The legend of 'White Van Man'

delta_bravo

Yes another one of these threads. The White Van Man: Had a great aul altercation with one yesterday. Cycling up the rathfarnham side of Orwell Rd., heading up the hill towards Rathgar.

It was 11am so traffic was light and I took my position just left of the middle of the road as I would be turning right at the top of the hill and there is ample room for vehicles to pass on my left. Behind me I could hear the well known roar of the diesel engine, he passed me and then went in ahead of me with the rear of the van missing me by about an inch. The lights were red at the top of the hill so I went ahead of him, waiting for the filter light on to Orwell Drive. Light went green so I proceeded along turning right.

Suddenly this genius in the van starts overtaking me while we were turning right, leaving him on the wrong side of the road (thankfully it was clear) and me looking rather bemused at this idiot. Of course he did the trademark stare as he overtook me on the wrong side of the road, putting me right in my place.

Sadly this is fairly common amongst van drivers, im sure all of ye have had similar stories. Any cyclists on here that drive a van? Perhaps it has some sort of magic powers to turn anyone behind its wheel into an absolute lunatic;)

victorcarrera

delta_bravo wrote: »

Any cyclists on here that drive a van? Perhaps it has some sort of magic powers to turn anyone behind its wheel into an absolute lunatic;)

I worked in a transport company some years back. Without prejudice IMO having met quite a few White Van Men perhaps it might be a case of Mans primitave powers to turn a white van into a weapon of mass destruction . Doesnt apply to white van woman though funnily enough.

BostonB

victorcarrera wrote: »

I worked in a transport company some years back. Without prejudice IMO having met quite a few White Van Men perhaps it might be a case of Mans primitave powers to turn a white van into a weapon of mass destruction . Doesnt apply to white van woman though funnily enough.

What about silver vans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XVPmnomMME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snKml_XtlOI&feature=related

Esroh

Well I am a White/Box van driver by day and I have to say that it seems to be a disease that infects the mind of many of my co-drivers. Anyone from Galway knows the risks they take by going to Moycullen but the Lads love to bitch about the cyclists who hold them up when they should be cycling in the potholes.

peterk19

hmmm i've just become a blue van man bought one recently for bringing my new mountain bike to wicklow and that i wonder when the this van driving instinct will kick in......

victorcarrera

peterk19 wrote: »

I wonder when the this van driving instinct will kick in......

It wont, because you are already immune. A motorist who rides a bike is like someone who has taken a vaccine that gives them the knowledge and perspective to share the road with cyclists. How and what distance to approach and overtake etc. If cycling a bike for 300 Km was a compulsory part of the driving test our roads would be much safer for all of us.

The tax man

delta_bravo wrote: »

Any cyclists on here that drive a van? Perhaps it has some sort of magic powers to turn anyone behind its wheel into an absolute lunatic;)

Yes and have done for years. I treat all two-wheeled road users as I'd want to be treated while on two wheels and that also goes for them strange bikes with motors where the water bottle should be.