rjkfsm

So, I was riding down a 25 mph four-lane road in moderate traffic with no shoulder or sidewalk. The road is a designated bike route and I was in the right lane when a car started tailgating me. The driver laid on the horn for 10 seconds straight. I ignored it and kept riding. After another few seconds, she laid on the horn again, this time longer. I mean, really, where was I supposed to go?

What did I do? I Stopped. I didn't jam my brakes; I came to a nice gradual stop and just looked back at her. She went ballistic. I kept looking at her. She starting banging her steering wheel. I just looked at her, shrugged, and said, "What do you want? You have my attention."

Her passenger then started laughing which made her even madder. She got a break in traffic and squalled her tires to get around me.

Usually, this type of harassment bothers me, but this time I rode away feeling like I had gotten a little justice.

RK

digger

That sir (or madam) was nice. Very nice.

Chris516

You didn't encounter the same woman that tailgated me yesterday, did you?

The only difference was, a 40mph road and she didn't have a passenger. Like you, I stopped n' looked at her. Then I just continued on my way. In general, when people honk at me, I ignore them. The only time that I pay attention to the motorist honking at me, is when I am at a red light. That goes' green when I wasn't looking at the light. That is when I feel being honked at, is justified. Because, Motorists' make the same mistake of not paying attention to the traffic light.

Yo Spiff

Awesome response! I'll have to remember that one.

ezdoesit

+1

Recycle

Here is another way to deal with honkers ....This is a pedestrian solution, but it could work from a bike.

https://dave6.posterous.com/dont-honk-at-old-people

Myosmith

I can hardly type I'm laughing so hard. Thanks Recycle.

B. Carfree

+1

Digital_Cowboy

Is that real or staged?

prathmann

Staged unless there was something seriously defective about the airbag system in the car.

dynodonn 

If a motorist behind me starts laying on their horn and tailgates me, when it's safe to do so, I pull over and let the motorist by, I feel it's just not worth the hassle. Probably unknown to the motorist at the time, is the fact that their poor/dangerous driving behavior has been recorded by my bike mounted video cameras, and depending on the severity of their actions, the gathered info may be reported to local law enforcement.

Shimagnolo

It is an Ikea ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2zgr_Gg11U

jolly_ross

It has become an Ikea ad. There's a difference.

Don in Austin

Not necessarily staged if she got lucky and and made a direct hit to the impact sensor.

Don in Austin

rjkfsm

Modern airbag systems use accelerometers. Essentially, it is a tube with a magnet, a steel ball, and electrical contacts. An impact will cause the ball to become free of the magnet and fly into the contacts triggering the system. This sensor has been used since 1967 when Allen K. Breed invented it.

silmarillion

People can honk at me all they want. (Although I have never had a situation like the OP...) It's the people who tailgate me that I don't like.

I'm hopeful that as more people begin to understand that they may be caught doing something dangerous or stupid on camera, it *may* force people to rethink their actions.

Chris516

+1

If there is a passing lane, the morons should use it. Not cop an attitude by leaning on the horn.

wabbit

Good one! I will remember that for the future!