gqsmoothie

My New Year's resolution that pertains to cycling is to do nothing (other than smiling and waving) when people yell at me on my bike. Whenever I get into a discussion/argument with some cager over the benefits of cycling or why I have a right to ride on the road I leave the situation more mad than happy or content.

Anybody else feel this way?

Gabe

Laika

I have a similar one...to just generally disengage from those sort of situations, where the inevitable result is anger of frustration for one of the parties involved. I'm trying to apply in both on two wheels and off, though.

nycm'er

I think you are right on in your thinking. I think I shall do the same. Because: I get in to it all the time, and it just ends up ruining the ride. I got into it with a florida state trooper in a park once. I was totally in the right and ended up explaining to him the difference between the words practicable and practical. If the guy doesn't understand the law at this point, he doesn't want me telling him. I won the argument, on paper, but really I lost. It doesn't seem to matter to most law enforcement officers if someone else is right and they are not, they always win. Realizing this, that I actually did not win any sort of debate and did not change this guy's life, and now I was irritated -and had pissed off my riding partner.

slvoid

I resolve to shoot at least 1 cager this year and get away with it.

eubi

I like that response, but I'll give it a close second to this:

On the very rare instances where someone yells at me, I prefer to ignore them completely. In the gang-laden areas I commute through, a wave may mean something in the way of a challenge that day. I can't keep track of their daily culture. Depending on how hot they were, I may even pull off that road.

Outta sight, outta mind...

These guys are just looking for a reaction so they feel they are controlling a situation. By not responding you deny them that control.

eubi

With a camera, I hope.

Steele-Bike

Now, now, slvoid, violence doesn't solve anything...but it sure is fun!

Yee haw, git me my gun, ma!

rule

If it's not worth getting all worked up over, don't. Life is too short to always be letting nimrods get under your skin.

kb0tnv

I hope your joking... but remember that some of those "cagers" are cyclists and some are future cyclists inside. Some like me wake up after their wife loses her job and we can't financially afford two cars. So we talk about me incorperating bike commuting... I donate me car and we end up just using one when we need it. I ride whenever I can to work! My goal this year is to work up to be a year-round commuter!


Peace,

kb0tnv