Cyclist Abuse

[gambatte]

Though it's pretty foul to clear one's passages in any way except into a handkerchief whilst out in public anyway.

Sorry, but running and cycling... the snot rocket or farmers blow is a common occurrence.

 

[Davidsw8]

Sorry, but running and cycling... the snot rocket or farmers blow is a common occurrence.

ICK!! No wonder TB is on the increase!

 

[jdtate101]

Had the usual verbal abuse, and the odd bit of swerving. The only major incident I have had in 3yrs of cycling (apart from being knocked off twice) was a guy who stopped, got out and tried to thump me. I headed off down a foot path and avoided him, not sure why he was so angry, I'd had no dealings with him up until the point he stopped. Being rather tall and well built, most people don't pick an argument with me.

 

[fossyant]

My son was even swore at last night on his way cycling home. Some twenty something year olds drive past swearing and jeering. This is at a 12 year old.

 

[ComedyPilot]

It's not the first time someone has spat at me out of a car window, but the previous it happened time I was walking down the road proudly wearing a Watford FC top, so some may say I deserved it that time

Why....?

 

[Drago]

My son was even swore at last night on his way cycling home. Some twenty something year olds drive past swearing and jeering. This is at a 12 year old.

Sounds like the sort of people who'd boast about how hard they are and will kill any burglars in their houses yadda yadda.

Being rather tall and well built, most people don't pick an argument with me.

Yeah, works for me too. The only time I've had someone who wanted fisticuffs it was a 50+ year old superfit (not) heart attack candidate, and by the time he'd got out his car and walked round the my side he'd had time to properly evaluate the situation, and nigh on shat his pants. Peace Through Superior Firepower. - Works for me.

 

[MrJamie]

I've not had anything thrown at me so far, ive had the odd random shout from groups of teens trying to be funny rather than insulting which i dont mind

The one thing I really really didnt like was riding down a single carriageway country road, almost no traffic NCR near enough in primary. Anyway an oncoming car a few hundred metres away in the distance aimed for me and gradually drifted out accross the road, I moved over to the gutter to try to create space and he continued drifting over so when he did pass he was more on my side than his. I could see him, a tiny guy grinning over the steering wheel very proud of himself, also looking barely old enough to drive. The thing is I can appreciate it probably wasnt that dangerous, visability was good, no side roads, and there was adequate room as he passed and I have no reason to believe he would have ever tried to hit me, but having an oncoming car clearly veer off course and aim for you, not being sure of their intentions is an utterly terrifying game of chicken.

 

[4F]

I have had AA batteries, fireworks and a football thrown at me over the years all normally on the same 3 roads on my commute. I created a Stava segment called "Missile Alley" http://app.strava.com/segments/1605982 in their respect.

 

[Hitchington]

Why....?

Luton fans

 

[Twilkes]

I have had AA batteries thrown at me over the years

I don't think that's the AA that he's the president of....

 

[steve52]

i was abused once well lots but this one surpised me, in that i was surpised how far i can throw car keys. enough said

 

[Hitchington]

My son was even swore at last night on his way cycling home. Some twenty something year olds drive past swearing and jeering. This is at a 12 year old.

I was on the LCC Big Ride through central London back in April. It was well attended with lots of families with children, older people and young adults. Everyone there for the same reason - the need for safer cycling conditions in London. 10,000 peaceful people with their bikes on an organised short ride through London. Half of Park Lane was closed to other traffic as well as half of Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square and Victoria Embankment. The ride took less that 30 mins and once over everyone dispersed home and the roads were reopened by the police. No arrests, no damage, and a mornings inconvenience to Saturday traffic on a few roads in Westminster. I lost count of the number of times that car, van, coach, lorry and taxi drivers screamed "c*nts and w*ankers" at not only me but old people, mothers and children. Me, I can laugh it off and pity how someone would get so angry at people campaigning for increased safety. But screaming "YOU C*NTS!!!" at children? Not just the use of language but the absolute hatred and vitriol that was directed at kids. Why???

 

[Lanzecki]

The one thing I really really didnt like was riding down a single carriageway country road, almost no traffic NCR near enough in primary. Anyway an oncoming car a few hundred metres away in the distance aimed for me and gradually drifted out accross the road, I moved over to the gutter to try to create space and he continued drifting over so when he did pass he was more on my side than his. I could see him, a tiny guy grinning over the steering wheel very proud of himself, also looking barely old enough to drive. The thing is I can appreciate it probably wasnt that dangerous, visability was good, no side roads, and there was adequate room as he passed and I have no reason to believe he would have ever tried to hit me, but having an oncoming car clearly veer off course and aim for you, not being sure of their intentions is an utterly terrifying game of chicken.

I had similar when I was around 10 (1980) riding my Raleigh Racing bike (before the days of 'road bikes') My Granddad lived about 5 houses into a 1 way lane in the Village we lived in. Everyone went the wrong way down it (bikes) as the only other way was a long ride up a hill. The pavement was just a solid white line on the side of the road.

I was cycling down (against traffic) on the pavement when a driver decided to take offence at me riding down the pavement and pulled over into the pavement with a screech of brakes and language that a 10 year old shouldn't know, but secretly did.

Being a 10 year old, from a small village with no through traffic, and cycling on a pavement, and on a very narrow one way lane, I was somewhat surprises. So surprised that I didn't touch the brakes but went over the bonnet and landed on the roof of the car flat on my back. No damage to me, bike the bike was totaled. No I wasn't wearing a helmet, No I don't think if I had been wearing one I'd have been hurt.

The driver expecting to just give me a scare jumped out and started shouting about cycling the wrong way down the road, when a gruff behind him replied with " He was on the pavement, and he's 10." said my Ex-Navy Boxing Grand Father.

After a heated discussion with the driver involving several options including the police being called or some somewhat more practical options involving physical violence, I got a new bike and so started a long career of idolism.

 

[neil earley]

I was on a cycle path {shared} riding my recumbent trike , when a dog shot across me on one of them long leads which extends { about 10 ft} I stopped abruptly and the dog yelped in fright! The owner 30 something steroid freak came charging across and give me a mouthfull that I had hit his dog, which I had,nt and then further to insult said : people like you shouldnt be allowed out on your own! he thought I was riding a special needs bike Some people are so ignorant and rude and just out for confrontation. D,,head comes to mind.

 

[Shady]

I havent't had that many issues to be honest, in fact its mostly been ignorant drivers or drivers who didnt notice me.

I have had some comfort in the ebay key fob camera i bought, as i mounted it to my helmet and turn it on for each commute to give me video evidence if i need it.

Even though the police here are pretty good when it comes to cycling complaints as they all get referred to a police officer who is a regular cycling commuter so takes all complaints seriously.

The only major time was some woman who came out of a car park across the road straight at me and narrowly missed me, turned out her mum had died that morning and she was in a daze all day but she apologised profusely about her actions.

Shady