Manners please

I don't think I am a good cyclist yet, but I am constantly thinking about where I am on the carriageway, and looking over my shoulders when appropriate (amazing how many cyclists never seem to look behind 'em when changing lanes or pulling out around parked vehicles).

I too hate the undertakers, who don't seem to understand what taking the primary position is for. We need to have a good thing to say to them, a bit like the cabbies^ little one-liner. And I mean friendly but firm, not super tough angry shouty things. Like 'undertaking is a quick way to the undertakers' or something. Anyone?'

[FONT=Helv][SIZE=2]May get caned for coming to the defence of a minicabby, but I was riding along Commercial rd yesterday behind a single speeder who was pounding it up the inside. Upcoming intersection was semi-obstructed by a large truck turning right. The little minicab van thingo drifted left to pass the truck coming close to pinning this guy against the curb. Cycle hero proceeded to puch the rear window of the cab with significant force and make some odd angry growly noise. Seemed a somewhat disproportionate reaction for something that, on the behalf of the minicab, was neither:

a) unexpected
b) particularly reckless
c) totally unavoidable

I figure that if you cant handle manouvering out of that situation, you shouldn't have fucking put yourself in there in the first place. Seemed to me like a lack of foresight and awareness. Had I not had the remanants of 87 pints of Guinness in my belly, I'd have caught him and let him know. I couldnt help but think that anyone who saw that would think worse of riders for his reaction. It has its place, that just wasn't it.

Having said that, I run up the inside on Commercial on my commute, but do so knowing the risk.

Then this morning, saw a bloke on a mountain bike go up the inside of a garbage truck - you know, those big white things with all the fucking bright flashing lights and hazards, you know the ones with 'vehicle frequently stopping' plastered in massive fucking letters on the back? Im really sorry you nearly came off your bike. Im sure you're better off for the fright though.
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