Dealing with anti cyclists

[pollyru]

Hi I have cycled for many many years in Bristol. I love it but when I get an angry comment like I just received whilst crossing on a pedestrian crossing on a bike rather than being in the flow of traffic “bloody cyclists you should be on the road” it just gets me down and I take it very personally. You can’t win I feel in the way on the road and unwelcome on a pedestrian crossing. How do people deal with the negativity?

 

[Bristolian]

Personally I just ignore them as if I didn't hear the comment. Water off a duck's back. No point doing anything else really.

Just out of curiosity, were you wheeling your bike across the crossing or riding it and was it purely a pedestrian or a Toucan or Parallel crossing?

 

[raleighnut]

Impossible to win, if you're on the pavement some dickhead will shout "Get on the road" and if you're on the road another lowlife will shout "Get on the pavement". Just ignore them but be aware with the weather how it is most people are 'ratty'

 

[Drago]

I have spent years developing a response for such a scenario.

I just tell them to eff off.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Smile sweetly, blow them a kiss, wish them a lovely day.

 

[PK99]

Hi I have cycled for many many years in Bristol. I love it but when I get an angry comment like I just received whilst crossing on a pedestrian crossing on a bike rather than being in the flow of traffic “bloody cyclists you should be on the road” it just gets me down and I take it very personally. You can’t win I feel in the way on the road and unwelcome on a pedestrian crossing. How do people deal with the negativity?

It depends on the type of crossing.

Toucan, or similar, ie shared crossing, point out their error.

Zebra crossing, ie pedestrian crossing, - do not cycle across

 

[ianrauk]

I give aholes the finger...simples.
Try not to take it personally. They are just idiotic mouth breathers. They won't listen to or understand any reasoning.

 

[markemark]

You can't win an argument with people with that mentality. So just let it go.
People change when they get in a car.

 

[MontyVeda]

I deal with it in one of three ways

1. Ignore them
2. Tell them to fark orf
3. Tell them to get a life

But I've not had to deal with such negativity for years, so maybe they've all taken point number three?