Had a near-miss today, and I really enjoyed it!

**MisterD** · 29th May 2008, 16:29

Originally Posted by Katman

Great, another car driver who'll be determined to run the next motorcyclist he sees off the road.

Or just maybe someone who will look just that bit more carefully next time?

Onya Steam.

**Katman** · 29th May 2008, 16:42

Originally Posted by MisterD

Or just maybe someone who will look just that bit more carefully next time?

I doubt it. There's a big difference between educating drivers and antagonising them.

**kiwifruit** · 29th May 2008, 16:44

I agree with katman, the driver will probably not look kindly upon motorcyclists in the future (if he sees them!)

You're lucky you didn't get the shit beaten out of you.

Just my opinion of course

**FruitLooPs** · 29th May 2008, 17:24

Well lanesplitting stationary traffic in chch for 2 years now i've thankfully had no problems with anyone trying to block etc. Maybe if the traffic was worse??

I have had my share of unbelievably blind bints pulling out and one u-turn that was a hairs breadth from me flying across her hood.

TBH, and I wouldn't normally say it but i'd be more annoyed with you raging at a driver with a green light holding up traffic than anything else. Although by the same token, i'd defo want to give him or blind drivers in general a piece

Just yesterday I saw a woman at about 6pm pull out in front of a cyclist who was mid way thru the intersection. He had on a high-vis vest, front headlight and flashing strobe on the back. Must've been 10m-15m from her face when she wanted to pull out. So blind it defies belief

**gismo** · 29th May 2008, 18:50

I love the horn....

Oh and the look on peoples faces when they finally realise that you arent a mirage

**jrandom** · 29th May 2008, 19:00

I agree with Katman and kiwifruit.

I tried a similar thing recently; a car driver cut me off, tootled his horn and made the 'wanker' gesture at me, so I followed him for a few blocks until he pulled over. He hopped out of his car, I hopped off the bike, and we had an entirely pointless conversation punctuated with several very rude words.

I certainly didn't achieve anything thereby, and on reflection, it was a very suboptimal way of handling the situation.

Goodness knows it could have been much worse; had I been more of an instinct-driven sort, instead of, well, playing a part (quite badly, at that) I could have damaged his car or assaulted his person, rendering me liable to all sorts of horrible legal hassles and probable injury to myself and damage to the bike as he escalated things in return.

All very silly.

In future, I may well follow discourteous or dangerous drivers for a chat if circumstances permit, but it will be conducted in a polite manner, making it clear that I simply wish to point out that their bad behaviour and attitude has a negative impact on other people, and that they might wish to consider that in future.

**Grahameeboy** · 29th May 2008, 19:01

Originally Posted by kiwifruit

I agree with katman, the driver will probably not look kindly upon motorcyclists in the future (if he sees them!)

You're lucky you didn't get the shit beaten out of you.

Just my opinion of course

I agree with Katfood as well......

What opinion do the watching drivers see....probably did not see the near miss...probably thinking bloody yobbo bikers.

**Grahameeboy** · 29th May 2008, 19:03

Originally Posted by jrandom

I agree with Katman and kiwifruit.

I tried a similar thing recently; a car driver cut me off, tootled his horn and made the 'wanker' gesture at me, so I followed him for a few blocks until he pulled over. He hopped out of his car, I hopped off the bike, and we had an entirely pointless conversation punctuated with several very rude words.

I certainly didn't achieve anything thereby, and on reflection, it was a very suboptimal way of handling the situation.

Goodness knows it could have been much worse; had I been more of an instinct-driven sort, instead of, well, playing a part (quite badly, at that) I could have damaged his car or assaulted his person, rendering me liable to all sorts of horrible legal hassles and probable injury to myself and damage to the bike as he escalated things in return.

All very silly.

In future, I may well follow discourteous or dangerous drivers for a chat if circumstances permit, but it will be conducted in a polite manner, making it clear that I simply wish to point out that their bad behaviour and attitude has a negative impact on other people, and that they might wish to consider that in future.

To be honest not a lot of point following...I just point at my eyes or my mirror and carry on my merry way...if they don't understand what they have done..because the did it in the first place...and what you are on about I don't see much change.

**Katman** · 29th May 2008, 19:09

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

I just point at my eyes or my mirror and carry on my merry way

Exactly. It's about education - not beating your chest like a fucking Neanderthal.

**jrandom** · 29th May 2008, 19:13

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

To be honest not a lot of point following...I just point at my eyes or my mirror and carry on my merry way...if they don't understand what they have done..because the did it in the first place...

I choose not to take such a dim view of human nature. Sometimes, having something explained to one really can change one's approach in future.

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

and what you are on about I don't see much change.

Huh?

**Grahameeboy** · 29th May 2008, 19:14

Originally Posted by Katman

Exactly. It's about education - not beating your chest like a fucking Neanderthal.

Yep people tend to remember the last thing that happened....the Neanderthal

**Grahameeboy** · 29th May 2008, 19:17

Originally Posted by jrandom

I choose not to take such a dim view of human nature. Sometimes, having something explained to one really can change one's approach in future.

Huh?

I don't have a dim view of people but nor do I have a dim view of myself either that I have to follow and talk to them...

people see things from their world and only listen to the bits they want too so I realistically think that my words will not have an impact...the only thing that makes them think about their actions is sadly an 'impact'...

**Squiggles** · 29th May 2008, 19:19

Last time i had a confrontation with a cage driver i pulled them over a few k's up the road and told them i thought the move they just pulled was bloody stupid and could've easily ruined both our days, they apologised, i wished them a merry christmas, and we parted ways. Albeit they seemed in less of a rush after that wee reminder of human mortality.

**jrandom** · 29th May 2008, 19:20

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

I don't have a dim view of people but nor do I have a dim view of myself either that I have to follow and talk to them...

I'm not sure how you correlate low self-esteem with taking it upon oneself to speak to a stranger about their bad behaviour?

(I'd tend to think quite the reverse, in fact.)

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

I realistically think that my words will not have an impact...

Maybe we tend to model other people's expected behaviour on our own natures?

I know that if someone took the trouble to talk to me, and was polite about it, it'd carry a lot of weight.

**Grahameeboy** · 29th May 2008, 19:23

Originally Posted by jrandom

I'm not sure how you correlate low self-esteem with taking it upon oneself to speak to a stranger about their bad behaviour?

(I'd tend to think quite the reverse, in fact.)

I am not talking about low self esteem...........

Maybe we tend to model other people's expected behaviour on our own natures?

Not sure..................

I know that if someone took the trouble to talk to me, and was polite about it, it'd carry a lot of weight.

...........................