Should I keep my mouth shut on the roads?

[caimg]

Yes, challenging dangerous drivers is of course the same as cycling through a red light.

I didn't say it was Gaz - don't be facetious! I know you like to have the odd rant at drivers but my point still stands - drivers (wrongly, of course) see any example of an annoying cyclist and tar us all with the same brush. Therefore, I don't see why you'd choose to do that, unless you feel comfortable enough to have possibly given a quiet rider who doesn't bother anybody a difficult ride home the next day.

I'm not advocating having to have this 'riding on eggshells' approach - its total horses*it that we're in danger from stupid motorists. But it doesn't mean it isn't the norm and so it DOES mean you have to think before opening your mouth. I maintain, you're distracting yourself on the road and then being a potential hazard for other road users, let alone leaving yourself vulnerable to hazards.

Again, you have the right call in wearing a helmet cam, as soon as I can afford one or see a good deal for one I'll pick one up. Name and shame / report idiots that way for sure, but otherwise I'm just not convinced that getting into a slanging match is a good idea.

 

[doctornige]

I did exclaim a brief "Whoa!" when a dog walker's Alsation made to attack me while I was stationary at a set of temporary lights.

 

[gaz]

I didn't say it was Gaz - don't be facetious! I know you like to have the odd rant at drivers but my point still stands - drivers (wrongly, of course) see any example of an annoying cyclist and tar us all with the same brush. Therefore, I don't see why you'd choose to do that, unless you feel comfortable enough to have possibly given a quiet rider who doesn't bother anybody a difficult ride home the next day.

I'm not advocating having to have this 'riding on eggshells' approach - its total horses*it that we're in danger from stupid motorists. But it doesn't mean it isn't the norm and so it DOES mean you have to think before opening your mouth. I maintain, you're distracting yourself on the road and then being a potential hazard for other road users, let alone leaving yourself vulnerable to hazards.

Again, you have the right call in wearing a helmet cam, as soon as I can afford one or see a good deal for one I'll pick one up. Name and shame / report idiots that way for sure, but otherwise I'm just not convinced that getting into a slanging match is a good idea.

I don't think anyone is saying getting into a slagging match is a good idea or results in anything positive.

I've posted on my blog that I think remonstrating with drivers is particularly pointless and it puts you in a position of danger.

Whether that would then further make a driver act stupidly/dangerously/aggressively is not something we can confirm. It's not something we can even confirm with any other sort of action a cyclist makes.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

IMO bus drivers tend to be among the worst offenders...
...I do not tar every motorist with the same brush...

?

 

[marafi]

I either say a shouting 'Oiiiiii' Or to those who don't speak arabic or japanese. Then i swear at them. Its funny the puzzle look. Unless i get a driver who understood what i said im cycling through the park so they can't get me. lols..

 

[I'm With Stupid]

I can kinda swear as much as I want, but it's probably a habit to get out of if I ever want to cycle in an English-speaking country again. But people use their horns with ridiculous frequency over here (almost always aggressively) and I see shouting as the cyclists equivalent. People don't tend to take this stuff personally though, and road rage is pretty minimal surprisingly.

 

[tyred]

I rarely get involved as I don't think it's worth it but I try to distinguish between someone who has made a genuine mistake (we're all human after all) and someone who has just got a blatant disregard for the safety of others.

 

[Matthew_T]

I rarely get involved as I don't think it's worth it but I try to distinguish between someone who has made a genuine mistake (we're all human after all) and someone who has just got a blatant disregard for the safety of others.

I believe this is something I need to pick up on.

 

[steveindenmark]

I think the only person it winds up is yourself.

Not only do you need to look at their behaviour on the road, you need to look at your own and ask if you could have avoided the situation.

Steve

 

[Arjimlad]

I shouted "SAUSAGES" in a doggy sort of voice at a dog which came running across a field in the dark last night. Last time I saw it the fence was very reliable.

I do find that from this time of year onwards flying insects are a problem for the slack-jawed cyclist. So I try to keep it shut, or breath through clenched teeth somehow..

An occasional loud "MADAM" or "OI" is not OTT.

 

[Matthew_T]

I shouted "SAUSAGES" in a doggy sort of voice at a dog which came running across a field in the dark last night. Last time I saw it the fence was very reliable.

I do find that from this time of year onwards flying insects are a problem for the slack-jawed cyclist. So I try to keep it shut, or breath through clenched teeth somehow..

An occasional loud "MADAM" or "OI" is not OTT.

Strangely I didnt have too many of them last summer. I am sure that will change with the current climate of soaring heat.

 

[MontyVeda]

It's amazing how many drivers are adept at lip reading... when they're pulling out in front of me I tend to say under my breath "I don't fecking think so you fecking bell end", and they always know exactly what I've said... it's obvious by the way they turn purple with rage, before taking the baseball bat from the footwell and stepping out of their car

 

[Speedywheelsjeans]

I shout 'woohhhhhh' when someone cuts me up dangerously. Apart from that, I just think 'whatever... idiot' and continue on my ride.

 

[Bigsharn]

Depending on the particular circumstances, I make my opinion known.
Doing something pointless (creeping on cycle lane, MGIF overtake): sarcastic clapping
Dodgy overtake (not immediately dangerous, but could turn nasty): shout
REALLY bad overtake: Have words

Just my scale of things ofc.