Abused by a "fellow" cyclist for stopping at a red light.

[SecretSam]

Had this happen

Have also seen an RLJ twerp almost get flattened by a van...the little d!ck had just jumped the line at a junction as well...doubt the little pr!ck will change his ways, though...some people are permanent a$$holes

 

[dondare]

Good evening all

I was abused by a fellow cyclist today. About 7 this morning there I was happily cycling down the Kings Road in Chelsea - the lights changed to red and so I stopped as I always would do at a red light. From behind I heard the following, and I quote, "What the **** are you stopping for"? My reply was that the reason I stopped because the it was a red light. His reply to that was "Get the **** out the way you ****ing self-gratification artist". I could not get out of the way as there were railing to my immediate left and a car to my right. A mexican stand off? Eventually the lights changed and off I went. He sped past me uttering the word "c*nt".

I am not into confrontations and all that nonsense - not my thing at all. Gone forever is the idea that when it comes to fellow cyclists we are brothers and all for one & one for all etc.

Anyone else ever been abused by a brother cyclist?

Just another member of the human race. Exactly the same sort as the motorist who tailgates other motorists flashing his lights if they're not driving fast enough. Natural selection will get him eventually.


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx9jCto0ZTI

 

[Arch]

I'd not be impressed with a cyclist who slamed on their brakes to stop at a pedestrian crossing, where the person who triggered the lights has already crossed and no one else is crossing.

So you'd rather someone broke the law, than obeyed it? And for this to affect you adversely, you'd have to be cycling far too close to someone else anyway.

If you get yourself in a position where another road user's perfectly legal action puts you in danger, you're the one with a problem. Your filtering example sounds entirely fictitious and unlikely. If someone stops before the stop line, in a filter lane, it'll be because they don't feel they can get through any further, so how are you going to manage? I've had to do this at times, filtering down the left, you get to a wider vehicle, or someone who's a little further over, or a long vehicle that it would be stupid to pass, since the lights are about to change. In that situation, I'll stop for my safety, and if you've made the decision to filter behind me, you'll just have to wait.

The guy in the OP sounds like a right dick, and he'd have got a fair piece of my mind. Or possibly a very acid, but subtle remark which would no doubt have gone over his head, but made me feel clever.

 

[John the Monkey]

.... If someone stops before the stop line, in a filter lane, it'll be because they don't feel they can get through any further, so how are you going to manage? I've had to do this at times, filtering down the left, you get to a wider vehicle, or someone who's a little further over, or a long vehicle that it would be stupid to pass, since the lights are about to change.

I'd tend to agree with that - even where the ASL is clear (an occurrence that's on a par with a bloody miracle somedays), I wouldn't sit in it ahead of a bus or truck, and I won't sit in the filter lane next to one (I'd stop next to a car that I know has seen me, or in the lane behind).

I've not had anyone remonstrate with me for stopping at red (yet), as far as I'm concerned they can f*** off around me if they want to take their chances.

 

[User482]

I'd not be impressed with a cyclist who slamed on their brakes to stop at a pedestrian crossing, where the person who triggered the lights has already crossed and no one else is crossing.

The only reason to slam on the brakes would be if you're not paying enough attention. If you're cycling courteously and legally, then the actions of the cyclist in front of you should be of no consequence to your own safety.

 

[stephenb]

not proud of it now but did let fly at another cyclist last night. he'd been undertaking and cutting me and others up for a good few miles, insisting on passing everything, including left signalling bendy buses, up the inside (and duly got repeatedly stuck/trapped). eventually shouted that he was a fcking menace and should give up cycling before he got squashed. seemed totally oblivious to the fact that he'd been putting himself in danger.

 

[Cab]

So you'd rather someone broke the law, than obeyed it? And for this to affect you adversely, you'd have to be cycling far too close to someone else anyway.

No, it turns out that on one of the occasions when I got rear ended by a cyclist while at a red light, and on an occasion when I got rear ended by a cyclist carrying an umbrella, and when I recently got rear ended by a taxi, on all of those occasions I 'stopped too quickly'. They said so, it must be true.

 

[Arch]

No, it turns out that on one of the occasions when I got rear ended by a cyclist while at a red light, and on an occasion when I got rear ended by a cyclist carrying an umbrella, and when I recently got rear ended by a taxi, on all of those occasions I 'stopped too quickly'. They said so, it must be true.

Of course, silly me.

Isn't it a rule of thumb in motor insurance terms and the like that in rear ending, the driver behind is to blame (unless it can be clearly proved the person in front did something stupid..)?

 

[Cab]

One problem is the dreadful lack of maintenance on a lot of bikes on the road. I wouldn't go out on a bike if the brakes were too poor, but you look at the stopping distance (relative to their speed) required by many cyclists andits just shocking. I'm afraid that keeping your brakes in working order isn't the norm, so it isn't surprising that we'll get rear ended by cretins (or abused by them when they nearly hit us) sometimes.

 

[tdr1nka]

Would you stay quite and think "my own silly fault for trying to filter behind another cyclist, he was certain to stop right there, it makes so much sense"

Or would you be thinking/saying "excuse me, I'm trying to get to the stopping line"

In my experience I would choose not to follow or filter to an ASL unless my way was clear and I was confident in the phase of the lights.
In the example of a left hand ASL filter lane I would be putting myself in the gutter alongside traffic which is potentially more dangerous and certainly non assertive positioning.
Any bike that has to push past will only serve to compund this position and in my view is being as arrogant as some car drivers over what would only amount to a few seconds lead.

But if, as I think you're saying, someone has stopped in a central filter lane, between lanes of traffic, I'd not feel the need to think or pass comment, I'd find it odd certainly, but continue making my position as safe as possible.
I'd make eye contact with the drivers around me and make very clear signals that I intend to move into whichever lane when the lights change.

Like I said before, I am happier, more visible and safer holding primary in traffic rather than 'trying' to get to the front.
FWIW, until motorists learn to stop outside ASL's and leave access to them clear for cyclists, I will rarely use them unless I've come to them at the head of traffic.

So in answer to the points above,
'Yes', , to the first and 'No' to the second.
It is foolish to second guess any cyclist, motorbike, car or bigger that's in front of me, so, as a rule, I generally don't filter in the first place.
I don't have a need to get to the front. But thats just the way I ride.

IMO, Oscar Wilde hinted at the best bit of advice for any urban cyclist when he
said;
'To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.' .

 

[bryce]

IMO, Oscar Wilde hinted at the best bit of advice for any urban cyclist when he
said;
'To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.' .

When I was but a sprog and out on rides with my dad, he always used to say 'Always expect the idiot'. Now I know he was quoting Wilde verbatim, well almost. I still use it while out on rides today.

 

[tdr1nka]

I have another mantra of my own making, which is;
'Never be surprised by anything, unless it is pleasant.'.

 

[Mr Pig]

It is a City that is damned to be perpetually destroyed and then to rise again from the ruins.

Cool. What's next?

 

[yenrod]

Good evening all

I was abused by a fellow cyclist today. About 7 this morning there I was happily cycling down the Kings Road in Chelsea - the lights changed to red and so I stopped as I always would do at a red light. From behind I heard the following, and I quote, "What the **** are you stopping for"? My reply was that the reason I stopped because the it was a red light. His reply to that was "Get the **** out the way you ****ing self-gratification artist". I could not get out of the way as there were railing to my immediate left and a car to my right. A mexican stand off? Eventually the lights changed and off I went. He sped past me uttering the word "c*nt".

I am not into confrontations and all that nonsense - not my thing at all. Gone forever is the idea that when it comes to fellow cyclists we are brothers and all for one & one for all etc.

Anyone else ever been abused by a brother cyclist?

What a dick.

 

[rootes]

Good to know there are commuting cyclists in London who'll cycle appropraitely.

in lodnon it is about 50/50 who stop or run the light...

though some of the stoppers stop but then get impatient and go before the lights change... still usually overtake them before the next lights