How to deal with vehicles disrespecting cyclists

[Wimmas]

Hi guys

 

I'm getting fed up with vehicles (I'm not going to go into detail about who and which vehicles) that disrespect me/other cyclists, on purpose, and for no reason.

 

Today, near the end of my training session while I was cooling off the last 2km's, a specific vehicle full of idiots tried pushing me off the road 3x and laughed about it as well . Right after that another guy drives past me and for no reason just pulls up infront of me and stops where I cycle (half on the road, half on the pavement) - not even to pick up someone or whatever - just no bloody reason, just to spite me.

 

This seems to happen quite a lot these days or maybe I'm just more aware of these idiots.

 

I've really felt the urge to kick off a mirror or kick dent into their fender/doors.

 

It's all fun and games if it happens once in a few months and by mistake, but 4x in one session really p!sses one off!

 

How do you guys handle these situations?

[Wil6]

Hi guys

 

I'm getting fed up with vehicles (I'm not going to go into detail about who and which vehicles) that disrespect me/other cyclists, on purpose, and for no reason.

 

Today, near the end of my training session while I was cooling off the last 2km's, a specific vehicle full of idiots tried pushing me off the road 3x and laughed about it as well . Right after that another guy drives past me and for no reason just pulls up infront of me and stops where I cycle (half on the road, half on the pavement) - not even to pick up someone or whatever - just no bloody reason, just to spite me.

 

This seems to happen quite a lot these days or maybe I'm just more aware of these idiots.

 

I've really felt the urge to kick off a mirror or kick dent into their fender/doors.

 

It's all fun and games if it happens once in a few months and by mistake, but 4x in one session really p!sses one off!

 

How do you guys handle these situations?

Maybe it's just the students messing with you? Ride maybe a different route with less intoxicated people? Edited September 10, 2013 by Wil6

[RocknRolla]

Sounds like the stundents are bored.

[Carbon_Kooi]

This morning while we were out training a woman was hooting at us repeatedly, still don't know why, we were in the yellow lane out of harms way. So we decided next time someone tries something we will sing them a song, maybe he will sing and I will ad some sound effects and a bit of dancing. It doesn't help to fight with these people as they obviously don't use the brains they were blessed with.

[Joe Low]

Its an occupational hazzard, and you should pick your battles carefully.

 

Plenty, plenty, plenty tales of Hubbers' woes, successes, failures and injuries on this issue.

 

We lose more than we win and you're not alone.

[Hairy]

This morning while we were out training a woman was hooting at us repeatedly, still don't know why, we were in the yellow lane out of harms way. So we decided next time someone tries something we will sing them a song, maybe he will sing and I will ad some sound effects and a bit of dancing. It doesn't help to fight with these people as they obviously don't use the brains they were blessed with.

You sure she does not know you?

 

I say this as a couple of weeks back I hooted at a friend of mine who was out cycling, he never recognised me and got a little irritated .... sssoooo .... I then followed him and kept hooting (Back road and no cars to get in the way) ... he got very irritated and I when I stopped the car and got out he realised who I was and I think then very nearly thought it a good idea to take a right hook to me ...

[Wimmas]

If it was the students it would still be fine, but it wasn't/never is!

 

The road I train on is very quiet but unfortunately the 2km's drive to get to the road and the 2km back is where all this k@k usually happens.

 

Seems that these people are just always going to get away with it, just like the government. The problem is that people just accept this behavior, just like we all accept the government and don't do anything about it.

 

I.M.O, if a vehicle is at fault for bumping a cyclist (resulting in anything from a minor injury to death) should receive harsh punishments. Then they'll be more careful about knocking a cyclist

[Kranswurm]

This morning while we were out training a woman was hooting at us repeatedly, still don't know why, we were in the yellow lane out of harms way. So we decided next time someone tries something we will sing them a song, maybe he will sing and I will ad some sound effects and a bit of dancing. It doesn't help to fight with these people as they obviously don't use the brains they were blessed with.

 

She was trying to pick you up...

[madmarc]

You sure she does not know you?

 

I say this as a couple of weeks back I hooted at a friend of mine who was out cycling, he never recognised me and got a little irritated .... sssoooo .... I then followed him and kept hooting (Back road and no cars to get in the way) ... he got very irritated and I when I stopped the car and got out he realised who I was and I think then very nearly thought it a good idea to take a right hook to me ...

 

Same thing happened to me a while back, some black dude in a BMW driving behind me hooting. I eventually stopped got off my bike, walked up to his window and tuned him like back in the old days. He winds down the window and it's one of my mates from our club He still tells me it was the worst form of racism he has ever encountered. But we still mates and he still thinks it's funny.

[Quick Peddler]

Be very careful of them. I ride a scooter to and from work and in the scooter fraternity we call them "cage fighters" as they have the protection of a vehicle around them. Remember we are so vulnerable and exposed there is just no point in fighting with them. Just look the other way and act like you didn't even see them.

[Iwan Kemp]

Hi guys

 

I'm getting fed up with vehicles (I'm not going to go into detail about who and which vehicles) that disrespect me/other cyclists, on purpose, and for no reason.

 

Today, near the end of my training session while I was cooling off the last 2km's, a specific vehicle full of idiots tried pushing me off the road 3x and laughed about it as well . Right after that another guy drives past me and for no reason just pulls up infront of me and stops where I cycle (half on the road, half on the pavement) - not even to pick up someone or whatever - just no bloody reason, just to spite me.

 

This seems to happen quite a lot these days or maybe I'm just more aware of these idiots.

 

I've really felt the urge to kick off a mirror or kick dent into their fender/doors.

 

It's all fun and games if it happens once in a few months and by mistake, but 4x in one session really p!sses one off!

 

How do you guys handle these situations?

 

1. Get a helmet cam or

2. Make an effort to memorise reg number and car details then report them. Time to stand up for ourselves!

3. From your pic and profile it seems you are a MTB'er. Have to ask yourself what are you doing on tar in the first place.

4. Consider a different route

5. If your route dictates you to cycle SOME tar, ride next to the road. In CT we have a bunch of ultra distance tough guys who mtb on tar with perfectly usable gravel right next to it.

 

I say this in good spirit and assuming you have to ride some tar to get to where you really want/need to be.

[FCH]

A bit of a 180 degree on topic, but how do you guys deal with fellow cyclists disregarding road rules at will?

Seriously guys, not a single day goes by when I dont see guys cruising through Stellenbosch with complete disregard for road rules. Turning left at intersections on red, jumping stop streets whole sale, riding up one ways you name it.

Sunday morning had three guys going over the R44 intersection on red at Mercedes garage, the car in front of me drove up to them 500 m down the road and obviously voiced his opinion about their stupidity, two of them flipped him a bird off the bat and the third laughing. Making it more embarresing the guy had his 1.5 m sticker on and a Thule stacked with bikes- a fellow cyclist telling them its not on. And getting told bugger off!

 

[Uni]

I see it a lot on my daily travels where most cars do actually respect cyclists, whether it's someone on their fancy bike or commuters. Usually only on weekends especially on linksfield/club roads that I see cyclists riding in large groups.

 

When last I rode with a group on the roads, I also questioned the attitude of why we were expected to ride in a pack, and to go through red lights etc.

 

I think the best advice is to get evidence, even if you get a mate to film it if it's happening all the time. Then you can approach them and tell them to stop or you go to the cops, or you could go to the straight to the cops, or send the video/ pics to your local paper. Lying down and accepting it is not the answer, neither is resorting to violence.

 

Good luck and be safe.

Edited September 10, 2013 by Uni

[ccc2]

i have a word doc from an attorney who is going to approach the criminal law committee of the law society of the northern provinces to discuss ways of prosecuting cyclists who break the law. i will pm if anyone wants to read.

[Big H*]

You sure she does not know you?

 

I say this as a couple of weeks back I hooted at a friend of mine who was out cycling, he never recognised me and got a little irritated .... sssoooo .... I then followed him and kept hooting (Back road and no cars to get in the way) ... he got very irritated and I when I stopped the car and got out he realised who I was and I think then very nearly thought it a good idea to take a right hook to me ...

 

Was your avatar picture taken before or after the incident??????

[Eugene Oppelt]

Ignore.

They'd love to get your attention,

Don't give it.