This man is aggravated by a driver while rightfully riding his bike. He
weighs the options, one being not being there, but I see another
outcome where the predator (the driver) is kept in check by the law
(rarely enforced in favor of a cyclist) or simply overwhelmed by many
cyclists who are willing to ride the street too and give him the
finger. Well, not directly but on the back of the shirt (like this:
http://cafepress.com/peacebanana)...
'A typical scenario of driver aggression and lack of understanding is
the situation where there is a left turn phase at the lights. Picture
yourself in the kerb lane waiting for the green, to proceed straight
on. At least three nanoseconds after the green arrow flashes (Sydney
time that is - allow six for Wangaratta), the cars behind start to
blast their horns. This happened to me recently, so I thought I'd use
the shrug the shoulders technique (avec palm turned upwards), I had
been thinking about. But then the van driver a metre behind responds
with: "C'mon get out'da way could ya d'ya think y'ar a f'kin truck?"
Illogically in the situation I espouse logic mentioning cyclists
rights, legal to be here etc. But the situation escalates and the
driver hurls further invective and threats of violence as we part our
ways.
I scribble mental notes to myself as I rocket down the road, blood
pressure higher than tyre pressure. Were any lessons learnt today or do
I keep getting into these situations just because I was riding legally
and assertively "as a vehicle", choosing the safest way? Today is an
exception, I didn't respond to the aggro with some of my own (the
finger, incisive four-letter wit, or the Pajero gesticulation) but
nonetheless I leave the scene agitated and definitely unrelaxed.
What were my options?
Not be there - choose a quiet back street as discussed last issue
(recommended).
Cruise to the kerb about 30m before lights and lean against a No
Standing sign or pole and when the lights change duck behind the last
turning car (recommended).
Completely ignore honking and stay relaxed (recommended).
Shrug shoulders without the follow-up dialogue (recommended), or
Move across/forward to let cars behind turn left but then as the lights
change a jerk screeches past on the left grinning like a Cheshire prat,
leaving you stranded between two lines of greatly accelerating cars.
Not again baby (not recommended).
Writers distinguish between road rage (criminal and/or violent
responses) and aggressive driving (vehicular bullying and excessive
speed). Others criticise the term itself in being a media-inspired plot
to grab attention. Well there are 1200 road rage deaths in the US each
year so its certainly not a beat up (excuse the pun). A distinction
also needs to be made between driver-driver aggro, and driver-cyclist
aggro (although there is some overlap). Also pedestrians and cyclists
can have their moments, although often there are not the same
consequences as mass and might are more equal.
According to Dr Leon James, Professor of Psychology at the University
of Hawaii and co-author of "Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering
Clear of Highway Warfare" (Prometheus Books, 2000), "Most motorists
drive around every day in an emotionally impaired state."'
http://www.australiancyclist.com.au/showarticle.php?s=8&a=102