Just happened to me this morning

**biketimus_prime** · 8th April 2014, 15:09

I used to avoid riding next to cars up until a few days ago. Then this happens. I think I was in his blind spot at first. But as he was moving over, he looked at me and still continued while shouting at me and gesturing with the "piss off" kinda hand movement for me to move over. I was furious, could barely calm myself down for the rest of the ride. He purposely wanted to run me off the road. I wanted to follow him and beat the shit out of him or something.

**iranana** · 8th April 2014, 15:15

Originally Posted by biketimus_prime

I was furious, could barely calm myself down for the rest of the ride...I wanted to follow him and beat the shit out of him or something

I know that feeling :/ Good job avoiding him and keeping things rubber side down. Did you manage to get his plate? 555 him if you can. I know it doesn't do a hell of a lot but a letter from the popes is better than nothing

**Mike.Gayner** · 8th April 2014, 15:20

Plenty of assholes out there, and you managed to find one all right. But I'd say this has nothing to do with you being on a bike and everything to do with a jackass being called out changing lanes without looking/indicating. You did the right thing - staying out of his way and keeping your distance - you never know how people like this are going to respond.

**The Reibz** · 8th April 2014, 15:27

This is a everyday thing when you commute, get over it, save up for a bigger bike (so you can boost away) or accomidation closer to where you work so you can walk there (like me)

I think you did the right thing and found a good escape route.

Save the road rage, have a beer or something

**willytheekid** · 8th April 2014, 15:31

...but my cars bigger?

Good job getting clear mate...glad you didnt go on to pick a fight with a prick who is armed with over a ton of motor vehicle

...we tend to loose.

Sadly, Just a regular thing on a bike tho...always expect them not to see you (Or even LOOK for you).

(I had a van do it the other week...tried to push me under a semi trailer beside me...a quick "knock" on the side of the van sorted it...driver had just not looked before his lane change...he moved and was very appologetic about it

...shit happens, and we adapt/react to survive)

**SMOKEU** · 8th April 2014, 15:34

Originally Posted by The Reibz

This is a everyday thing when you commute, get over it, save up for a bigger bike (so you can boost away) or accomidation closer to where you work so you can walk there (like me)

I think you did the right thing and found a good escape route.

Save the road rage, have a beer or something

No, people like that need the shit beaten out of them, otherwise they will continue to be a complete fuckwit like that until someone is killed. People like that never learn, and they will refuse to change their ways unless the laws penalize them very harshy (which won't happen), or until they get a big enough scare to make them sort their shit out. The same driver will do the same thing again and again, and one day it's going to end badly for an innocent person.

**iranana** · 8th April 2014, 15:42

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

No, people like that need the shit beaten out of them, otherwise they will continue to be a complete fuckwit like that until someone is killed. People like that never learn, and they will refuse to change their ways unless the laws penalize them very harshy (which won't happen), or until they get a big enough scare to make them sort their shit out. The same driver will do the same thing again and again, and one day it's going to end badly for an innocent person.

While I agree with you, most people (myself included) aren't willing to risk the criminal charges associated with chasing someone down and assaulting them... so what are we meant to do? As far as self preservation goes he handled it well

**Gremlin** · 8th April 2014, 16:11

You need to chill. There seemed to be space between you and the car in front (video can distort this) and the Merc was slowing down. Sit in your lane, but move to a position where you can see the driver in his mirrors (ie, don't ride in his blind spot). You accelerated as he was moving across, when you had ample space to back off and get out of the way. Right or wrong, you're going to come off worst if you collide. When you moved into the left lane, did you check nothing was there? So focussed on the car you could easily have moved into the path of a bus?

Originally Posted by biketimus_prime

I was furious, could barely calm myself down for the rest of the ride.

Bad move. You're no longer focussing on the task of riding, and could easily miss another dangerous situation and up in a collision. You need to drop incidents from your mind and re-focus. These sorts of situations in traffic on busy roads are common and your safety is your responsibility.

**awa355** · 8th April 2014, 16:17

How big is a paintball gun??

**IkieBikie** · 8th April 2014, 16:26

See it all the time on the Auckland motorway whether on bike or in car!!

**TheDemonLord** · 8th April 2014, 16:36

Happens all the time, I ride along that very same stretch.

Often I have dreams about riding with a hammer and performing an impromptu Wing Mirror remoddeling (as they aren't using it) and if they continue, tapping in a window.

In reality, I often hold on the horn, drop down a gear and get the fuck out of dodge.

**gjm** · 8th April 2014, 16:42

Originally Posted by TheDemonLord

Often I have dreams about riding with a hammer and performing an impromptu Wing Mirror remoddeling (as they aren't using it) and if they continue, tapping in a window.

When I was couriering in London (bicycle or motorbike) we always wore big motocross boots, with lots of metal on the outside of them. ;-)

These days I tend to just consider other road users to be a vigilantes hell-bent on killing me, try to anticipate what irrational move they'll make, and compensate accordingly.

**swbarnett** · 8th April 2014, 16:45

Originally Posted by Gremlin

You need to chill.

I agree but...

What we need is for all bikes to be equipped with a painfully loud horn. Give these bastards pain each time and maybe we'll start to be the sort of threat they'll take notice of. Probably not though.

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Bad move. You're no longer focussing on the task of riding, and could easily miss another dangerous situation and up in a collision.

This was my first thought. A time or two I've pulled over after this type of incident because I let my anger get the better of me. Better to calm down before continuing.