Can't get my head round the culture

[MrHappyCyclist]

I encountered only two cyclists going the same way as me this morning.

The first one was just a bad cyclist (but on a reasonably good bike). I first encountered him when he shot up my inside as the lights changed, I quickly overtook him. At the next lights, he rode on the pavement to get to the front (past two police officers who did nothing) then jumped the red light, I overtook him again. At the next lights, he came up my inside and went through the red light, then jumped the next red light, then went the wrong way up a one way street. I went round the correct way - the same distance, but with slightly more hill - then encountered him riding fast along a pavement in the town centre and shooting out across the road, ending up just in front of me. He then turned right, off my route.

The second one I overtook because I just happened to be going faster than him. At the next red light, he caught up, so I kept to right of centre in the queue so that he could come alongside, but he stopped a few yards behind me so that he could get a run-up to overtake when the lights changed. I turned and said a cheery "good morning", but he just stared straight ahead past me with a very serious face and said nothing. When the lights changed, he came up the inside, out of the seat and pedalling hard, so I fell in behind him. I followed him for a couple of miles and noticed that the only time he looked back was when my bike rattled behind him, despite the fact that we passed many parked cars. At one point, we were going down a hill, him pedalling furiously and me freewheeling a few yards behind him (too far away to get a draught). Perhaps his brakes are dragging or something.

I do often find that I'll say good morning or good afternoon to another cyclist at traffic lights only to be faced with silence. Is it me?

 

[dellzeqq]

I was doing a bit of a recce this morning, and went south across Clapham Common, which is blessed with a bike path parallel to a footpath.

The cyclists coming the other way were hammering along, oblivious of people wandering across the path or the give way signs at junctions. One young man coming towards me overtook another cyclist and had to cut him up to avoid hitting me head on. Lambeth Council has put up a sign asking people to cycle considerately. Ho-hum.

 

[ianrauk]

There are all sorts of cyclists out there. It's not uncommon what you describe. Especially in London. There are plenty of arses out there as there are plenty of sensible good cyclists.


As to saying hello to other cyclists etc, I'm not always one for friendly hello's. Sometimes I say hello back or even say hello first. Sometimes I just can't be arsed either way.

 

[wesa]

My commute is not a fair comparison. I have no traffic lights to give anyone the opportunity to RLJ - unless I take the short route (I only ever see cars RLJ there). This morning was exceptional in that I saw four other bikes. A 'good morning' was exchanged with every rider.

The only times I don’t offer a greeting are when I am struggling up a hill or when it would be dangerous. In both cases I can usually manage a nod.

I have had some very pleasant conversations with total strangers who I just happen share a mode of transport and a piece or road with.

 

[ianrauk]

I do often find that I'll say good morning or good afternoon to another cyclist at traffic lights only to be faced with silence. Is it me?

Being called grumpycyclist, you must have a grumpy demeanour about you..

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I'll talk to just about anybody in the street or on the road and I still haven't been locked up. But I have noticed a couple of times that when you exchange a couple of words with cyclists stopped at the same lights, it sometimes takes a while for them to come out of their very focused cycling zone and into chatting mode. But once they've refocused they're nearly always very friendly. Most likely they are simply more used to riding alone and saving their social side for the cake stop, while I tend to think of red lights as improvised cake stops.

 

[upsidedown]

I goy a right shirty look this morning from a guy that i said hello to. It was the first time i'd seen him in 3 years of using the route daily, and i was quite impressed with his very new, very white Cube bike and matching white kit and helmet. Must have been my baggy-shorted, ancient panniered (no offence DZ), un-helmeted appearance that marked me out as not worthy.

 

[DrSquirrel]

I love following/sneaking up on people that don't look... usually a bit surprised at the pass (or if they do look) so I tend to give them loads of space when overtaking.

 

[BSRU]

I goy a right shirty look this morning from a guy that i said hello to. It was the first time i'd seen him in 3 years of using the route daily, and i was quite impressed with his very new, very white Cube bike and matching white kit and helmet. Must have been my baggy-shorted, ancient panniered (no offence DZ), un-helmeted appearance that marked me out as not worthy.

It's that time of year, new cycle to work bikes going very slowly, such as the Boardman hybrid I saw yesterday using a massive gear and going very very slowly.

 

[palinurus]

Yup.

Running in, please pass.

 

[Christopher]

There are all sorts of cyclists out there. It's not uncommon what you describe. Especially in London. There are plenty of arses out there as there are plenty of sensible good cyclists.


As to saying hello to other cyclists etc, I'm not always one for friendly hello's. Sometimes I say hello back or even say hello first. Sometimes I just can't be arsed either way.

How rude of you not to return a greeting. Seriously. This is why I never say 'hello' first to cyclists I don't know but will return a greeting.

 

[corshamjim]

In reply to your title I don't think there is just one cycling culture, but many. It's not always possible to clock for sure which any individual cyclist belongs to by their bike or clothing though. So I just say hello to everyone anyway.

 

[gaz]

I was doing a bit of a recce this morning, and went south across Clapham Common, which is blessed with a bike path parallel to a footpath.

The cyclists coming the other way were hammering along, oblivious of people wandering across the path or the give way signs at junctions. One young man coming towards me overtook another cyclist and had to cut him up to avoid hitting me head on. Lambeth Council has put up a sign asking people to cycle considerately. Ho-hum.

______

As many of you may know, i do a video series about cyclists doing silly things on the raods. Link to the website is in my signature.

 

[marinyork]

Not the widest looking of paths, Gaz.

 

[Origamist]

Not the widest looking of paths, Gaz.

It is narrow and not good for cyclists travelling in both directions.

That new sign was put up after a few of us complained about the earlier sign. I prefer the new signage.

Here's some film of the cycle path, with pedestrians and dogs occasionally enlivening proceedings:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eju5lz-kObg