Originally Posted by nova
Multiple passes probably seemed like you was harrassing the cyclist to the cyclist. Next time hang back if you cant pass and stay passed. Generaly i feel safe with 3 feet of space between me and a passing car. Closer if i know the driver is they and i wave them by. That is as long as they pass me at a fairly slow speed. Ive waved motorists by with as little as 6 or 8 inches of space. Its safe because we are both fully aware of each other and they pass at a slow rate of speed. Not all cyclists will do this and i wont all the time my self. So dont asume just because i do it that every one will or that i will every time.
Riding skill lvl speed at the time road condition and even plain old mood of the cyclist will all play a part in what we will do when it comes to not being pissed when a car pass closer than 3 or 4 feet.
For those who commute on bicycle in rush hour traffic (I no longer do that), multiple passes are often unavoidable. If you disagree with that, you've never been on a heavily-travelled arterial in Chicago during rush hours.
But someone mentioned it earlier, a crucial factor is awareness on the part of the motorist. The times when I've taken a spill because of a car, it was clearly because the driver wasn't aware of my position and/or wasn't paying attention. So, I feel bad if my vigilance behind the wheel wasn't adequate for the cyclist who lashed out at me.
BTW, when I filed a report with the police so I can get the damage taken care of by my insurance, I was astonished at what the officer taking my report said, but I fear it's all too representative of how most motorists would react to an encounter like mine.
He asked if I pursued the cyclist. I said no, I pulled over some distance ahead, got out of my car and surveyed the damage. I remained outside my car hoping the cyclist would pass so I could offer an "I'm sorry but why did you have to do that?" The cop said she would have followed the cyclist in her personal vehicle. But, I believe that would have increased the chances of the situation escalating. Not to mention the intimidation factor of the car.
Cop-think I'm supposing was, the cyclist committed a crime, you had every right to pursue him in your car. I'll take my lumps and avoid something like that myself.