How do people cope with badly behaved drivers?
Comments
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Origamist wrote:dave2041 wrote:
There's quite a few more under my username:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gY2A69JSLk
Is it you who had the handlebar malfunction at Balham?0 -
Kurako wrote:Origamist wrote:dave2041 wrote:
There's quite a few more under my username:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gY2A69JSLk
Is it you who had the handlebar malfunction at Balham?
Yes, 've had a few handlebar "mishaps" over the years, including one caught on film by Gaz.
http://www.youtube.com/user/gaz545#p/se ... h9S2Dpq9540 -
clanton wrote:When I was a newbie commuter I went through a "road warrior" phase where I was aggressive and "fought for my rights" and got worked up over every near miss. Eventually I realised that it was not changing anything, was ruining my ride and quite likely actually bad for my health.
Reading stuff on here and thinking about it and getting more used to the commuting eventually lead my to adopt a lower key and more Zen-like approach to my riding. As a result I enjoy it much more and I have fewer incidents. I do ride in a visible manner, I position myself appropriately (as I see it) for the circumstances so as to let cars through at times, other times I position myself so they can't squeeze by - but only for as long as needed. My impression is also that car drivers, on my routes anyway - are getting more used to and more tolerant of, and careful towards, cyclists.
That said there are still numptoies out there. And occasionally icidents DO get to me. Once recently I was provoked by a near miss into giving chase down a road where I knew I would catch the driver due to the speed bumps. I had planned on a firm but polite rebuke but when faced with the dozy, arrogant uncracing fat cowlike face that I found I exploded into a tirade of filth and fury - I was ashamed afterwards. So strive for the Zen approach, but forgive yourself if it doesn't always happen!
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Couldn't agree more.
I've only recently started commuting again after a long hiatus (marriage, kids etc) and I'm just glad to be out on my bike, away from the air conditioned office. My sole criteria for a commute is getting home safely.
Ride defensively and assume you are invisible.0 -
D-lock.0
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Hey
Lots of good points in this thread. When i started commuting it was a bit scary especially with some of the les observant drivers out there. I tend to just let it wash over me when a car/lorry etc does something that risks my safety as normally they are long gone. I think that the only thing to do is support campaigns that try and make drivers more aware of us on the road.
I have noticed though since i bought a load of luminous gear and better lights i have had very few run ins with drivers.
Just my two cents worth!www.fitjamescrossland.blogspot.com Check it out!0 -
I had a close encounter commuting home the other night when a white van lurched left after only a very perfunctory indication. Based on a post I'd read earlier on this thread, I very calmly pulled up alongside, knocked on his window, and asked the driver if he had seen me (he hadn't - white helmet and jersey, big bright light), and if he realised that we were half-a-second away from his van having a small dent in the side and me being in A&E. He and his passenger apologised so fulsomely that I actually felt a bit sorry for them as I rode away! Way more satisfying, and probably more effective, than my usual approach of either cutting sarcasm or hammer-and-tongs beration depending on the situation.Commuter: Taped-up black Trek 2200 (FCN 5)
Shiny bike: Pinarello FP2 (FCN 3)0 -
0scar wrote:I had a close encounter commuting home the other night when a white van lurched left after only a very perfunctory indication. Based on a post I'd read earlier on this thread, I very calmly pulled up alongside, knocked on his window, and asked the driver if he had seen me (he hadn't - white helmet and jersey, big bright light), and if he realised that we were half-a-second away from his van having a small dent in the side and me being in A&E. He and his passenger apologised so fulsomely that I actually felt a bit sorry for them as I rode away! Way more satisfying, and probably more effective, than my usual approach of either cutting sarcasm or hammer-and-tongs beration depending on the situation.
Way to go. This happened to me once. The guy was apologising before I'd even opened my mouth. Restores your faith in humanity. Or at least, reminds you that some people are just careless rather than evil
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I punched a mincab's door mirror off yesterday morning. The driver swerved across the road toward me to give himself the most comfortable run over a speed pillow when I was already there.
I have absolutely no qualms in doing things like that if drivers are going to be that aggressive.0
