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AIBU?

...to have booted a bloke's Audi?

143 replies

hogsback · 07/04/2011 21:16

Disclaimer: I loathe inattentive drivers. I particularly loathe inattentive drivers wearing sunglasses and Armani while ON THE PHONE at the wheel of their effete stylish Audi convertible.

So was I unreasonable to put a size 7 Alpinestar into side of said car at the lights and indicate my displeasure as best as one can while wearing a bike helmet?

To be fair, he did go as white as his suit and put the phone away immediately :)

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givemushypeasachance · 07/04/2011 21:40

You had a bike helmet on but weren't cycling, your hand was on the clutch of something... I'm trying to picture this!

With my helmet on, actually on a bike, I do gesture in a weird and frantic manner at drivers using mobile phones to try to get the message across that it's not a great thing to be doing. If their window was down I'd probably say something ("excuse me, that's actually illegal now", not "oi, you!") as long as it wasn't a car or van full of people who looked to be of a short-tempered nature. Probably wouldn't kick or tap their car with my foot though - a bike helmet won't stop someone walloping me in the face if they object to me touching their car...

I also tut at people parked on double yellow lines as I cycle past them, particularly outside schools. I seem to get more passive aggressive as I get older!

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hogsback · 07/04/2011 21:40

peachy well I imagine he saw my numberplate so the fact that the police haven't been round yet suggests that he wasn't that bothered. As I say I used my foot as my left hand was otherwise occupied.

What got me was how much utter disregard for the rules of the road must you have to use your phone in a convertible with the hood and windows down for all the world to see? Wasn't wearing a belt either. At least most people have enough shame to be a bit subtle about it.

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givemushypeasachance · 07/04/2011 21:42

Ahh, I am thinking now you've got a scooter/moped/motorbike. Ignore my earlier confusion as to why you were wearing a "bike helmet" but not cycling - I assume all bikes are the push-kind!

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Animation · 07/04/2011 21:44

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hogsback · 07/04/2011 21:45

Mushpeas yes, sorry, motorcycle. My cycling is strictly off-road - too scary on the road!

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SquirtedPerfumeUpNoseInBoots · 07/04/2011 21:45

yabu.

I don't disagree with the sentiment, but cyclists and those on motorbikes do not OWN the road. Unless you are a police officer in uniform you have no rights to enforce the law.

What were you doing driving up alongside so as to be in a position to kick the wheel? That's just dangerous. You wonder why drivers can't see you, and appear inattentive? It's because you are constantly weaving in and out and overtaking one minute, undertaking the next. Rant over. But I don't disagree about the phone.

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nijinsky · 07/04/2011 21:46

YANBU if his driving endangered you. Pedestrians or cyclists risk serious injury or death as a result of dangerous driving, car drivers generally only risk damage to property in low speed impacts. It would be worth any minor fine as it might make him think again and save someone's life.

My DP got clipped by someone's wing mirror when cycling. Smashed his arm, cost the driver a pile in compensation, and I can't say anyone was much concerned about the fate of the wing mirror.

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givemushypeasachance · 07/04/2011 21:47

squeakytoy - there was a topic on the Guardian Bike Blog this week about whether cyclists should filter past stopped traffic or not, and if so then whether they should go on the left or the right. The highway code actually doesn't specify, so passing on the left isn't ilegal unless you do it dangerously. The right is usually safer, and sometimes there isn't space on the left, but a lot of silly dotted line "bike lanes" will direct you up the left leading to traffic lights to try to get to the advance stop box. Plus in multi-lane traffic if you go right and then the traffic clears you can end up with faster vehicles suddenly over and undertaking you at the same time, stuck in between cars and lorries and buses. It's all a bit of a muddle really.

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GORGEOUSX · 07/04/2011 21:47

OP You are obviously a hooligan - and a jealous one at that.

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Gwendolinemarylacey · 07/04/2011 21:47

Some fuckwit did that to my dad when we were kids, almost put his foot through my door. My dad turned round to see what the hell had made the noise and had a proper accident. All because some cyclist veered out in front of him without looking behind to see if it was safe and he tooted them. Guess that makes you a bit of a fuckwit too...

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OliPolly · 07/04/2011 21:47

Boo hoo OP

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squeakytoy · 07/04/2011 21:50

Mushy, the Op is on a motorbike/moped, not a bicycle..

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hogsback · 07/04/2011 21:51

mushy I always filter up as far right as possible, unless there is a traffic island or right filter. Much better to be seen by oncoming traffic rather than filter between two lanes of traffic neither of which are checking their mirrors.

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Thornykate · 07/04/2011 21:52

How on earth can you even think that it is OK to kick someone's property?

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hogsback · 07/04/2011 21:53

gorgeousx jealous of someone in Armani? Don't think so, it was nasty.

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hecate · 07/04/2011 21:53

did you kick his car because he was on his phone or because you were in danger? I can understand it if he hadn't seen you, was about to drive off and you could easily have ended up under his wheel.

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worraliberty · 07/04/2011 21:55

Wtf has his clothing, sunglasses and choice of vehicle got to do with anything?

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lockets · 07/04/2011 21:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hogsback · 07/04/2011 21:58

Hecate I would love to say I was in imminent danger of being run over and kicking his car was a last ditch effort to alert him to my presence.

Unfortunately that would be a big fat lie and I actually kicked tapped his car because I was overcome with a heady mixture of crossness and self-righteousness.

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scottishmummy · 07/04/2011 21:58

hope you get nicked,and in someway this op is incriminating

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catchmeifyoucan · 07/04/2011 21:58

Seriously OP you need to get a grip here. If you were that concerned with his alleged lawbreaking you should have taken his number plate and reported him to the rozzers. I'm sure they'd have been delighted to hear from you. Delighted!

Meanwhile it's because of people like you that the Big Brother/Nanny State of today continues to flourish. Mind your own and continue to pray that nobody of a stickybeaked nature dobs you in for something.

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ivykaty44 · 07/04/2011 22:00

sometimes motorists forget that people on motorbikes and pushbimes can overtake them when they are stationary in traffic - after they have done something really stupid 200 yards before It is at this moment that motorcyclists and cyclists becomes a twats and wanker cylist and every other abusive name you can think of for then pointing it out to the motorist beside his window, whether it was she/he picked their nose whilst driving and threw stones up all over you at the same time - or they cut you up at the previous junction.

seems a few on this thread have suffered the repercussions of slighting a two wheeled fiend given the abusive names they call these two wheeled fiends getting their own back

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delicatequestion · 07/04/2011 22:00

you not serious, this is a windup troll

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hecate · 07/04/2011 22:01

oh, well, I was desperately trying to give you a way out there

Sorry, am unable to say you were in any way reasonable to boot his car because he was on the phone at the lights and driving an audi and wearing whatever it was you said he was wearing.

wag your finger by all means but kicking? No.

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GORGEOUSX · 07/04/2011 22:01

OP You obviously lead a very sad and empty life if you feel the need to spend your evening telling the rest of us what a complete and utter imbecile you are.

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