Abuse

[Johnno260]

2018 has been by far my worst year for cycling from an abuse point of view.

I have had things thrown at me twice, one time when I gestured back almost ended in a nasty confrontation.

Every other ride I’m getting abuse and shouting at me, I honestly don’t know what I’m doing wrong, if I ride any closer to the curb I may as well ride in the pavement so it’s not as if I’m impending people.

I have been very careful in setting my lights up so dazzling people is unlikely.

Maybe I just need to be more thick skinned but it’s really starting to wear a little thin.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

 

[Mrs M]

x

 

[gbb]

It may just be bad luck, a passing thing. Personally in 20 years of serious cycling I had one thing thrown at me...that was an empty bottle chucked out of a car by chavs so maybe just bedevilment, not personal or cyclist hatred.
Insults, maybe once or twice, no more....and I ride a strong but respectful of other road users position in the road.

 

[Drago]

I got some abuse in the car today. How dare I indicate right and then stop in the road to turn right. The two behind me couldn't wait and mounted the footpath to get past me, tooting his horn as he went. To say I was gobsmacked was putting it mildly.

 

[slowmotion]

I had somebody in a car spray me with piss outside the Cromwell Hospital about eight years ago. Nothing's happened since. I guess I don't get much abuse, or don't notice it.

 

[Johnno260]

It could just be bad luck, today it was a guy going the opposite way he slowed and just hurled abuse for no obvious reason.

Maybe another cyclist had annoyed him earlier, I just gave my opinion of him and pushed on.

 

[Vantage]

if I ride any closer to the curb I may as well ride in the pavement so it’s not as if I’m impending people.

I wouldn't be doing that no matter how childish they act. Safety first and so on. Keep a good 3 feet minimum from the road side no matter who's wanting to pass.

 

[Matty T]

It's really sad that other road users don't seem to respect each other - and different vehicles attract varying levels of impatience.
Be safe and don't get too mad that it upsets your concentration. Go Pro maybe?

 

[vickster]

Frankly, it's a fact of life for a larger lady on a bike Especially from young men who've souped up their mum's hatchback and left the family braincell at home

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I rarely get abuse, but if it happens it's like buses, I don't get anything for ages then several incidents together. Try to ignore them and try to not react, you don't know who you're dealing with and you're vunurable if it kicks of big time. And try to be assertive, don't cower in the gutter.

 

[Cuchilo]

Especially from young men who've souped up their mum's hatchback and left the family braincell at home

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I don't get abuse on the roads I find everybody is pleasant, it's on here where I get insults thrown at me

 

[Drago]

I had somebody in a car spray me with piss outside the Cromwell Hospital about eight years ago.

Well, you were on fire!

 

[Julia9054]

I got a stream of screamed abuse from some k***head in a landrover the other day. My crime? Wheeling my bike across a main road between 2 cycle paths.
His mother must be so proud.
My response (providing i can get away) is always a dazzling smile, a cheery wave and to blow them a kiss.
Angry men don't like being laughed at.