Bike Forums - Retaliate to Jerk Face Drivers

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- - Retaliate to Jerk Face Drivers (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/733192-retaliate-jerk-face-drivers.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdefran (Post 12605687)

New commuter here, starting riding to the workplace and completing simple errands about 5 weeks ago. Everything is good so far, enjoying it much more than I anticipated actually...but one problem, drivers of cars suck!

Not to promote violence or suggest this is healthy behavior, but do you ever feel the need to respond to those that could careless of clipping you, running you over, or display their 'more privileged attitude' of using the roadway?

It seems like I need a sling shot or ninja stars to throw at these freaking cars. I feel bad enough when profanity controls my mouth...now I am getting road rage on my bike :eek:

I've been riding for decades too, I still get pissed, I haven't gotten used to it, but I've have become more selective on which motorists I wish to direct my collective energy towards.
My collective energy is now to record license numbers, vehicle/driver description of motorists who exhibit driving habits that I feel are a considerable threat to my safety, and in rewarding considerate motorists with waves, nods, and smiles.

As you will never/rarely alter or train a motorist by reacting to their actions, you'll most likely find the best solution is to find a way not to let it get to you. In my case it's been years and I still react with a waste of energy from time to time, but nothing like the first year where it was a weekly experience. So now, 25,000 miles later, it's more like a couple times a year and I'm still mad every time it happens, just because it has a bad effect on my day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfmisso (Post 12607579)

A minute or so later two very attractive women pulled up on bikes, and we rode the next four miles or so together :)

That would make my day regardless of how it was going up until then. Sadly I rarely see other cyclists, and the only people I've ever had riding alongside me were a college riding team that passed me like I was stopped, I've passed newbie commuters on MTBs a few times, I totally smoked a guy who I think was probably about 70 years old last week :) and an older lady who had just blown a stoplight and was really snotty about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlmostTrick (Post 12607670)

When I re-entered bicycle commuting it seemed I encountered more "Jerk Face Drivers" than I do now. As I gained experience and continued to refine MY behavior it seemed the drivers improved and I had less issues with them. Many beginners are not assertive enough and some drivers will take advantage of this.

This is spot on (what I was trying to convey). If you don't "control" the situation, they will. And we don't want that, now do we?