticking out of the little finger edge of your right hand cycling glove...........

 

[PBancroft]

The point of this ramble, finally - should I have bothered?

Yes. When people stop saying No a licence is granted for guys like this to behave in whatever way they want (intentionally, or simply because they don't know any better).

You won't change everyone, but I strongly believe it makes a difference.

I don't just mean when out on the bike either. I do it when kids drop litter, or to guys twice my size who don't control their dogs. I don't buy into this head down, don't get involved attitude that is prevalent at the moment. One day I'm gonna get punched, but it will be worth it.

 

[semislickstick]

I had a idea to fix one of those electronic light lazer distance measuring device gadget thingys on the handlebars/frame and measure the real distance cars are passing.

'I didn't hit you so it must have been plenty of room' Highway code maybe ought to give a minimal distance rather than a vague guide. (or change it to 'give cyclists as much room as you give a combine harvester with the spikey bits that might damage your car')

 

[asterix]

In Bordeaux they have signs up telling drivers to give cyclists at least a metre.

There are a lot of urban cyclists in Bordeaux.

 

[magnatom]

The driver will have gone in and had the following conversation with his wife (waffle removed)

Bl**dy cyclists .... middle of the road ... unsolicited advice....road tax... red lights ....tree-hugger ... sandals ... pass the remote...

 

[hackbike 666]

I've had a few close passes this week and I dont know why but I had the impression this has to do the with hi-viz I am wearing.Perhaps the motorist can see me better so doesn't give me as much space.I noticed same motorist giving non hi-viz wearer more space.Probably harder to judge.Anybody think there is something in this?