Attacked

Don't antagonise drivers, guys. It's just not worth it.

You're the ones using the superior mode of transport here. You're probably a lot less stressed and out of your depth than those guys. They've probably had a much shittier day than you even if you've had a shitty day. Pity them. Make their day a little brighter by showing them respect and consideration.

+1

In the past I found it kind of a reflex if someone did something stupid/dangerous to show them the finger. Nothing bad has ever happened to me as a result, but I don't do it any more. Reading some of the stories here I'm glad - it really isn't worth it.

Today I was passing a bus and some idiot decided to pass us both REALLY close, you know the sort, smoked-out windows etc. I was annoyed but I just ignored it, I passed them again at the next traffic lights, the car was full of "yoots" and tbh I wouldn't have fancied remonstrating with them.

Ride fast but ride safe, ride invisible. If you're dipping through traffic you are probably faster than those around you, so you really don't want to be assuming they can see you, you also don't want to annoy drivers and make them do anything unexpected. Similarly, you don't wanna do anything they won't expect - the "invisible" aspect.

On a similar note, this is why I always ride behind peds and never shout or attempt to alert them. If they're walking across the road they will keep on going - stay quiet and weave behind; they are very unlikely to start walking backwards. If you shout at them, they might run, they might freeze, but you don't know which. So stay invisible. If there are too many to simply weave behind, then slow down or stop.

Every so often someone still does something you can't predict/prevent - like Ali G and his mates zooming through a gap that isn't really there. However, if you get angry, then you failed in riding safe, cos annoying drivers around you is not safe.