Just musing. I've often wondered why drivers get disproportionately angry at cyclists for "getting in their way" and "slowing them down", but rarely abuse other drivers for getting in their way and slowing them down far more. I wonder if any of them consider whether, if all the cyclists drove cars, that would make their journey more congested or less?
Inconsistent behaviour
- Thread starter benb
- Start date
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upsidedown
Waiting for the great leap forward
- Location
- The middle bit
I've no idea of the figures, but presumably if every London cyclist were to drive it would be chaos.
Yesterday on a family day out I saw lots of drivers getting angry/frustrated at being "stuck" behind some old dear who only seemed capable of driving at 40mph, irrespective of the speed limits, 40mph through villages with 30 limits and 40mph on the open road with 60 limits.
Many drivers were flashing and beeping their horns in frustration, I saw lots of inappropriate overtakes, across double whites and on blind bends. Not a cyclist to blame anywhere.
Many drivers were flashing and beeping their horns in frustration, I saw lots of inappropriate overtakes, across double whites and on blind bends. Not a cyclist to blame anywhere.
I don't think motorists get angrier at cyclists only that cyclists are more vulnerable to abuse. It's more difficult to intimidate someone driving another motor vehicle without risking your own vehicle. Parking up and leaping out, intending to yell and threaten violence doesn't really work on other motorists. The other guy just has to wind up his window and keep on driving.
When it comes to complaining about other road users, cyclists aren't the only easy target. Almost everyone I know has a bit of a moan about getting stuck behind a tractor, most of them ruefully accept it as a fact of life, a few don't mind it at all and plan their journeys with a little extra time just in case, and a very small minority get wound up and rage. None of these people would dream of close passing a tractor or brake checking them, or throwing something at them.
I've heard people complain about a driver sticking to just below the speed limit far more often than I've heard people complain of cyclists (and this before I started cycling regularly).
I suspect that there are people behind me muttering about being held up when I'm doing 60 in a car, just I can't hear them. I'm a bit crap and nervous when driving narrow twisty roads and do try to let people who can see round corners past - but then spotting a suitable letting past point is another thing to worry about as well as all the other things to worry about when driving. I think my scariest ever road incident was when I was driving...
rowan 46
Über Member
- Location
- birmingham
This has just reminded me of a group of road users more hated than cyclists any takers?
Cubist
Still wavin'
- Location
- Ovver 'thill
B#stard joggers?
rowan 46
Über Member
- Location
- birmingham
I wasn't really thinking of them, being only a cyclist they don't inconvenience me. I was thinking of caravans
Angelfishsolo
A Velocipedian
- Location
- Cwmbach, South Wales
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
I suppose its a bit like the cyclists in Richmond Park who get angry and bang on the roof of cars daring to stick to the 20 mph limit!
I once had some guy in a fancy AMG Mercedes overtake me whilst I was on my bike, very wide and generously although somewhat over the speed limit, then pull up behind a driver slightly ahead of me doing the speed limit and started tailgating, flashing his lights and beeping like a madman.
I didn't know what to think.
I didn't know what to think.
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
I regularly get stuck behind slow drivers. I try ringing my bell and flashing my bicycle lights at them but they just don't speed up or move out of the way!
