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AIBU?

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Original poster

Your Dad is a terrible driver!

65 replies

Massy · 21/07/2024 16:17

I was out on my bike this morning, and met a driver who did a 3 point turn in front of me. He did not notice me until I rang my bell, right next to his window. I pointed out that as a cyclist, my life was in his hands and he wasn’t looking.

Anyway my parting gambit ‘your Dad is a terrible driver, was addressed to his 2 children in the car, aged about 10 & 12. It made me feel better. He said it was wrong to talk to children like that. Your thoughts?

OP posts:
maddening · 22/07/2024 18:54

Could you do a diagram ?

OneTC · 22/07/2024 18:53

I wouldn't give someone shit with their kids in the car

Runbunny · 22/07/2024 18:52

Why would you not just stop. if someone's doing a 2 point turn in the road ahead of you, the same way that you would if driving a car?

I'm a cyclist and poor driving and the aggression some drivers demonstrate towards cycllists is a problem, but you created this situation and were ridiculously childish too.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 22/07/2024 18:41

You had no argument with the children, your argument was with him.

PreciousMahoney · 22/07/2024 18:37

I'm trying to visualise this scenario but can't really, maybe you could clarify where you were when he started the manoeuvre.

If I was cycling along and saw a car reversing back and forward I would stay clear.

But even if the driver was careless you are a bit of a dick and very childish. They're kids ffs, they probably thought you were batshit

Gcsunnyside23 · 22/07/2024 18:28

LordEmsworth · 21/07/2024 17:11

Yeah OP, why didn't you just let him run you over? Your fault really for being in the road. The entitlement is astonishing.

You understand that as a cyclist you also need to be aware of avoiding incident or impact with a vehicle (like waiting when someone is manoeuvring) just as much as they need to be aware of you, it's not entitlement. Noone on the road cyclist or vehicle should assume anyone is perfect and won't make mistakes as that's just asking for trouble. Op hasn't come back to confirm what actually happened other than they harassed his children but from what we did get it looks like they weren't taking due care either.

Ereyraa · 21/07/2024 17:32

Your reaction is why cyclists get a bad reputation

Bobbotgegrinch · 21/07/2024 17:28

Given that he must have been in front of you, then you should have stopped to let him complete his manouver. That would be the correct and legal thing to do.

But you didn't do that OP, did you. You tried to squeeze past him while he was mid-three point turn, and then shouted at him and scared his kids.

Numpty.

YourWildAmberSloth · 21/07/2024 17:28

Yes it was wrong to bring the kids into it. You said your piece to the driver, you should have left it at that. Don't beat yourself up over it but in the heat of the moment, you made a mistake.

AddictedToBooks · 21/07/2024 17:28

As others have said, it's quite frankly a horrible dick move to involve innocent children by slagging off their dad (who they love) to them and it probably will play on their minds because they love their parent and in their eyes, you are just some rude, horrible stranger.
Another good question a PP asked is whether he was already performing the 3 point turn. You obviously didn't think it was that dangerous otherwise why would you have ridden up to his window and passive aggressively rung your bell?

You're incredibly lucky that it wasn't a road raging lunatic, you decided to be smart with.

Babadook76 · 21/07/2024 17:16

Did it make you feel hard picking on the children?

ILoveToCleanSaidNooneEver · 21/07/2024 17:15

Were you visible when he started the manoeuvre?

CaptainBeanThief · 21/07/2024 17:14

Cyclist like yourself drive me insane
I bet you're one of those that vere all over the road so us car drivers can't overtake you superior bicycle riders 😤

kitsuneghost · 21/07/2024 17:14

Were you cycling past when he started the 3 point turn or did you arrive after he started the manoeuvre?

NiceCutRoundDomeDormice · 21/07/2024 17:13

This screams reverse to me too. How tedious.

EKnaring · 21/07/2024 17:13

Sorry but I think you need to grow up, OP. There was no need to bring the kids into it and as someone’s pointed out, they probably just thought you were strange and will obviously take the driver’s side.

I also think you are also responsible for your life, and it isn’t ’in the hands’ of the driver solely - the set up isn’t clear because as others have said, surely you’d have been given some time if you’ve observed the car doing a manoeuvre to stop/reassess your situation? I’m not saying the driver was in the right by the way, as it’s very possible they were being careless but think your post indicates you were also at fault

Hesma · 21/07/2024 17:12

You’re a twat for trying to upset two children!

buckeejit · 21/07/2024 17:11

Of course yabu ffs

MrHarleyQuin · 21/07/2024 17:11

Maybe he saw the cyclist and thought she would stop for a car turning instead of putting herself in danger trying to squeeze past and riding up to his window to be beligerent.

LordEmsworth · 21/07/2024 17:11

Yeah OP, why didn't you just let him run you over? Your fault really for being in the road. The entitlement is astonishing.

Sux2buthen · 21/07/2024 17:09

They're just going to have thought you were an idiot to be honest.
Kids rarely take sides of strangers over their parents

GoodnightJude1 · 21/07/2024 17:09

No need to say anything to the children.
That’ll probably play on their minds for ages now….

but as long as it made you feel better 🙄

PonyPatter44 · 21/07/2024 17:09

I've read this before.

Sirzy · 21/07/2024 17:07

Your life was in your own hands too why carry on when you can see he is mid manoeuvre?

he may have been wrong but doesn’t sound like you were doing a great job either!

CatMum27 · 21/07/2024 17:04

Look, maybe he didn’t see you and it was a genuine mistake. No one is perfect. Maybe he was a bad driver who couldn’t care less. There are awful drivers, cyclists and pedestrians out there. Having a go at his kids is daft on many levels. It’s not their fault any more than it’s your kids fault you’re rude to small children. But as long as it made you feel like a big person I guess? 🤷‍♀️

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