Motorists intentionally spraying cyclists with windscreen washer

Pompous

Has anyone else come across this phenomenon?

HeidiHeidi

How would you do that? Windscreen washers are generally directed at the windscreen

odyssey06

If you turn on the wipers it will spray the washer to either side..

They could be just oblivious to its effects on those nearby whether in a bike, on foot or in another car.

boombang

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

How would you do that? Windscreen washers are generally directed at the windscreen

They frequently spray out wider than the windscreen. Stand at your driver door while a friend operates the stalk and you'll probably see what I mean.

Pompous

Good old boards nobody addressing the actual question I asked haha xD instead let's have a debate about whether it's possible or not... I don't know why I bother any more xD

You're a gas crowd

HeidiHeidi

odyssey06 wrote: »

If you turn on the wipers it will spray the washer to either side..

boombang wrote: »

They frequently spray out wider than the windscreen.

In fairness, I wouldn't call either of those "intentionally spraying cyclists with windscreen washer" as per the OP.

Rubberchikken

Ive often had my windscreen 'washed' by the 'thoughtful' car in front so i can imagine a cyclist could be sprayed if a cars wipers werent set properly.
I couldnt imagine anyone being petty enough to do it on purpose but then again....

Panjandrums

This post has been deleted.

odyssey06

Pompous wrote: »

Good old boards nobody addressing the actual question I asked haha xD instead let's have a debate about whether it's possible or not... I don't know why I bother any more xD

You're a gas crowd

By process of elimination, that's data which should probably tell you that they haven't experienced it and are dubious as to whether it's a phenomenon.

07Lapierre

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

How would you do that? Windscreen washers are generally directed at the windscreen

Stick a pin in the passenger side washer jet and you can move it so it sprays to the left of the car.

So yes, it is possible and yes, I've come across it before. But not sure if it was done intentionally. I suspect once a driver realises that the washer jet is pointing towards the left, they spray a cyclist as a joke.

OleRodrigo

State of some of these fair-weather bikes clogging up the streets.

They need a power hose, not a windscreen washer.

boombang

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

In fairness, I wouldn't call either of those "intentionally spraying cyclists with windscreen washer" as per the OP.

Yes, but given that spray will catch a cyclist adjacent to the car, clearly a driver could intentionally spray somebody. This was all fairly clear to me from the original post.

John_Rambo

You can adjust the windscreen washer jets direction with a pin. They're often misaligned, doubt if it's on purpose.

But I did come across a few youngfellas in dads car spraying cyclists (mainly kids) with a water pistol last summer. I caught up with them and told them that spraying minors with an unidentified liquid might not be a good idea. There was a dawning of realisation on their faces and they stopped.

Then some dude (previous water pistol victim I assume) rocked up on his road bike in between me and the lads and emptied/sprayed the content of his water bottle all over them, front and back, the dash, the radio, the statnav, and the expensive upholstery. Didn't even unclip...

Karma.

Sleeper12

Pompous wrote:

Has anyone else come across this phenomenon?

I think you might be taking the whole "cyclist is always the victim" mantra a bit far on this one.

I spray my windscreen whenever it's needed. I think even if I tried my hardest I couldn't time it well enough to hit a cyclist.

If it genuinely happens then shame on the drivers for sure

osarusan

I've heard about this happening, but only had it (possibly) happen to me once.

I remember one time a car had to stay behind me for a while going round a long bend, and as soon as it could go past me, on came the windscreen spray. It is impossible to know why though.

plodder

Haven't seen it in a while, but I used to see cars whose washers were so misaligned that they would shoot over the roof and would land on whatever was behind. If that happened to be a bike, then you can imagine they would be p!ssed off, but I still wouldn't think it's deliberate.

Wishbone Ash

osarusan wrote: »

...I remember one time a car had to stay behind me for a while going round a long bend, and as soon as it could go past me, on came the windscreen spray. It is impossible to know why though.

How is it "impossible to know why"?

Most likely that the long bend you described led the car in the direction of a low sun which would highlight dirt on the windscreen so the driver simply decided to use their windscreen washer. No conspiracy theory there.

Pompous

Well folks, believe it or not, some people do do this on purpose. I understand your doubt... That cyclists tend to play the victim and overreact etc etc...

But today I was passing the airport and one of those enterprise van drivers came up along side me, sprayed me several times, and then took off.

When I chased him to his location and asked him why, he said because I was cycling on the bus lane instead of the cycle lane.

I have this all on camera but can't post it here, but it's proof he did it intentionally.

I didn't get mad, not even upset. The man driving that van is just frustrated with cyclists who are not using the cycle lane and has decided to start spraying them with windscreen washer. Yes, I could taste the chemicals. No, he didn't show any remorse for his actions.

To the people who find this behaviour hard to believe, I say try cycling in Dublin a little more often. Pigeons get more respect.

And finally, I would like to add, that if you know the stretch of road I'm talking about that passes the airport southbound, you know very well why I was not using the 'cycle lane'.

Pompous out.

07Lapierre

Pompous wrote: »

Well folks, believe it or not, some people do do this on purpose. I understand your doubt... That cyclists tend to play the victim and overreact etc etc...

But today I was passing the airport and one of those enterprise van drivers came up along side me, sprayed me several times, and then took off.

When I chased him to his location and asked him why, he said because I was cycling on the bus lane instead of the cycle lane.

I have this all on camera but can't post it here, but it's proof he did it intentionally.

I didn't get mad, not even upset. The man driving that van is just frustrated with cyclists who are not using the cycle lane and has decided to start spraying them with windscreen washer. Yes, I could taste the chemicals. No, he didn't show any remorse for his actions.

To the people who find this behaviour hard to believe, I say try cycling in Dublin a little more often. Pigeons get more respect.

And finally, I would like to add, that if you know the stretch of road I'm talking about that passes the airport southbound, you know very well why I was not using the 'cycle lane'.

Pompous out.

I know that road well. Next time I'm on it I'll spray every car that passes me with my water bottle. If anyone asks me why I'll say it's because all of them were using the old Dublin/Belfast road when there's a perfectly good motorway just around the corner!

uck51js9zml2yt

Thanks for the reminder.... I need to fill my washer bottle in the morning...I must watch out for some cyclists to spray.:)

jaxxx

Anyone else laugh when they read the thread title? No? Just me then? Ok I'm going to hell.... but it was worth it!!

boombang

I'm amazed that this post generated the reaction that it did. I've often thought the same as I've been sprayed in traffic.

magicbastarder

Pompous wrote: »

But today I was passing the airport and one of those enterprise van drivers came up along side me, sprayed me several times, and then took off..

someone who had rented a van had taken the time to ensure the windscreen sprayer sprayed cyclists rather than the windscreen itself? that's dedication.

eeeee

I've been sprayed several times, but always unintentionally, I think :eek:

pjmn

Has happened me a few times but wouldn't think it was ever deliberate.... nice on a hot day!

Ken Tucky

Pompous wrote: »

Well folks, believe it or not, some people do do this on purpose. I understand your doubt... That cyclists tend to play the victim and overreact etc etc...

But today I was passing the airport and one of those enterprise van drivers came up along side me, sprayed me several times, and then took off.

When I chased him to his location and asked him why, he said because I was cycling on the bus lane instead of the cycle lane.

I have this all on camera but can't post it here, but it's proof he did it intentionally.

I didn't get mad, not even upset. The man driving that van is just frustrated with cyclists who are not using the cycle lane and has decided to start spraying them with windscreen washer. Yes, I could taste the chemicals. No, he didn't show any remorse for his actions.

To the people who find this behaviour hard to believe, I say try cycling in Dublin a little more often. Pigeons get more respect.

And finally, I would like to add, that if you know the stretch of road I'm talking about that passes the airport southbound, you know very well why I was not using the 'cycle lane'.

Pompous out.

Are Enterprise not a van rental company.?? Random driver finds rental van washer jets are spraying outside windscreen area and acts the prick. Outrageous stuff indeed

Pinch Flat

Had it happen a couple of times. Usually don’t think much of it - some washers seem to deflect the water jet up and over the roof more easily.

In saying that, if it was deliberate, I might find myself tapping on their window in heavy traffic and accidentally missing my mouth with my bidon....

jaxxx

nee wrote: »

I've been sprayed several times, but always unintentionally, I think :eek:

pjmn wrote: »

Has happened me a few times but wouldn't think it was ever deliberate.... nice on a hot day!

Mwahahaha that's what you think, MWAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!



.....


Ha!

Pompous

Ken Tucky wrote: »

Are Enterprise not a van rental company.?? Random driver finds rental van washer jets are spraying outside windscreen area and acts the prick. Outrageous stuff indeed

Enterprise is a car rental place as far as I know. This man works for them and ferries people between the car rental location and the airport. All day long. So he uses this stretch of road all the time and has worked himself up enough to resort to this childish behaviour.

Pompous

I guess it's just a big joke to everyone.

On that stretch of road I regularly get beeped at and suffer through 'punishment passes', all because the road raging driver cannot understand that the 'cycle lane' is unusable.

And now this. Now I have to have unknown chemicals sprayed in my mouth and eyes because a man-child never learned to process emotions in a healthy way.

I'm not allowing myself to get upset about it, but it does disappoint me so, so much.

Ken Tucky

Pompous wrote: »

Enterprise is a car rental place as far as I know. This man works for them and ferries people between the car rental location and the airport. All day long. So he uses this stretch of road all the time and has worked himself up enough to resort to this childish behaviour.

Car rental places normally use cars to transport people not vans.

Anyhow, I'm a driver and I can't understand why cyclists use roads around Dublin. It's scary the amount of sh2te you see. When I take my bike out I stay on the cycle lanes because it's just not worth it. Too many lunatics in cars...gets us all a bad name

07Lapierre

07Lapierre wrote: »

Stick a pin in the passenger side washer jet and you can move it so it sprays to the left of the car.

So yes, it is possible and yes, I've come across it before. But not sure if it was done intentionally. I suspect once a driver realises that the washer jet is pointing towards the left, they spray a cyclist as a joke.

I may have intentionally done this in my MkIi escort I had when I was a student and I may have, on the odd occasion, intentionally sprayed pedestrians, cyclists, policemen, old people .......

Sleeper12

Ken Tucky wrote:

Car rental places normally use cars to transport people not vans.

In fairness to op, they use mini buses mostly. Many mini buses are vans with seats in them

JeffKenna

Will have to try this. Thanks for the tip OP.

positron

I get sprayed often when riding motorbike, usually when I catch-up with the car ahead and waiting for an opportunity to overtake, or waiting for them to move over from the overtaking lane on motorways etc. Its not too bad as I have full face helmet and waterproof gear head to toe, way more unpleasant if you get sprayed while out cycling.

buffalo

Pompous wrote: »

I guess it's just a big joke to everyone.

On that stretch of road I regularly get beeped at and suffer through 'punishment passes', all because the road raging driver cannot understand that the 'cycle lane' is unusable.

And now this. Now I have to have unknown chemicals sprayed in my mouth and eyes because a man-child never learned to process emotions in a healthy way.

I'm not allowing myself to get upset about it, but it does disappoint me so, so much.

I've had it happen quite a few times. The times when it's combined with a punishment pass I presume it's deliberate, but occasionally it's happened out of the blue and probably by accident.

I don't think even perfectly aligned window-washers keep all liquid on the windscreen, especially while the car is in motion and there's wind whipping past.

homer911

I've received a lot more spray from cyclists without mudguards!

Oops69

more cyclist paranoia ... relax lads , the world isn't out to get you.... most people dont care about you .

AlphabetCards

I've thought about adjusting mine to spray cyclists, especially after coming home to Ireland for a break recently and had cyclists two and threes keeping me from passing on the way out to Glendalough for 30 minutes. Thought this kind of ****e was only in the imagination of boards.ie users and Kavanagh poems but I finally witnessed it myself.

AlphabetCards

Oops69 wrote: »

more cyclist paranoia ... relax lads , the world isn't out to get you.... most people dont care about you .

...then along comes my post!

Hurrache

Ken Tucky wrote: »

Are Enterprise not a van rental company.?? Random driver finds rental van washer jets are spraying outside windscreen area and acts the prick. Outrageous stuff indeed

They do long term lease too I think, I've seen them used by other companies when their branded vans have been off the road or the company needs extra vehicles.

AlphabetCards wrote: »

I've thought about adjusting mine to spray cyclists, especially after coming home to Ireland for a break recently and had cyclists two and threes keeping me from passing on the way out to Glendalough for 30 minutes. Thought this kind of ****e was only in the imagination of boards.ie users and Kavanagh poems but I finally witnessed it myself.

30 minutes? Didn't happen.

Lumen

AlphabetCards wrote: »

I've thought about adjusting mine to spray cyclists, especially after coming home to Ireland for a break recently and had cyclists two and threes keeping me from passing on the way out to Glendalough for 30 minutes. Thought this kind of ****e was only in the imagination of boards.ie users and Kavanagh poems but I finally witnessed it myself.

Don't come back. Thanks.

AlphabetCards

Lumen wrote: »

Don't come back. Thanks.

Nah sorry mate the MTB is just too good in Ireland.

Macy0161

I live on the Glendalough road. I've never been delayed unduly by cyclists. Other motorists on the other hand, pretty much every single day during tourist season, and weekends all year around...

As for misaligned sprays over shooting the top - they're not necessarily misaligned. If they're set too low they won't hit the windscreen at motorway speeds.

machiavellianme

Happened to me 3 years ago. A car (which I thought was overtaking me) slowed down on the then empty Mt Merrion avenue to match my speed and I remained level with the front of the bonnet. Then it suddenly started to drown me. The jet came directly from the front light washer and was set only to the left of the vehicle, i.e. it didn't rebound off the lamp. Then I heard some laughter and a shout of "get off the road you pr*ck" and they sped off to the red light at the top of the hill.

corcaigh07

Pompous wrote: »

Well folks, believe it or not, some people do do this on purpose. I understand your doubt... That cyclists tend to play the victim and overreact etc etc...

But today I was passing the airport and one of those enterprise van drivers came up along side me, sprayed me several times, and then took off.

When I chased him to his location and asked him why, he said because I was cycling on the bus lane instead of the cycle lane.

I have this all on camera but can't post it here, but it's proof he did it intentionally.

I didn't get mad, not even upset. The man driving that van is just frustrated with cyclists who are not using the cycle lane and has decided to start spraying them with windscreen washer. Yes, I could taste the chemicals. No, he didn't show any remorse for his actions.

To the people who find this behaviour hard to believe, I say try cycling in Dublin a little more often. Pigeons get more respect.

And finally, I would like to add, that if you know the stretch of road I'm talking about that passes the airport southbound, you know very well why I was not using the 'cycle lane'.

Pompous out.

Use it in an email to his superiors.

AndrewJRenko

This happened me some years back, way before helmetcams were a thing unfortunately. Four young lads in mammy's car came past, adjusted their position, sprayed me, roared laughing and took off. With my local knowledge, I headed round the corner, caught them trying to exit onto the main road, dropped the bike on the road in front of them, went round to the driver's window and we had a little exchange something like this, just without the choking;
https://youtu.be/SO5r53i97eE?t=26s

They were fairly terrified, and 'we were only joking' was the best they could come up with. I think I may have reported them to the coppers, but I can't recall if it went anywhere.

I had a taxi man who gave me a mouthful of soapy water in traffic recently - not deliberate or directed at all, just careless timing. He was slightly incredulous at my suggestion that it would be a good idea to check his wing mirror before spraying the windscreen next time.

Pompous wrote: »

Well folks, believe it or not, some people do do this on purpose. I understand your doubt... That cyclists tend to play the victim and overreact etc etc...

But today I was passing the airport and one of those enterprise van drivers came up along side me, sprayed me several times, and then took off.

When I chased him to his location and asked him why, he said because I was cycling on the bus lane instead of the cycle lane.

I have this all on camera but can't post it here, but it's proof he did it intentionally.

I didn't get mad, not even upset. The man driving that van is just frustrated with cyclists who are not using the cycle lane and has decided to start spraying them with windscreen washer. Yes, I could taste the chemicals. No, he didn't show any remorse for his actions.

To the people who find this behaviour hard to believe, I say try cycling in Dublin a little more often. Pigeons get more respect.

And finally, I would like to add, that if you know the stretch of road I'm talking about that passes the airport southbound, you know very well why I was not using the 'cycle lane'.

Pompous out.

That's outrageous. If you have decent footage, and particularly if he admitted it was deliberate, you should take the footage to the Gardai by reporting it to the TrafficWatch phone line. At a minimum, you should report it to Enterprise, so they can take action with their customer or employee, whichever it is.

Ken Tucky wrote: »

Anyhow, I'm a driver and I can't understand why cyclists use roads around Dublin.

For me, I usually use roads to get to and from work.

AlphabetCards wrote: »

I've thought about adjusting mine to spray cyclists, especially after coming home to Ireland for a break recently and had cyclists two and threes keeping me from passing on the way out to Glendalough for 30 minutes. Thought this kind of ****e was only in the imagination of boards.ie users and Kavanagh poems but I finally witnessed it myself.

So you're thinking of being a bully, is that it? I'm thinking of landing a nice gozzy of phlegm on the windscreen of those drivers in heavy urban traffic who don't move out of my way, because I assume that my journey is more important than them. You'd concur with this approach, yeah?

For the record, no, I don't spit on windscreens and I'm not thinking about spitting on windscreens.

daragh_

AlphabetCards wrote: »

Nah sorry mate the MTB is just too good in Ireland.

You should share your opinions with with some of the regulars up at Ballinastoe and Ticknock. None of them ever ride to the trails so I’m sure they will all think you are gas.

Or you might find yourself pushed in a ditch.

Fighting Tao

Pompous wrote: »

I have this all on camera but can't post it here, but it's proof he did it intentionally.

Why can't you post it here?

Pompous

Fighting Tao wrote: »

Why can't you post it here?

Ask the mods.

lardzeppelin

Rain must be a problem then... Perhaps it's time to invent the all enclosed bicycle... (like them funny BMW scooter jobbies)