Matt1972

I'd just laugh in their face! I was coming up to a car that was trying to turn left into traffic and I said "Hold it! A car's coming!" I was meaning the car behind me.

iforgotmename

I once chased a semi down for laying on his horn when he was right next to me. I had just started riding for everyday transportation and took peoples attacks very personally. Looking back it was pretty stupid. Now I just wave

dynodonn 

Verbal attacks, I just let roll off like water on a duck's back, physical attacks or intimidation, I still take very seriously.

Kevrob

+∞ on the chilling, hairnet.



Any of the taunts that I get riding are offset when someting like this happens. The last time I cycled to the nearest shopping center to pick up a few supplies, a very cute young grocery store employee started gushing to me about how cool it was that I was riding my bike, that she was all into saving the environment, etc. If I was a young guy like you, I'd have been exploiting the situation, I tell you what. As it is, this 200lb.+ 50+year-old rode away with a smile on his face.

Kevin

subclavius

LOL! That perfectly described the 20 year relationship between my older sister and mother. The sister finally mellowed out after that. Dad and I tried to tell mom, but to no avail....

I bet that's not all you rode away with.....

caloso

Smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.

MNBikeguy

"You're not a car" is an observation. Congratulate them on their astuteness.
However I occasionally hear, "Get outta the road" which is a directive.
Directives require a bit more of a dicier response.
Either way, don't get mad. It isn't worth it.

hairnet

Now that I've had my first taste of harassment, if it even is, I think it will be easier to keep cool.

The Human Car

I am not sure why but I find this song very calming after getting riled up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yvlgS5fWpU
Why don't you just shut up and sing the song pal.

hairnet

that was great

this video puts a pretty big smile on my face
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKTN6Xd7ccI

there aren't any pictures of me but my busted bike is in there

making

Great video.

Bob T

I've always taken this to mean that I should stop acting like a car. In other words, get off of the road.

Next time it happens and I'm in a position to respond I'm thinking of agreeing and showing the sticker on the back of my helmet which says "One Less Car".

JJPistols

"You're not a car."



"Funny. That's what the doctors keep telling me, too."

pe2er

How odd.
Most likely, the person(s) telling you this is not a car either.

Unless of course it was Kitt:




Erwin

TheLifeOfBryan

Frankly, I can’t wait to be told either this or “Roads are for cars, $DEROGATORY_NOUN!” by the operator of a short bus. But so far, they haven’t obliged.

somedood

I was yelled at once by a carfull of shirt-less dudes in a rust bucket of a car. They yelled something about a sidewalk and a bunch of other super tough sounding things. It was close to a stoplight, which they were turning right at. They sped off after leaning out the window, being even MORE tough. That was pretty easy to ignore, they looked pretty silly so if anybody were to not approve what I'm doing I would hope it would be someone like that.

Last week I did get buzzed by a minivan yelling something unintelligible while going up a 5 mile slight grade. It's a side road, with a couple stop signs. The van buzzed another cyclist in front of me, and when I passed him he looked kinda freaked out (either that or he was getting ready to pass out from the ride, I dunno). The van stopped at the stop sign ahead, and I just kept going. They were waiting for me, and when I got there (it was probably 45-60 seconds after they buzzed me) I was making sure I wasn't short of air in case there would be a throw-down. When I caught up to them it was a minivan full of fat chicks probably ranging from 20-40 years old. I wanted to slap them so bad. They started laughing and took off, and I just yelled a sarcastic "HA HA HA!!!". Anyway, I decided to forget about it and keep riding - they're just stupid and don't realize they're driving something that has more than 20x the mass I do and can be deadly if they're not careful. If I lose my temper and stew about it then they've won, I ride because I enjoy it and I won't let them ruin that.

Sharing the world with other people means we'll run into those we percieve as stupid, but we can still choose whether or not we will be offended by them. Forgiveness is really more for your benefit than theirs.

spiker

As a fellow 6'5'' commuter & a generally laid back guy I, too, snap back at idiots. About 2 week at the last light before work the road goes from single lane to 2 just at the light. There is a left turn light but no marking on the road. Turning right takes you to the middle & an elementary school. I roll up to the light far enough so anyone going to the school can go right on the red. This guy in an Acura with his sunroof open rolls up between me & the car in the other lane & starts yelling at me to get off the road. I lean over, stare down thru his sun roof, "you gotta problem?" Light goes green he zips off & then flips me the bird.

apricissimus 

"You're not a car."

"Yes I am. Vrooooom, vrooooom!! Beep! honk! Vrooooooom!!"

*rides away*

The Human Car

LOL, Since most motorist think we are crazy anyway that just might be the best way to handle it.

Kimmitt 

I tend to just look at them until they back down. Benefits of being a big dude.

keithm0

"You're not a car!"

"Neither are you. You may be in a car, but you are not a car."

illdoittomorrow

"You're not a car."

"I don't care what anyone says about you, you catch on quick."

Substitute "your wife" for "anyone" if you'd like to rile him up...

pharasz

Last year I finally made a vow that every time I wanted to give a (inconsiderate) driver the middle finger, I smile and just wave instead. Now I smile and wave a lot at the folks that honk, yell, or just plain try to crowd you out of your lane. Believe or or not, it is instant anger relief to smile and wave in a friendly manner. The world has no tolerance for those of us that are fit, and great, and demand that they share the road. But they all have a soft spot for mentally challenged people. So just try your best to act like you are completely mentally ******** and perfectly happy about it, and riding a bike because you can't pass a driving test. Smile real goofy and wave like a happy five year old. Remember, people acting that way are not living a happy life, and could be packing a 9mm and looking for an excuse to use it. The right attitude will disarm them without deadly force.

Thanks to you folks that suggested the goofball retorts. That's even better. I've got to remember some of those.

DallasSoxFan

In commuting, as in life, you should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

hairnet

I am a very mellow person. I don't often get angry at anybody, I was surprised that it set me off like that.