u/CyclicRedundancyMach

Source: I have been biking for over 40 years. I've been across the country and up and down the east coast.

Background: There are three kinds of drivers

1. Thoughtful, watchful, courteous.
2. Distracted
3. Intentionally aggressive

This is how to manage #2 and #3. It is stupid simple. YOU just need to be a little simple/stupid. All it takes is a wiggle.

When I know that there is a car coming up behind me, I *intentionally* jiggle the handlebars. Not a lot - a couple of inches is plenty. That makes my bike visibly wobble. This calls attention to my obvious ineptitude. It makes me seem like a unsafe noob/idiot/danger-on-the-road. Again, just a wiggle - little but it has to be noticeable. Do it while they are well behind you, not when they are on your ass or passing.

2. Distracted: These folks are attracted to unexpected motion. The wobble makes them focus on you and pay attention. Exactly what you want. They are thinking, "Cause ya just never know when that idiot is going to do something *else* stupid and dangerous. I'd better go wide on this one."

3. Aggressive: These folks want to terrorize you, not kill you. They loath and despise you but they also don't want to explain it to the cops or clean your carcass off their bumper. That wiggle tells them that you are absolutely not safe to get close to.

It is highly effective. Obviously this does not work for group rides.

Bonus Tip: I spend a lot of time on back roads. I absolutely NEVER ride the white line. Not ever. This misguided attempt at politeness is dangerous and invites cars to attempt to pass while there is oncoming traffic. It is an easy way to get creamed or pushed off the road. When there is no shoulder or bike lane, I ride in the right-most third of my lane. I have a right to the road, same as everyone. Between that and the 'wiggle', cars move deep into the left lane. And they always slow down and stay behind me until it is safe to pass. I also always give a little wave to thank them for being courteous and safe. I think of it as training the drivers with a tiny dopamine hit.

Pro tip: Just go get a Garmin Varia radar and a glasses-mounted mirror. Seriously, quit talking about it and just do it. The links are below. I am not an affiliate. Look 'em up yourself if you prefer. The radar warns you in plenty of time about traffic behind you. The mirror lets you keep an eye on them.

Radar - They have a newer model. There are also competitors out there. This is the one I bought in 2024 for ~$300. It is $149 now. Personally, I'd get the newer model for the improvements and the USBC charging port https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086TVFX1D?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_21&th=1

Glasses-mounted mirror - Best $20 I have spent. When I am not wearing it I feel half-blind and very uncomfortable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C17M26?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Keep the round side on the road and be safe.

Source: I have been biking for over 40 years. I've been across the country and up and down the east coast.

Background: There are three kinds of drivers

1. Thoughtful, watchful, courteous.
2. Distracted
3. Intentionally aggressive

This is how to manage #2 and #3. It is stupid simple. YOU just need to be a little simple/stupid. All it takes is a wiggle.

When I know that there is a car coming up behind me, I *intentionally* jiggle the handlebars. Not a lot - a couple of inches is plenty. That makes my bike visibly wobble. This calls attention to my obvious ineptitude. It makes me seem like a unsafe noob/idiot/danger-on-the-road. Again, just a wiggle - little but it has to be noticeable. Do it while they are well behind you, not when they are on your ass or passing.

2. Distracted: These folks are attracted to unexpected motion. The wobble makes them focus on you and pay attention. Exactly what you want. They are thinking, "Cause ya just never know when that idiot is going to do something *else* stupid and dangerous. I'd better go wide on this one."

3. Aggressive: These folks want to terrorize you, not kill you. They loath and despise you but they also don't want to explain it to the cops or clean your carcass off their bumper. That wiggle tells them that you are absolutely not safe to get close to.

It is highly effective. Obviously this does not work for group rides.

Bonus Tip: I spend a lot of time on back roads. I absolutely NEVER ride the white line. Not ever. This misguided attempt at politeness is dangerous and invites cars to attempt to pass while there is oncoming traffic. It is an easy way to get creamed or pushed off the road. When there is no shoulder or bike lane, I ride in the right-most third of my lane. I have a right to the road, same as everyone. Between that and the 'wiggle', cars move deep into the left lane. And they always slow down and stay behind me until it is safe to pass. I also always give a little wave to thank them for being courteous and safe. I think of it as training the drivers with a tiny dopamine hit.

Pro tip: Just go get a Garmin Varia radar and a glasses-mounted mirror. Seriously, quit talking about it and just do it. The links are below. I am not an affiliate. Look 'em up yourself if you prefer. The radar warns you in plenty of time about traffic behind you. The mirror lets you keep an eye on them.

Radar - They have a newer model. There are also competitors out there. This is the one I bought in 2024 for ~$300. It is $149 now. Personally, I'd get the newer model for the improvements and the USBC charging port https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086TVFX1D?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_21&th=1

Glasses-mounted mirror - Best $20 I have spent. When I am not wearing it I feel half-blind and very uncomfortable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C17M26?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Keep the round side on the road and be safe.

On Saturday, a dog came in from behind so I didn't see him, and didn't start barking until he was a few feet from me. The startle factor popped me into traffic for a moment and I was afraid I was going to get hit, or he was going for my ankles.

I slid to a stop, popped off and put the bike between us. He calmed down after a moment and started trotting back to his owner. I followed from a distance. I wanted to let the owner know how incredibly fucking dangerous that was. The dog was the 'guard dog' for some mechanic who was closed for the day. No fence, no gate, no leash, nothing.

I called the shop today and they were pretty uninterested. Said that they'd tell the boss and he'd call if he needed anything. Now mind you, I love dogs. That said, I have no interest in either being driven into traffic or a nasty dog bite.

What do y'all use to manage for this kind of misbehavior? I once saw online someone using some kind of orange spray. I assumed it was like mace but tinted. It seemed to be more of a stream than a spray. Whatever that is....is it useful? Is there any alternative?

Thanks!