For those of you getting irate with filtering bikes.

[robstvr]

You know how it is, sitting in the car, stuck in traffic, crappy radio, getting hot, bikes whizzing by with a death wish, and you just kinda get that feeling that you should, just perhaps, help them on their way to oblivion, or at least just move over to get in their way?

Well, if you are one of those who gets such feelings, do try to suppress them, just a little. If you are one of those who actually acts on them, then best be ready for the consequences. This is what happened to me, very recently:

I was filtering down between 2 lane traffic (A3 coming down into Wandsworth from the West) on hatchings, with no solid lines, and an oncoming car swerves towards me, looking me right in the eye. He had to move a good 2 -3 ft my way to manage it, but he does, and hits my brake lever (at my right hand) with his car so hard it locks my front wheel, bends the lever, squashes my hand and lifts the rear of my bike off the ground. It is good fortune and not much else which save me from being either flung into oncoming traffic, or under traffic from behind. I don't think i would have come off too well, and he'd be up for manslaughter at the least. Think about that for a bit, the more pragmitic obstructionists amongst you.

I'm a meek sort of a guy, but many would have chased this bozo down, and ripped his balls off.

I'm not suggesting that all drivers (myself included) are of this ilk, but some here almost certainly are. Summer, and increased numbers of bikers are upon us. Let's all try to remain calm.

[Motown Junk]

I always move to the left if I see a bike coming up behind.

1. To let motorcyclists pass

2. To hinder road tax dodging pushbikes

[james_tigerwoods]

You, of course, swapped details of the accident, non?

Or got witnesses to this clear act of dangerous driving?

Or reported it to the police?


ETA - I always move out of the way for bikes - I prefer for them to be ahead of me so I can see them...

Edited by james_tigerwoods on Friday 28th May 09:04

[308mate]

And sometimes our lack of risk asversion can benefit car drivers.

On a single carriageway, if Im approaching an oncoming truck with a car behind who looks intent on overtaking, I move right over to the left and wave/flash them out. And for a brief but joyous moment we are three abreast on the road, me headed towards a truck with a car overtaking it. Its surprising how many people take me up on this too.

[Mr Gear]

This sort of behaviour isn't dangerous driving. It's MURDEROUS driving, and anyone who uses two-wheels in London knows how common it is. People in cars and on buses have no idea how frequently their fellow humans deliberately set out to harm and impede others on the roads.

I have put my foot through people's headlights in the past, and I'd do it again.

[mattviatura]

Don't get this at all. I don't ride a bike, never have. I don't "get" bikes, have never liked them and think far too many riders have a Rossi complex (some friends included).

That said I always move out of their way in traffic and wouldn't dream of intentionally endangering one. People who block bikes are aholes.

[kambites]

Motown Junk said:

I always move to the left if I see a bike coming up behind.

1. To let motorcyclists pass

2. To hinder road tax dodging pushbikes

That's OK, when I'm filtering on a push-bike I filter down the middle anyway.

[edo]

robstvr said:

on hatchings

I don't for a minute condone what the car driver did.

But I have a question - are the hatches there for bikes to ride along - is it legal to overtake on them?

[Whitean3]

Motown Junk said:

I always move to the left if I see a bike coming up behind to let motorcyclists pass

me too.
I don't mind sensible bikers at all, and if I can get out of their way so they can enjoy their riding, so be it. Although I do feel pangs of jealousy when I see them avoiding all the traffic, overtaking cars with ease in twisty roads etc.

[balls-out]

Sounds like a serious offence from the car driver. Reckless?
Is there any follow-up for him?

[Dr.Doofenshmirtz]

Hmmmm...why the hell would someone do that?
Are you sure his intention was to kill you, or, and more likely IMO, the driver got target fixation?
I've had many a car driver pull out right into my path despite looking right at me. Not some angry short man either, just normal people who probably wouldn't hurt a fly.
Target fixation is an evil phenomenon which affects bikers and drivers alike. You look directly at what you want to avoid, but end up going straight for it. the trick is to look round the offending obstacle.

[TITWONK]

id never do that but it does get to me when im waiting at a red light on my own, first in the queue and a great clear NSL road ahead and some tt who thinks he is far to superior to wait just because his bright green and black piece of st is smaller than mine, pushes to the front, then worms around all high and mighty like its his right to hold me up.
sometimes us car drivers like to enjoy a clear road ahead with out some leather wearing monkey pushing in front and ruining it. you might have a little bit more acceleration but god your all so slow around corners
not saying you do this though and it is very fkin stupid indeed to swerve at a biker, especially if you actually make contact. you should of reported to the police and hope the tit lost his licence.

[Munter]

I tend to give them space if I have it. What's annoying is when there is no space to give them and they still insist on folding your mirror back to squeeze past....

[ceriw]

quite common round here - car drivers getting arsey with bikers.
have a bike myself so no stranger to fkwits in cars. that said i know a couple of stupid s who ride bikes too - sort that kick car door panels in if a car driver has pissed them off - exactly what encourages the car driver to play chicken with the next biker he sees.

there are stheads in cars and on bikes..... just hope you dont meet them!

[Mr Gear]

TITWONK said:

id never do that but it does get to me when im waiting at a red light on my own, first in the queue and a great clear NSL road ahead and some tt who thinks he is far to superior to wait just because his bright green and black piece of st is smaller than mine, pushes to the front, then worms around all high and mighty like its his right to hold me up.
sometimes us car drivers like to enjoy a clear road ahead with out some leather wearing monkey pushing in front and ruining it. you might have a little bit more acceleration but god your all so slow around corners
not saying you do this though and it is very fkin stupid indeed to swerve at a biker, especially if you actually make contact. you should of reported to the police and hope the tit lost his licence.

What car do you drive? The chances are, it is much slower than a green bike, and therefore its rightful place is behind at the lights.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Motown Junk said:

I always move to the left if I see a bike coming up behind.

1. To let motorcyclists pass

2. To hinder road tax dodging pushbikes

HA except when I'm on my PEDALbike I always filter on the right

[robstvr]

james_tigerwoods said:

You, of course, swapped details of the accident, non?

Or got witnesses to this clear act of dangerous driving?

Or reported it to the police?


ETA - I always move out of the way for bikes - I prefer for them to be ahead of me so I can see them...

Edited by james_tigerwoods on Friday 28th May 09:04

Hmmm, bit sanctimonious.

How exactly do I (should I have had the presence of mind, and not just be wondering how to clean the st out of my pants) halt a stream of 2 way traffic to get witnesses - bearing in mind that I've come to a halt, and the traffic is all still going? Firstly, to catch up with those who saw it (in either direction) I would then have to filter faster than I was initially, encourage them somehow to stop and give details. Then I would have to chase down the perp in the other direction, get his details (If I can remember which red car it was) and he doesn't just deny it. All whilst full of adrenalin and fear.

I could have gone to the police and told them that a red car at about something o'clock had gone along one of London't busiest roads, and hit me. Oh, and no, no injuries, not really.

You move out of the way (great, not needed, but we do appreciate knowing we'vre been seen) but what would be better would be a real understanding of bikes, their dynamics and our points of view and perception, and vulnerabilities. These things don't happen on the continents, and guess what, they all grow up on scooters.

Which of those seems reasonable? Unfortunately comments like this show a lack of understanding, which can ultimately lead to such situations. not suggesting you would, but it can, and does, lead there.

[Craphouserat]

Glad you are OK - that is the main thing. Shame you didn't get the fkers reg number or someone willing to say they witnessed this. Did anyone get out their motor and check you were OK? Some people are fkwits - what harm were you doing ? Just because his Mrs won't let him have a bike/bike licence and he hates seeing others making progress where he can't he goes a bit mental in his hot stbox - what an ahole.

Hope the bike is alright.
All the best.

[TommyBuoy]

308mate said:

And sometimes our lack of risk asversion can benefit car drivers.

On a single carriageway, if Im approaching an oncoming truck with a car behind who looks intent on overtaking, I move right over to the left and wave/flash them out. And for a brief but joyous moment we are three abreast on the road, me headed towards a truck with a car overtaking it. Its surprising how many people take me up on this too.

Is it me or do more and more drivers believe that when someone flashes them it means that not only is this person giving you permission to come out of a junction / overtake etc, but that they have also idenitfied all risks and taken into account the persons actions so that no attention needs to be paid on the flashee's (new word!) part. It amazes me the nunmber of times I've seen cars pull into the opposite lane because someone flashed them, resulted in emergency braking all around.

Anyway, on topic, I have never understood people blocking bikes. I love hearing a full throttle bike overtaking and actually being able to see the acceleration. I don't know how others feel, but bikes, although tied down by the laws of physics, are simply different machines to cars and capable of more extremes with ease...but I do worry about that squidgy bit perched on top's ability to match their machines...

[308mate]

TITWONK said:

just because his bright green and black piece of st

Dont worry, I dont like Kawasakis either.