Magnetic Yellow Card is a semi-polite way to make the point that the road is for sharing. Still, despite the non-invasive, non-marking nature of this method of spreading the gospel of good manners, I’m quite sure that attaching these magnets to offending vehicles will not improve relations between drivers and bicyclists. Politeness only dulls the vitriol, and drivers (read: people) don’t react well to anger, however veiled.
I’m interested in ideas, though, for overcoming the communication gap between the two-wheelers and the four-wheelers. I’m a regular bicycle commuter, so I’ve had my moments of “pedal rage” — these are usually stoked by fear. While there’s nothing as freeing as a bicycle in traffic, there’s also few things more vulnerable to damage. A haphazard turn, a blindly-opened door, trash on the pavement… any of these things are more is a recipe for personal injury if you are on a bicycle. I get angry because I am afraid of the consequences of other people’s actions.
I drive a car, too, so bicycling isn’t a moral issue for me, just a lovely marriage of convenience, exercise, and economics. As a driver, I’m not sure what kind of message I would react well to… but it’s not a yellow card on my side panel.