I'm glad I got this off my chest

[TsPoet]

That's why I told that I was a cyclist and that I didn't want him to get hurt. How can someone be rude in response? You don't want something bad to me? Well, you're a jerk!
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When I renewed my tabs this last time, I got bike plates on my car. I paid that extra $20 so I could do what you have done, and point at them to say I'm pro-cyclist. But, I still haven't had the nerve. I hate seeing cyclist on the wrong side of the road and/or on the sidewalk - there are more cyclist around here riding along those 2 paths than on the right/correct side of the road.

Good for you!

[Wahine]

Well done Indy!! You said what needed to be said in a non-confrontational way that facilited communication instead of impairing it.

[lph]

wow! I often wonder if I should say something and how to say it. That was a perfect example of how to put something well and actually be heard. Kudos!

[Crankin]

I have been cut off by other cyclists blowing through signs, when I've been on my bike. I usually yell something to him/her.
But, I have stopped kids without helmets and the adult who rides without a helmet, while their kids have them. Some of them have even been people I know (former neighbor). One time a friend and I were using a porta potty near a playground. We saw a teen (girl) riding by with the helmet on the handlebars. My friend, who is, let's say, not shy, really started in on the kid, and the poor girl put it on and rode away. But, maybe it made an impression.
I don't see a lot of egregious blowing through stop signs here by cyclists; usually, if they do, I assume they rode out from the city, where this is the predominant mode. My DS always followed the rules and was the only commuter who stopped at lights. I guess he stopped being rule abiding, because he got a ticket for going through a light in Cambridge, earlier in the summer. He thought it was funny when he told us, but he got a big lecture from both me and DH.

[Catrin]

I won't blow through a red light, ever. Stop signs, however, are relative where I am concerned. If I am in the country or on empty neighborhood streets where I've a clear line of sight then I will do what we used to call a "California stop", slow down and then go.

I've really wanted to stop and say something to cyclists I've seen in our downtown area who appear to consider a red light to mean "hurry up and get ahead of the cars). Some of them have their helmets attached to their handlebars I see more and more cyclists, many of them without helmets, and part of me wants to stop and talk to each one.

Indy, hopefully you gave that cyclist some food for thought and he will be a bit more cautious in the future.

[OakLeaf]

Nicely done, Indy.

[skhill]

Well done, Indy!

I've done something similar on occasion. And whenever I see a kid with a helmet hanging off the handlebars, I do my best imitation of my grandma and scold. So far, they've always put on the helmet-- they might well take it off as soon as I'm out of sight, but still...

[redrhodie]

I recently read the riot act to a big rig driver who didn't give me enough room when passing (he nearly ran me off the road). I caught up to him at a stop sign and by the end of our conversation, he was apologizing profusely. So, it can work with truckers, too. I also felt better, like he would be more careful passing other bikes from now on, if for no other reason than to avoid the likes of me.

If you need to do this, use appropriate language (no name calling), and don't lose your cool. Like Indy did, keep it civilized. If you're isolated, if the person looks sketchy, let it go. Although I was really angry, I was able to stay reasonable and explain why his passing was dangerous and illegal, and the best option when passing a bike is to wait until it is safe.

It must have looked really funny to anyone watching, to see this little squirt on a bike stop a Mack truck, then hear him yelling "I'm really sorry" out the window.