How to deal with vehicles disrespecting cyclists

[Pants Boy]

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.

Send plz

[Big H*]

Ignore.

They'd love to get your attention,

Don't give it.

 

Copy and paste and email them????

[Cuppa Bru]

I recently caught up to a delivery bakkie on Barbara Rd which ran a robot at pace at the next robot and tore the key out of his ignition. I bent the key in the process, but the guy fixed it with a brick on the pavement and apologised to me for what he did after I kakked him out.

 

I don't recommend what I did.

A better move is for more people to use helmet-mounted cameras/ dashcams and reduce traffic transgressions by creating problems for the offending drivers.

If the fat metro pigs won't enfroce respect for the rules of the road, someone needs to pick up the slack.

[Pants Boy]

I've (lately) been very chilled about these cage-fighters - I roll up to them (when I inevitably catch up with them at a robot or stop street) and very, very, very politley ask them to indicate when changing lanes, or leave a little gap for us cyclists etc. Reaction? Utter embarasment on their part. I must admit however that I started doing this after ripping a delivery bus's wing mirror off one morning after he tried to push me off the road twice.

[patches]

blow kisses!

 

Simple as that!

 

Any tense road rage type incident can quickly be neutralized with blowing some kisses.

 

Little angry man in big luxury car starts shouting, swearing and using his best sign language on you... don't respond in the same manner... blow a kiss and watch him feel like an absolute fool as he gets angrier but doesn't have a manner in which to respond.

 

It works great!

Edited September 11, 2013 by patches

[Kranswurm]

blow kisses!

 

Simple as that!

 

Any tense road rage type incident can quickly be neutralized with blowing some kisses.

 

Little angry man in big luxury car starts shouting, swearing and using his best sign language on you... don't respond in the same manner... blow a kiss and watch him feel like an absolute fool as he gets angrier but doesn't have a manner in which to respond.

 

It works great!

 

I would not try that on Kallie Knoetse.........be prepared to ride like hell

[FCH]

Make sure you do this just before your Strava segment, then hoof it!!

 

 

 

 

I would not try that on Kallie Knoetse.........be prepared to ride like hell

[gummibear]

Not even safe on the gravel sections.This is a Coke truck.

 

[KENDA]

The problem comes from both sides of the fence. When I am on my bike there are cars that get on my nerves! when I'm in my car there are days that cyclists get on my nerves..... The fact is we were all born imperfect and we all make mistakes, sometimes those mistakes cost peoples lives. So is life.... You all are bound to be effected by other peoples mistakes for the rest of your lives. I just try keep calm, that's not always possible though....

 

This morning I'm driving on Nelmapius in Centurion, a road I often ride on my bike as well.... Those of you that know this road, it's really narrow.... If you ride on that road in peak hour traffic, I'm sorry but you have a death wish..... So this morning I see this guy on his "29"er riding on the road, the cars are stuck behind him, one by one the cars manage to squeeze just past him..... I had less confidence and was stuck behind for a km or so..... What really frustrates me is just next to the road was a perfectly good foot path ? Why why why did this idiot not use the foot path ? It was clear ? Instead he risks his life riding on a road that can barely cater for 2 cars, let alone a cyclist as well. That to me is exactly why we have so many cyclists dying on our roads.... It's simple really, cars don't give a flying ^&^&$# about cyclists and many cyclists don't give a flying @^&$ about cars... Not a great combo.

[Falco]

Simple logic says that there is no point getting upset with motorists. If you cannot contain your frustration, then you have a serious problem, because abusive motorists will never change their ways.

 

I firmly believe that the vast majority of motorists are law abiding citizens who do not deliberately go out to harass or injure cyclists, it's the minority that cause the problem.

 

And the same applies to cyclists. The majority do what they can to foster good relations with other road users by riding responsibly, but there is always a small group who behave badly and irritate motorists.

 

That's life. Accept it.

[Karooryder]

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!

 

I have to agree with you here. I train out on Lynnwood Road in Pretoria every week and not a single ride goes by where, not individual riders, but bunches skip traffic lights at LARGE intersections (think Lynnwood & Simon Vermooten for those of you that know the area) with cars dodging cyclists everywhere. We have to realise that we are as much subjected to road traffic laws and common courtesies, as any other road user. In my opinion, cyclists often agitate vehicles drivers for very much the same basic traffic offence reasons that causes drivers become p#issed off with any other drivers.

Edited September 11, 2013 by Karooryder

[Sportsworld.co.za]

Why not start a couple of name and shame FB pages.

 

We could call the Afrikaans one " Hey Koos, you drive like a D**s "

 

And the English one " Hey Rick, you drive like a Pr*** "

 

Would that work?

[Fast Forward]

I cherish my life and good health. Firstly I make sure that I not only comply with road rules (written & unwritten) but that I ride in a state of mind prepared for any possible eventuality. No use to hope that motorists, cyclists or pedestrians will value your life the same way you do.

 

I came to realise that, whilst cycling, its most of the time impossible to hear a vehicle approaching from the back. Motorists assume that you hear them & will make way timeously so they need not reduce speed. Motorists (not familiar to cycling) class cyclists as pedestrians and pedestrians expect cyclist to stay of the pavement where they walk. We don't fit the transportation profile in SA and it's not going to change soon - we are an aggressive country - nothing we can do there.

 

If the cyclist is the innocent party he could always open a reckless/negligent driving charge against the motorist. Once a docket is opened the police are at the very least compelled to obtain a warning statement from the perpetrator and a prosecutor has to make a decision on the charge. A fine could be issued to the driver or he could be summoned to appear in court depending on the seriousness of the offence. Just remember, if you open a docket you may be called upon to testify. If the transgression is that serious, then I think we as cyclist owe it to each other to go to the trouble to have reckless drivers prosecuted. All you need is the reg no. The road traffic act has a presumption that the owner of a vehicle is the driver thereof. It would be good if you have a witness or other form of evidence to corroborate your story but it's not a train smash if not.

 

I can relate to 2 instances where vehicles crossed my line and drove right in front of me. I luckily anticipated what was going to happen and managed to brake in time. It's amazing how cycling shoes can scratch a car......

[Waynehans]

Guys, this is gonna go on till the day we die... (and hopefully not by been run over by a car). It's Africa and the way cars and bikes work here, is never gonna be like in EU countries, no matter what they do.

 

I just ride on my side of the road and ignore all idiots that HOOT. You give them your attention, you look for ****!!!

[Pants Boy]

Why why why did this idiot not use the foot path ? It was clear ?

on his "29"er

There's your answer. Hat, coat, door

[patches]

Sheesh, some vehicles are just so disrespectful...

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVqaQ6X9WJs/UXsYkcGyUZI/AAAAAAABKJ0/dthEE50Qy4A/s400/Parked+cars+at+St+Catherine%E2%80%99s+Church,+Ventnor.jpg