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@hoefla
ha! oops...
I'm always thanking drivers, for not rear-ending me, for slowing down, for letting me out etc. I suppose it's a bit daft as most of the time I'm basically thanking them for not running me over... but I like to just acknowledge that they've taken the care to modify their driving in some way to accomodate me. I worry a bit that I'm not super smiley, and I can't bring myself to do thumbs up or anything, so it's more of a half-smile, a nod, a wave or whatever.
One of the things I like about London traffic, and that I think sets it apart from most other towns I've been in, is that there is a lot of give and take. Even though it might appear chaotic and aggressive, it's actually rather flexible and accomodating. Drivers generally look out for unexpected behaviour, they're used to being temporarily inconvenienced. They might be a bit rude about it but they're used to interacting with other road users (and wandering pedestrians) who they know will read situations differently and maybe respond differently to them.
It's when you get out to the towns and drivers basically aren't looking out for anything, they drive the same roads everyday and they aren't expecting bikes, even if they do see you they think you "shouldn't be there" and are extremely reluctant to change anything about the way they are driving. That's when I feel nervous. It's like they're going to drive straight through you...
Stay in the city, it's safer here.
/actuallylivesintheprovinces