Has cycling changed the way you drive?

[September]

I used to be a massive petrol head. At one point, I went through 6 cars in two years and I attended a track day at least once a month.

I LOVED cars - they were my life.

But then I got a cycle... And I've only had my cycle for 3 months and I've forgotten all about cars. I've even sold my 2L hot hatch and all I have now is a 1.3 diesel Ford. I sold my hot hatch with the intention of buying another big car - but now I've no intention of even getting another car.

Why? Because I've lost all interest since cycling - it's consuming me!

Honestly, like many petrol heads I was a little bit inconsiderate or impatient at times. But ultimately, I was safe. I've never had a crash, been pulled over or even caught speeding.

Then, since cycling, I've hardly stepped foot in either of my cars. Today, I drove for about 50 miles - the longest I've driven in 3 months and I felt like I was WAY more relaxed. I wasn't in and out of lanes on the M6, driving at 70+ like I would have been before - in fact, I sat there for 20 miles doing 60 on the inside lane without budging.

I didn't even notice - my missus did. Apparently, I've been like it for over a month now!... And now she mentions it, I guess that she's right.

I've found my drives a lot more relaxing and quite honestly, I guess it's because it's just nice to travel at 20+ mph without breaking a sweat!...

The whole thing feels odd - but I'm really happy that I've made or am making this transition into becoming a healthier and more relaxed road user.

I was wondering if anyone else experienced this?...

 

[Cycling Dan]

I find I have more patience and understanding of other road users than some of my friends.
Weather that's down to cycling or not..... It's the only notciable difference

 

[cosmicbike]

To answer the question, no it hasn't changed the way I drive. Partly because I respect other road users, but I suspect mostly because my Dad has always been a cyclist so I treat all cyclists the way I would like him to be treated. Always had an interest in cars, but the family has always come in front of fast cars, so drove Volvo' s the last 15 years and now a Honda.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Yes. Especially on the motorway. Cycling made me realise how little difference is actually made by a few more mph! Also the money savings translated towards the car a bit as well, encouraging me to think more about fuel conservation

 

[Saluki]

I have always cycled, since I was a kid. I did forgo my bike for a motorbike for a goodly while but there has been a bike in my life except between 2003 - 2009. Apparently I drive like I stole it, according to hubster, but I too am happy to pootle along in the left hand lane at 60mph on a long trip. I don't think that being a cyclist has changed the way that I drive as I've always given bikes a ton of room. I was probably a lot more shanny on my motorbike than I've ever been in a car.

You might not break a sweat at 20mph on a bike, but I do!

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

Not really. Impatient grumpy old git in a car and, guess what, still that same impatient grumpy old git on a bike! Only a bit sweatier and less fragrant!

 

[Deleted member 18052]

Not and my bike long but still a petrol head. Love my fast ford

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Not really, at least not the way you mean. I have always been an advanced level driver...

What changed my driving was going off to try to cycle around the world. I had to sell my old car (an Audi A4 2.8L Quattro) and when we got back, I don't have a car. My OH now has a VW Passatt 1.9L diesel. It is not fun to drive it, though it has some power. It was bought because it was economical and didn't wipe out the remains of our savings... I now cycle everywhere during the week (tomorrow is going to be interesting with the wind, but I have a commitment to keep - getting there will be easy, getting home again could take some time!) and haven't driven anywhere near the miles I have cycled this year!

 

[jdtate101]

About sums up my experience. I used to be a very angry driver, always shouting and getting upset by perceived injustices (cutting up, slow drivers etc), but since taking up cycling I have calmed right down and now just let it all go over my head. I have noticed my speed has dropped and as a result my fuel bill has shrunk a fair bit.
As far as I'm concerned it's a huge win/win.

 

[LarryDuff]

I definitely drive more slowly than I used to. Could be an age thing though.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I didn't bother getting a driving licence until I was 40 but I do know that cycling informed the way I drove. I surprised my driving instructor by how quickly I took a local roundabout because I'd learned on a bike that it wasn't one to hang about on (at the time, there was evidence of railing damage at 10 places so clearly wasn't too safe in a car). He'd thought I was out of control - no, I was staying in control.

And the fact that in London a bike is quicker than a car for much of the day teaches you that speed is not what gets you smoothly and safely from A to B for self and others.

 

[ColinJ]

I knew that I would probably be just like all the other bad-tempered, impatient, stressed-out drivers racing about on the roads, so I did myself and everyone else a favour and never learned to drive!

 

[Moodyman]

I became more spatially aware and read the road a lot better.

 

[Davidc]

I've cycled since I was 7, on the roads from about 9. I didn't get a driving licence for a car until I was 22, and I think that's why I drive like I do. I've always been a bit wary of cars, including when I'm driving and so have always been steady and cautious. I've driven cars and vans up to 7.5T, and I'm the same in all of them, including with various trailers. Cautious, defensive and laid back. I was once told by a colleague that I was the most boring driver she'd ever been in a car with!

I'm sure much of the way I drive comes from riding a bike well over 100,000 miles before starting driving, and one thing I think comes from that is that I find 70mph very fast. The result is that like several posters above I'm most comfortable on a motorway going along at 60mph or the 56 that lorry governors seem set at. My 2 litre Citroen C5 diesel is ideal for me, very comfortable, more than adequate performance, big enough to get bikes in the back without taking the wheels off, and with my driving it usually averages 60mpg on motorways. It's now done 100,000 miles from new with no faults and its original clutch and I wonder how much that owes to my laid back driving style too. Most of my cars have had records like that.

 

[Dave 123]

I never was a boy racer, I had to work too hard for my licence to risk losing it or getting points having failed my test 3 times....

After that I did pass my advanced driving test first time, and it did make me a better driver, though I will hold my hands up and admit I will grumble about eejits on the road, with varying numbers of wheels!

I also have had it pointed out to me by my wife in the last couple of years that I drive like an old man! I quite like this, I find it amusing.

We're picking up a new car at the end of the week, I will be driving in a sedate manner in my new automobile !