Cyclist vs motorist vs pedestrian

[User76022]

I think he'll be referring to a certain hand manoeuvre he enjoyed in Amsterdam one year.

I'll try not to imagine what that could be lol.

 

[boydj]

I would think that most of the participants on here own cars and drive them regularly - and are better drivers due to their cycling experience. Most probably also regularly experience poor driving from impatient, speeding, tailgating, phone using, aggressive motorists, particularly when commuting. Most cyclists would love for it not to be like this.

You are talking to the wrong audience.

 

[User76022]

You are talking to the wrong audience.

Am I? I thought I was talking to decent people who would like to share ideas on making peace between all road users. I thought who better to ask about ideas for improving things for cyclists than people who chose to join a cycling forum.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am absolutely not trying to pit one group against another. I really can't be bothered with such futile trivialities. Although if my starting this thread has created an opportunity for some to vent their anger, then I guess that might help someone in some way.

 

[lane]

As a cyclist I sometimes feel I have been put in danger by a motorist. As a motorist I can't ever recall feeling that I have been put in danger by a cyclist. As a motorist I do sometimes feel I have been put in danger by another motorist. I'm sure I am potentially much more of a danger to other road users when I am driving than cycling.

Aparently we had a drugged up motorist chased by police through our village at 140mph on Saturday night.

I inclined to think cyclists aren't really the problem.

 

[derrick]

. We either wait until those with that attitude grow old and die, or for the oil to run out and force the motorists onto the bus.

Most with the attitude are younger than us, so we will die first, secondly when the oil runs out everyone will go electric, so you will not hear them coming.

 

[tom73]

Out of interest as a newbie when did this anti cycling driving. Really start? Do older members feel it has been around since say the 50’s as car ownership grow or is it a new thing due to the need for everyone to arrive before they set off?

Me and Mrs 73 only talked about this tonight. In my short time on the bike I’ve had many bad moments. inc 2 range rovers driving at me. Close passes most days. Some on inch iether way and I’d not be writing this.

Don’t get me wrong some drivers are fine and don’t leave me thinking I wish they’d get passed me.

I’ve come to a conclusion drivers iether mostly put up with a cyclist or they just see red and want us off the road no matter how they do it. I don’t see much in the middle.

I ride within the rules and all I ask is that I get home in one piece. It’s not asking much if other road users play by the rules and understand the lyrca moving target on the bike is a human just like them. Sadly to some that’s just too much.

As a car driver I’m happy to let things go and understand the road is big enough for every user. I know too not every cyclist is Snow White. But I also understand that a big heavy box on wheels v a great looking bit of bike porn. The tin box will win every time and that bring responsibly.

 

[derrick]

Out of interest as a newbie when did this anti cycling driving. Really start? Do older members feel it has been around since say the 50’s as car ownership grow or is it a new thing due to the need for everyone to arrive before they set off?

Me and Mrs 73 only talked about this tonight. In my short time on the bike I’ve had many bad moments. inc 2 range rovers driving at me. Close passes most days. Some on inch iether way and I’d not be writing this.

Don’t get me wrong some drivers are fine and don’t leave me thinking I wish they’d get passed me.

I’ve come to a conclusion drivers iether mostly put up with a cyclist or they just see red and want us off the road no matter how they do it. I don’t see much in the middle.

I ride within the rules and all I ask is that I get home in one piece. It’s not asking much if other road users play by the rules and understand the lyrca moving target on the bike is a human just like them. Sadly to some that’s just too much.

As a car driver I’m happy to let things go and understand the road is big enough for every user. I know too not every cyclist is Snow White. But I also understand that a big heavy box on wheels v a great looking bit of bike porn. The tin box will win every time and that bring responsibly.

It has got worse since the councils starting taking the roads away from the motorist, and turned them into cycle lanes, we have taken there space,

 

[sheddy]

I thought the 'space' was for everyone

 

[classic33]

Out of interest as a newbie when did this anti cycling driving. Really start? Do older members feel it has been around since say the 50’s as car ownership grow or is it a new thing due to the need for everyone to arrive before they set off?

Me and Mrs 73 only talked about this tonight. In my short time on the bike I’ve had many bad moments. inc 2 range rovers driving at me. Close passes most days. Some on inch iether way and I’d not be writing this.

Don’t get me wrong some drivers are fine and don’t leave me thinking I wish they’d get passed me.

I’ve come to a conclusion drivers iether mostly put up with a cyclist or they just see red and want us off the road no matter how they do it. I don’t see much in the middle.

I ride within the rules and all I ask is that I get home in one piece. It’s not asking much if other road users play by the rules and understand the lyrca moving target on the bike is a human just like them. Sadly to some that’s just too much.

As a car driver I’m happy to let things go and understand the road is big enough for every user. I know too not every cyclist is Snow White. But I also understand that a big heavy box on wheels v a great looking bit of bike porn. The tin box will win every time and that bring responsibly.

I can't remember a time when it was a case of "them versus us".

Cycling is, and has been seen as poor man's means of transport. Walking went out of fashion years ago.

It comes down to people, vehicles aren't yet driving themselves, to realise that everyone has the right to use the roads as a means of getting around. Some of those will be travelling slower than them, but that gives them no right to intimidate/try and force any one else off the roads.

 

[derrick]

I thought the 'space' was for everyone

Only if you pay road tax.
Ps. I know its not road tax.but a lot of mototist still think it is.

 

[classic33]

Only if you pay road tax.
Ps. I know its not road tax.but a lot of mototist still think it is.

I've offered to pay the Road Tax for the first driver to complete and have the form accepted, Road Tax paid, on local radio. No takers to date.

One station has even rejected the offer, when it was made.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

What is this fued you talk of? Can you give me some examples where car drivers have shown animosity towards you, so I can understand your point of view.

 

[al78]

Putting people into specific groups doesn't help.
The people who drive like dicks will also cycle like dicks and vice versa. We need fewer dicks on the road.

Exactly. I don't have a problem with cyclists, motorists or pedestrians. I have a problem with individuals who are thoughtless and careless, who may also inflict unnecessary costs on me. Whether they pose a direct threat to my life is largely irrelevant. This covers anything from the motorist putting me in hospital down to the smart-phone-dumb-user walking out in front of me like I don't exist, because they are oblivious to anything more than 20 cm away.

 

[Drago]

I thought the 'space' was for everyone

It is, but if you drive a car you're entitled to more of it. It's your unalienable right.

 

[mjr]

I can't remember a time when it was a case of "them versus us".

Cycling is, and has been seen as poor man's means of transport. Walking went out of fashion years ago.

Cycling is seen as poor man's transport - except when we are asking for no-motor-vehicle connections where there isn't space/money/need for ones open to motoring, such as through one-way mazes, across rivers or rails - then cycling is accused of being an elitist form of transport of those rich enough to have time to cycle (ignoring that it's usually faster than motoring in built-up areas), much as it was back in late Victorian times. And then at other times cycling is accused of being elitist of those fit enough, ignoring that the various types of tricycles and e-bikes massively open it up to most abilities.

It comes down to people, vehicles aren't yet driving themselves, to realise that everyone has the right to use the roads as a means of getting around. Some of those will be travelling slower than them, but that gives them no right to intimidate/try and force any one else off the roads.

Amen.