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A lot of motorists act mean toward bicyclists. Some will cut you off or curse at you because they don’t understand that you must observe the same traffic rules they do. What should you do?
Rule
1
Don’t start a fight. Don’t start a fight—no matter how mad you get. If you lose your cool, the motorist might decide to get back at the next bicyclist they encounter. Or, worse, the motorist might decide to smash you with their two-ton automobile—and speed off before you can even start to say “license plate.”
Rule
2
Report harassment. Motorists who touch you or put you in danger might be guilty of assault. Stop and write down everything you can remember: the license plate number, type of car, and where and when it happened. Then call police.
Rule
3
Take the long view. If all cyclists follow traffic laws, motorists will see that cyclists belong on the street. You can help! Whenever possible, tell receptive motorists they should share the road. Meanwhile, governments and bike advocates are carrying the bicycling message to people where they learn best: in school and at work.