What to do about crazy cyclist-driver confrontations?

[Geonz]

When stuff like that happens, a group tends to form One Opinion as an initial response, and heaven help anybody not on their side. I'm with you - diplomacy could have gone a *long* way. It may not be "wrong" if "the other guy started it" - but that doesn't make it smart. OTOH, guys have that radar that *usually* tells 'em when they should be diplomatic... on the third hand, who knows how that driver is feeling right now. If he came upon a lone cyclist in five more miles...

[downhilldiva]

My boyfriend had an encounter the other day. After being yelled at as the driver passed him they were both stopped at a stop light. My boyfriend got spit on, he retaliated by leaning towards the car to yell at the driver. The driver grabbed him by his shirt and his leather cord necklace. The BF retaliated by trying to punch the driver through the window and kicking off his rearview mirror. The fight continued to escalate into wrestling on the ground. Finally bystanders threatened to call the police and the driver got in his car and left.
I am not saying that he handled this appropriately or not. (He used to be a bike messenger in a big city so he seems used to this type of confrontation.) I don't know how I would have handled it. I probably would have just rode away as quick as possible and then cried most of the day. I'm thinking the mace might be good.

[equus123]

i tend to just ignore somebody if they say things or become enraged (for no reason what so ever). i either ignore them or smile and wave. 9 times out of 10 they shut up and just keep driving.

it really is amazing the amount of road rage drivers there are out there the second they near cyclists. it makes no sense to me. my teammates and i get it all the time - the screaming, the honking, the zooming past, the arms flailing out of the window. what's the big deal people? JUST GO AROUND. that's all you have to do. almost seems like a new problem to be treated anymore - road rage.