What is it exactly that riles?

[Peter88]

Had an exchange at the next junction where he accused me of 'wobbling all over the road' (yeah right), but worse than that he called me an 'Absolute Buffoon'!!

At least you don't need 4 wheels to stay upright.

 

[stowie]

^^^This

I was ganged up on by my brother, stepdad and stepsister's other half last weekend, on just such an argument. My stepdad had apparently taken a couple of roadies to task for using the road instead of the pedestrian/cycle bridge, which the council put in "at great expense", and wasn't interested in me suggesting that maybe he should just slow down a bit. Cue the usual stuff about "facilities being provided out of my taxes", "cycles should be banned from the road because there are more cars than bikes, that's democracy", "one day you'll get yourself killed and you should think about the poor motorist who ends up hitting you". I kid you not. My brother started it, and I should have known better than to rise to the bait. They probably think it was just a friendly argument, that I know they didn't mean it, etc.

From strangers, the combination of rightous indignation, a misplaced sense of entitlement and complele lack of a clue is what grates. On top of that when your own family won't back you up... bah.

I am afraid that these types of debates are utterly futile with these sorts of arguments. When these ridiculous reasons are given, I tend to try to top them. I have used in the past the following arguments whilst in futile debates

"By cycling, I am saving the planet. The least motorists could do is give me some more room whilst I am engaged in such an important activity"
"Motoring pollutes the air we breathe. Why do you want to kill the little children?"
"I know your road tax pays entirely for the roads. But they are in a sh!t state - clearly you aren't paying enough."
"You complain about congested roads, yet still drive on them. Clearly your journey is utterly unimportant if you can accomodate sitting in traffic for hours. How about giving way to cyclists who have more important things to do than sit in jams?"
"As a cyclist I have far greater road awareness than motorists. Which is why it is perfectly safe for me to cycle the wrong way up one-way streets and jump red lights. It also makes me a better driver than you as well."

 

[400bhp]

"I know your road tax pays entirely for the roads. But they are in a sh!t state - clearly you aren't paying enough."

Puts this one in a little locked box in my mind ready to be unpicked when the need arises.

 

[cyberknight]

Puts this one in a little locked box in my mind ready to be unpicked when the need arises.

+1 i have used that one for fun and it really dumfounds them , especially after after i ahve already demonstrated that its the CO2 rating that determines the amount we pay and as a bike is in the lowest band like some hybrids etc etc so i pay the right amount .....

 

[mickle]

Lean in, remove their keys from the ignition and dangle them over a grate until they apologise.

Whilst screaming expletives.

It works for me....