Pretty sure this isn't enshrined in law yet. It's just a vague "give as much space as you would to a car when overtaking".
Do You Find That Most People Hate Cyclists?
- Thread starter carve1
- Start date
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CanucksTraveller
Macho Business Donkey Wrestler
- Location
- Hertfordshire
I agree with this. Most of my non-cycling neighbours and people I talk to are at least kind of curious about cycling and even a little envious / regretful that they don't cycle more. And I don't get hate when I'm out really, well only very rarely.
Most hate towards cyclists is all virtual and online, it's kind of more acceptable there and the keyboard warriors like to hunt in big packs, they feel more vindicated and brave then. Don't discuss cycling in online fora, with the exception of cycling fora. (Welcome by the way!)
I do think the US *can* be worse than Europe though it depends on the location. I cycle in Atlanta and I've never had any hassle, but it's quite a youngish population who are into fitness and the parks and beltway are full of bikes. In some other places there's definitely a suspicion that you can't afford a car or are "weird". There's also some jealousy at play, there's a fitness and leisure wave among younger people in the US and it's leaving some people behind, and maybe feeling guilty about their own lifestyle.
kayakerles
Have a nice ride.
- Location
- Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
When I lived in the Oklahoma/Texas area, the only thing that worried me about bike riding was when riding on two lane roads that have no breakdown lane on the side. Vehicles would often zoom by you, treating you like you weren’t even there, some people probably winding up in a ditch just trying to stay out of the way of the vehicles. However, having ridden lots of other places in the United States I have never felt concerned about guns, bats or fists coming into play, because I don’t allow myself to be drawn into heated, confrontational situations. I would rather do my best to stay calm and live to ride another day.As cycling has become more high profile in the U.K. cycling has become more popular and less perceived as a poor persons pastime. Motorists are now required to give you a 2m (I think) margin when passing. This together with cycle lanes has created hostility towards us. Unfortunately there’s always going to be the make them wear helmets, have registration plates, insurance etc brigade but things aren’t too bad.
I'd be terrified to cycle in the US not due to the heavy traffic but because nearly everyone seems to carry a gun. What if a motorist takes exception to you
Traffic is traffic. It is what it is. Just try to ride smart and be safe, and the rest of it is out of our hands anyway. 🤷♂️
Punkawallah
Über Member
Sounds like the OP has had the rough end of it. So much for 'laid back' California! :-)
The only 'hate' I get from 'most people' in the UK is almost 'pro forma' - "so you're the one that's always in my way" sort of thing. They can barely work up the energy for a good rant :-)
Of course, you always get the odd idiot (looking at you, swearing while your car try's to overtake on a roundabout). But I'd agree that t'Interweb is notoriously populated by people with too much free time & spite, and should be viewed with a pinch of salt.
Good luck with your future cycling - don't give up :-)
The only 'hate' I get from 'most people' in the UK is almost 'pro forma' - "so you're the one that's always in my way" sort of thing. They can barely work up the energy for a good rant :-)
Of course, you always get the odd idiot (looking at you, swearing while your car try's to overtake on a roundabout). But I'd agree that t'Interweb is notoriously populated by people with too much free time & spite, and should be viewed with a pinch of salt.
Good luck with your future cycling - don't give up :-)
I think cities and new corp of cyclists with lycra and expensive bikes go thru a phase. I remember London about 15 years ago, OZ etc where used to get horned at or the obligatory punishment pass. Motorists getting upset when 2 abreast even when there is little traffic.
Things have improved tremendously. Now cyclists going to the front at every traffic stop is a ubiquitous sight. I see more and more motorists accommodating.
It will get better for sure. Australia and Singapore are now full of cyclists and in tandem with the usual traffic.
Things have improved tremendously. Now cyclists going to the front at every traffic stop is a ubiquitous sight. I see more and more motorists accommodating.
It will get better for sure. Australia and Singapore are now full of cyclists and in tandem with the usual traffic.
kayakerles
Have a nice ride.
- Location
- Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
The law is give 1m when passing a cyclist in my part of the world, and totally ignored by everyone except those that actually care and would give you more courtesy, concern & room anyway. I have also NEVER seen a law officer approach ANY driver for endangering a bike rider, certainly not for any “be careful when passing” safety law.
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
With the average traffic speed in central London during rush hour at 6.5 mph, I can quite understand why they hate me as I bimble by at a bit over 10mph. Fortunately, nearly everybody in London remains pretty civil. Bless them.
gbb
Legendary Member
- Location
- Peterborough
I divide it into three groups.
Most people are sensible, patient and manage to carry on around cyclists without having a hissy fit.
Some are just oblivious to your needs, peds, cyclists, whatever. They're just impatient, stupid, poor drivers.
A minority (imho) actually hate cyclists. We have an old friend from NI who is a lorry driver. He hates cyclists, shouldnt be on the road etc etc. We have some 'interesting' but pointless conversations, he's a decent chap but has a hatred of cyclists, possibly because he's driving 30 tonnes of vehicle all over Europe on all sorts of roads, i'm sure he's seen and been around plenty of incidents, cyclists, cars, everything. Not defending him particually but i havnt spent time in his shoes driving that 30 odd tonnes of metal around.
Most people are sensible, patient and manage to carry on around cyclists without having a hissy fit.
Some are just oblivious to your needs, peds, cyclists, whatever. They're just impatient, stupid, poor drivers.
A minority (imho) actually hate cyclists. We have an old friend from NI who is a lorry driver. He hates cyclists, shouldnt be on the road etc etc. We have some 'interesting' but pointless conversations, he's a decent chap but has a hatred of cyclists, possibly because he's driving 30 tonnes of vehicle all over Europe on all sorts of roads, i'm sure he's seen and been around plenty of incidents, cyclists, cars, everything. Not defending him particually but i havnt spent time in his shoes driving that 30 odd tonnes of metal around.
proletaratOne
Active Member
I was about to say…. We don’t all have gunsAs cycling has become more high profile in the U.K. cycling has become more popular and less perceived as a poor persons pastime. Motorists are now required to give you a 2m (I think) margin when passing. This together with cycle lanes has created hostility towards us. Unfortunately there’s always going to be the make them wear helmets, have registration plates, insurance etc brigade but things aren’t too bad.
I'd be terrified to cycle in the US not due to the heavy traffic but because nearly everyone seems to carry a gun. What if a motorist takes exception to you
but then I thought , yeah I have a few guns…. Valid point
rogerzilla
Legendary Member
Try riding a Moulton. Women and kids love them but other cyclists blank you and men in cars shout homophobic slurs!
Punkawallah
Über Member
They're probably in denial - take no notice. Unless they're good looking?
Milzy
Guru
Which is frustrating because most of us have multiple cars as well. Some are very nice high VED ones & the cycle person could well be paying a lot more council tax & VED than the idiot moaning.
Milzy
Guru
LOL we got called “biker puffs” a bit ago but we just laugh and changed our WhatsApp group chat name to “biker puffs”.
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proletaratOne
Active Member
Yeah don’t quite get it
I had to look it up…as a fairly new rider, who is mostly into racing. I’m not up on bike culture. But this moultron looks a bit different( and cool actually… but I think recumbent and those double deckers look cool too… soooo)
anyways not sure about the homophobic slurs…..I mean last time I checked my bike didn’t really have ANY sex life. Much less straight gay or bi
however I’m curious…. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a odd shaped bike…and why did you go with it
rogerzilla
Legendary Member
It's different to ride because it has full suspension. Compromised in 101 ways as a design, but fun.
