First rule is to know your rights and be predictable.
Originally Posted by
Daniel4
Bad drivers get mad and yell at anybody. They yell at each other and they yell at pedestrians.
Your city council doesn't do anything because they will be targetting their own voters. Eventually, someone will start labelling you as a special-interest group.
If you engage, it'll only be a matter of time when the confrontation will escalate. You know how quickly internet interactions can degenerate. On the road it can get worse. If you have to say something, just tell the harrassers to call the cops.
This.
Its about anybody that gets in their way, and cyclist are no exception. Not engaging is a good idea, and you're not going to educate anybody on a busy roadway. I use one response only -- read the handbook. Other than that I ignore them but keep a watchful eye out for dangers the whole time.