Road Rage

I was following some jerk on a cycle. I did nothing to proke him.

He was passing some parked cars and there was oncoming traffic, so I
stayed behind the cycle, keeping engine revs low, just casually
following with enough space.

So you dismiss any thoughts of intimidation OK.

So after the parked cars, the cyclist then decides to ride just right
off centre to the lane (single carriageway, one lane in either direction).

After waiting to see what he was doing, pull left or turn right, he did
neither and continued in the middle of the lane obstructing traffic.

So, I give a quick blip on the horn (fraction of a second) just to alert
what appears to be a blissfully ignorant idiot rider of my presence) and
overtake when there was a safe place to do so.

I gave the cyclist plenty of room when I overtook.

So it was no surprise when I saw the cyclist in my rear view mirror
making ****** signs and giving my the finger, mouthing verbal abuse at me.

And what for? Because he didn't show me the same courtesy I showed him?

Now I think I already know what your response will be.

In fact I can probably think of a couple.

So let me just say, if a cyclist is going to behave like a **** on the
road then he shouldn't come crying when someone objects to their behaviour.

Im just canvassing for opinion.

Simon Dean wrote:
I was following some jerk on a cycle. I did nothing to proke him.

He was passing some parked cars and there was oncoming traffic, so I
stayed behind the cycle, keeping engine revs low, just casually
following with enough space.

So you dismiss any thoughts of intimidation OK.

At this point yes.

So after the parked cars, the cyclist then decides to ride just right
off centre to the lane (single carriageway, one lane in either direction).

After waiting to see what he was doing, pull left or turn right, he did
neither and continued in the middle of the lane obstructing traffic.

He continued where he is allowed to cycle, in the middle of the lane,
and he was "traffic". He may have had a very good reason to remain
there. Without knowing the road, I can think of several general cases,
e.g. he might have been about to turn right, he may have been travelling
to fast to move into the gutter for you, he may have been cut up a lot
on that particular road.

So, I give a quick blip on the horn (fraction of a second) just to alert
what appears to be a blissfully ignorant idiot rider of my presence) and
overtake when there was a safe place to do so.

I find motorists using horns extremely intimidating, and a motorist
using his horn often seems to mean "get out of my way", or "I am about
to side swipe you".

I gave the cyclist plenty of room when I overtook.

So it was no surprise when I saw the cyclist in my rear view mirror
making ****** signs and giving my the finger, mouthing verbal abuse at me.

And what for? Because he didn't show me the same courtesy I showed him?

What, you used the size of your vehicle, along with the horn, to force
the cyclist out of your way?, and you think that is showing courtesy.

Now I think I already know what your response will be.

In fact I can probably think of a couple.

So let me just say, if a cyclist is going to behave like a **** on the
road then he shouldn't come crying when someone objects to their behaviour.

It sounds from your description that you were the one behaving like a
****, showing the symptoms of road rage, and intimidating other road users.


Im just canvassing for opinion.

Could you have passed him without using your horn?

On Apr 28, 11:01 pm, Simon Dean wrote:
I was following some jerk on a cycle. I did nothing to proke him.

He was passing some parked cars and there was oncoming traffic, so I
stayed behind the cycle, keeping engine revs low, just casually
following with enough space.

So you dismiss any thoughts of intimidation OK.

So after the parked cars, the cyclist then decides to ride just right
off centre to the lane (single carriageway, one lane in either direction).

After waiting to see what he was doing, pull left or turn right, he did
neither and continued in the middle of the lane obstructing traffic.

So, I give a quick blip on the horn (fraction of a second) just to alert
what appears to be a blissfully ignorant idiot rider of my presence) and
overtake when there was a safe place to do so.

I gave the cyclist plenty of room when I overtook.

So it was no surprise when I saw the cyclist in my rear view mirror
making ****** signs and giving my the finger, mouthing verbal abuse at me.

And what for? Because he didn't show me the same courtesy I showed him?

Now I think I already know what your response will be.

In fact I can probably think of a couple.

So let me just say, if a cyclist is going to behave like a **** on the
road then he shouldn't come crying when someone objects to their behaviour.

Im just canvassing for opinion.

You used your horn and then you question his response ? The horn is
supposed to be used as a warning of danger, but is often used to
intimidate or vent frustation, besides you may have startled him.

The words 'blissfully ignorant idiot' and '****' might indicate your
true attitude to a rider who has the same right to ride on any part of
the road as you do and has no obligation to get out of your way.

"Simon Dean" wrote in message
...
I was following some jerk on a cycle. I did nothing to proke him.
....
So, I give a quick blip on the horn

Oops, you lost it there.

Don't hoot cyclists, it doesn't help.

He almost certainly knew where you were. Cars are actually pretty noisy,
even driven slowly, so it's not hard. And you do know that the horn isn't
there to be used as a rebuke, since it provokes road rage.

So, now you know what you did wrong and what provoked the behaviour you
complained about, will you make sure you don't do it again?

clive

wrote:
On Apr 28, 11:01 pm, Simon Dean wrote:
I was following some jerk on a cycle. I did nothing to proke him.

He was passing some parked cars and there was oncoming traffic, so I
stayed behind the cycle, keeping engine revs low, just casually
following with enough space.

So you dismiss any thoughts of intimidation OK.

So after the parked cars, the cyclist then decides to ride just right
off centre to the lane (single carriageway, one lane in either direction).

After waiting to see what he was doing, pull left or turn right, he did
neither and continued in the middle of the lane obstructing traffic.

So, I give a quick blip on the horn (fraction of a second) just to alert
what appears to be a blissfully ignorant idiot rider of my presence) and
overtake when there was a safe place to do so.

I gave the cyclist plenty of room when I overtook.

So it was no surprise when I saw the cyclist in my rear view mirror
making ****** signs and giving my the finger, mouthing verbal abuse at me.

And what for? Because he didn't show me the same courtesy I showed him?

Now I think I already know what your response will be.

In fact I can probably think of a couple.

So let me just say, if a cyclist is going to behave like a **** on the
road then he shouldn't come crying when someone objects to their behaviour.

Im just canvassing for opinion.

You used your horn and then you question his response ? The horn is
supposed to be used as a warning of danger, but is often used to
intimidate or vent frustation, besides you may have startled him.

sigh

"The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn
other road users of your presence."

He seems to have done everything right. What the cyclist was doing and
why, history does not relate. Certainly not turning right or he would
have indicated. I suspect a narrow road, in which case everybody did
what they were supposed to do.

Clive George wrote:
"Simon Dean" wrote in message
...
I was following some jerk on a cycle. I did nothing to proke him.
...
So, I give a quick blip on the horn

Oops, you lost it there.

Don't hoot cyclists, it doesn't help.

It *does* help. A tootle from a good way off lets at me at least know
of an impending car. I agree a honk up the arse is counter productive
in *most* cases, but don't dismiss it out of hand.

He almost certainly knew where you were. Cars are actually pretty noisy,
even driven slowly, so it's not hard. And you do know that the horn
isn't there to be used as a rebuke, since it provokes road rage.

Ermmm, so he was the 'victim' of road rage, and it was his fault?
You're thinking like a motorist.

So, now you know what you did wrong and what provoked the behaviour you
complained about, will you make sure you don't do it again?

As far as I can see, he did nothing wrong. If the final overtake was
given with plenty of room, the cyclist got the road space he demanded by
being in the position he was in.

Tosspot wrote:
wrote:
On Apr 28, 11:01 pm, Simon Dean wrote:
I was following some jerk on a cycle. I did nothing to proke him.

He was passing some parked cars and there was oncoming traffic, so I
stayed behind the cycle, keeping engine revs low, just casually
following with enough space.

So you dismiss any thoughts of intimidation OK.

So after the parked cars, the cyclist then decides to ride just right
off centre to the lane (single carriageway, one lane in either
direction).

After waiting to see what he was doing, pull left or turn right, he did
neither and continued in the middle of the lane obstructing traffic.

So, I give a quick blip on the horn (fraction of a second) just to alert
what appears to be a blissfully ignorant idiot rider of my presence) and
overtake when there was a safe place to do so.

I gave the cyclist plenty of room when I overtook.

So it was no surprise when I saw the cyclist in my rear view mirror
making ****** signs and giving my the finger, mouthing verbal abuse
at me.

And what for? Because he didn't show me the same courtesy I showed him?

Now I think I already know what your response will be.

In fact I can probably think of a couple.

So let me just say, if a cyclist is going to behave like a **** on the
road then he shouldn't come crying when someone objects to their
behaviour.

Im just canvassing for opinion.

You used your horn and then you question his response ? The horn is
supposed to be used as a warning of danger, but is often used to
intimidate or vent frustation, besides you may have startled him.

sigh

"The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn
other road users of your presence."

He seems to have done everything right. What the cyclist was doing and
why, history does not relate. Certainly not turning right or he would
have indicated. I suspect a narrow road, in which case everybody did
what they were supposed to do.

No. Not narrow. Or at least not that narrow.

Martin Dann wrote:

Simon Dean wrote:
I was following some jerk on a cycle. I did nothing to proke him.

He was passing some parked cars and there was oncoming traffic, so I
stayed behind the cycle, keeping engine revs low, just casually
following with enough space.

So you dismiss any thoughts of intimidation OK.

At this point yes.

So after the parked cars, the cyclist then decides to ride just right
off centre to the lane (single carriageway, one lane in either
direction).

After waiting to see what he was doing, pull left or turn right, he
did neither and continued in the middle of the lane obstructing traffic.

He continued where he is allowed to cycle, in the middle of the lane,
and he was "traffic". He may have had a very good reason to remain
there. Without knowing the road, I can think of several general cases,
e.g. he might have been about to turn right, he may have been travelling
to fast to move into the gutter for you, he may have been cut up a lot
on that particular road.

Oh I overlooked this response. The one that you know more about the
incident than me even though I was there, even though I've explained
every single one of your points before you've made it. I've waited for
him to turn right, I've waited for him to move left, I've waited for the
end of the parked cars. There is no reason for him to be there.

So, I give a quick blip on the horn (fraction of a second) just to
alert what appears to be a blissfully ignorant idiot rider of my
presence) and overtake when there was a safe place to do so.

I find motorists using horns extremely intimidating, and a motorist
using his horn often seems to mean "get out of my way", or "I am about
to side swipe you".

Oh yes, the universal definition of horns. You'd expect cyclists, as
road users, to be familiar with horns and not be surprised if they are
used - not in aggression - but as a gentle warning of your presence.

I was actually a little nervous about what this guy might do. Given his
actions, I was quite certain he was either in dreamland, or deliberately
trying to hold up traffic and be discourteous on the road.

Either way, I didn't want some lunatic cycling into my path while I try
and overtake. Yes, I felt justified in alerting him to my presence.


I gave the cyclist plenty of room when I overtook.

So it was no surprise when I saw the cyclist in my rear view mirror
making ****** signs and giving my the finger, mouthing verbal abuse at
me.

And what for? Because he didn't show me the same courtesy I showed him?

What, you used the size of your vehicle, along with the horn, to force
the cyclist out of your way?, and you think that is showing courtesy.

Yes, more of the "I know more about what happened than you".

I said I overtook him. At no point did I force him out of the road.
There is a clear definition of the word overtook.

Now I think I already know what your response will be.

In fact I can probably think of a couple.

So let me just say, if a cyclist is going to behave like a **** on the
road then he shouldn't come crying when someone objects to their
behaviour.

It sounds from your description that you were the one behaving like a
****, showing the symptoms of road rage, and intimidating other road users.

You think I have road range, based on the fact it was someone else
wildly gesticulating and mouthing obscene words? Based on the fact that
I gave him all the space and time in the world?

No, I guess your assumption is based on your "expert witness".

Im just canvassing for opinion.

Could you have passed him without using your horn?

Who knows. Im not a fortune teller. My conscience is clear though. I
alerted him to my presence. Plain and simple.

wrote:
On Apr 28, 11:01 pm, Simon Dean wrote:
I was following some jerk on a cycle. I did nothing to proke him.

He was passing some parked cars and there was oncoming traffic, so I
stayed behind the cycle, keeping engine revs low, just casually
following with enough space.

So you dismiss any thoughts of intimidation OK.

So after the parked cars, the cyclist then decides to ride just right
off centre to the lane (single carriageway, one lane in either direction).

After waiting to see what he was doing, pull left or turn right, he did
neither and continued in the middle of the lane obstructing traffic.

So, I give a quick blip on the horn (fraction of a second) just to alert
what appears to be a blissfully ignorant idiot rider of my presence) and
overtake when there was a safe place to do so.

I gave the cyclist plenty of room when I overtook.

So it was no surprise when I saw the cyclist in my rear view mirror
making ****** signs and giving my the finger, mouthing verbal abuse at me.

And what for? Because he didn't show me the same courtesy I showed him?

Now I think I already know what your response will be.

In fact I can probably think of a couple.

So let me just say, if a cyclist is going to behave like a **** on the
road then he shouldn't come crying when someone objects to their behaviour.

Im just canvassing for opinion.

You used your horn and then you question his response ? The horn is
supposed to be used as a warning of danger, but is often used to
intimidate or vent frustation, besides you may have startled him.

Actually my understanding is that a horn is used as a method of warning
others to your presence, of which a short tap on the horn (according to
the wonderfully posted description of horn signals) mean only look "Hey,
Im here".

As a road user, I would expect them to be familiar with the sounds of
the road. I would also expect a road user who appears to be blissfully
ignorant of everything around them to be more familiar. He may be one of
the cyclists who runs red lights, or cycles out of junctions without
stopping then blaming the motorist for not getting out of their way fast
enough when they have to go to hospital.

Yeah, this conversation is going pretty much as expected right now. A
cyclist shows all the evidence of road rage and cycling like a moron,
yet someone it is once again the motorists fault.

The words 'blissfully ignorant idiot' and '****' might indicate your
true attitude to a rider who has the same right to ride on any part of
the road as you do and has no obligation to get out of your way.

Here we go. Use words directed at one individual to try and show what my
feelings are towards cyclists in general. I did not say the cyclist had
an obligation to get out of the way. I said it would be courteous to do so.

Im not sure if that's a hard concept for you to understand. I know Im a
courteous driver and make room for others who want to go faster than me
- whether cyclist, motorcyclist, car driver, bus, truck, van etc. Are
you saying that cyclists are exempt from being courteous on the road?

I also didn't say all riders are blissfully ignorant, just this one
individual.

That's why I didn't say "all cyclists are ****s". Perhaps you've
misunderstood me, in which case, why am I replying to you? You're quite
clearly a fool or a very angry person (wow, another angry cyclist).
Perhaps you'd like to apologise for your unprovoked attack?

Additionally, Im well aware of the mentality of riding in the middle of
the lane. I see a couple of you missed the point where he was riding
actually to the right of centre. In any event the road was wide enough
for him to move left.

His position on the road was ambigious. His actions could not
distinguish him from either wanting to turn right at some unknown point
in time, trying to prevent people from overtaking, or being blisfully
ignorant.

Simon Dean said the following on 29/04/2008 07:27:

No. Not narrow. Or at least not that narrow.

Was it wide enough for you to pass him with him, say, 1m from the kerb
and you at least 1m away from him? The figure of 1m is an absolute
minimum, but the way.

If not, I suspect he was riding in that way to deliberately prevent you
from passing for his own safety - all experienced cyclists do that. If
a cyclist leaves just enough room for a car to squeeze through, then the
driver will squeeze through endangering the cyclist - this is the
mistake inexperienced cyclists make.

I'm not going to make any excuses for his actions after you passed him
though.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/