By the time we see them it’s too late, but here is an interesting study of the relationship of bumper stickers (which this researcher refers to as territory markers) and the tendency to road rage from the Washington Post. Even more interesting was that the nature of the message did not affect the behavior and the more stickers, the greater the correlation.
This is not particularly helpful to bicyclists as we only know when a driver is aggressive after they have needlessly blown their horn or knocked us off the road, but it does provide some insight into territorial behavior on the road.
It also reminds us that we need to protect our territory — when the road is not wide enough for you to ride and a car to pass, move to the center and take the lane. It is allowed by law, and you will be safer even if you provide some mild irritation to someone. Better to find routes that avoid such a situation, but you can’t always count on that. And even if you like to put stickers on your bike, by all means be friendly out there. Smile and wave as if you know a driver who yells at you. They will be at worst confused and at best won over, and you will have taken the high road.
It’s true…I found a few years as a messenger in a major city that there is a correlation between the yellow ribbon stickers and the likelihood to be aggressive towards bikers. So lookout, these stickers are supposed to signify support for the troops, but they often signify a pro-car, anti-bike mentality.
I know it’s not always the case, but it is a trend that keeps proving to be true in my experience. I hear a horn blare from behind, followed by some yelling as a car speeds past to make it to the red light 50 feet ahead, and most times it’s accompanied by a yellow ribbon. The meaning of those ribbons has been truly warped for me because of what I’m forced to associate them with.