"Take Out" a Rider!

[Bob]

Absolutely.

Like that guy that drove into our group - something sparked him to do what he did at this point for no known reason. When he started tailgating agressively, I think he was given the fingers by another motorcyclist or their pillion? -which no doubt enraged him more to drive right into the middle of us all! That was not a good move - to retaliate on a bike versus car. As a group we discussed the incident afterwards.

He may have had a previous encounter with another motorcyclist/s which enraged him to
take it out on a group of innocents but when a simple sign like the fingers was given ....that was it. It put a lot of lives in danger - and who knows because of that, that horrible man may still be tormenting motorcyclists

I think the nail just got hit very hard on the head! OK, no idea what set him off, but flipping the finger - especially when riding in a group (where you have to have other people's safety in mind as well as your own) wasn't exactly a good idea. And if it was the pillion, then their rider needs to give them a good talking to!

As you say, no idea why he was in a bad mood to begin with, but flipping the finger wasn't going to help!

Riding VERY congested roads (the population of London is something like 2.5 times the total population in NZ!), I have the tailgating problem quite often. My solution? Create space if I can (and if I'm riding safely, then I've built a safety margin between me and the vehicle in front). From there, either look back at the tailgater - I find as sharp look back (no fingers!) often works as a "why are you so close" call - or... if you feel up to it, use your engine braking to slow down. They now think your brake light doesn't work and keep back!

I once had a situation in heavy traffic like this... so I engine braked... he kept back... sadly, the traffic started slowing, so I engine braked all the way to a stop! Then, once we'd all stopped, I filtered off down the road and away from him... to the front of the queue at the next set of lights!

See, filtering can be useful!

[KATWYN]

From there, either look back at the tailgater - I find as sharp look back (no fingers!) often works as a "why are you so close" call -

This approach got taught at a ride safe course I did. John the instructer, explained that New Zealanders don't like to know they are "being watched", so the "I know what you are doing" look approach will most likely modify the tailgaters behaviour and they will stay back. I have tried it too and it does work.

Yes, I do see the advantage now of filtering,that it isn't just "que jumping" and that it does serve a purpose.