Drivers who threaten Cyclists

AlexMac1973

I'm sure this isn't the first, nor probably the last post about this type of behaviour but I thought I would share an experience today I had whilst out on my local loop.

I live on the north coast of southern cornwall, and to be honest it's a real rural location (for the majority of the ride) with some great cycling road. It's working road territory so you expect a few cars and farm vehicles here and there, but part of it goes through a couple of beach villages so you get a good mix of local and tourist traffic that you need to watch out for.

Anyway, we have a route between Portreath and Hayle, and it's brilliant on a calm day. Today wasn't one of those, the crosswinds were upto 20mph according to forecasts so I decided half way that it was best to go back as it wasn't worth being blown into the path of oncoming cars on open coastal roads. I stopped at the top of the hill back into Portreath, it's a short decent from about 60m above sea level all the way down to sea level and you can't get a mobile signal to save your life so I stopped in a layby to text my wife to let her know I was on my back home. I saw another cyclist going the other way and I thought christ you're brave!

I set off down the hill treading carefully with both hands on the brakes going no more than 20kph, keeping to the left as everyone parks on the right going up the hill, so you get trafiic fighting for the same tarmac! A couple of cars went past and just before the base of the hill where you have a 180 degree tight turning I thought thats enough of hanging on for dear life, let go and man up. So I did and turned to go round the corner and a car goes all the way around me driving on the opposite side of the road on the blind bend, now I thought this was a completely silly thing to do because for one reason it's dangerous and bad driving, and the other is that after the corner it's a straight road so the manouvre could have been done after the turning.

When I go round the corner I showed my objection by lifting an upturned hand to say why and the driver was obviously watching me in his mirrors because he gave me the finger straight after and then decided to stop the car and get out. My first thought was right here we go! The first words out of hs mouth was what did I think I was playing at calling him a w@*ker, next thing I know another guy on the other side of the road who was nothing to do with this walked over and was joining in. I got the feeling they knew each other! When I explained that I didn't give that gesture and that my objection was more of a why and that wasn't neccessary he still didn't believe it and I was the bad guy for being on the road infront of him.

Between the two of them they were trying to lay into me firstly calling me a bad cyclist and then threatening to run me over, so when I responded that I had there car registation to call the police if they tried the response was 'that's difficult to do if you're disabled!' Then they went on saying that I did the same to other man who joined in when he was driving on the same road earlier, and that they would call the police because I had threatened both of them and who would believe me as there was two against one's word. I'd had enough by this point so I thought right, I'm calling your bluff now so I said ok call the police and lets see what happens. As it would happen the guy claimed I'd thrown a obsence gesture at got in his car and drove off, and the other one walked back over to his car still mouthing off. I never once raised my voice or swore at either of them, I was calm and never got angry at either of them

Now, is this the average reaction of two men who are in their late 50's / early 60's? Who quite frankly should know better and came across as the sort who still think they are 20 and can pick a fight when they feel like it.

I told my wife when I got home and she just thought they sound a right pair, couldn't have put it better myself. I think a good idea is to put a handlebar cam on the bike as protection for these type of incidents, I found one that takes sound and 720p. I don't want to come across as one of those going looking for it, it's purely because I ride alone quite a lot.

Has anyone had any similar rage expeniences when they've been the victim?

alihisgreat

Never had a problem.. then again I only gesture angrily when I'm in a group

thistle_

Similar experience once with a van driver who nearly clipped me. He waited in a layby then followed me at some speed around some narrow residential roads. Lost him by doing a U turn and he couldn't turn around quick enough to follow.

I follow Alihisgreat's advice now.

Monty Dog

I know that road into Portreath well and I've held my line all the way down the hill and around the corner for exactly the reasons your identified. Sadly, there are many who see a cyclist as purely an obstacle to be encountered, regardless of speed and consideration of other road users, including the risk to themselves.
I was the victim of a physical assault a few years ago in a sleepy Sussex market town at 08:30 on a Saturday morning - exactly at the point where I was punched by the driver whilst pinned against a wall, an off-duty policeman was riding a bike the other way. The perp got a day in gaol, a day in court , a hefty fine and a criminal record for his troubles - I have a small scar above my left eye and still love riding my bike.
I still don't feel I have the need for a camera on the bike.

Reane_Machine

I was once on the road and saw my Sister in Law drive past, so I waved.

Turned out she thought I was making a wan*er hand signal, which made for an awkward moment at the next family gathering until all was explained.

Sheffield's bumpy roads must have made it seem like my hand was in fact, wan*ing thin air.

Not the same as this scneario of course, but still a funny misunderstanding.

Guanajuato

Report the bastards. You've got their registrations. Police probably won't do anything, but if they get a string of this kind of thing, they'll go knocking doors. At least to put the shits up them. Arseholes.

AlexMac1973

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

Never had a problem.. then again I only gesture angrily when I'm in a group

I read gesture angrily and the only thought I had was a 1920 new yorker saying 'Why i outta!!!!'

Guanajuato wrote:

Report the bastards. You've got their registrations. Police probably won't do anything, but if they get a string of this kind of thing, they'll go knocking doors. At least to put the shits up them. Arseholes.

Favourite post in a long time. I'll be truthfull, I'm hardly a slight of a man, I'm 5'8" and touching 14 stone and not intimidated by this sort of thing. If anything I feel sorry for this sort of people as they have a tendency to pick on the wrong person and only then do they find out they should keep a tight lip.

One of the best things to say to these types is:

You know what, nothing you can do or say to me will ever intimidate or make me afraid of you, so lets call it a day before you regret something!

Normally puts the wind up them :roll:

diy

I don't know the road, but don't assume overtaking on a bend is dangerous. If they can see a clear path to do it safely then it may well be safe.

high tower

If I encounter anyone like that and they come back looking for me I usually tell them to pull up when they can and I tell them I will kick 7 colours of s""t out of them. At 6"6 and 17 stone I ve yet to get someone to take me up on my offer. Although Iam sure I will meet someone someday, but as you say I won't be intimidated and I may not start the trouble but I will finish it.

FSR_XC

The press are taking an interest in cycling in Cornwall at the moment.

There is an awareness ride scheduled for 9th Dec from Truro to St Austell: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/event ... eness-Ride

There was an article in the Newquay Voice this week and should be stuff in the West Briton / Cornish Guardian this week. It might be worth sending something in to the journo's explaining some of the stuff we put up with on a daily basis.

As for the camera - pm me (or look at the other post regarding bike cameras).

Briggo

high tower wrote:

If I encounter anyone like that and they come back looking for me I usually tell them to pull up when they can and I tell them I will kick 7 colours of s""t out of them. At 6"6 and 17 stone I ve yet to get someone to take me up on my offer. Although Iam sure I will meet someone someday, but as you say I won't be intimidated and I may not start the trouble but I will finish it.

That's it, flex that flab.

high tower

No flab here.

AlexMac1973

FSR_XC wrote:

The press are taking an interest in cycling in Cornwall at the moment.

There is an awareness ride scheduled for 9th Dec from Truro to St Austell: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/event ... eness-Ride

There was an article in the Newquay Voice this week and should be stuff in the West Briton / Cornish Guardian this week. It might be worth sending something in to the journo's explaining some of the stuff we put up with on a daily basis.

As for the camera - pm me (or look at the other post regarding bike cameras).

I'll check out the West Briton for that article, I've signed up for the awareness ride and looking forward to it.

DanDax1990

Since when did being tall and weighty mean you can take on anyone? Oh my.

The majority of tall/stocky men seem to think they're automatically 'nails'

And is it just me or do the n0bhead drivers seem to come out the colder/wetter it is? I only ever had one case of w@nkerism during the summer months but the past month I've had loads of trouble.

People cutting me up and getting right up my Arsenal, Close calls during being overtaken etc. I almost had a bus knock me off whilst trying to squeeze past me. All of this doesn't amuse me while I'm p!ssed wet through.

high tower

I didn't say I could take on anyone. The point I was making is in my opinion car drivers do something silly in there tin boxes. Cut you up or nearly kill you and as soon as you make a gesture or comment to them they automatically go into aggressive mode. It would be far easier for them to hold there hand up and admit they had mad a mistake And avoid the confrontation. That's what I would do as I drive as well.

I presume a lot of cyclists just accept this sort of crap. I don't. I can accept a driver making a genuine mistake but there are to many instances of driver really not giving a toss. So to sum up. If you are driving a car and nearly kill me don't be surprised if when I make a gesture to you and you lose your temper and start following me that I may be a little annoyed and ready to meet you head on.

fevmeister

Make sure you take a chain splitter out with you, when things start to kick off split the chain then split in two and assault nun chuck styleeeeee

DanDax1990

You have a helmet on... Flying headbutts left, right and center.

Briggo

high tower wrote:

The point I was making is in my opinion car drivers do something silly in there tin boxes.

Ah yes I can see how "I'm 6' 6" and 17 stone, I'll kick 7 shades of sh1te out of them" got that point above across so well, silly me for not seeing that in the first place.

migrantwing

"Just hold on a second whilst I change these shoes and then I'm gonna kick your ass."

lotus49

It's a shame that there is such antipathy towards cyclists. I can understand it to some extent in London where appalling and inconsiderate cycling seems to be the norm but I'm surprised that it should be that bad in Cornwall.

Tempting as it is to make gestures, it really isn't going to change the mind of someone who is so stupid that he will risk a head-on collision to shave 2 seconds off his journey so it's best just to suck it up. I have just bought a helmetcam though as I am nervous about this sort of behaviour and if push comes to shove, I want evidence. There have been several cases recently of successful convictions for assault based on helmetcam evidence.

I hope that the increasing emphasis on cycling from a health policy perspective as well as more Wiggo/Cav/Hoy etc inspired cyclists will result in more understanding and consideration towards cyclists but that respect has to go both ways - cyclists need to stick to the law too.

Bustacapp

high tower wrote:

If I encounter anyone like that and they come back looking for me I usually tell them to pull up when they can and I tell them I will kick 7 colours of s""t out of them. At 6"6 and 17 stone I ve yet to get someone to take me up on my offer. Although Iam sure I will meet someone someday, but as you say I won't be intimidated and I may not start the trouble but I will finish it.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

What happens if the guy is 6 ' 7 and 18 stone?

Would you still 'finish him' ?

Also - 6 ' 6 @17 stone must look pretty skinny.

Guanajuato

AlexMac1973 wrote:

Guanajuato wrote:

Report the bastards. You've got their registrations. Police probably won't do anything, but if they get a string of this kind of thing, they'll go knocking doors. At least to put the shits up them. Arseholes.

Favourite post in a long time. I'll be truthfull, I'm hardly a slight of a man, I'm 5'8" and touching 14 stone and not intimidated by this sort of thing. If anything I feel sorry for this sort of people as they have a tendency to pick on the wrong person and only then do they find out they should keep a tight lip.

Just to clarify here... By 'This sort of people' you do mean the two pillocks, and not me don't you?

I do get into a few arguments when I'm rounding around town purely because I won't be intimidated by someone in a metal box with their finger up their nose. I get a bit annoyed by inattentive drivers, but there's some drivers who are actively aggressive to cyclists - you see them making eye contact and then swinging at the cyclist. I've been nearly hit by a driver coming the opposite way on a normal two-lane road, despite me being 2ft from the kerb. He saw me and very obviously drove at me. I've seen other cyclists have the same treatment from other motorists.

AlexMac1973

lotus49 wrote:

It's a shame that there is such antipathy towards cyclists. I can understand it to some extent in London where appalling and inconsiderate cycling seems to be the norm but I'm surprised that it should be that bad in Cornwall.

Tempting as it is to make gestures, it really isn't going to change the mind of someone who is so stupid that he will risk a head-on collision to shave 2 seconds off his journey so it's best just to suck it up. I have just bought a helmetcam though as I am nervous about this sort of behaviour and if push comes to shove, I want evidence. There have been several cases recently of successful convictions for assault based on helmetcam evidence.

I hope that the increasing emphasis on cycling from a health policy perspective as well as more Wiggo/Cav/Hoy etc inspired cyclists will result in more understanding and consideration towards cyclists but that respect has to go both ways - cyclists need to stick to the law too.

Everything you have expressed is so true, some will never change. The roads are seeing a boom in new riders going out due to the recent success of wiggo, cav and tiernan-locke, and there is a demographic that are still in the mindset of we're in the way, others are more accepting. But in cornwall we have a lot of grumps and are very local if you get my drift! A lot of areas have had to transform for being production or fishery led to tourism, the younger accept this as they've grown up around it, there's still a few who have yet to let go and accept outsiders.

I go out because I like being on my bike, I always have. I've cycled in loads of places from Dublin to Eygpt and never had this experience, but the route is popular with motorbike and those who enjoy driving as some parts are national speed limit, so I expect a few to whizz past me and I don't have an issue with other drivers going past me if and when it's safe for both of us. I'm more than likely to wave people past to let them know it's safe to drive on.

Let's hope the next time I get out, which could be today, it's a happy one :roll:

Neale1978

At times even if you know someone in a car has done something they could have done better

Just walk away.. wait, just ride away

Neale1978

high tower wrote:

If I encounter anyone like that and they come back looking for me I usually tell them to pull up when they can and I tell them I will kick 7 colours of s""t out of them. At 6"6 and 17 stone I ve yet to get someone to take me up on my offer. Although Iam sure I will meet someone someday, but as you say I won't be intimidated and I may not start the trouble but I will finish it.

This is part of the problem.. Grow up man. Size means nothing anyway, You wont be intimidating to everyone

thegreatdivide

A brief positive interlude...

I went riding in the Outer Hebrides in the summer. Never had so much respect on a bike in my life! There seems to be some unwritten rule that the largest vehicle on the road always acknowledges the smallest. Oncoming lorries would give you a honk and a wave and vehicles from behind would drive on the other side of the road to overtake you. With long sections of chalkboard smooth tarmac and stunning climbs it was like cycling nirvana (apart from the days when it was horizontal rain and the wind was gusting at 70mph).

Right, back to the complaining...

bompington

The problem with violent responses is that they only breed more violence. Anyone who uses violence to solve problems should be shot like a dog.

bompington

thegreatdivide wrote:

it was like cycling nirvana (apart from the days when it was horizontal rain and the wind was gusting at 70mph).

You didn't mention that when the wind isn't gusting at 70, you're getting eaten alive by the meanbh-chuileagan

AlexMac1973

Neale1978 wrote:

At times even if you know someone in a car has done something they could have done better

Just walk away.. wait, just ride away

Very true, I'm out for enjoyment not an arguement. I think next time I'll just shake my head a have a little smile to myself and think pillock and keep on pedalling.

I've grown up these days, ten years ago I'd be seeing the red mist, these days I don't see the point of getting angry.

Neale1978

bompington wrote:

The problem with violent responses is that they only breed more violence. Anyone who uses violence to solve problems should be shot like a dog.

This is also part of the problem.. Yes lets quash the violence by using murder. Pure hypocrisy

And going by your avatar you like dogs too

bompington

Neale1978 wrote:

bompington wrote:

The problem with violent responses is that they only breed more violence. Anyone who uses violence to solve problems should be shot like a dog.

This is also part of the problem.. Yes lets quash the violence by using murder. Pure hypocrisy

Whoosh