Re: How To Handle This Situation?


"Happi Monday" <happi@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:hni9k8$vf0$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Re. balance of the story: The driver did shout "it's your fault you cnut,
you were in the middle of the road!".

Ahh, the well known crime of "taking up more space than you should". However
the reality of these situations is that you were probably *not* taking up
enough space at all! What I find happens is this. If you ride about a metre
out from the kerb (or about a 3rd of the way into the lane), it can give a
false sense to the numpty driver that there is indeed enough space to pass.
But, if you ride bang in the centre of the lane, even the most stupid, nasty
and aggressive of drivers will realise that there is no way they are getting
past unless there is plenty of space in another lane. We also need to
remember that stupid drivers confuse "riding partway into the lane" with
"riding in the middle of the road". However, riding in the centre of the
lane helps avoid any confusion and I have found reduces the chances of
confliction. They still might *think* you are riding "in the middle of the
road" but at least they will not be able to squeeze you out or pass and then
cut in front.

But I honestly have no idea
what he was referring to, aside from my right turn at the previous
junction (he pulled up behind me while I waited for passing traffic).
I am normally quite happy to give the finger or shout at drivers that
hassle me - but in this case I was taken totally by surprise and didn't
even raise or wave my arms.

I rarely make rude gestures, I usually just throw my hands in the air when
drivers do very stupid things. If they are stopped I like to tell them
plainly about their lack of driving etiquette.

I'm quite a big chap and probably could have handled the driver, had I
needed to. But he wasn't small himself!

I cycled (sped)-off for self-preservation - I fancied the driver wanted to
(at least) grab hold of me and I was still astride my cycle.

ISTM rather bizarre that a driver will try to knock you off then try to door
you, call you a cunt, then chase you. All because you were in his way but
you did not block him completely. Centre of lane by default may have meant
that he just seethed behind the wheel, behind you.


.

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