CAR DRIVERS rant

[Ginger 1]

What is it with people as soon as they get into a car they loose all respect for everyone else! As a motorcycle rider in London I not only get cut up and ignored most of the time riding on my wits but today I got abused for filtering thru traffic! Moving up to the front of the queue I got verbally assaulted by a red faced gentleman who informed me I should wait behind him and not jump ahead???? Now I know its not very British but im sure if his car would fit he would be up in the front too!
When I just similed, waved and gave him the thumbs up it just seemed to make him more animated! I would have quite like to have heard what was making him so angry but unfortunately I was half way home by the time he made it away from the lights!

Rant over thanks for listening

[Mr Speirs]

Brilliant!! Smile, Wave and a Thumbs up!!! Genius

[Sally]

Stop Along Side Him, With Dark Visor On, stop filtering, stare at him for a few minutes..
Say nothing, just stare..

Kinda freaks them out. :)

[yorkie_chris]

Or if you've accidentally fitted a race system and a stubby can when you weren't concentrating... back the bike up to their window and hold it on the rev limiter. Got a couple of chavs in a barried corsa with this trick the other week. They didn't look too pleased and I'd be surprised if their ears were not bleeding.

[Daimo]

See i'd have turned round and started an arguement as to why......

Don't mess :lol:

[RichT]

The worst I've had is "The Cager Stare"..... I did see one old dear start moaning to her husband in the passenger seat, but that's about the extent of it.

I like the smile and thumbs up routine.

[Spiderman]

I would have quite like to have heard what was making him so angry but unfortunately I was half way home by the time he made it away from the lights!

Rant over thanks for listening

I'll tell ya cos i had a girl do the same thing a while back, but she leant across her passenger seat, did the window down 9cos i was on that side of her car you see) and said...and i'm not joking here.... "how dare you push in, in front of me, when i've been waiting here for bloody ages! Who the hell do you think you are pushing in front of me like that....blah bla blah"
Seriously, thats what she was screaming at me. And i mean SCREAMING!!!!
Just before the lights chnaged to green and i gave it a nice big handfull to drown her out and off i rode into the sunset. Actualy it was sunrise cos i was on my way to work but lets not let details spoil a good story, lol.

They're just so moronic some drivers. I think all bikers should be allowed to confiscate the licences of such morons on the road as a civic duty to all other road users. :lol:

[the_lone_wolf]

Or if you've accidentally fitted a race system and a stubby can when you weren't concentrating... back the bike up to their window and hold it on the rev limiter. Got a couple of chavs in a barried corsa with this trick the other week. They didn't look too pleased and I'd be surprised if their ears were not bleeding.

even better when the exhaust is underseat like the daytona, just about window level;)

[Sosha]

I'll tell ya cos i had a girl do the same thing a while back, but she leant across her passenger seat, did the window down 9cos i was on that side of her car you see) and said...and i'm not joking here.... "how dare you push in, in front of me, when i've been waiting here for bloody ages! Who the hell do you think you are pushing in front of me like that....blah bla blah"

Probably new to driving in london. Have ocasionally collected weird looks in other places while in London commuter mode.

[nakedblue650]

As a little tip - to baffle and bemuse most people when using expletives, even the C, to insult someone always smile at them! They havent got a clue!

Good work though fella!

nb650

[Spiderman]

Probably new to driving in london. Have ocasionally collected weird looks in other places while in London commuter mode.

Haha, if only! Typical Jewish Princess type who was busy putting on her make-up as she sat at the lights, with her car in gear and creeping forward the whole time cos she didnt have her foot on the brake firmly enough. I see them daily but this one just lost it and started shouting, lol.

[pencil shavings]

good responce to smile and wave, nothing like that has happened to me before luckly.

as for all the tricks, i wouldnt. not worth it if they just happen to loose it with you and decide to make a move for u with a large lump of somthing.

of course you could just ride away lol

[SoulKiss]

I think I am going to have to dig out my Camera rig again and start recording my journeys to work again so that "out-of-towners" can experience the London Commute :)

Its like doing your Hazard Perception test all over again - except if they used it you could pass by just holding down the mouse button :)

[Holdup]

The ones that see you filtering so squash you feck me right off! had some one do it to me this morning (still managed to get through) i dont tend to get ar$ey with them but i tend to give it a fistful with the clutch in as i go past

[pencil shavings]

Its like doing your Hazard Perception test all over again - except if they used it you could pass by just holding down the mouse button :)

I rode in london when I lived there, for about 4 years. went back on the bike once about a year ago, after about 2 years of being away. To put it mildly I was sh1ting it!! I couldnt believe how dangerous it was, I never remembered it being like that, but I guess when its all you know you dont notice it.

much respect to everyone who stays rubber side down for their london commutes :thumleft:

[Spiderman]

I think I am going to have to dig out my Camera rig again and start recording my journeys to work again so that "out-of-towners" can experience the London Commute :)

Its like doing your Hazard Perception test all over again - except if they used it you could pass by just holding down the mouse button :)

Its so true, unless you experience it first hand you wouldn't believe some of the stories us londoners tell, lol.

[Thingus]

Its so true, unless you experience it first hand you wouldn't believe some of the stories us londoners tell, lol.


I wanna hear more :( who got into a fight? C'mon!

[Biker Biggles]

Luvvit.
Theres something deeply satisfying (moral high ground and all that)To remain completely friendly and polite in the face of someone going off on one.Especially as that winds them up even more.

[Spiderman]

I wanna hear more :( who got into a fight? C'mon!

Yup, sadly been there and done that too. Not proud but also not ashamed of it. Especially as the guy got out the smart car he was in and was twice as tall and twice as wide as the car. But hell, when its on, ITS ON!.

The fact that 3 cars full of armed police came and brike it up is another story tho, lol. And no, neither he or me were tooled up before you think all londers are gun tottin' crack smokin' nutters :)

[Bibio]

i'm glad i stay in scotland... most of the time people in cages move over when they see a bike filtering...

i have noticed that its usually the arrogant bmw/merc business men who dont move over..

[Dave20046]

I've had morons do allsorts to stop me gettin past, even to the extent of flippin out the petrol cap when they couldn't move out any further!

[Thingus]

Yup, sadly been there and done that too. Not proud but also not ashamed of it. Especially as the guy got out the smart car he was in and was twice as tall and twice as wide as the car. But hell, when its on, ITS ON!.

The fact that 3 cars full of armed police came and brike it up is another story tho, lol. And no, neither he or me were tooled up before you think all londers are gun tottin' crack smokin' nutters :)


Somethin' to tell the grandkids :p

[ArtyLady]

Brilliant response! :cool:

I'll remember that one - and might add on a cheery - 'hello! Long time no see! how the hell are you!' :lol:

[timwilky]

Is it just me that sees a little arrogance here, most cagers have no idea about filtering and are convinced that it is a dangerous and illegal manoeuvre. Those that rant tend to do it because they have been scared witless by their lack of rear observation resulting from them being stuck and going nowhere and suddenly you fly past and scare the bejusus out of them.


25 years ago I was stuck in a queue of traffic heading north at Russell Square. The road was chaos due to roadworks and nothing had moved for over an hour. Not good as I was desperate to get home of a Friday. A courier filtered past me and the car in front when out of the window of a transit van came an arm with a lump of 3x2 and laid out the courier.

I got out and heard the driver ranting that they can f*ing queue like everyone else. eventually a full on scrap happened. OK the courier had done nothing wrong, but the frustration of the driver was such that he simply needed to lamp out and the courier copped for it.

Therefore my philosophy when filtering is never to antagonise drivers. If they want to rant, let them do it in their world. Never acknowledge them (always say thanks to those that deliberately make room), make eye contact etc. At that point they have a target

[Alpinestarhero]

What is it with people as soon as they get into a car they loose all respect for everyone else! As a motorcycle rider in London I not only get cut up and ignored most of the time riding on my wits but today I got abused for filtering thru traffic! Moving up to the front of the queue I got verbally assaulted by a red faced gentleman who informed me I should wait behind him and not jump ahead???? Now I know its not very British but im sure if his car would fit he would be up in the front too!
When I just similed, waved and gave him the thumbs up it just seemed to make him more animated! I would have quite like to have heard what was making him so angry but unfortunately I was half way home by the time he made it away from the lights!

Rant over thanks for listening

Tell him to sod off. I havn't yet got a complaint about my filtering, but if someone tells me I should wait out of politeness, then I'll tell them that we're not politley queing for a hot pie at a football match, we're all trying to get home. If that car driver dosn't let me though, then I'll just bide my time when someone else is polite enough to move over (and there are alot of people polite enough to move over)

[Spiderman]

25 years ago I was stuck in a queue of traffic heading north at Russell Square. The road was chaos due to roadworks and nothing had moved for over an hour. Not good as I was desperate to get home of a Friday. A courier filtered past me and the car in front when out of the window of a transit van came an arm with a lump of 3x2 and laid out the courier.

I got out and heard the driver ranting that they can f*ing queue like everyone else.

Screwed up country we live in then eh? My attitude has always been that if someone wants to get past me or go faster than me them they must be in a rush to get somewhere...so let em past.

Even on M-ways when i'm going over the official limit i'll move over if i can for someone who is clearly in more of a rush.

[appollo1]

best comment i ever heard was by my mother in law when a car driver was shouting and swearing at her when she was in her car. She just very calmy turned to the driver and said - do you kiss your mum with that mouth?


subtle and very funny

[Owenski]

Some of those are brilliant!
I've got to share this as its kinda on topic. Been on the phone to my dad while reading this (he rides so I shared a few) he's told me of when he was about my age when he lived in Dagenham and worked for BT in London town. After filtering past some cars and someone took exception to him at the lights wound down the window and gave him some crap. He got off his bike, clamly walked upto the car side and raised his arm put his hand in the car and onto the bloke chest, then with the other hand took the keys out of the ignition turned and launched them back down the cue of traffic. Got on his bike and rode off into the sunset as spiderman would say :)
I'm almost sat in a damp spot after he's told me that.

[RatchetJob]

When anyone uses the road they are not queuing for a service. It is not a first come first served basis.

Drivers that are overtaken by a filtering motorcyclist are typically not disadvantaged by the motorcyclist being in front of them. (They are usually disadvantaged by all the other cars or other obstacles in front of them that they cannot get around)

No car driver would be expected to "queue" behind another car doing 40mph on the motorway. They would quite rightly overtake this car if and when it is safe. Most people don't get too bothered when they are overtaken properly during normal driving conditions.

If it is done in a safe and considerate manner filtering is like any other overtaking manoeuvre albeit at a lower speed in a more restricted environment.

The reaction that you see drivers display is born out of jealously and resentment. You are making progress - they are not, causing them to get angry.

Some simple education by the driving authorities might help drivers see this point and make the city roads safer for everyone.

[ophic]

Some of those are brilliant!
I've got to share this as its kinda on topic. Been on the phone to my dad while reading this (he rides so I shared a few) he's told me of when he was about my age when he lived in Dagenham and worked for BT in London town. After filtering past some cars and someone took exception to him at the lights wound down the window and gave him some crap. He got off his bike, clamly walked upto the car side and raised his arm put his hand in the car and onto the bloke chest, then with the other hand took the keys out of the ignition turned and launched them back down the cue of traffic. Got on his bike and rode off into the sunset as spiderman would say :)
I'm almost sat in a damp spot after he's told me that.
Although that is the kind of behaviour that might get you mowed down the next time that driver sees you.

[Owenski]

Although that is the kind of behaviour that might get you mowed down the next time that driver sees you.

lol would you f**k with a faceless someone who did that to you with out saying a word. I'd be scared to even look at bikes after that maybe I write it wrong but it sounded like something from a horror story when he told it to me loll

[Spiderman]

The reaction that you see drivers display is born out of jealously and resentment. You are making progress - they are not, causing them to get angry.

Some simple education by the driving authorities might help drivers see this point and make the city roads safer for everyone.
So right, yet so not mentioned in any road campaigns sadly.

Although that is the kind of behaviour that might get you mowed down the next time that driver sees you.

thats another problem. At the end of the day these nobs are in big metal boxes and we aint.

lol would you f**k with a faceless someone who did that to you with out saying a word. I'd be scared to even look at bikes after that maybe I write it wrong but it sounded like something from a horror story when he told it to me loll

No, hence they might just mow you down as opposed to take their risks and have you clobber them.
And also the cops dont take too kindly to someone who reasches into another persons vehicle, all kinds of agrevated this and that they can charge you with sadly.

Saying that i used to find their wing mirrors would spontaneously expode when they saw the armour on my gloves close up ;)
not my fault if thir mirros are scared of my gloves is it?

[ophic]

lol would you f**k with a faceless someone who did that to you with out saying a word. I'd be scared to even look at bikes after that maybe I write it wrong but it sounded like something from a horror story when he told it to me loll
I wouldn't, but someone who is already demonstrating temper control issues, might.

[RatchetJob]

So right, yet so not mentioned in any road campaigns sadly.

Number 10 was petitioned to help get the message across and this (http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page17030) was their response.

[ophic]

Number 10 was petitioned to help get the message across and this (http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page17030) was their response.
I think describing that as a response is a bit flattering.

[RatchetJob]

It is a response but its bloody useless.

They have a separate Motorcycle Road Safety Strategy and they refuse to take input from motorcyclists who have practical recommendations for the dangers they come face to face with every day. :hackedoff:

[Spiderman]

Number 10 was petitioned to help get the message across and this (http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page17030) was their response.

a least you tired, well done for trying to bring it to their attention.
I think describing that as a response is a bit flattering.

You're right again of course. Its just a polite way of saying "yeh well we think we've done the minimum required of us, so please go take a flying leap, sir."
"oh and thanks for adding your name an IP address to another of our ever growing, well hidden and illegal databases too"

[RatchetJob]

a least you tired, well done for trying to bring it to their attention.

I didn't draw up the petition but I fully agree with the point of it.

Unfortunately this quite sensible proposal received 404 "signatures" while a currently running petition appealing the PM to tell the BBC not to reduce its current coverage of horse racing has received 8,347 signatures to date.

I am not belittling the equestrian petition but its not really a matter of life and death.

The filtering petition probably didn't get a second look as the level of support wasn't large enough, hence the useless canned response.

I think we should "badger" them Shawshank Redemption style until they cave in, just to make us go away.

[Spiderman]

I think we should "badger" them Shawshank Redemption style until they cave in, just to make us go away.

haha, i like your style sir. Sadly i'd imagine a petition with even a million signing it would have got the same response out of them.

Just strikes me that if over 1 million peeps march thru the streets to say "no illegal wars in my name" and we get dragged along anyway then they really dont give a damn about what we have to say if it doesnt go along with what they want. Making money that is of course.

Go to war = huge money for firms like BAE systems & Smiths Industries et al.
Dont go to war = make no money at all.

Do the basic safety campaign = spend small amounts
Do a targeted safety campaign that cover real issues = spend far more money (leaves less for porn expenses surely?)

but hey, never call me a cynic. Draw up a petition and i'll happily help spread the word about it :)

[BanditPat]

Take their keys or take a wing mirror of is usually mu response if they would get out of there car it would be a fair more. But im not exactly a calm person if there stopping me from being "fast"

[xXBADGERXx]

Anyone that gives me Gyp when on the bike had better be prepared to accept a "High Speed Knuckle Supper" from me . I have lost count the amount of times I have dropped the sidestand and stood up to see Mr Big Balls suddenly become impotent and start winding windows up and locking doors . A polite knock on their window and beckoning them out of the car to explain something I couldn`t quite hear .......... only one was foolish enough to open the door and got a car door driven into his head as he tried to get out . "I never hit him officer , he closed his own car door on his head in a hurry to get back in and seemed to also trap his shin , how strange?" .

[yorkie_chris]

even better when the exhaust is underseat like the daytona, just about window level;)

High level can on the SV, seemed to do the trick.


They're just so moronic some drivers. I think all bikers should be allowed to confiscate the licences of such morons on the road as a civic duty to all other road users. :lol:

Confiscate their keys, that's always good for a wind up, just chuck them back into the boot.

Brilliant response! :cool:

I'll remember that one - and might add on a cheery - 'hello! Long time no see! how the hell are you!' :lol:

Or better yet "Alright mate/luv, hows your mom/auntie/whatever doing these days". Works a treat to head off a scrap as they try to think of who the f##k you are. Though don't try it on a coked up chav who happens to be an orphan, tends to ensure that claret is iminent.

[ThEGr33k]

Best story I heard was about one of my Dad's mates back in the day. He was going through traffic when a guy opened his door in front of him and climbed out of the car, my dad's mate was a small guy so he got off and took his helmet off to talk to him as the car driver was a fair bit bigger. The driver walked up to the biker and went to punch him, the biker stepped back and swing his arm up to protect his face as you would, thing is his helmet was in his hand, it came up and cracked the fella on the chin and laid him out. LOL. He got back on the bike and left, apparently no one got out the help the car driver either! Great story tbh. :cool:


as for all the tricks, i wouldnt. not worth it if they just happen to loose it with you and decide to make a move for u with a large lump of somthing.


Yea but we are armoured and we have a nice helmet :D

Screwed up country we live in then eh? My attitude has always been that if someone wants to get past me or go faster than me them they must be in a rush to get somewhere...so let em past.

Even on M-ways when i'm going over the official limit i'll move over if i can for someone who is clearly in more of a rush.

Same for me. If a car is making progress and im not bothered about going quick ill just let them past, granted its happened twice in 4.5 years... :rolleyes:

[jimmy4237]

They're just jealous 'cos you're making progress through standstill traffic and they're not.

The road hogs asswipes who move over to the centre line are:
1. BMW & Merc & Range Rovers drivers who think they own the road
2. Women with kids
3. People in 4x4's

When driving any form of cage (van, truck or car), I always virtually drive in the gutter to let the bikes make progress. I always get a thank you wave back. It's standard car driving courtesy on the continent, not in the UK. If you're filtering on a bike in the UK, most drivers in cages regard you as scum and road kill.

My dad and his mate were once filtering through the gridlocked motorway, and some pushy impatient knob in a saab saw them coming, then moved onto the white line, blocking all filtering. Like a previous post, my old man stopped the bike, put on the side stand, knocked on the window to get it opened with mr. car driver giving the v-flick. My dad grabbed the car keys, and threw them onto the long uncut grassy side banking before riding off.:lol::smt096

Another favourite is to fold their mirror forward so they've to get out and sort it.

[Jamiebridges123]

Stop Along Side Him, With Dark Visor On, stop filtering, stare at him for a few minutes..
Say nothing, just stare..

Kinda freaks them out. :)

HAHAHA. I tried that a while ago.. They look at you directly, and then look away. Then about 15 seconds later, they shift their eyes to try and see if you're still looking, then they start to panic.. total classic. :takeabow:

I shall try Badgers approach, however when someone irritates me I can't do anything but write a stiff letter..

As for filtering, well 650cc's of VTwin and a bike that shouts over air cooled Harleys and they're soon moving out of my way. :-$

[Marcus]

Got to have 10 bobsworth on this one. I personally think that all car drivers, new,old or potential, i.e. learners, should be made to ride a scooter for 2 weeks before being allowed to take their practical car test. That way they cop for the receiving end & would hopefully think twice & be more obsevant when allowed out in their cars. Dont get me wrong here, I aint perfect, but would say I see 9/10 coming along filtering, theres always the odd one that catches you out & you just dont see them until its a bit late to move over as far as poss. I personally have had drivers look me in the eye at junctions & pull out anyway - not very sociable - but then again, I do live in Bradford, & believe me, if anyone thinks London Village is bad, try riding a bike round here - mental.
Rant over.

[Magnum]

Another favourite is to fold their mirror forward so they've to get out and sort it.

Some of them drive with their mirrors folded in anyway, i dont think they would really care!

[keith_d]

If someone wants to stop me filtering, I'll happily stop filtering for a bit - right in front of them. Of course, I'll leave a nice safe gap in front of me, and make a point of letting in anyone who wants to join from the side roads, even a whole queue of cars sometimes.

If they've really ****ed me off, when we get to the lights I'll be the very model of a considerate road user and stick strictly to the speed limit, because they're bound to be in a hurry. Of course, slowing down to allow pedestrians to cross is just a matter of common courtesy. :smt077

Once their blood pressure reaches 210/140 and they're turning a pretty shade of purple, I can give them a friendly wave and zoom off into the distance. :D

[Sid Squid]

I think I am going to have to dig out my Camera rig again and start recording my journeys to work again so that "out-of-towners" can experience the London Commute :)
In slo-mo.

[SoulKiss]

In slo-mo.

I think that the Old Street Roundabout to the A406/A10 roundabout in 20 minutes at rush hour was quite respectable.

There was me thinking the M1 run on the way to AR07 had gotten rid of my Captain Slow title - seems not :)

Still if I'm Capt Slow, I guess Jambo is The Hamster, Treacle The Stig, so you must be Clarkson....... :p

[-Ralph-]

I've had morons do allsorts to stop me gettin past, even to the extent of flippin out the petrol cap when they couldn't move out any further!

Whoops, caught the fuel filler cap with my knee armour and ripped it off. Oh dear! :oops: