How will cyclists ever get the respect of road users?
- Thread starter therams
- Start date
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I dont RLJ, for the few seconds saved it isnt worth the agro, if I wanted to save time I would be in my car not riding a bleeding push bike !
My one transgression is mounting the pavement at one point on my journey for about 20 yeards to avoid a cross roads, offset junction where a B road crosses a busy A road, its horrendous mixing it with cars coming from four directions, bad enough in a car, never mind on a bike, plus I get past the queue of cars.
I think as well, people sometimes like to be offended, sometime want to have somethign to moan about or focus their ire on, cyclists are pretty weedy compared to their car so very easy to bully, thought they do get worried when they have done that and then get stuck, I find most drivers to be ok, mostly patient and I do try to keep out of the way, I think their is a jealousy aspect as well, cycling is generally regarded as a leisure pursuit, driving is usually a means to an end and pretty soul destroying and frustrating.
My one transgression is mounting the pavement at one point on my journey for about 20 yeards to avoid a cross roads, offset junction where a B road crosses a busy A road, its horrendous mixing it with cars coming from four directions, bad enough in a car, never mind on a bike, plus I get past the queue of cars.
I think as well, people sometimes like to be offended, sometime want to have somethign to moan about or focus their ire on, cyclists are pretty weedy compared to their car so very easy to bully, thought they do get worried when they have done that and then get stuck, I find most drivers to be ok, mostly patient and I do try to keep out of the way, I think their is a jealousy aspect as well, cycling is generally regarded as a leisure pursuit, driving is usually a means to an end and pretty soul destroying and frustrating.
Crankarm
Guru
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
Has anyone nearly been knocked off by RLJing cyclists? I have several times. If it was you, next time you might not be so lucky.
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
Crankarm said:
Twice, personally. (Both times crossing perpendicular to my path, both times not checking for traffic coming from my direction (can't hear an engine, so there mustn't be any...?))
With that said, it's a rare commute in which motorist(s) doesn't/don't do something that results in at least a sharp intake of breath though.
hackbike 666
Guest
coruskate said:
I don't buy this.
OP
OP
therams
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Manchester
swee said:OK, I guess that I opened an (old) can of worms here, sorry.
My original post was intended to vent my frustration at the RLJs, rather than road users. But then that's also on old can or worms.
I do feel better for getting it of my chest though.
hackbike 666
Guest
RLJing won't get sorted till the police have some sort of control of the roads and society in general.
I found myself in the hypocrytical position of RLJ this morning, its out of character and its a trait that i dislike in others as it gives cyclists a bad name as well as being dangerous. This morning i was racing home from my night shift and thought i would make it through the amber, i missed it by about half a second. This thread has been useful as it has made me reflect apon my behaviour. all i needed to do was slow down for the light, not speed up and i guess im lucky there wasnt a driver who wasn't as eager to get off the line as i was to pass it.
Crankarm
Guru
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
just4fun said:
.....or cyclist
.Yesterday I was crossing the road at a "Green Man" with my grandchildren, aged 2 and 4. I teach them to press the button, and wait for the Green Man, and even then to check to see that it's safe.
Just as well, because we were halfway across when a woman-on-a-bike came hurtling through. She had absolutely no consideration for the fact that there were young children and an OAP in front of her.
I was livid, and yelled "RED MEANS STOP" - but she just ploughed on.
Today I was crossing at a Green Man with several other peds, and along comes a lycra-clad lad-on-a-bike. He made no attempt whastsoever to stop. In fact, he jigged and jiggled to weave his way, at speed, through the crossing peds. I just wish I had my umbrella with me, 'cos I would have shoved it through his front spokes.
I would whole-heartedly support any action by the authorities that resulted in people like these being fined heavily, and having their bikes converted into walking-aides for the elderly.
Just as well, because we were halfway across when a woman-on-a-bike came hurtling through. She had absolutely no consideration for the fact that there were young children and an OAP in front of her.
I was livid, and yelled "RED MEANS STOP" - but she just ploughed on.
Today I was crossing at a Green Man with several other peds, and along comes a lycra-clad lad-on-a-bike. He made no attempt whastsoever to stop. In fact, he jigged and jiggled to weave his way, at speed, through the crossing peds. I just wish I had my umbrella with me, 'cos I would have shoved it through his front spokes.
I would whole-heartedly support any action by the authorities that resulted in people like these being fined heavily, and having their bikes converted into walking-aides for the elderly.
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
I would gleefully convert some walking aids into alu framed bikes.JamesAC said:
Randochap
Senior hunter
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
What's lycra got to do with the price of kippers?
Do we have to buy into the same derogatory insults as our detractors?
And of course all road users should be held to the same standard.
Do we have to buy into the same derogatory insults as our detractors?
And of course all road users should be held to the same standard.
Worcester today 5pm ish Sitting at the traffic lights (on red) with another cyclist waiting patiently behind when female cyclist nudges through tight space and goes straight through a red - unbelievable, she turned off before I could give her a piece of the proverbial - Hope she reads this stupid cow!
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
J4CKO said:
One of the reasons I like riding a bike in town is because it is easily quicker that using a car.
Most RLJs are juvenile delinquents and most will eventually grow up, although not all, some are just plain inadequate, if they were in cars they would behave just as badly.
Yes they do give the rest of us a bad name, but as cycling slowly becomes more popular, attitudes may begin to change...
