Driver Awareness
 

Morning All

I was just wondering what methods others employ when a driver does something dangerous (usually by misjudgement of space). I always try to ride in a predictable manner, taking the lane where necessary and giving clear signals. I have learned through years of commuting how to 'read' a drivers behaviour and predict what is going to happen next.

On a couple of occasions this year I have seen that a driver is about to attempt an overtake which is likely to put me in serious danger. The first was where the road started wide enough but became narrow quickly. I put my right arm out (UK) to prevent them coming past. They didn't, but also didn't appreciate my signal either and became quite aggressive. I dealt with this by staying calm and gesturing for more space. They then brake tested me before driving off.

The second was a similiar incident where there was room to start with on the road, but a pedestrian refuge further up (a pinch point) which meant there was insufficent room for the two of us. I put my arm out, the driver ignored it and went for the pass. He got so close to me I had no option but to tap the side of his car (partly to stay balanced and partly to make him aware just how close he got). He then wound his window down, launched his verbal volley and drove off. Further on I caught up with him, and again keeping calm just reasoned with him as to why I felt what he did was dangerous and asked him if we were switched places whether he would have appreciated driving like that. All ended in a handshake.

I don't think the majority of drivers go out to deliberately put us in danger, and the majority of cyclists are not out to cause trouble. Some drivers are just more skilled than others.

My question is, is it reasonable to take the actions that I did? Could I do something different? How do others on this forum handle such situations?

Thanks in advance and happy cycling!

Depends on the situation but sometimes I find that a car trying to squeeze past can be deterred by me holding out my hand as though it might be a signal. When they see you only have the one hand on the bars and appear (are) less stable, they begin to register the possibility they are a danger to you and might slow down. Of course if they have the much discussed "sense of entitlement" it probably won't work. That's why I said in my last post that we need more anarchy.

I'm not a big fan of those pinch points in the UK, however, I do find that people in general give a huge amount of space to cyclists and that they exhibit excellent lane management in general. Perhaps not as good as in Germany, but much better than in the US.

I think we overthink things in forums because we can. Seriously, all those carefully thought out words and paragraphs in the o.p. to describe incidents that must occur dozens of times a month if you're doing it right. Do you stop to lecture errant road behavior each time someone cuts you off? Really? You're driving a vehicle which has upward of 100 horsepower. You are approaching a choke point and a cyclist is ahead of you. You squeeze some more ponies out of the joy juice in the tank to get there ahead of him/her. S/he throws up a hand to say... "whoa horsie"... you ignore them... ... you didn't hit them, you didn't hurt them, you didn't damage their bicycle... its over! You acted badly. You know it. But you did it because you could. All of you have when it was your turn behind the wheel. Get over it when you are on the bike. Let it go. Next. Its the only sane way to ride. Otherwise stick to the car. You only make it worse for those of us who don't have cars. Your airzounds, your cameras, your many taillights, your lane hogging, ... your entitlement...it isn't necessary. It does not make you safer. It only seems that way. There, I've said it. It doesn't make you safer. Throwing up a hand to stop a 6,000lb. SUV is the definition of futile. If it worked its because the chap/chapette in the vehicle was basically a decent sort from go... IOW you weren't in any danger anyway. If they are a mouthbreathing, slobbering, piece of work OTOH, you very possibly might have opened a can of whup @$$ that you haven't got the mojo to deal with. Now what? Let it go and let God. FWIW.

H

I was with you right up until "God."

Yup. May as well ride hands-free and eyes closed...

I think what you did is fine. i bike in Chicago and have been cut off several times because the driver wasn't paying any attention to me causing me to almost crash a few times. I've tapped on cars before. Just to point out I was cycling very respectively. There are some cyclists who always seem pissed off here as well who clearly ride very unsafe cutting off cars. I saw this one girl go ape **** when the car in front of her wasn't going fast enough and she started hitting it so it would move.

I haven't believed in God since I was 9. But when I write I try to keep my audience in mind. This being the U.S. I think I'm on safe ground using God like I did. YMMV in Europe. FWIW. Seriously though... right with me up until "God"? Be still my heart...

H

I think you make very good point here. Most people, regardless of their mode of transport will generally give respect if they are shown respect in the first place. I like to think that by cycling with the right attitude it can influence my judgement in a positive way. The whole point of this thread is to seek the opinions of others to help improve my roadcraft. Tapping on a car is the ultimate last resort for me, as generally this is taken as a disrespectful act - which can then be returned. I didn't like doing it but it was a split second judgement. Unfortunately those cyclists who seem to cycle with the wrong attitude make it hard for the rest of us to earn respect.

I lived in Texas for a while :eek:

Concealed Carry would resonate as well :)

You're quite a strange guy and that's quite a comment coming from me :)

Just a warning- bringing God and guns into this thread will get it moved to P&R.

That sounds like a movie title!