iluvbiking

Hi,

There is a + intersection in front of my home and i was as usual returning from work(i was riding at around 5mph). When i was near the intersection, a motorcyclist with his father on the back seat and his child on the petrol tank(this is how they ride here in India!) overtook me and took a cut to the left . I was off balance but recovered due to the slow speed. I stopped him there and asked him if he was familiar with the road rules and that was the starter for him. He addressed me as a filthy 6@$T@rd, an @$$hole cyclist and that being a cyclist means a lowlife on the roads. He went on to assert that he was kind enuff in seeing that i was not knocked down. All these abuses were thrown infront of his 60+ aged father who kept urging him to move ahead and pay no heed to events like these. His child without doubt was enjoying the whole thing and was proud to see his father stunning his oponent . I dunno what that child's gonna be when he grows up, but i was so shocked by his father's behaviour to the point that i was unable to bring an argument worthy enuff to counter his aggressiveness(i have his reg no.).
I have a question, how do you deal with these type of guys? how can i make them understand, that they too are responsible for creating better safe traffic conditions?
regards
iluvniking

spexy

I've always wanted--in situations where parents are acting out in front of their child--to ignore the aggressor, turn to the child and say,

"Your father is a very bad man, I'm sorry for you."

I know that's a bit wicked.

However, I suppose the best bet in these situations is to make your point about the road rules and leave before violence starts. Hopefully it will sink in after their anger dissipates.

bg4533

Not wicked at all. Let the child know that kind of behavior is not normal and unnacceptable.

Chris L

Now that you've got his #, one way might be to call the cops. Even if they don't press charges, they may well give the guy a phone call and lecture him about "road safety". Gotta be better than nothing.

Pat

Well, when dealing with over the top types, I try to kill them with courtesy and sweet reason. Having a person not respond in kind to their vulgarity and boorishness seems to take them out of stride. Besides, it is fun to watch the baffled expressions their faces.

But, sometimes, these people seem unbalanced enough to just leave well enough alone. I mean, who knows?. They might have forgotten to take their meds.

KrisA

I consider myself a non-violent person... but there comes a time when the only reply is a fist to the nose. Idiots like this will never listen to reason, maybe a good 'lesson' will teach them some manners.