Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => On The Road => Topic started by: Phil on 04 August, 2008, 05:19:38 pm
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My girlfriend Jen has just come in in tears. She was riding in the cycle lane on a normal straight suburban road a couple of minutes ago, and moved out to pass a taxi parked in the cycle lane with its offside door open into the road. She did a shoulder check and gauged that the car behind her was far enough behind that this would not be a problem. It was a gradual moving-out, not a sudden swerve.
As she approached the taxi she became aware that the car behind had not slowed down or altered course, and hit the brakes and swerved to her left, coming to a halt in the angle of the taxi's open door. The car passed the taxi with a couple of inches to spare. She caught the car up at the lights twenty yards ahead, and the stupid woman in the driver's seat leaned over and said 'Maybe you'll stay in the cycle lane next time' with the classic self-satisfied motorist's smile. She was still holding her mobile phone in her hand, and had apparently been texting.
Jen was too shaken to get her registration plate, so there's not much to be done, but it's made me far more angry on her behalf than I am when something like this happens to me. It's interesting though that the two cold-blooded attempts we've had to knock us off have both come from a middle-aged woman in a metallic blue saloon car.
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That is utterly crap, poor lass.
Administer chocolate immediately.
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Unbelievable :demon:
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What can you say?
Just a complete piece of shit, and Jen has been on the receiving end. Sympathy from here.
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That is utterly ridiculous! >:(
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Poor Jen. Give her a hug from me and feed her chocolate and alcohol.
Personally, I'd have been tempted to rip the bitch's phone from her hand and stamp on it. Or decorate the side of her vehicle with some picturesque dents...
Plus the cabbie needs a bollocking for stopping in a cycle lane.
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^^^ That be damage. Should grab it and throw it somewhere.
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Sympathy from here too, what a rotten and stupid way to behave.
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Just bullying of the worst sort :(
I bet that if that had been a big bloke on the bike it'd have been a different story, and she'd have been less smug when remonstrated with
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Good God! I'm speachless.
Sympathies to Jen.
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The world is full of idiot's, and I'm afraid Liverpool has more than it's fair share >:(
Hope she feels better soon.
Cuddles & chilled wine will probably help...
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I haven't had the opportunity to do so yet, but one I have planned for a rainy day is to nick the keys out of the car and chuck them in a pond. Obviously the opportunity has to be right and the offence sufficient. It will probably never happen, but it is a plan I hatched when being pestered by a crowd of gits in a hatch-back last October on the Golden Tints and it keeps me going in moments of stress.
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That is just unbelievable. Sympathy to Jen.
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Plus the cabbie needs a bollocking for stopping in a cycle lane.
if it's a lane marked with dotted lines there's nothing legally wrong with him stopping there. It's one of my bugbears re cycle lanes being painted everywhere, it creates a conflict with other road users not being able to get to the kerb. (And would you prefer to be doored by the passenger as you pass between the kerb and car parked outside of the lane?)
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Jen was too shaken to get her registration plate, so there's not much to be done, but it's made me far more angry on her behalf than I am when something like this happens to me. It's interesting though that the two cold-blooded attempts we've had to knock us off have both come from a middle-aged woman in a metallic blue saloon car.
Local shop with CCTV?
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^^^ That be damage. Should grab it and throw it somewhere.
I have dented a Mercedes 4x4 before when in a 'red mist' - and when the owner, who'd hit me whilst on her phone, remonstrated I said I'd call the police and we'd find out who they'd be most interested in. She very quickly shut up.
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I haven't had the opportunity to do so yet, but one I have planned for a rainy day is to nick the keys out of the car and chuck them in a pond. Obviously the opportunity has to be right and the offence sufficient. It will probably never happen, but it is a plan I hatched when being pestered by a crowd of gits in a hatch-back last October on the Golden Tints and it keeps me going in moments of stress.
For legal reasons you need to be able show that you did not intend permanently to deprive the owner of the keys. A better plan might be to hand them in at the police station most convenient to you. You were threatened with assault (you believed) and it was the only practical way you could protect yourself.
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Just bullying of the worst sort :(
I bet that if that had been a big bloke on the bike it'd have been a different story, and she'd have been less smug when remonstrated with
Jen is even ickler than I am. Being small on a bike either averts trouble or invites it, unfortunately.
Give Jen a big hug from me, Phil, and I agree with the chocolate suggestion - it's good for soothing ruffled nerves.
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if it's a lane marked with dotted lines there's nothing legally wrong with him stopping there. It's one of my bugbears re cycle lanes being painted everywhere, it creates a conflict with other road users not being able to get to the kerb. (And would you prefer to be doored by the passenger as you pass between the kerb and car parked outside of the lane?)
I completely agree with Nutty on this one. The small and highly questionable benefits of cycle lanes are far outweighed by the disadvantages. I'm quite happy to go well out of my way if I can avoid them but it's getting increasingly difficult. The wretched things should be abolished.
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Just bullying of the worst sort :(
I bet that if that had been a big bloke on the bike it'd have been a different story, and she'd have been less smug when remonstrated with
Jen is even ickler than I am. Being small on a bike either averts trouble or invites it, unfortunately.
Give Jen a big hug from me, Phil, and I agree with the chocolate suggestion - it's good for soothing ruffled nerves.
Blimey! Do wimmin get that small? ;) She must save a fortune by buying kids clothes.
But seriously, I believe that a lot of this poor behaviour by drivers is bullying. "You're smaller than me, so I'll flip you off..." "I'm in a metal box and you're not so I'll barge in..."
It does piss me off - particularly when I see drivers bullying children.
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But seriously, I believe that a lot of this poor behaviour by drivers is bullying. "You're smaller than me, so I'll flip you off..." "I'm in a metal box and you're not so I'll barge in..."
That's exactly what it is. For some reason people like this often effect a superior attitude. The reality is that they are nothing more than pissweasel fuckpuppets (© Mr. Larrington).
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I haven't had the opportunity to do so yet, but one I have planned for a rainy day is to nick the keys out of the car and chuck them in a pond. Obviously the opportunity has to be right and the offence sufficient. It will probably never happen, but it is a plan I hatched when being pestered by a crowd of gits in a hatch-back last October on the Golden Tints and it keeps me going in moments of stress.
For legal reasons you need to be able show that you did not intend permanently to deprive the owner of the keys. A better plan might be to hand them in at the police station most convenient to you. You were threatened with assault (you believed) and it was the only practical way you could protect yourself.
I tried that once. I don't know what holds the infra red style key fob into the dashboard of a people carrier - but I could neither turn the engine off nor remove the key >:( >:(
I have also, in the past, demonstrated the correct use of the indicator stalk to the motorist. It nearly came off in my hand, but not quite.
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^^^ That be damage. Should grab it and throw it somewhere.
Into traffic worked for me the one time it needed to be done. :demon:
If anyone's ever tempted to tolerate phone use while driving, just mentally paste the image of a large Martini over the phone. That's how much of a cock the driver is being.
To the OP: That sucks. Remind your GF that she has a right to get angry with dicks like that, not just upset. Primal scream therapy.
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Jen says thankyou for all the sympathy. We're just heading out for the chocolate and wine, those are excellent suggestions.
It was a mandatory (solid white line) cycle lane so the cabbie was in the wrong, and stupid to be sitting there with his driver's door open, but it's a relatively quiet and very wide road. Jen does get an unfair amount of rubbish when she's riding on her own, but I don't think Liverpool is especially bad. It's an area up by the university, and there are CCTV-covered private halls building opposite. I shall visit later to find out whether the road is covered and whether there is actually any tape in their magic-eye boxes, but I don't hold out much hope.
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Much sympathy to Jen. Horrible incident.
What with the recent endangering of life and limb by motons recently, I am going to charge my cameras batteries now, for tomorrows commute. When I was lying in the road last week, waiting for something to start hurting, I wished I had been using my camera.
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Much sympathy from here. I can't understand how people get off on that kind of bullying behaviour *and* breaking the law by using a phone whilst driving. Some people are just shits.
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I have also, in the past, demonstrated the correct use of the indicator stalk to the motorist. It nearly came off in my hand, but not quite.
Opening the back door is a good one. It makes the driver stop and get out to close it. Oh how I larfed :demon:
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I have also, in the past, demonstrated the correct use of the indicator stalk to the motorist. It nearly came off in my hand, but not quite.
Opening the back door is a good one. It makes the driver stop and get out to close it. Oh how I larfed :demon:
Passenger side rear. And then when they have closed it you open it again.
AFAICT it is perfectly legal as well, as long as the vehicle isn't moving.
..d
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Maybe Jen should have stolen her phone and handed it to the police and explained how you came about possession of the phone?
I doubt that I'd have kept my temper in that situation. I hate bullies.
Hope Jen is OK and soon back on the road again. They haven't won if you show them they haven't.
I knew someone who used to do the throwing the car keys in the bushes trick. Seems like a good one to remember if you are in danger.
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I've lifted windscreen wipers to the up position.
And it was raining.
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All this phone-grabbing, key-tossing and door-opening is laudable indeed, but how do you know the driver isn't a violent psychopath who'll chase you down side streets in his Ford Fiesta?
Maybe I attract them, I dunno...
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All this phone-grabbing, key-tossing and door-opening is laudable indeed, but how do you know the driver isn't a violent psychopath who'll chase you down side streets in his Ford Fiesta?
Maybe I attract them, I dunno...
That's the whole point of getting rid of their keys. They can't run you over if they can't start their car.
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Door opening would buy you a lot of time (perhaps to temporarily disable the vehicle by the removal of the keys to the nearest nick, or else to get the f out of there). Good one, david.
Much much sympathy to Jen. Unfortunately, there will always be cocks and pissweasel fuckpuppets on the road. :(
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hit the brakes and swerved to her left, coming to a halt in the angle of the taxi's open door. The car passed the taxi with a couple of inches to spare.
It may have worked to brake a little less hard and actually hit the door. If the gap was only a couple of inches, that would have put the door into the side of the passing car, with suitable educational damage all round.
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I haven't had the opportunity to do so yet, but one I have planned for a rainy day is to nick the keys out of the car and chuck them in a pond. Obviously the opportunity has to be right and the offence sufficient. It will probably never happen, but it is a plan I hatched when being pestered by a crowd of gits in a hatch-back last October on the Golden Tints and it keeps me going in moments of stress.
For legal reasons you need to be able show that you did not intend permanently to deprive the owner of the keys. A better plan might be to hand them in at the police station most convenient to you. You were threatened with assault (you believed) and it was the only practical way you could protect yourself.
I tried that once. I don't know what holds the infra red style key fob into the dashboard of a people carrier - but I could neither turn the engine off nor remove the key >:( >:(
I have also, in the past, demonstrated the correct use of the indicator stalk to the motorist. It nearly came off in my hand, but not quite.
Won't work in a Saab. The ignition key is down by the gear lever and you'd need to somehow get it in reverse.
Easier to just boot out a light while 'fending off the vehicle' that's trying to run you over.
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Oh dear ::-).
Definitely a candidate for the 130Db Mercaptan smelling Rape Alarm lobbed into the footwell of the car. Next time maybe. This time - as others suggested, chocolate 'n hugs for the victim.
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It is fairly easy to lean on the wing mirror as you squeeze past (not enough room, you see). Most are held on by pot-metal. Planning an escape route quickly becomes a high priority though.
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Loving the suggested remedies here. Because of course, what you feel inclined to do when you're five-foot-cuckoo-spit and easily intimidated1 is to lean into the car, snarl, rip their f*cking head off and use the soggy end to polish their wing mirror. Yeah. That'll teach 'em.
Tell Jen it's perfectly acceptable and not wussy in the least to take Option 2 which is to burst into tears and get someone to give you a cuddle. :)
1I refer here to myself, not Jen - having never cycled with her, for all I know she could be Well 'Ard and eat motons for breakfast.
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I have also, in the past, demonstrated the correct use of the indicator stalk to the motorist. It nearly came off in my hand, but not quite.
Opening the back door is a good one. It makes the driver stop and get out to close it. Oh how I larfed :demon:
BTDTGTTS - It was a double decker bus.
I thought it was recalled on ACF, but can only find this reference (http://www.anothercyclingforum.com/index.php?&topic=10204.msg122449#msg122449)at the moment.
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Two wrongs don't make a right, let alone 3 or 4 wrongs.
I am glad Jen is okay albeit shaken and stirred.
Using a mobile phone when driving is against the law - the prosecution for such being a fine and points on your licence.
Stealing a mobile phone or car keys is far worse.
Damaging the car is far worse.
Opening the door - as long as you are not threatening towards the occupant - well I'm struggling to worry about that one.
Taking any sort of direct action back is always dangerous unless you have 'power' to do so. That is where I am lucky as I can identify myself and start the paperwork trail if required.
Jen's best asset in this circumstance is her female quick wit and parry.
Words are far mightier than the sword.
Until a momentary lapse in concentration when driving a car is taken seriously in this country, and cyclists are given more rights ( as per Holland perhaps ) then that is all we really have in our arsenal. Unless you have a head camera and capture the lot on film ;D
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Wise words, o grubby one. We went over the situation a couple of times and I don't see what could have been done to avoid the problem. The mobile phone was incidental, really - the woman in the car decided to teach Jen a lesson by driving at her. Although that's a very serious crime, wreaking some well-deserved re-wen-gay would probably have been a bad idea.
What's irritating, and what makes the revenge option so tempting, is that the woman drove away grimly smug that she'd taught some bloody cyclist to keep out of her way. The thought that she could have injured Jen won't have crossed her mind. With somebody that deeply stupid, it's tempting to act so that a fear of reprisal might prevent her doing so again.
Bet the Mercedes driver who messed with Canadian Ryan (http://www.dublinmessengers.org/2007/12/ryan.html) has been a bit more cautious ever since.
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I thought it was recalled on ACF, but can only find this reference (http://www.anothercyclingforum.com/index.php?&topic=10204.msg122449#msg122449)at the moment.
Yeah, I got that this morning. The new acf way is for access for registrated users only
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I thought it was recalled on ACF, but can only find this reference (http://www.anothercyclingforum.com/index.php?&topic=10204.msg122449#msg122449)at the moment.
Yeah, I got that this morning. The new acf way is for access for registrated users only
Back to normal now though (as of 15min ago).
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Wise words, o grubby one. We went over the situation a couple of times and I don't see what could have been done to avoid the problem.
Tip: when approaching any obstacle, follow the line a car would. Start drifting out early enough that no perceptible steering can be noticed. That way the traffic is more likely to just drift with you. If you weave out, even gently and in good time, following vehicles have to consciously alter their path to accommodate you. I realise that you can't do this with a suddenly occurring hazard such a car door, but it works generally. I'm not trying to excuse the drivers idiotic behaviour.
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I would add words of caution alongside Grub et al.
After such incidents I often fantasize about stopping the car and showing them that out of that fancy metal cage, my martial arts ass can break bits of them as their car could break bits of me. In my mind cars burn with their occupants strangled by their seatbelts, or a single well placed anti-tank missile from the concealed launcher in my top tube showers their car all over central London... etcetera ad nauseum.
However, I restrain myself to a simple 'why' open palmed arm gesture and maybe a shake of the head, and that is only if the occupant of the car is on their own and unlikely to be carrying a weapon. i.e. when passing thorough Brixton, I keep my head down and the power up. The arm gesture is enough to trigger some kind of primal rage in a certain type of driver, and I have watched many motons screaming off up the road arms waving as they bring themselves closer and closer to a heart attack.
Why?
Because my safety is Priority 1. Whatever they did to me, if I escaped injury, I would rather keep it that way than get beaten up or have my heart fluttered by the surge of adrenalin that accompanies confrontation with an irate driver. I'm not afraid of the average Joe, they would probably be mouthy at most, maybe a little shove that a nasty arm lock would dissuade from going any further. I'm worried about the mental pikey who wouldn't stop until I was nearly dead.
Chances are, if something happens to you on your commute, it was done by someone else on theirs - so you are likely to come across them again. Don't submit to them meekly, but if you chose to act, you must take it far enough that they are too scared to piss you off again. Personally, I don't want to cross that line.
Take Nuttys' advice to me - get off the road, have a sip of water and calm down for 2 minutes then get back on your way, fresh and as Zen as possible.
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The other thing to consider is what the driver thinks. Even the most trivial counter-action (eg opening a door - which incidentally won't work on a lot of modern cars that autolock) - in the mind of the driver is an assault by a b*stard cyclist. To them it's not revenge because they have done no wrong.
The idiot cyclist was at fault, they tried to show them the proper way, and just got abuse for it.
Of course we know better how the rules of the road work, and how we don't slow drivers down on average, etc etc. I guess we come at it from a different and probably more understanding mindset - after all, most cyclists drive at some time, a fact that is sadly not reciprocated in modern Britain.
Zen. Chill. Vent about it here. It's a tough thing to do in the face of such appalling and provocative driving, but you'll feel better for it.
Oh, and when you learn the secret of doing it 100% of the time, let the rest of us know how.
hc
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What's irritating, and what makes the revenge option so tempting, is that the woman drove away grimly smug that she'd taught some bloody cyclist to keep out of her way. The thought that she could have injured Jen won't have crossed her mind. With somebody that deeply stupid, it's tempting to act so that a fear of reprisal might prevent her doing so again.
Bet the Mercedes driver who messed with Canadian Ryan (http://www.dublinmessengers.org/2007/12/ryan.html) has been a bit more cautious ever since.
I think there's a difference between avoiding confrontation to keep the peace, and behaving like door-mats encouraging others to walk/drive all over you.
For those brave enough, and in the right circs, standing up to bullies is a Good Thing.
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What an idiot (the car passenger that is)!
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However, I restrain myself to a simple 'why' open palmed arm gesture and maybe a shake of the head, and that is only if the occupant of the car is on their own and unlikely to be carrying a weapon.
This is exactly what I did on Sunday (see my thread a bit lower down). I don't know if he was carrying a weapon but he used his car as one.
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The other thing to consider is what the driver thinks. Even the most trivial counter-action (eg opening a door - which incidentally won't work on a lot of modern cars that autolock) - in the mind of the driver is an assault by a b*stard cyclist. To them it's not revenge because they have done no wrong.
The idiot cyclist was at fault, they tried to show them the proper way, and just got abuse for it.
Which is why big 'n' ugly imprimis works so well. If you're intimidating up front, the motorist will keep their yap shut when "correcting" you, for fear that you're some Mad Max crazy person.
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Which is why big 'n' ugly imprimis works so well. If you're intimidating up front, the motorist will keep their yap shut when "correcting" you, for fear that you're some Mad Max crazy person.
That's why when the weather gets colder, I intend to try out some of these fake tattoo sleeves (http://www.jokingaround.co.uk/ProductsDetails.aspx?item_id=1790) for armwarmers to see if people treat me any differently...
Despite the fact I have really skinny little arms.
I guess for the full effect I should wear a black heavy metal band T-shirt, replace my helmet with a bandana and my trainers with some army boots (or something similar)...
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That's why when the weather gets colder, I intend to try out some of these fake tattoo sleeves (http://www.jokingaround.co.uk/ProductsDetails.aspx?item_id=1790) for armwarmers to see if people treat me any differently...
ISTR that Zipperhead wore some of those to last year's TLAPD
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ISTR that Zipperhead wore some of those to last year's TLAPD
I probably got the idea from him. Certainly it was from someone on one of the cycling forums I frequent.
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I'd love to know what these drivers who think we shouldn't pull out for parked cars would suggest instead... Wait by the kerb until the parked vehicle has moved, perhaps? Or just ride over it?
Now, there's a thought..... :demon:
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I'd love to know what these drivers who think we shouldn't pull out for parked cars would suggest instead... Wait by the kerb until the parked vehicle has moved, perhaps? Or just ride over it?
Now, there's a thought..... :demon:
You really want to know what they think?
Ages ago, I came up to a set of cars neatly parked in the cycle lane, checked behind, signalled and moved out. Joe Tosser, who had come up behind far too fast and was forced to reduce his speed to a mere 45mph, took exception to this, slowed down to my speed and howled out the window at me "You're supposed to GIVE WAY!" I couldn't think of a suitable response so I ignored him.
So now you know. They think you should stop your bike in order to give way. Preferably wait until you have an entirely clear road. ::-)
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Indeed. A couple of months ago I was cycling along a road with 1 bog std lane and a bus lane. I rarely encounter any buses in said bus lane and usually trundle along in the middle of it until I get close to the roundabout where I have to change to the other lane as the bus lane terminates in 'left turn only' and I go straight ahead.
This particular day I was in the bus lane as usual after a junction. By what I can gather from what I heard and saw in my mirror, a car exits the junction behind me and carries on in std lane. Car behind him, containing impatient young cock decides that the car in front is not going nearly fast enough and that he will undertake him by screaming up his inside in the bus lane. Which as you will remember is where I am.
Now I have heard the gunning engine and look in my mirror to see young cock screaming towards me. We probably both take some evasive action and I either bellow or use my air zound (prolly both).
He promptly stops in the bus lane in front of me and screams "Are you fucking crazy??, you were in the middle of the road!!"
No mate, you were in the middle of the fecking bus lane where you had no right to be.
Of course, having just shat my pants I didn't actually say that, I just screamed something unintelligible (and probably unprintable) back as I cycled past. I didn't stop in case he decked me one and I am a big gurls blouse.
Did I say cock?
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They do love trying to correct us.
Prannocks and twunts. ::-)
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I guess for the full effect I should wear a black heavy metal band T-shirt, replace my helmet with a bandana and my trainers with some army boots (or something similar)...
My son, cycling around with long blond hair to his waist on top of what you described above, agrees. He said that hardly anyone will give him grief and those that try stop instantly once he gives them a hard stare.
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I'd love to know what these drivers who think we shouldn't pull out for parked cars would suggest instead... Wait by the kerb until the parked vehicle has moved, perhaps? Or just ride over it?
Now, there's a thought..... :demon:
You really want to know what they think?
Ages ago, I came up to a set of cars neatly parked in the cycle lane, checked behind, signalled and moved out. Joe Tosser, who had come up behind far too fast and was forced to reduce his speed to a mere 45mph, took exception to this, slowed down to my speed and howled out the window at me "You're supposed to GIVE WAY!" I couldn't think of a suitable response so I ignored him.
So now you know. They think you should stop your bike in order to give way. Preferably wait until you have an entirely clear road. ::-)
Ignoring the 45mph blah blah blah, the drivers are actually correct. In order to pass the obstruction the cyclist has to change lanes, from cycle lane to carriageway, and so yes they do have to give way. It is the same as when driving on the motorway you can't just change out a lane but are supposed to judge the traffic speed so that you can merge out into a space without impacting on the existing lane users.
This is, yet another, reason why cycle lanes are a bad thing.
If the cycle lane did not exist then the cyclist can move out around the obstruction without changing lanes.
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It is the same as when driving on the motorway you can't just change out a lane but are supposed to judge the traffic speed so that you can merge out into a space without impacting on the existing lane users.
Where in the HC does it say:
"If someone tries moving into YOUR lane when you don't want them to, ram them into an adjacent taxi/HGV or bridge support." ?
This is, yet another, reason why cycle lanes are a bad thing.
If the cycle lane did not exist then the cyclist can move out around the obstruction without changing lanes.
Agreed.
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Which is why big 'n' ugly imprimis works so well. If you're intimidating up front, the motorist will keep their yap shut when "correcting" you, for fear that you're some Mad Max crazy person.
That's why when the weather gets colder, I intend to try out some of these fake tattoo sleeves (http://www.jokingaround.co.uk/ProductsDetails.aspx?item_id=1790) for armwarmers to see if people treat me any differently...
I find that wearing 3/4 length shorts (or longs) in the winter does it quite well. It feels great too. Also, I fully intend to try sandals.
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Ignoring the 45mph blah blah blah, the drivers are actually correct. In order to pass the obstruction the cyclist has to change lanes, from cycle lane to carriageway, and so yes they do have to give way. It is the same as when driving on the motorway you can't just change out a lane but are supposed to judge the traffic speed so that you can merge out into a space without impacting on the existing lane users.
I've never been too sure about priority when exiting a cycle lane, whether at the end of the lane, or to avoid an obstacle.
I agree with you that you are changing into a different lane when you are avoiding an obstacle, so don't have priority. I move out early when I can do so safely. If I don't trust the cycle lane (I'm expectung pot holes, parked cars etc at regular intervals) I don't go into the cycle lane, unless it is wide enough for me to avoid whatever is there.
But what about when the cycle lane just ends and you are on the road again? I mean those cycle lanes which are on the road, not the pavement. I don't do pavement cycling, even when it's legalised by paintwork.
Cycle lanes don't seem to have any standard set of rules, unlike roads. Nobody seems to know exactly how to use them and they are just put in as an afterthought.
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I've been working in my super-secret undersea laboratory on concentrating the sarcastic what-the-fuck gesture into super-dense particles of disdain. Eventually, I've have enough to build some kind of handlebar mounted particle cannon that can wither an errant motorist's soul and his surrounding tin can to dust in a moment, leaving nothing other than a vague scent of pine air freshener.
It would have been useful today. On the way into London, coming down past Peckham Rye, a van overtook me. Perfectly, no problem. But the silly moo in the Golf (tinted windows and all the trimmings, natch) following him just couldn't wait, so she hurled herself around the traffic island in an attempt to pass us both. Misjudged, so oncoming traffic meant she met the van when she tried to pull in. So they both halt and start the mutual moronic motorist stand-off. I tootle by with a cheery, if sodden, good morning. For I know, they're still there now. It's Peckham, after all.
On the way home, dropping down through the hellish post-apocalyptic hinterlands of South Bermondsey toward the Old Kent Road, a speeding lorry decided the clip the bend in the road just where I was about to be. Tyres pretty much brushed the pavement. Fortunately a judicious brake and hop onto the pavement took me out of harm's way. Lorry didn't have any identification and was, as far as I could tell, (barely) under the control of one of the lower orders of primate. Reassuringly, it was carrying one of those little Mitsubishi (?) vans on the open back that appeared to have been secured with nothing more than household string. Given the way it was wobbling about, discretion took valour to one side and gave it a good talking to, and off into the distance he went before I could make any gestures grand enough to demonstrate my true operatic levels of annoyance. Only then did I remember that I could at least have taken his number plate details and Fedexed him an unstable nuclear weapon labelled 'shake well'.
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The 4x4 driver pulled along side me, his passenger had wound down the window and he shouts "When will you learn to use the cycle path?"
I reply - clearly and loudly "When will you learn not to be so fucking ignorant?" ( I thought he would understand it better if I used profanity ).
He suggests I pull over.
I do.
Before he even has a chance to do or say anything I identify myself and then let rip into road rules and cycle paths and drivers failing to understand cyclist's needs and that many of the cyclists he may see on a daily basis are more than likely cops from HQ.
Sometimes attack is the best form of defence.
I then pause and ask if he would like to add anything?
He meekly says "I didn't know that".
Der !!
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The 4x4 driver pulled along side me, his passenger had wound down the window and he shouts "When will you learn to use the cycle path?"
I reply - clearly and loudly "When will you learn not to be so fucking ignorant?" ( I thought he would understand it better if I used profanity ).
He suggests I pull over.
I do.
Before he even has a chance to do or say anything I identify myself and then let rip into road rules and cycle paths and drivers failing to understand cyclist's needs and that many of the cyclists he may see on a daily basis are more than likely cops from HQ.
Sometimes attack is the best form of defence.
I then pause and ask if he would like to add anything?
He meekly says "I didn't know that".
Der !!
Yeah... but you didn't nick the bugger, did you? Traitor!
What's the use of having power if you don't abuse it - in the greater good, of course... ;D
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I've been working in my super-secret undersea laboratory on concentrating the sarcastic what-the-fuck gesture into super-dense particles of disdain. Eventually, I've have enough to build some kind of handlebar mounted particle cannon that can wither an errant motorist's soul and his surrounding tin can to dust in a moment, leaving nothing other than a vague scent of pine air freshener.
It would have been useful today. On the way into London, coming down past Peckham Rye, a van overtook me. Perfectly, no problem. But the silly moo in the Golf (tinted windows and all the trimmings, natch) following him just couldn't wait, so she hurled herself around the traffic island in an attempt to pass us both. Misjudged, so oncoming traffic meant she met the van when she tried to pull in. So they both halt and start the mutual moronic motorist stand-off. I tootle by with a cheery, if sodden, good morning. For I know, they're still there now. It's Peckham, after all.
On the way home, dropping down through the hellish post-apocalyptic hinterlands of South Bermondsey toward the Old Kent Road, a speeding lorry decided the clip the bend in the road just where I was about to be. Tyres pretty much brushed the pavement. Fortunately a judicious brake and hop onto the pavement took me out of harm's way. Lorry didn't have any identification and was, as far as I could tell, (barely) under the control of one of the lower orders of primate. Reassuringly, it was carrying one of those little Mitsubishi (?) vans on the open back that appeared to have been secured with nothing more than household string. Given the way it was wobbling about, discretion took valour to one side and gave it a good talking to, and off into the distance he went before I could make any gestures grand enough to demonstrate my true operatic levels of annoyance. Only then did I remember that I could at least have taken his number plate details and Fedexed him an unstable nuclear weapon labelled 'shake well'.
I seriously doubt that... One of them would have been shot before 5 minutes elapsed. It's Peckham, after all. ;D
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The 4x4 driver pulled along side me, his passenger had wound down the window and he shouts "When will you learn to use the cycle path?"
I reply - clearly and loudly "When will you learn not to be so fucking ignorant?" ( I thought he would understand it better if I used profanity ).
He suggests I pull over.
I do.
Before he even has a chance to do or say anything I identify myself and then let rip into road rules and cycle paths and drivers failing to understand cyclist's needs and that many of the cyclists he may see on a daily basis are more than likely cops from HQ.
Sometimes attack is the best form of defence.
I then pause and ask if he would like to add anything?
He meekly says "I didn't know that".
Der !!
Yeah... but you didn't nick the bugger, did you? Traitor!
What's the use of having power if you don't abuse it - in the greater good, of course... ;D
I can't arrest him for being a twit. If we could, half the country would be arrested.
-
The 4x4 driver pulled along side me, his passenger had wound down the window and he shouts "When will you learn to use the cycle path?"
I reply - clearly and loudly "When will you learn not to be so fucking ignorant?" ( I thought he would understand it better if I used profanity ).
He suggests I pull over.
I do.
Before he even has a chance to do or say anything I identify myself and then let rip into road rules and cycle paths and drivers failing to understand cyclist's needs and that many of the cyclists he may see on a daily basis are more than likely cops from HQ.
Sometimes attack is the best form of defence.
I then pause and ask if he would like to add anything?
He meekly says "I didn't know that".
Der !!
Yeah... but you didn't nick the bugger, did you? Traitor!
What's the use of having power if you don't abuse it - in the greater good, of course... ;D
I can't arrest him for being a twit. If we could, half the country would be arrested.
That is so true in Wiltshire.... ;D
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I can't arrest him for being a twit. If we could, half the country would be arrested.
I could give you a list that would keep you going well into retirement.
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A delightful young man got a little upset with me this morning.
He recognised that I had the motor function of a small amoeba, and as such was not in control of my bicycle. That I was accidentally misplaced, deep into his lane, and that the decent thing to do would be to use his vehicle to gently nudge me back into the gutter, where all good amoeba should be.
He got very upset when the amoeba started screaming "What the f*ck are you doing!" through his open window, and shocked he gave the amoeba more room and completed his original move - which was to turn down Lugard Road, after overtaking pushing me out of the way at 22mph where the bus is in that picture. (Traveling East to West)
I was having a fairly tough time commuting in, feeling the wear and tear from last nights exertions, and he sapped my enthusiasm for the rest of the ride. :'(
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A delightful young man got a little upset with me this morning.
He recognised that I had the motor function of a small amoeba, and as such was not in control of my bicycle. That I was accidentally misplaced, deep into his lane, and that the decent thing to do would be to use his vehicle to gently nudge me back into the gutter, where all good amoeba should be.
He got very upset when the amoeba started screaming "What the f*ck are you doing!" through his open window, and shocked he gave the amoeba more room and completed his original move - which was to turn down Lugard Road, after overtaking pushing me out of the way at 22mph where the bus is in that picture. (Traveling East to West)
I was having a fairly tough time commuting in, feeling the wear and tear from last nights exertions, and he sapped my enthusiasm for the rest of the ride. :'(
Sorry to hear about this....
Did you get his registration? If so, report it - you have been the victim of a criminal offence.
I know the police may not do anything, but the more that we report these sorts of incidents, then the easier it will be to bring pressure on the police to act against poor drivers. Otherwise, they'll simply be able to say that there 'isn't a probelm as no-one has reported any incidents'.
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A delightful young man got a little upset with me this morning.
He recognised that I had the motor function of a small amoeba, and as such was not in control of my bicycle. That I was accidentally misplaced, deep into his lane, and that the decent thing to do would be to use his vehicle to gently nudge me back into the gutter, where all good amoeba should be.
He got very upset when the amoeba started screaming "What the f*ck are you doing!" through his open window, and shocked he gave the amoeba more room and completed his original move - which was to turn down Lugard Road, after overtaking pushing me out of the way at 22mph where the bus is in that picture. (Traveling East to West)
I was having a fairly tough time commuting in, feeling the wear and tear from last nights exertions, and he sapped my enthusiasm for the rest of the ride. :'(
Sorry to hear about this....
Did you get his registration? If so, report it - you have been the victim of a criminal offence.
I know the police may not do anything, but the more that we report these sorts of incidents, then the easier it will be to bring pressure on the police to act against poor drivers. Otherwise, they'll simply be able to say that there 'isn't a probelm as no-one has reported any incidents'.
I know, I nearly 999'ed it as for a minute it looked as if he was going to come after me. Then he tore off. If I had got his plate, I would have phoned the Police right away. He was dangerous, and I'm pretty sure he was intoxicated with something.
It is a bit useless calling in a black guy in a black Vauhall Corsa in Peckham.
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Sorry to hear that Jacomus. Malicious incidents like that make me much more angry than careless motorist error. Andy put it better than me upthread.
They do love trying to correct us.
Prannocks and twunts. ::-)
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Yeah... but you didn't nick the bugger, did you? Traitor!
What's the use of having power if you don't abuse it - in the greater good, of course... ;D
He didn't even give him a good walloping with the holly and then claim he slipped on the stairs ???
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Couldn't you have nicked him for abusive behaviour or some such? I know lots of folk who've been
beaten up arrested for less...
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He didn't even give him a good walloping with the holly and then claim he slipped on the stairs ???
Nah. He did summat far, far worse. He messed with (what passes for) his mind.
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The 4x4 driver pulled along side me, his passenger had wound down the window and he shouts "When will you learn to use the cycle path?"
I reply - clearly and loudly "When will you learn not to be so fucking ignorant?" ( I thought he would understand it better if I used profanity ).
He suggests I pull over.
I do.
Before he even has a chance to do or say anything I identify myself and then let rip into road rules and cycle paths and drivers failing to understand cyclist's needs and that many of the cyclists he may see on a daily basis are more than likely cops from HQ.
Sometimes attack is the best form of defence.
I then pause and ask if he would like to add anything?
He meekly says "I didn't know that".
Der !!
Yeah... but you didn't nick the bugger, did you? Traitor!
What's the use of having power if you don't abuse it - in the greater good, of course... ;D
I can't arrest him for being a twit. If we could, half the country would be arrested.
Surrender monkey!
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If only you knew just how much paper work is involved in today's crime and injustice arena, you wouldn't be asking these questions.
What I did was mess with his mind in a way, I also vented and in a way educated him somewhat. Best of all I incurred no paper work.
What he did would never get to court or even a prosecution. His word against mine.
Simple.
Knowing this in advance sort of hardens one's approach to things.
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So now you know. They think you should stop your bike in order to give way.
Where there's a cycle lane, I agree that it creates the lane-change problem and is generally counter-productive for that reason.
However, where there isn't, I suspect that motorists remember their Cycling Proficiency training. This will have taught them to give way, because for an inexperienced child it's the only thing you can do; you have to help them cope with motorists who can't be trusted to obey the principle that the vehicle in front has priority. Inevitably, however, many former CP trainees will have grown up into motorists with the belief that they gave way because it was the law, and that they can now expect other cyclists to do the same for them.
I don't think child cycle training should change, but a holistic approach would mean that driver training would point out the reasons for the earlier teaching.
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So now you know. They think you should stop your bike in order to give way.
Where there's a cycle lane, I agree that it creates the lane-change problem and is generally counter-productive for that reason.
However, where there isn't, I suspect that motorists remember their Cycling Proficiency training. This will have taught them to give way, because for an inexperienced child it's the only thing you can do; you have to help them cope with motorists who can't be trusted to obey the principle that the vehicle in front has priority. Inevitably, however, many former CP trainees will have grown up into motorists with the belief that they gave way because it was the law, and that they can now expect other cyclists to do the same for them.
I don't think child cycle training should change, but a holistic approach would mean that driver training would point out the reasons for the earlier teaching.
I am a little more jaded, and feel that it is simply the motons can't handle being held up by anyone for a second. Look how they treat other cars, pushing in and cutting people out, they do exactly the same to cyclists, except we don't have a lovely metal cage around us.
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I'd love to know what these drivers who think we shouldn't pull out for parked cars would suggest instead... Wait by the kerb until the parked vehicle has moved, perhaps? Or just ride over it?
Now, there's a thought..... :demon:
You really want to know what they think?
Ages ago, I came up to a set of cars neatly parked in the cycle lane, checked behind, signalled and moved out. Joe Tosser, who had come up behind far too fast and was forced to reduce his speed to a mere 45mph, took exception to this, slowed down to my speed and howled out the window at me "You're supposed to GIVE WAY!" I couldn't think of a suitable response so I ignored him.
So now you know. They think you should stop your bike in order to give way. Preferably wait until you have an entirely clear road. ::-)
Ignoring the 45mph blah blah blah, the drivers are actually correct. In order to pass the obstruction the cyclist has to change lanes, from cycle lane to carriageway, and so yes they do have to give way. It is the same as when driving on the motorway you can't just change out a lane but are supposed to judge the traffic speed so that you can merge out into a space without impacting on the existing lane users.
This is, yet another, reason why cycle lanes are a bad thing.
If the cycle lane did not exist then the cyclist can move out around the obstruction without changing lanes.
Broadly yes, but I should have added that in my instance I was already in the same lane as the motorist, because the cycle lane was blocked by cars. I just had to move out a bit to take the lane, but I didn't have to change into it.