Riding with people driving!!

[NbyNW]

Lots of good points about finding other routes . . .

I've had a theory for a while (and I'm probably not unique in this) that being in a car makes people behave in ways they wouldn't in any other social situation. They (we) feel that because they're in a big protective shell and since interaction between drivers/other users is so fleeting, one can swear, yell, shake fist/flip finger with few lasting consequences. For example, I will yell all kinds of obscenities at other drivers . . . from the safety of my own car, with the windows closed. In a real interpersonal situation, I would keep my mouth shut and back away slowly, since I am small and probably easily overpowered.

Funny how you never see a cyclist exhibiting "road rage" type behavior.

If drivers are being rude, don't take it personally . . . they're probably having a bad day and taking it out on everybody, not just cyclists . . . or they're just jerks. It will take time for people to learn how to share the road, and even then, people will probably still behave badly. Do be careful on that commute of yours. We do take on a certain amount of risk/vulnerability when we're on our bikes in heavy traffic . . . and getting hurt is a real drag.

[alpinerabbit]

Funny how you never see a cyclist exhibiting "road rage" type behavior.

Believe me - people have seen my middle finger;

I once patted a car hard on the roof for cutting into my bike lane (sounds like you hit something but nothing happens) - I had to get out of there quick (provoked road rage?).

And when I was rididng in that bike clinic a couple months ago, a pedestrian called the leader names because he spoke high german. I've never seen anyone do such a quick u-turn, slam his bike on the ground and go for the guy to grab him by the collar.

so there.

[lph]

Jen.Jen, it helps when you realize that drivers truly don't mean it personally. It feels like it when you feel vulnerable, but at that split second grandma-in-a-hurry just thinks "DANG, one of those dern cyclists in front of me AGAIN!" and takes out on you whatever aggression she has built up from before. It has quite little to do with what you're actually doing, unless you've been riding like a jerk and stalling traffic for miles.

It sucks sometimes, but yeah, we should try to be ambassadors. Very polite, genteel, kindly ambassadors, by our wonderful example showing all these poor people how the world could be a better place

Re road rage: read an interesting article once on how people tend to identify themselves with their cars and view them as an extended version of their personal space. Which might explain the aggressive behaviour when drivers feel "pushed", while still safe inside. On a bike you might feel pushed but vulnerability makes you less aggressive.

[SouthernBelle]

My commute is about a mile longer because I choose to avoid certain roads. The ones I avoid have no shoulder at all, in addition to being very busy highways.

When I'm driving on these roads, If I see a cyclist, I tend to think they are nuts to ride there. That's particularly true on one section of Old Hartsville Pike. It's hilly and if a driver tops a hill and you are just on the other side, they could plow you over without the chance to compensate.

On the route I have chosen, I am generally treated quite respectfully.

[Crankin]

I *try* to be an ambassador, by my actions, but sometimes, it feels hopeless. On my husband's drive/ride to work there is a large pack of cyclists every MWF. They ride in the middle of the road and never move. He is going to call the police. It's obviously a heavy duty training ride, but riders like that give us all a bad name.
Yes, people have seen my middle finger, too, even though I ride on suburban/country roads. On my commute home, it's often school buses that are the worst.

[indigoiis]

Smile and wave.
That's what I do.

[Kimmyt]

I agree, it is usually schoolbuses that are the worst. But then, they are carrying children, so are less likely to give you room and risk going in the other lane. I accept that it when I am on roads travelled by school buses, I will get encroached upon. I lower my speeds, as such.

It can be hard to 'take the high road' by not reacting to irate drivers, but I always try to remember that riding my bike makes me happy. Driving into work in my car makes me frustrated. I certainly don't want to be angry on my bike. So I try and just smile or wave or ignore them. If I'm really frustrated or the drivers are behaving particularly bad, I find that singing (out loud) a verse or two of a song I like makes me feel alot better and puts their angry actions out of my head.

[KathiCville]

When I'm riding on back roads, I try to smile and wave (or at least nod) as often as I can to all vehicles--whether they're coming toward me or passing me. I make a special effort to be friendly when I know that someone has been hovering behind me for at least a few seconds, waiting till it's truly safe to pass. I figure it makes 'em feel good to be acknowledged for 'doing it right' instead of trying to run me off the road, LOL! I'm also hoping in a small way to counter the lousy reputation that the cycling clubs have around here for hogging the roads, making obscene gestures and the like.

The other drivers---the ones who pass too close, show impatience, honk wildly, whatever---I haven't yet figured out a way to, uhhh, encourage them to improve their passing skills......I'm usually clinging to my handlebars and just trying to stay upright as they accelerate past me.

Addendum: I actually had an oncoming pick-up truck 'playfully' take aim at me this past weekend on a flat straight stretch of road-----came over into my lane, mainly I think to see what I would do. I slowed my pace a little bit but didn't stop. He moved back over in plenty of time. I smiled and waved as he blasted past---figured it was best not to show annoyance.

[mimitabby]

Funny how you never see a cyclist exhibiting "road rage" type behavior.

oh but you do. There's been more than one altercation between cyclist and motorist that made it into the news.

and I've seen my own DH get mad and chase a car.