Cycling on roads is getting worse..

[Nigel-YZ1]

Too many aggressive little prats buoyed up by 'own the road' commercials, cruising round in the knowledge there's only one copper on duty in the whole county.

 

[rugby bloke]

Been regularly cycling for 8 years now, in and around Northampton and I don't think things are any worse now then when I started. The only issue I have is one stretch of country road that leads towards "Santa Pod" - a drag racing strip. On weekends you get convoys of cars, whose drivers are living out their fantasies of driving dragsters. At a T junction my ride takes me right whilst they all go straight on. Getting the bike into the right place on the road then having the guts to stay there can be quite challenging.

 

[Sharky]

Been regularly cycling for 8 years now, in and around Northampton and I don't think things are any worse now then when I started. The only issue I have is one stretch of country road that leads towards "Santa Pod" - a drag racing strip. On weekends you get convoys of cars, whose drivers are diving out their fantasies of driving dragsters. At a T junction my ride takes me right whilst they all go straight on. Getting the bike into the right place on the road then having the guts to stay there can be quite challenging.

I live on one of the roads to Brandshatch, so can imagine, but fortunately not the main one.

 

[NorthernDave]

Generally it's not too bad round here (apart from the old men in bathtubs), but it only takes one or two nobbers to put a downer on a ride.
Being more confident / taking primary does help.

 

[Lonestar]

Not so good for me as I commute at different times like today when there aren't a lot of other cyclists about.In fact tonight was pretty crappy generally on the Mile End Road but the backstreets were ok.

Seem to get days like this...all sorts of law breaking like mobile phone use and reckless driving/speeding but nothing done about it as usual.Boy racers were out also.

 

[Sbudge]

I used to commute by bike in London a bit about a decade ago and I'd say it was much worse then. Of course there are still idiots on the rode (both 2 and 4 wheel variety) but generally there is more awareness of cyclists. I'd say it's more frequent these days for me to say 'thank you' to a good driver than have an encounter with a bad one.

 

[Smurfy]

I haven't seen so many boy racers in recent years. Have the insurance companies priced them off the road?

 

[swee'pea99]

I agree with Ian & Sbudge - riding in London has become proper civilised. I really notice the difference on trips out into places like Essex or Herts - you meet with a lot more impatience, resentment and what's hard to avoid viewing as psycopathy - really close passes at high speed for absolutely no reason, and the like. But yes, London drivers are overwhelmingly careful & considerate, IME.

 

[rugby bloke]

I would agree with riding in London. People are amazed when I tell them I ride in London and say it is too dangerous, I think its a perception thing. Yes there is a lot more traffic but generally its travelling a lot slower and the drivers are generally much more bike aware.

 

[hopless500]

Here in Norfolk it has got very noticeably worse in the last couple of years. Dangerously so.

 

[Drago]

Norfolk is indeed bad. Must be as many as 4 cars there now.

 

[hopless500]

Norfolk is indeed bad. Must be as many as 4 cars there now.

I wish that was the case!

 

[martint235]

I think driving is just getting worse. Red light jumping is certainly worse but also the levels of impatience etc. I've never driven but I can't see it being a relaxing experience in London in a morning, everyone just seems so wound up.

 

[Mark1978]

Norfolk is indeed bad. Must be as many as 4 cars there now.

I saw three of those on my ride on Saturday, must have been some kind of "Norfolk-wide" event.

I have no issues with cars in my part of Norfolk. I have more issue with pheasants and free running dogs to be honest.

 

[mjr]

Our roads are getting less safe by the year, l don't know if it's down to more cars on the roads or drivers aways in a rush or both..

I think our local roads are about the same despite a recent surge in injury collisions. I'd also blame the cuts in traffic police numbers and the rise of the smart phone that isn't smart enough to switch off non-essential apps while driving.

Here in Norfolk it has got very noticeably worse in the last couple of years. Dangerously so.

I'm about ten miles away from @Mark1978 and it's about the same as it has ever been IMO. The extremes seem to be getting more extreme, though: more lovely drivers giving you loads of room and not blocking cycle-only junctions, but more absolute cretins trying to overtake without changing lane or abusing you as they pass. The main change is that I now live near a decent major route cycle track which is a mixed blessing but does mean that I don't have to play "motorist roulette" so much.