A cut-out-and-keep guide for cyclists on how to deal with abuse from motorists suggests forgoing verbal or physical retaliation in favour of psychological warfare.
According to the guide by systemcomic.com:
When people are confronted they greet it with aggression, but when you meet it with the unexpected, they are forced to think. Which is the meanest (and nicest) thing you can do. Because it sticks with them all day.
Who shouts most?
A poll of British motorists by cycle insurers, ETA in 2009 found that drivers in Scotland were the least stressed and least inclined to shout at other motorists, but the most likely to become involved in a physical altercation. The most stressed drivers in Britain are those in the Midlands and Wales.
Environmentally friendly cycle insurance
On the face of it, one cycle insurance policy is much like another, but the devil is the detail. How much excess you will be charged is just one of the things that varies wildly between providers. Another is so called ‘new-for-old’ replacement – many insurers use this term, but if your bicycle is more than a few years old, devalue it severely. This means you are left out of pocket when you come to replace it.
ETA cycle insurance has a low standard excess of 5% (minimum £50) and offers a new-for-old for life – however old the bike, if it’s stolen you get enough to buy a new model.
For over 28 years we have been providing straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance. Whether you use your bike to commute, shop, race or amble in the park, ETA Cycle Insurance has you covered.
John
If cyclists obeyed the rules of the road then motorists wouldn’t shout at them. Get real, it’s not the cyclists road, it’s there for all road users!
English Lady
“If horse-riders obeyed the rules/got off the road, they would not get beeped at, then they would not get spooked and very inconsiderately throw that obstacle/rider into the path of my car”
“If that stupid/cyclist/horserider/dogwalker had not insisted on being around that blind corner I would not have had to swerve/brake at 70mph”
Replace with adjective of choice. There are just as many irresponsible, inconsiderate and dangerous motorists out there: in fact, according to the rules of probability, there are more, since there are more motorists overall.
Like the ones who bomb down the Middle of the narrow country road full of blind corners which we live down at night and wonder why there are people and animals on it- what with all those horses and farms next to it.
John
I am very disappointed that the ETA have not commented on the death of a pedestrian caused by a cyclist. The court case has been heard, with only the sentencing to be decided.
I do expect the ETA to be balanced and when cyclists behave as badly as car drivers they are should be equally critical.
Ken Hooton
Cyclists riding blatantly illegal bikes should have their bikes confiscated and crushed as happens to motorcycles being ridden illegally.
Such cyclists give law abiding cyclists a bad name.
Bob
As a Motorist 90% of the time, a pedestrian say 2%and a cyclist 8%. When out and about the onus is on me personally to be considerate to ALL OTHER Human Beings I encounter. Today for example, I could have ploughed into some five pedestrians who sprang out in front my car as I drove into my Town. I can’t believe that so many cyclists, at night where I work, wear dark clothes, have no lights and cycle along the pavements. So as a Pedestrian One has to be aware of these people approaching you, both day and night. To be honest when cycling I’ve only ever had a few close shaves when foreign Lorry Drivers pass me by very closely. I’ve found the vast majority of other road users very reasonable and dare I say “caring”. So. Think happy friendly thoughts ALL of the time to our fellow “H/B’s”!
Chris
In response to the comment from John:
If the ETA commented about every case where a motorist had caused the death of a pedestrian then there would be over 10 comments a week. The tragic case referred to by John is worthy of attention as it is one of only TWO deaths a year caused by a collision between a cyclist and a pedestrian – i.e. it is very unusual and shows how benign this form of transport is compared to motorised transport.
David
Well John,
I don’t know, but maybe it has something to do with the fact that this is a site principally for cyclists. There are any number of anti-cyclist commenters on other forums and in the mainstream news media.
Perhaps you just don’t belong to the cycling community?
Eamon
Number of cyclists killed on UK roads in 2016 – 125
Number of pedestrians killed by cyclists in UK in 2016 – 1
The hysteria in the mainstream media over this tragic accident is what is unbalanced. I don’t think it is fair to criticise ETA for imbalance, but it would be good to see them publicly support the majority law abiding and considerate cyclists who are getting vilified in the press on the back of this sad story.
Ed Benton
Incidents between cyclists and pedestrians where the pedestrian does not die are most likely vastly under-reported. I’ve been clipped in alleyways and pavements quite a few times over the years, if the cyclist keeps their head down and keeps going there’s absolutely no opportunity to identify them and ensure the transgression is counted.