I have read anger, sensible thoughts and as always apologists citing "Not everyone does this"
But the fact is that cyclists (Particularly the Lycra clad kind) always seem to be very angry and instant to respond with violence if threatened, or questioned.
Yes, if you must know I ride a bike, no I don't wear Lycra and No I don't go off at every boor bugger that fails to see me because its my own damn fault.
Having ridden motorcycles for nearly 40 years, I have learned a thing or two about survival.
The first rule of motorcycling is thet you must ride as if every other road user is trying to kill you.
This of course is not factual, but its a good way to avoid being the result of someone else's mistake.
You see, the real logic behind this thinking is simply this.
A driver looks out his mirrors and windows looking for vehicles, or threats to his vehicle.
A small motorcycle or pushbike does not register, it slots into the part of the brain that registers pedestrians who cannot travel fast enough to be either a threat or has any real speed.
Its not deliberate, or vindictive, its just how drivers see these small insignificant objects.
Now Riders, both motorized and non motorized, need to accept the fact that they are not seen.
Its not deliberate or vindictive, it just don't register in a drivers mind.
Once you accept that fact and get off your high horse of "I HAVE AS MUCH RIGHT TO BE ON THE ROAD" you will find life is more permanent.
You also have to make yourself seen.
I'm not talking bright colours or as some motorcycle groups advocate, removing the baffles to make ear destroying noise, Im talking riding in a way that makes you visible to the drivers.
Now this will be hard for some, but follow the logic.
1) Ride behind the car in front, not alongside or in the drivers blind spot.
2) Don't ride between cars while they are moving, unless you really don't like living, a stationary car takes a second or so to move in front of you, time enough to take evasive action. A moving car takes much less.
3) Don't overtake on the inside if you are coming up to a corner or driveway, yes there are lots of those, but cars use them and if you come up alongside a car turning into one, it will hurt you more than them. And they don't always use indicators.
4) Watch the front wheels of the car in front. This is a good one, A cars wheels turn before it does, you see movement, hit the brakes.
5) Finally, If someone makes a mistake and something happens, learn from it, look back at what YOU did wrong, after all you are just as responsible in most cases 5% rule so happily noted earlier, only 5% of drivers aim to make riders lives unhappy and only 5% of riders ride safely.
Blind spots,
Most drivers have their side mirrors angled so that they can see down the side of their cars, pointless really, by the time a vehicle is that close its way too late.
This creates a huge blind spot, once the vehicle behind leaves your rear view mirror, you don't see it until its alongside you or even in front of you depending on your personal peripheral vision.
The mirrors on the side should be set so you see vehicles in the next lane. Ideally as they leave your rear view mirror and until they come into the drivers peripheral vision. You will find if you do this the number of near misses changing lanes goes to ZERO. And you can see bikes and riders in the lane next to you.
As for using the law to sort out this brain dead camel who spits on people, forget it, the law is there simply to generate revenue for the government.
Find him, warn him and if he tries it again, hurt him, simple really.
If you waste you time reporting him it will be an exercise in frustration.
The law only wants to deal with cases where they have witnesses, evidence and can generate some revenue, none of which you currently have.
The spitter will have a great old laugh at your expense and frustration and only make him more eager to do it again.
Been there, done that. when my wife was pushed to the ground by an idiot on the street many years ago.
The cops were uninterested, the thug was smug and I was angry.
Next time we crossed paths he fell over and hurt his jaw, these things happen.
