Maybe it's because I live in LA, but I get yelled at on a weekly basis when commuting. It seems to happen at night, because I take the lane much more then. I was wondering if anyone else confronts motorists when you inevitably reach them at the next light.

Any good stories about it?

Not generally if they just yell at me, unless they were being a complete prick...

I am not adverse to hitting or kicking cars that get too close while passing (not something I do often), I consider it self defense.

For the most part, no. Simply because nothing good usually comes out of it. I think the worst I've done is slap the drivers window of a cab that was pulling into the bike lane while I was alongside.

-Roger

People are too polite in Japan. I was cruising down a main street yesterday and traffic was backed up 5 or 6 cars at a light. A guy on a side street was waiting to get in around the 3rd car.

He started easing out looking the other way and talking on a cell phone. His window was down and I screamed "HEY" which scared the bejesus out of him. But it worked. He stopped and nodded an apology. I waved back and smiled and nodded as well.

I'd have probably gotten shot in LA.

John

Oh yeah. To the extent that I changed my route to keep me out of so many confrontations when I lived in Queens. When people try to kill me, I get ornery about not backing down.

If all they're doing is yelling, all I'll do is stare them down at the next light. They don't get aggression unless they endangered my life.

No. I always assume that the other person is a gun-wielding maniac.

I don't get yelled at too often, but i usually brush it off. Just avoid confrontation, it's usually best.

Nope, not worth it.

I rarely get yelled at or honked at. When I do, they generally get ignored or, at most, get the "yeah whatever" wave. If the yelling or honking accompanies a move that puts me in danger -- and I'm real forgiving in judging those; this is Boston after all -- they are loudly invited to dine on feces.

Since I started using my Ipod I never get yelled at any more, it's great!

I have only confronted one person. It was at night on a not very busy 4 lane street. I took the lane as I normally do down this street at night. A blue volvo wagon came around me very close and then started changing back over into my lane when my front wheel was at his rear passenger side door. I hit the brakes and pulled over though I didnt have much room between me and the parked cars.

When I recovered I pedaled the 100m up to his window and asked him if he knew that he almost ran me into parked cars. He replied, "Yeah, you need to get where you belong!" I asked him where that was, and he said "the sidewalk". I told him it was illegal to ride on the sidewalk as was it to run other vehicles off the road. He told me I was wrong and I offered to get a police officer to clarify those issues, but the mere mention had him gunning it. I think it was because he was talking on his cell phone without a bluetooth.

I only confront if they have put me in danger...I understand that they are angry and separated from the world.

I've yelled at one guy for nearly running me over when I was clearly signaling a turn and he tried to hurry around me, then he slammed on the brakes and I almost ran into his passenger side door. I got off the bike and looked it over, then shouted every profanity that I could think of, he sort of squinted apologetically and sped off. The guy in the F150 behind me was laughing his butt off.

Otherwise no need to yell, the rednecks would probably shoot me if I did it too often

Nope. No need. If I get buzzed or yelled at I just give 'em the stare. They always back down. If someone actively tried to hurt me, and I couldn't just avoid them, yer damn skippy I'd confront the *******.

I usually just brush it off; however, a couple of weeks ago, I heard a car coming up behind me, so I turned around to see how close they were. When I realized they weren't even remotely trying to go around me, I did the only thing I could to avoid getting hit...rode into the ditch. Furious, I got back on the road and was beaming when I saw the light go red. I quickly caught up and was surprised at what I saw. Two elderly ladies, both smiling at me. I still gave them a harsh look, but I kept on riding.

I do NOT recommend this to anyone.
I have since learned the valuable lesson that *most* times a motorist pi$$es you off, screams or honks at you, or generally tries something ***anine or shady, it IS BEST to ride off and forget it. Unless, of course, some harm came to you or your bicycle. In that case, just call the police.

So I was riding along around rush hour (chicago) on a side(ish) street with no bike lane. Since the speed limit here is 25MPH and there are stop signs at every side street intersection, I ride in the middle of the lane as if I were a car. Usually no problems with motorists as I am usually faster or as fast as them.
This guy in a BMW SUV starts revving his engine WAY up, over and over behind me and lurching his vehicle up toward my rear tire repeatedly. I turned and looked at him and patted my hand toward the ground (like 'OK, cool down buddy). I could tell by the look on his face that he was JUST PI$$ED about something. Maybe it was the 4.50$ a gallon gas, I don't know.
So at the next stop sign (which I usually (cautiously)) blow through, I edged over and stopped and looked at him real meanlike. He screamed GET OFF THE F***ING ROAD and sped off. I caught up to him quickly and was about to pass him between him and the parked cars when he lurched his beemer over to try to squeeze me into a parked car. Had to slam the brakes and REALLY ALMOST got smashed into a parked car. He speeds off again.
Now I am really angry.
(side note) This is a long two lane residential street with cars parked on either side of traffic and many many four way stop signs.
So I caught up to him quickly again. Went to pass on the right and he started to try to swerve right AGAIN to slam me to the parked cars. I spun left, had my keys out, passed on the left and keyed the living hell out of his shiny new beemer as I passed. Row of stopped cars in front of him, nowhere for him to go, he revved up cursing and rear ended the guy in front of him really badly. He got out screaming trying to chase me, but had no chance.
I was gone. I felt really good about it at the time, and laughed quite a bit the rest of the way home.

I would never do something like that again. I was young and angsty and stupid.
It's just not worth it. Who knows what someone could do to you? What if he had a gun? Did he hurt that guy in front of him?

I feel bad about it now.

edit: Not really. He was, in fact, trying to kill me. Or at the least, hurt me really badly.

I generally don't. No sense escalating some brute's emotions until he gets violent. Even if I win the fight it's my word alone to say it was self defense.

It really depends on the situation. I did recently confront someone and when I posted the story on here, I got sort of slammed by a few others on here (even though the worst I did was call the lady a moron because she was looking down in her wallet instead of straight ahead). I think you have to take each situation for what it is. I had a "confrontation" with a woman about year ago. It was completely civil and I was incredibly polite, but serious in conveying that her actions could have just killed me. She had two young kids in the car with her and had almost run me off the road while turning into the grocery store because she was playing with her cell phone (I was riding legally in a bike lane). When I confronted her, I asked her if the two kids in her car were hers. She confirmed that they were. I said something like, "Well, just like I'm sure you like people to watch out for your kids, my mom, who lives just up the road, likes it when people watch out for me. I certainly hope you'll be more careful in the future." I could tell by the look in her face that this REALLY registered. Who knows, it was maybe one of those events that stuck with her and saved someones life down the road.

I do think cyclists have a responsibility to educate non-cyclists, but I agree that it has to be done within reason. I don't condone the destruction of property, but I do condone civil confrontations that hopefully teach a lesson.

Truth^.
I do regret that I resorted to property damage instead of trying to peacefully make this guy more aware and understanding of cyclists' rights.

I used to, but not anymore. I had a roid raging, small man syndrome freak tell me he was going to kill me. He was as wide across the shoulders as he was tall. He said it in a calm, cool manner while looking me directly in the eyes. That one gave me pause.

Before that, another guy went well out of his way to chase me down in his SUV and pull rediculously illegal road manouvers to try and run me down. All because I yelled at him for pulling a right hook on me. He almost ran me down, so I gave him **** for it.

These days, I bite my tongue. I'm not a small guy or anything (190 pounds, six feet tall) and I've been told I look mean, but people are friggin nuts these days. It ain't worth it, you never know who's got a gun. I'll just say something under my breath to myself and continue on my merry way. Discretion is the better part of valour, after all. I gots kids that need their daddy alive.

Be careful everyone, its nutty out there.

I was riding into work one night (overnights) and this car behind me started revving his engine and blowing his horn. As I was already on the side of the road with my blinkies going full on I couldn't get any further to the side (to let them pass as I normally would). Well, this car with plenty of room to get by basically tried to run me into a parked car on the side. They yelled something as they passed and I yelled back (probably some explicitive). They stopped the car and three guys got out. One was about 6 feet 180 or so (the driver) the other was 5'5" and 145 (passenger who yelled something) and the other was in the back seat 5'8" 165 (the peace maker).

The little one was the guy trying to start something and I could tell the driver was reluctant to fight. I don't think they realized that I'm 5'9" 240, and built like a linebacker otherwise I think they would have kept going. Well the little kept saying he was going knock me out or something, and with three of them their the odds were on their side. Luckily the guy in the back seat was apologizing and calling the other two stupid and just wanted to leave. The driver and I actually made peace and shook hands. (I was reluctant to fight with three of them and sizing up the situation for weapons, escape routes, who to take first if need be).

I'm pretty sure they won't mess with cyclists again and I won't be so quick to blow my top until I see how many are in the car first

+1. I'd rather just take down their license plate number and call the police if they're blatantly driving recklessly or aggressively. You never know who has a gun and an anger problem.

It is interesting to hear about some of the confrontations on here that men experience. As a woman, I may get the occasional horn honk now and again, but in the 12+ years I've been bike commuting, I've never had people come after me or try to pick fights. I can only attribute this to gender, as my male colleagues who bike commute always have similar aggression-filled confrontation stories when they get to work. Although I do get a lot of sexually-explicit comments thrown my way that I could do without.

For what it's worth I've been commuting for 7+ years and I've never had anyone try to pick a fight or run me down or anything, and I'm a male. Maybe it's due to living in the Pacific Northwest.

Not generally but I did once. Woman shouted at me "get off the road" and when I beat her to the next light she rolled her window down to shout some more. So I didn't give her the opening. I stuck my head in her car and shouted "Read your drivers handbook you stupid B!" and pedaled off.

For the most part--especially in TX--I assume they are armed so I let it go.

I get in at least one argument every year.
Managing my temper has improved but during that one time each year the stars align and I go ape sh#*.
However, my last encounter was last year when an idiot motorist caused me issues while riding with my son on the tag along. Whatever you do do not mess with a father protecting his kid.
I continue to work on things but all in all my ability to let things go has drastically improved.