Motorist apology

[WALKERMAN]

I was cycling in to work this morning along a very quiet road and approaching a side road and noticed a silver BMW coming along it.
It didn't slow and came straight out and did a left turn. I had been anticipating this (as you do) and I didn't even need to bother braking so no problem just another bad driver. But as she was going round the corner she saw me and looked shocked and then waved. A bit furthur up the road she pulled over and wound the window down. She apologized profusely and said she was so ashamed that she hadn't seen me. She was probably about 30ish and I must say that in 5 years of cycling this is a first. I just thought I should let you guys know this - not all motorists are bad toward cyclists, something I had been beginning to doubt through having had quite a few near misses over the years.

 

[Mussels]

It was a chat up line, you pulled.

 

[Barnowl]

No doubt, a cougar. Those 5 years of cycling have not been wasted.

 

[WALKERMAN]

Maybe she thought I had money when she saw I was riding an expensive ProConnect!

 

[aseb]

I just got an apology from a local council van driver who had turned left into a side road directly in front of me, so late that he was on the wrong side of the road- luckily it was a wide junction. It only took about 4 weeks, a visit to the council infopoint, 2 phone calls, 3 emails - they eventually responded to one sent to the county council who forwarded it to them. Next time I'll try a report straight to the police to see what happens that way. Or a councillor if it's near election time.

 

[WALKERMAN]

I just got an apology from a local council van driver who had turned left into a side road directly in front of me, so late that he was on the wrong side of the road- luckily it was a wide junction. It only took about 4 weeks, a visit to the council infopoint, 2 phone calls, 3 emails - they eventually responded to one sent to the county council who forwarded it to them. Next time I'll try a report straight to the police to see what happens that way. Or a councillor if it's near election time.

This has happened to me on a number of occasions.

I fitted a Airzound Air Horn and the next time someone did this I had time to hit the horn. He must have thought it was a car because he nearly went off the road with the shock.

 

[oriteroom]

This has happened to me on a number of occasions.

I fitted a Airzound Air Horn and the next time someone did this I had time to hit the horn. He must have thought it was a car because he nearly went off the road with the shock.

Yep - I've fitted an Airzound horn - it certainly has a surprise element to it. Whether or not it has any effect on inconsiderate motorists I don't know but it certainly makes me feel better. You did well with an apology from a beamer driver - I normally find them some of the worst.

Had an interesting incident at weekend. Cycling down from Milton Abbas to Milborne St Andrew in Dorset (all downhill having done the hard bit of getting up to Bullbarrow) Mrs 'O' and I were passed and cut up by a car (not a beamer) going like a bat out of hell. This was just outside Milborne and in the distance saw him slam his anchors on and then talking to someone at the driver's window. Often I would speed up and offer some 'advice' about respect for other road users but it was a nice day and I was obviously in a forgiving frame of mind and the Airzound had already vented some of my displeasure. However, when I got to the scene, he was just being 'released' by a copper with a radar gun. I said to the policeman, "Hope you booked him he was driving like a madman." "Cut you up eh!" said the copper, "Shame you weren't 100 yards closer and got here sooner or I'd have booked him - still I've sent him on his way with a fright" If only..

Mike

 

[NRG]

Nothing like pigeon holing and slapping a stereotype to car owners by the make of car they drive is there

 

[lemmy]

Nothing like pigeon holing and slapping a stereotype to car owners by the make of car they drive is there

Among London motorcyclists, the Volvo estate was a legend for cutting you up and generally aggressive behaviour. I can assure you that it was not pigeon-holing - you learned to keep them at arms length or your own safety.

Similarly, with the 'road pinching' speed control round my way, the designated priority is respected by almost everyone - the only notable exception being the large 4x4s, too many of whom steam regardless, feeling, probably accurately, that they are invulnerable.

Pigeon-holing is not always accurate but it stems from collective experience and is it not always wrong.

The kind of person who buys a large, fast, showy car is making a statement about their character. It would be silly not to listen to them.

 

[flecc]

The kind of person who buys a large, fast, showy car is making a statement about their character. It would be silly not to listen to them.

I've got a showy styled larger car (Qashqai) and a bottom of the status stack town car (Matiz).

I must be bipolar (schizophrenic).
.

 

[Mussels]

I've promised the missus a large 4x4 when she passes her test, I'm staying away from the roads.

 

[NRG]

...

Pigeon-holing is not always accurate but it stems from collective experience and is it not always wrong.

The kind of person who buys a large, fast, showy car is making a statement about their character. It would be silly not to listen to them.

Good grief. Just label all car drivers as idiots then and be done with it.

 

[eTim]

Good grief. Just label all car drivers as idiots then and be done with it.

It's how you stay alive when on two wheels, treat all car drivers as idiots

 

[oriteroom]

It's how you stay alive when on two wheels, treat all car drivers as idiots

Here! Here!!!

I and other forum members excepted of course!!

 

[NRG]

It's how you stay alive when on two wheels, treat all car drivers as idiots

As a car and bike rider I also label all car drivers as idiots however I also do the same for bike riders as many of them exhibit zero road sense.

 

[Barnowl]

Let's not get too narrow minded lest we forget the menace that steps suddenly straight out into the cycle lane without a glance. The spin you can put on a teenage pedestrian is quite surprising.

 

[aseb]

As a car and bike rider I also label all car drivers as idiots however I also do the same for bike riders as many of them exhibit zero road sense.

Yes- I saw a young boy ride his bike straight off the path, pass a parked car pulling quickly to the left for about 5 yards then a sharp right accross the road without even looking. Luckily no car was overtaking him or he would probably have been hit by most drivers. I sort of considered following to tell his parents but was in a bit of a hurry and though it more likely I'd be told to mind my own business. I guess I'll feel guilty when it's in the local paper.

 

[lemmy]

Good grief. Just label all car drivers as idiots then and be done with it.

You may say that for yourself but it cannot be inferred from anything I said.

 

[carpetbagger]

i had a van driver pull out infront of me just as i entered a roundabout last night i don't believe he didn't see me i reckon he thought 'its only a bike' and carried on. I went for the airzound but it was dead,might have a leak...had to resort to shouting D...head through his partly opened window.......

 

[eTim]

i had a van driver pull out infront of me just as i entered a roundabout last night i don't believe he didn't see me i reckon he thought 'its only a bike' and carried on. I went for the airzound but it was dead,might have a leak...had to resort to shouting D...head through his partly opened window.......

Just out of interest - what did you shout at him/her and did it have the desired effect ?