View Poll Results: A motorist buzzes you on purpose, your primary reaction is
Totally ignore it
25
11.96%
Look up, but do nothing
33
15.79%
Momentary panic from surprise
15
7.18%
One fingered wave
49
23.44%
Five fingered wave
22
10.53%
Call the cops
8
3.83%
Whine about it on BF
7
3.35%
Try to catch the motorist
24
11.48%
Identify the vehicle and plot retribution
19
9.09%
Other (please explain)
7
3.35%
Voters: 209. You may not vote on this poll
What do you do if a motorist intentionally buzzes you?
#1
Portland Fred
Thread Starter
What do you do if a motorist intentionally buzzes you?
There are a lot of things you could do, and you may react differently on different occasions, but what is your most likely response?
If you would respond using more than one choice from the list, what would you consider your primary reaction?
If you would respond using more than one choice from the list, what would you consider your primary reaction?
#3
.....
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usually just shake it off that they are idiots. if they were really negligent ill make sure to catch up to them at a light...
#5
pan y agua
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1) Get a license plate number, and a cell phone picture if possible, and call the police.
2) chase them down and do the above.
Occassionally with traffic or stop lights you get lucky. And if you don't catch them at least you got a good workout, and burnt off all the adrenalin.
2) chase them down and do the above.
Occassionally with traffic or stop lights you get lucky. And if you don't catch them at least you got a good workout, and burnt off all the adrenalin.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#6
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Try to get the plate and report to local law enforcement. Past that, depends on how confrontational you care to be. I don't, so the one time this happened to me, I got the plate and called the sheriffs office. They seemed interested in my report but I don't know if it got any farther.
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I generally try not to screw with people who have shown they are willing to use their car against me as a weapon, so I usually just let it go. If I catch up to them at a light I'll try to give him a good glare or snap their license plate with the camera phone, depending on how bad it was.
#8
No matches
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I usually try to chase them down and have a chat. I've often found that what sometimes seems intentional is just crappy driving. The ones that did actually mean it, I'll have a nice convo with, matching whatever level of aggression they show, and explaining that we have a right to the road, it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk, etc, etc.
If I know I won't catch them, I alternate between 1 and 5 finger waves, depends on the pass and my mood.
If I know I won't catch them, I alternate between 1 and 5 finger waves, depends on the pass and my mood.
#9
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I either do the five fingered wave or give them a big thumbs up, often accompanied by a shouted "Thanks a lot", sometimes followed by a muttered curse word.
#10
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If you catch them, and the window is open, and you're really pissed....
Reach in, grab keys, turn off car, remove keys.....
Wind up and pitch as hard as you can.
Then ride away quickly.
Reach in, grab keys, turn off car, remove keys.....
Wind up and pitch as hard as you can.
Then ride away quickly.
#11
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Be thankful that they didn't hit me.
Getting aggressive with someone is just dangerous. Fairly obvious in what we wear that we are not carrying a gun. Not so obvious whether or not they have one. They have already shown a lack of respect and intelligence. No need to see how ignorant they are.
Getting aggressive with someone is just dangerous. Fairly obvious in what we wear that we are not carrying a gun. Not so obvious whether or not they have one. They have already shown a lack of respect and intelligence. No need to see how ignorant they are.
#12
Portland Fred
Thread Starter
1) Get a license plate number, and a cell phone picture if possible, and call the police.
2) chase them down and do the above.
Occassionally with traffic or stop lights you get lucky. And if you don't catch them at least you got a good workout, and burnt off all the adrenalin.
2) chase them down and do the above.
Occassionally with traffic or stop lights you get lucky. And if you don't catch them at least you got a good workout, and burnt off all the adrenalin.
I was not always so mellow. Many years ago, I caught a van that clipped me (knocked off the road with minor scrapes but no real injuries). I ripped the door open, and was about to pound the driver into dog food. But the sheer look of terror in his eyes told me he had no idea why I was acting like that -- he didn't even know he hit me. I cooled off and asked him to watch more carefully for cyclists.
#14
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Why don't you just ride away with the keys? Seems like that'd be more entertaining.
#15
off to Candy Mountain!
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I try not to get too upset. If I can catch them, I give them the little "naughty naughty" pointer finger wave, and tell them to be careful with other peoples' lives (or just mouth 'be careful' if they can't hear me).
#17
Portland Fred
Thread Starter
#20
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I had a buddy run his fixed gear pedal along the body of a city transit car that buzzed him several times as it leapfrogged along watching the streetcars. The Spirograph style swirl along the body was hilarious.
#21
**** that
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I voted one finger salute, but it's usually two - both hands. And I like to yell "**** you!" really loud too.
The funny thing is that what they usually want out of you is a reaction..
The funny thing is that what they usually want out of you is a reaction..
#22
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I use to go nuts yell scream, give them the finger, even hit the roof of one guys car. Then I did some reading on the subject and have dicided the do nothing route is the best way for me to go. I will however mention their driving skills if I happen to catch up but usually just smile at them.
#23
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Try to catch the motorist and call the cops. I did that recently, and simply got ridiculed on bf, btw...
More people sided with the teenage kids than with me. Go figure.
More people sided with the teenage kids than with me. Go figure.
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#24
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Or get in front of them at the next light and then slow to a crawl when it turns green while looking back at them..... it makes them craaaazy!!!!