In all the years I’ve been cycling and the two years I’ve been commuting every day, I’ve never had abuse shouted at me by ‘White Van Man’. I have now.
Coming down Yarm Road past the station, I took the correct line past the two traffic islands – there’s not enough room to safely pass, so I moved to around 4 feet from the kerb. I heard an engine behind me as a vehicle slowed down before the first island and it stayed behind me through the second island.
Given how close it was I was surprised when it didn’t overtake me straight away, instead it came alongside as I moved into the bus/bike lane and the three neanderthals onboard shouted abuse at me. Not very inventive language to be honest, but ending with what was either advice, “Move over next time”, or a threat against my life, “I’ll run you over next time”. They then turned right into Borough road.
Nice people.
Come white van drivers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin’.
Please get off the new one
If you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’.
-with apologies to R. Zimmerman