Originally Posted by
palookabutt
Cigarette butt was about the only thrown object I can think of, but lots of close drive-bys, especially from large pickups. But those people are hazards to everyone, not just bikes.
I've become very communicative while on the bike -- I try to signal drivers when I've got to move into the lane to avoid an obstacle, and I wave thanks if they have to slow down to wait for me. I try always to signal my turns and I try to wave to the intermittant traffic out on country roads away from town.
As they say, courtesy doesn't cost much. I figure the more good will I can spread, the better for all.
+1
I make an effort to be as polite as possible, especially to those folks who are courteous to me when I am riding.
There are many more friendly people out there than there are arsewipes, a fact that can become distorted when concentrating on only the bad incidents.
Years ago I had a beer bottle flung at me which smashed on a road sign 3 feet from my head, I wasn't riding, I was walking. Cyclists are not the only target of maladjusted people.
You never know whether the stranger on the street is a Ghandi or a Manson but the odds heavily favor the Ghandi end of the spectrum.