Cyclists - worst behaved and most hated of all road users

[mickle]

It must be that time of year again but I now understand clearly why cyclists are such a hated group of road users. I'm a cylist and hate most of my fellow cyclists.

RLJing
Pavement riding amongst peds.
No lights, dressed in black.
Those with dazzling/flashing front lights. No effort to dip.
Riding through controlled crossings against red lights causing peds to scatter.
Jumping on or off pavements most frquently to avoid red lights.
Weaving in and out of traffic at speed.
Cycling wrong way along one way streets.
Leaving bikes anywhere causing obstructions.
Riding and dialling/texting.
Riding with headphones listening to music oblivious to what or who is around them.
Selfish, inconsiderate and when challenged abusive and aggressive.
No real idea of how to fit in with other road users.

It's worth bearing in mind that humans have evolved with a mindset which makes us gravitate towards what we perceive to be 'family' or tribal groups. People who exhibit behaviours or appearances which differ from our own are often perceived as 'out' groups. For example, When I drive (and don't cross a behavioural line described by their expectation of how I should drive) I am perceived by other drivers as a member of their group. When I cycle I am perceived by many drivers as a member of a different social group and treated accordingly - irrespective of my behaviour. This us and them tribalism is the source of many of humanities woes imo - racism, sexism, religious intolerance, gingerism. And soccer.

As Cunobelin said, drivers do these things too. Around York I see more drivers breaking the law and indulging in anti-social behaviour than cyclists. And I find it immensly sad when cyclists - of all people - start winging about the behaviour of 'cyclists' as if they are a homogenous group. It's no different from the usual cyclist hating attitude amongst a significant percentage of motorists which delivers the contempt and abuse we receive as a cyclists.

Some people are dicks. Some people ride bikes. Therefore some cyclists are dicks. But, as Adrian pointed out, it's the danger and inconvenience posed to others which should be the most important consideration.

 

[ianrauk]

My current pet hate is car drivers who, when wanting to get into premises' entrances just turn in, expecting cyclists and pedestrians and anyone else to jump out of their way. It's becoming very common.

that ^ is a good call.
My pet hate with car drivers are those who edge out from side roads or turnings knowing full well there is a cyclist crossing in front of them.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

And the vast majority are careful and considerate.

I disagree. The vast majority are not so bad as to cause serious concern, but ought to be better. A small but significant proportion are dreadful, and a small proportion are truly careful and considerate.

 

[mickle]

It must be that time of year again but I now understand clearly why cyclists are such a hated group of road users. I'm a cylist and hate most of my fellow cyclists.


Pavement riding amongst peds. - This isn't problematic if cyclists give priority.
Dressed in black. And? When did this become illegal?

Weaving in and out of traffic at speed. And? Not a problem if they're not posing danger.

Leaving bikes anywhere causing obstructions. Well of course, but compared to cars is this really a major problem?
Riding and dialling/texting. This too, not illegal.
Riding with headphones listening to music .... Again, not illegal.
Selfish, inconsiderate and when challenged abusive and aggressive. This is true of society in general isn't it?
No real idea of how to fit in with other road users. Free cycle training for all!!

 

[trampyjoe]

It must be that time of year again but I now understand clearly why cyclists are such a hated group of road users. I'm a cylist and hate most of my fellow cyclists.

RLJing
Pavement riding amongst peds.
No lights, dressed in black.
Those with dazzling/flashing front lights. No effort to dip.
Riding through controlled crossings against red lights causing peds to scatter.
Jumping on or off pavements most frquently to avoid red lights.
Weaving in and out of traffic at speed.
Cycling wrong way along one way streets.
Leaving bikes anywhere causing obstructions.
Riding and dialling/texting.
Riding with headphones listening to music oblivious to what or who is around them.
Selfish, inconsiderate and when challenged abusive and aggressive.
No real idea of how to fit in with other road users.

You bunch of selfish b******s, how do you live with yourselves??!!

 

[david k]

that ^ is a good call.
My pet hate with car drivers are those who edge out from side roads or turnings knowing full well there is a cyclist crossing in front of them.

happened to me last night, turned in front of me, i had 4 lights, high viz jacket in a well light area, 20 metres later they pulled in on the left causing me to stop!!

 

[Rancid]

You bunch of selfish b******s, how do you live with yourselves??!!

blame it on the cars DUH !!!!

 

[gambatte]

Peds with bikes, waiting to cross the road (as happened yesterday)...
The ones who, whether you're approaching by bike or car will step out as you're passing..... and will have started by 'testing the waters' - pushing their bike front wheel into the road, 90° to the flow of traffic straight infront of you, just as you're about to pass
I'll add one more to the mix as writing that's just reminded me - I've seen the same done with a pram!

 

[subaqua]

I thought Taxi addissum lee drivers are the worst and most despised?

FTFY

 

[trampyjoe]

blame it on the cars DUH !!!!

nooo cos most cyclists own cars so it must all be the cyclists fault so there!

 

[Boris Bajic]

These comedy rants by longstanding Cyclechat members are entertaining and harmless.

A forum would be dull if we all just agreed with one another.

Broadly, I do find I see a higher proportion of cyclists showing a lack of road sense than I do motorists, but in most cases the motorists are more likely to cause damage, injury or alarm.

Crankarm's final bullet is interesting: I do find that as a group, we cyclists seem less aware of the need to fit in with other road users. That is a generalisation and it excludes all Cyclechat members who know what jolly good riders they are. They are quite right and always will be.

But if I were to make a general observation, it is that I see more cyclists than I ought to who fail to look, fail to signal, fail to show due courtesy.

Plenty of motorists and pedestrians do likewise, but as a motorist, cyclist and pedestrian I feel that it is among cyclists that the number seems unreasonably high.

Most road users (whatever their chosen mode) are courteous, skilled and engaged. I love the fact that on a 30-mile ride I might have cause to feel worried by one close pass or one jumped light. None would be better still, but things aren't that bad....

 

[PK99]

But if I were to make a general observation, it is that I see more cyclists than I ought to who fail to look, fail to signal, fail to show due courtesy.

Plenty of motorists and pedestrians do likewise, but as a motorist, cyclist and pedestrian I feel that it is among cyclists that the number seems unreasonably high.

..

I agree - as a pedestrian in SW19 cars very rarely cause me a problem. Cycles frequently do - on pavements, wrong way on one way streets, weaving through pedestrian on crossings

 

[Davidsw8]

I'll add one more to the mix as writing that's just reminded me - I've seen the same done with a pram!

They regularly do that in London, it's like they're offering their little un up for sacrifice to the Gods of the tarmac to enable their safe passage

 

[mickle]

C'mon. As a pedestrian it's easy to deal with pavament cyclists. Don't flinch but be poised to grab their front brake lever or to brace your shoulder into their sternum. And if they give you any lip kick the sh!t out of their back wheel whilst screaming like a banshee.

Works for me anyway....

 

[GrumpyGregry]

And the vast majority are careful and considerate.

I honestly don't think they are. At best I think they are ambivalent about the welfare of others vs their own convenience, at worse I think we get by through sheer chance and a vague general adherence to rules which simply make it more convenient to obey than ignore.