Generally, when I'm close enough to a car to take a swipe at it, the last thing I want to do at that point is take one hand off the bars. Pretty tough to do an emergency stop or swerve one-handed.

I usually stick to loudly casting aspersions on the driver's character, lineage, and qualification to operate a motor vehicle.

I have only "hit" a car once - two years ago I caught up to a car that buzzed me...actually felt the mirror hit my jacket...knocked on the passenger window and yelled at the driver (young girl who was obviously scared) to give me more room next time.

I got cut-off earlier this year, and caught the car at the next red light where I squirted the drivers window with my water bottle to signal my displeasure. Last year I got cutoff (at the exact same spot) and caught up to the guy at the next red light. I yelled at him to give me room and he responded by flipping me the bird. It was raining pretty good that day so I reached over and flipped up his passenger side windshield wiper such that he would have to get out of his car and flip it back down. I feel a little bad about the first two incidents, but I am still feeling pretty good about the last one.

I probably shouldn't have said something that was funny and insulting. I'm sure that didn't actually help the situation any. We were both about a mile from a college football game, which is the same thing as a horrid traffic jam. She was probably stuck in it, and on her way somewhere. Fortunately she was already pointed the wrong way, having started to make her turn, so it didn't seem quite as threatening. And, the "I'm gonna run you over" part didn't fully sink in until I was leaving the situation.

But anyone who watched probably won't take their bike on that road. Ironically, there's a MUP half a block from where I was riding ... but I avoid the MUP, because it's not safe at 20+ mph.

Ah, to be twenty again. I smacked about a dozen or so cars in my first few years of urban cycling, then ceased the practice when I decided to stop riding angry. It didn't seem to accomplish much beyond feeding my sense of furious righteousness, which was preventing me from being able to relax and enjoy the ride. At some point I got tired of feeling like I was girding for battle every time I threw a leg over the bicycle; the same point that riding my bike started causing me more stress than driving my car.

I still get irritated when someone steals my right of way or forces me to avoid a collision that they almost caused, but irritation is easy to shrug off. Anger stays with you, it taints the rest of your day. I try not to get angry unless I've been struck or run off the road; and even then I'm not smacking the car, I'm calling the cops.

I'm almost there, getting better. You put it very nicely

On a lighter note a few weeks back, myself and a few friends went for a ride to Fort Lauderdale from downtown Miami. As we were getting to the Miami Beach a girl passes up in her Dummer and flips the bird at me. We caught up with her at the draw bridge which was up and I asked her "Why do you have to be mean for being fat ?" She flipped me off and and the passenger (a really cute girl) had a smile on her face and was waving back at me =D That was fun lol

Road rage... good times.

Hit their car and it's like you hitting their face! People truly feel they "are" their cars.

Not a good idea. Just don't do it.

The only time I've tapped on someone's window was to let them know their tires were low on air but that's about it.

Freal ! Its true

I hit a car once. We were turning after stopping on red. The car in front started up then stopped dead. I was looking down clipping in and when I looked up had to veer left quickly. My gloved right hand (on the hood) brushed above the turn signal. I responded to the driver's question saying that I barely brushed the vehicle. She did pull over in the gas station I cut through after the turn and inspected her car.

Oh, sorry, I misunderstood the question.

Given the high cost of body work these days, that's Felony Vandalism in a lot of places.

With somewhat unstable people the driver's payback will be Assault and Battery, or Assault with a Deadly Weapon when they decide to run you over with a car.

With really unstable people the car driver may be facing Second Degree Murder charges.

[QUOTE=bragi;11680614]I Even if you're in the right, it makes you look like a fanatic, and won't help the cyclists that the driver will encounter in the future.

Good point

Really, most people who disregard you are anti-social when confronted anyhow. it's like they are driving around looking for trouble sometimes.
This AM I get buzzed by a crappy pickup who has to stop quick for the light up ahead anyhow. So I keep my cool and figure, lets see what being nice does. I roll near him, he looks at me (gee, think he knew why I might look at him too huh?) I show him the space he left me of a foot with my hands and gave him a nice look and asked for more space next time.


He said F U and drove off.

I smiled and went on my way. I thought about a foot to the quarter or telling him to get out of the truck, but I wanted to do the right thing. I'll hold my temper and see what next time brings.