For sake of fairness

[Nigeyy]

So I posted about my first use of the Airzounds -on a group of cyclists. They subsequently blew through a stop sign. In actual fact, the junction I come to is a 5 road junction, each with a stop sign (don't get me started with this wonderful US invention, aside from my theory is that if there are many stop signs, they're hoping at least some people will stop, but I digress).

Today, coming back from work, I'm at the same 5-way stop sign. When everyone comes to a junction like this, you're supposed let the vehicle that gets there first go, and if everyone gets there at the same time, well... whoever has the biggest and oldest vehicle goes first.

Well I wait my turn, I go. As I go into the junction and make a turn onto another road, I notice a flash of colour from my right as a guy on a road bike steams right through the stop signs.... right in front of car that has waited its turn and has just started moving.

Bad enough? Yes. What's worse? The car driver beeps his horn -and then, get this -I hear the cyclist shouting at the car! I can really see why car drivers in this area are sick of cyclists -unfortunately we all get tarred with the same brush.

 

[coffeejo]

Some friends of mine have taken against lycra-clad cyclists after being stuck behind a pair for three miles on narrow country roads as they were riding two abreast and refused to give way so my friends could overtake. Bad corners, horrible twisty stretches, yes, fair enough, but since this particular road also included lots of straights where it's perfectly safe for a car to overtake a cyclist without causing the latter to slow down, I think that's taking the proverbial.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Yes, there are good and bad road users. Amongst the bad road users, some are on foot, some are on bicycles or tricycles, some are on mobility scooters, some are on motor-cycles, some are in cars, buses, vans, or trucks.

I'm not sure what the lycra has to do with it; very practical clothing if you are cycling any distance.

IMHO, it is better if we don't pander to these stereotypes, even if it is well-meaning.

 

[coffeejo]

My friends' turn of phrase, not mine

I just thought I'd mention it in the context of the thread, since I agree: you get tw*ts using all means of transport.

 

[400bhp]

I nearly said something to a fattish lady this morning as she RLJ'd a risky junction.

I stopped myself as last time I said something I just got a load of abuse.

 

[BentMikey]

Sometimes it's 6 of the blighters:


View: http://youtu.be/kI6OOUvuHzo


I didn't think AirZounding would add anything to that situation. This is a new high for me, I learnt to drive in a country where one hand on the horn and the other on the gear lever was normal behaviour.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Well, there is this chap who wobbled up the inside of me, filtering to the left of heavy traffic yesterday.

 

[sunnyjim]

So I posted about my first use of the Airzounds -on a group of cyclists. They subsequently blew through a stop sign. In actual fact, the junction I come to is a 5 road junction, each with a stop sign (don't get me started with this wonderful US invention, aside from my theory is that if there are many stop signs, they're hoping at least some people will stop, but I digress).

Today, coming back from work, I'm at the same 5-way stop sign. When everyone comes to a junction like this, you're supposed let the vehicle that gets there first go, and if everyone gets there at the same time, well... whoever has the biggest and oldest vehicle goes first.

Well I wait my turn, I go. As I go into the junction and make a turn onto another road, I notice a flash of colour from my right as a guy on a road bike steams right through the stop signs.... right in front of car that has waited its turn and has just started moving.

Bad enough? Yes. What's worse? The car driver beeps his horn -and then, get this -I hear the cyclist shouting at the car! I can really see why car drivers in this area are sick of cyclists -unfortunately we all get tarred with the same brush.

4 way stops & single bridge cloverleafs - tributes to the politeness of (most) American drivers. Asking for a fight anywhere else.

 

[fimm]

There was the time I yelled at a van driver who had stopped when I pulled out at him on a roundabout. It would have been entirely my fault if he'd hit me. To this day I do not know what I was thinking. I'm very grateful that he stopped, and I wish I could go back and apologise.

Sometimes people just make mistakes, regardless of what mode of transport they are responsible for at the time.

 

[cd365]

I'm not sure what the lycra has to do with it; very practical clothing if you are cycling any distance.

I find it very annoying when people make comments about cyclists in lycra, lycra clad warriors etc.
Would they say the similar to someone who turns up to play tennis in all-whites? Or someone who goes for a football kickaround in the park wearing boots and shorts? I can never work out what the difference is. You wear something comfortable and practical for the physical activity you are doing.

 

[coffeejo]

I find it very annoying when people make comments about cyclists in lycra, lycra clad warriors etc.
Would they say the similar to someone who turns up to play tennis in all-whites? Or someone who goes for a football kickaround in the park wearing boots and shorts? I can never work out what the difference is. You wear something comfortable and practical for the physical activity you are doing.

Perception, I think.

 

[BentMikey]

There's a bit of gang colours there - people see it as defining your tribe, and since they don't feel part of the lycra brigade, they feel less restriction in making negative comments.

 

[BentMikey]

Here's the rear view:


View: http://youtu.be/bTVNl6KX150


That's two lycra louts for you, surely? I think they were having a race, perhaps? LOL!

 

[Tommi]

I find it very annoying when people make comments about cyclists in lycra, lycra clad warriors etc.
Would they say the similar to someone who turns up to play tennis in all-whites? Or someone who goes for a football kickaround in the park wearing boots and shorts? I can never work out what the difference is. You wear something comfortable and practical for the physical activity you are doing.

For me lycra gives the impression the wearer is somewhat more "serious" about cycling as sport as opposed to just commuting or leisurely exercising about. I suppose it's a perception of attitude and it crosses the "I could do that" - "that's too weird for me" threshold for most people - like I believe many can relate to knowing some people owning "too many" bicycles or getting that little bit too obsessive about shaving few more grams etc. I think more accurate analogy with football would someone going to park wearing boots, shorts, shin guards, and taking special drinks or whatnot and personal trainer with them.

 

[Jezston]

Heh the guy on the silver scooter appears to be a fan!