Originally Posted by Helmet Head
By ignoring a motorist who, say, honks at me while I'm legitimately merging left into a left turn lane, I'm giving him subtle permission to do it again? So instead of ignoring him I should be what, moving aside, flipping him off, yelling at him? That would be more effective? I don't think so.
Now, if there is an opportunity to talk to him about it (because that's always so fruitful
), I might take it. But I'm thinking about situations where there is no opportunity to do that.
You offered your one and only solution... "you ignore the motorist." You have stated this time and time again.
You know my reaction... I will educate that motorist or at least try. No point in them driving about with a "you shoulda seen what some stupid bicycle *** did today" attitude. Give them a piece of your mind and then they really have something to chew on.
But beyond that, the very fact that every motorist I have ever spoken to has shown me that they do not know the laws, tells me that there is a huge gap in their education.
Hey, all motorists are not going to learn overnight, but some effort should be made to make them aware that WE CYCLISTS are allowed to use the road just like them.