newridenewme

So today I had my first driver roll down the window and tell me to get the f$#& of the road, this when I am on the designated driving road. How do you deal with that

KCNEWF

Wave and smile. Just wave and smile. It drives belligerent jack wagons absolutely nuts!

byrd48

Whether in a car or on a bike I have a rule of thumb, don't take out any aggression on the road. Just ignore it and keep going.
Sometimes it's fun to catch up to these folks at stoplights. Now when everyone is stopped, do what you want, but when moving, just keep on moving.

terrapin44

This.

CXT

Yep.

Years ago, I used to flip the bird until a guy almost ran me off the road in retaliation. Car VS Bike = Not good. I've learned my lesson and just ignore it - it's hard, but not worth it. Do NOT let them get to you.

I think I read on here somewhere where a guys default response to ignorant car drivers yelling at you was simply replying "I like syrup on my pancakes." Makes absolutely no sense, is an utterly ridiculous response, but will leave drivers saying WTF everytime.

spare_wheel

I try to chase them down and educate them. This not only provides an excuse to turn the wattage up but also provokes amusing reactions when they realize I am *daring* to give chase. If I catch them they typically try to ignore me but occasionally they apologize. This makes me day.

dynodonn

As long as the motorist doesn't try to back up their verbal tirade with sheet metal, or thrown objects, I can keep a somewhat calm demeanor(no smiles or waves, they don't deserve any). If the incident goes further than verbal, I'll turn over any info on the motorist, that I may have, to local law enforcement.

Bluish Green

If you are riding in a safe and legal manner, you are doing the right thing, and I would recommend disregarding the f-bombs from the impotent/ignorant/angry driver types. You are going to get that every now and then, it kinda comes with the territory. It happens every few months or so here, but when I compare that to thousands of normal motorists who are considerate or at least normal, it is a fairly unusual event for me. That does vary by town, though. Personally, when it happens, it makes me feel glad that I am no longer one of the overweight angry drivers burning gas and hating my drive every day. If it is happening more regularly, or for some specific reason, you might give some consideration to any possible routing or other alternatives. Or not, if you are already riding appropriately and are happy with your route. Other than that, the advice to "smile and wave," or as I do, quickly disregard and refocus on the riding task and situational awareness at hand, are probably what you want to do.

JoeyBike

If you want a confrontation beyond yelling, show him who is number one. If you are not an action freak, let it go in one ear and out the other. Don't let it ruin your day.

Artkansas 

+1 Think of waving as the one finger salute 5 times over.

Artkansas 

I guess you've never been shot by a motorist.

Let trouble pass you by is my motto. I will yell at them when they get down the road, out of earshot, however.

newridenewme

i was completly shocked at the anger she showed in her works and tone. it was like she truly hated my exsistance.
i am new to commuting but i try to ride predictably i have a mirror, helmet, 6 lights and i at any point i am worried i get off my bike a walk it till i feel more comfortable. i am feeling alot more confident, my rout is mostly bike lanes or designated by road. i have the regular people who pass to close, cut u off and stuff which i am more awear of

fietsbob

They may be up to their neck in debt, mortgage is from the top of property bubble,

and has 5 bad days a week to try to bail them self out of it.

Juha

I used to blow a kiss to the worst offenders. But as I'm not wearing lycra anymore and have lost most of my excess weight, the effect is not quite the same nowadays. I smile and wave instead.

merkong

I usually ignore... The whole Charles Barkley deal you know, "I don't want to be anyones role model", or an ambassador for the community thing aside... I ignore but if someone catches me at a light or something and directly confronts me, I tell them where it is and how they can get some. Even though most cagers probably feel they can whoop or intimidate cyclists, I'm 6'1" and nobody has tried yet. Only the cowardice comments, and engine rev as they buzz me.

Mumonkan

the area i live is full of young hostile angsty guidos, noone respects the fact that a bicycle is supposed to be in the street

i tell them to go **** them selves

they dont respect me i dont respect them

JoeyBike

I think your careful riding style is making motorists hate all of us.

Vlaam4ever

I have a hard time letting it pass. My blood boils easily when I'm riding, but I never engage them verbally. I may give them the finger and turn up the gas a bit just to cool off. My commute is very short 2.5 miles each way so I dont too many problems.

dynodonn

I've taken a pellet gun shot to the rib cage, and I was just riding along side the road at the time, and I don't yell, wave or smile(they seldom hear what you're saying, and they don't deserve any kind gestures in return). Yelling after the fact, only reminds me of some of the mentally unstable people that I occasionally see along my commute.

spare_wheel

the cycling equivalent of the "razor blade in the apple".

dramiscram

When I'm feeling good I'll scream I LOVE YOU MAN!! on the top of my lung. If it's a lady I'll blow a kiss.
If it's an ordinary day I'll just ignore them.

Last summer a lady hit the back of the car in front of her because she was to busy ,shouting at me to get on the bike lane, to look where she was going. That was nice.

yamsyamsyams

In the winter time they can barely see who they're talking to in the mornings/evenings when commuting to and from work, and I further confuse them by silently beaming my helmet light straight at their face/mirror.

merkong

Minnesota is pretty bike friendly but there are morons everywhere. I am readying for a 25 mile loop here in a bit, all roads and have just now vowed from now on to let any and all PITA cagers, their comments, horns, buzzes, and tension and hostility slide on past me. We just nee to remember that we are the lucky, the relatively few, the bike enthusiasts. Who's with me?

HK2K13

Drivers in LA are a tad 'slow' when it comes to driving... I'm not speaking in terms of speed, but in terms of common sense & judgement. I used to find myself getting really frustrated with drivers. Now, I use better judgement so that I correct their moronic actions before they can even make them. Prevention. If I encounter a crazy, disrespectful driver, I just push past & keep pushin'... I'm Rollin' so they'll be out of my space in no time. I'm focused on riding, not carrying on confrontation with people.

droy45

I agree replying to anything they say will not be heard. So I pull out my phone and pretend to be taking a picture of their car and plate and if I actually have time I do snap the pic. I've used this technique once and I think it scared them. If I am ever confronted by a road rager with a weapon, I will pull out my trusty can of wasp spray I keep for the coyotes. Not sure how much help that would be but its all I've got. It hasn't happened yet. Now I hope I can remember all this if it ever does happen.