Close passes by cars. I can't seem to just let it go. This am, 2 lane side road, me, in the middle of the 6' wide parking area, no parked cars. Large pickup truck passed me with less than 1 foot to spare, his mirror, my shoulder. Plenty of room for him to shift a little left. Also he was doing at least 45 in 30. Chalk it up to that wonderful MA attitude? Caught up to him at the next light. Let him know how close he was. Nothing productive followed. Maybe time to get a camera on the bars.

On good days I let go by offering thanks that I wasn't struck. On less that good days, I get really angry, but quickly tell myself that I'm injuring myself with the anger. I can then usually let it go. On bad days, well I get vocal, physically animated, and typically make the situation worse than it would have been. Lately, I've had fewer bad days.

I've always wanted to put about 18" of whip antenna sticking out past my handlebars with a nice blunt end on it incase someone decided it was a good idea to pass that close. I believe the usual law/requirement is 3 feet to pass so if they are within 18" they shouldn't even consider passing and this way they would always remember it.

Safety nazi disclaimer-
I know that this would solve nothing except probably infuriate drivers even more, and it isn't anything that I would ever do, but sometimes it's nice to think about this type of justice.

Sorry to hear about that experience, and I'm glad he didn't hit you. I think some people do it out of meanness, others do it because they don't believe bicyclists belong on the road, and others just don't see you or misjudge the distance.

A tactic I use has decreased the amount of these incidences by about half, and another tactic I've not used makes sense (and I may try it some day). The second one first: I've read that it is a good idea to wobble or act a little out of control as a car approaches from the rear. Just turn a little to the left for a split second and then correct, giving the impression that you're not quite in control of the bike, and people steer a little clearer thinking they don't want to get too close. Again, I've never done this, but it seems to make sense.

The other thing is rear light placement, and I'll post a picture. Having the light on the left side of the coke basket has made a very real difference in how approaching cars react, and how much room they give me, both day and night. I'm not a scientist and cannot cite any studies, but it's been quite a difference. Here's how the lights are mounted:

Interesting. Thanks for the tip.

Another often stated technique is to take the lane if you're going through an area where there's not enough room for a car to pass you safely.

Sometimes I'm bothered by close passes. Other times not. It helps if I see them coming rather than being surprised by it and it's also less bothersome if the driver is otherwise driving responsibly (not speeding, etc). Usually it's forgotten within the next mile.

From a psychological standpoint, I wonder if the presence of a line on a narrow bike lane makes a cyclist feel safer even if the cars are passing just as close.

I generally agree with this but once, an SUV decided to pass me by moving into the oncoming lane (no traffic) and then almost right-hooked me (I was watching and slowed in time to avoid being hit).

However, normally, taking the lane works.

There are going to be idiots, no matter what you do, just ask car drivers how they got hit by an idiot in another car (as if cars can't be seen!). I generally recommend (within the limits of your comfort) to be assertive (not aggressive) but, at the same time, safety conscious.

I do take the lane when needed. I may try a wider rear light setup. Currently running 2 pbsf's on the helmet and a cygo light hot shot on the rack.

I let go of trying to live in big cities. & beer

Mostly pedaling in leafy suburbs. I have 7 miles of bike paths for the last bit into town.

Why get angry?

I very much enjoy an educational bike safety conversation. And it's always amusing when they have ridiculous adult child tantrums. The facial expressions of chicken-hawk cagers are hilarious!

This is why I often ride in the left side of the lane. If some neanderthal tries to cut me off I can split around them with my middle finger extended.

PS: I am polite when I take the lane. For example, If I am going ~5 miles below the speed limit I always try to give motorists space to pass (often with a wave). Since the speed limit in portland is typically 20 or 25 it's not a problem for me to ride at or close to the speed limit on most of my trips.

I think of how easy it is for the car to accidentally murder me, and how he'll get away with it, and I think of my kids.

Exactly right! When there are no witnesses, the "I didn't see him" defense is generally well accepted. Just be glad that you're okay and continue on. You can't control what other people do.

Rather than letting go, I don't seem to "latch on" in the first place. I only get mildly annoyed by wind buffeting from passing big trucks, and I forgive them because they usually don't have any way of giving me room. Otherwise, a miss is as good as a mile with me...

I had a buzz like that yesterday from a panel truck. I gave my usual "Come on, a*!" and then resumed trucking it up a hill.

I've caught up to them in the past. Depending on my mood, I either approach them and have a calm conversation about how they passed me too closely, or I just pull in behind them and shake my head. I never approach them in anger, as that's only going to start a fight. The calm conversation usually results in an apology as they didn't really know where their vehicle was in the lane.

The good thing about exercise is that it dissolves stress pretty quickly. If more than few minutes pass, I'm back to normal and thinking about how I could prevent the buzz next time.

tough time of year to ride in our area. the right side of these lanes are like the moon. reg: how do you let go? I adopted to shouting the word: "hey!"

catching up to them is a completely other story. photo their plate and even if you don't, tell them you've recorded their plate and are calling it in. take out your phone and dial. right then and there. the look on their face will be priceless.

add the police office #s to your contacts for the areas you ride so you are not calling 911

as for avoiding getting buzzed - that's tough this time of year with all the cr*p on the roads. but I have found that adding a strobe to my left drop bar (in addition to the strobe on my rear rack) has proved beneficial for keeping the cagers away from me a little bit more. of course some a-holes, usually males in pick up trucks or jeeps will aim to teach you a lesson by buzzing you.

and like Jim I also nod or wave in thanks where appropriate.

(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

I think it's interesting how you never see peds or motorists use this type of fearful language even though peds and other motorists are also slaughtered by cagers.

HTFU and ride.

How do you let go?

I have a similar situation but nonetheless I get buzzed, not necessarily with hostility, but seemingly driving just too close. My main source of security on the Road is a rearview mirror, and I'm a big advocate. But it's surprising to me how often I’m startled by a passing car, maybe lulled into a sense of security by the tranquility. I never did see the car that hit me from behind on a wide, well-lit, lightly-traveled 25 mph road.

My immediate and satisfying response is to place The Bicyclist’s Curse:

I'm 6ft 230lbs, you can't miss me.

And I always get semi trucks and buses within inches of me every day. I ride with steel nerves, I expect it. I'm more surprised when I see the larger vehicles switch lanes to give me more room.

The speed limit on the roads I travel ranges from 45-50mph I wish I had 25mph roads.

Generally drivers who get too close run the red light if they see me coming up on them at an intersection and they know they pissed me off. The last thing they want is the big tattoo'd guy ripping them out of there car. If I do catch one at the light I just give them a dirty look and hope they open there mouth, so I can club there mirror off.

Now that's the spirit!

Just the other day I was on my way home, going along a quiet road with parked cars on the other side. The driver either didn't see me (broad daylight however) or just didn't care. He didn't even slow down, squeezing me into about 30cm between his car and the pavement. I nearly fell off, but when he had passed I gave him the finger and an angry shake of the head.

Looking back, I wished I had challenged him as to why I wasn't given the right of way, but I think this would've been just as useless. In the end I just felt reassured that all drivers aren't like that, and have since started giving a courteous wave to cycle friendly drivers.

Sometimes I want a nice sharp piece of metal on my glove. If I can reach out and scratch your car with it. You were too close .

Don't know if you're a ******bag, or are wryly impersonating one. Need emoticons.

Probably.

But the whole they are out to "murder me" commuter braggadocio is tiresome.