Mood change on the roads?

[Guyincognito76]

I don't know if it's possible to step-back and look at what I'm going to say from a non-partisan point-of-view, but let's see.

We hear that the centre-ground has moved (to the right) after Brexit and Trump et al -and even after Macron an increased vote for Le Pen. We have also read/seen about the number of professional cyclists coming to harm whilst out training. I have certainly had, perhaps coincidentally, perhaps not, an increase in bad experiences with drivers whilst out riding in the past twelve months.

So here's my question: has the prevailing public mood of 'protectionism' (I have tried to use a less inflammatory term than 'nastiness' or 'selfishness' but feel free to describe the current mood how you see fit) and the increased anger it instills in certain people made the roads less safe? My follow up question is: as cycling might be perceived as a pursuit of the 'liberal elite' are cyclists indeed a target of this anger?

 

[Welsh wheels]

Yes, I have certainly found aggression from drivers to be more and more of a common occurence. There may be something in what you are saying, but I would suggest it has more to do with people becoming more selifsh and values like respect for other people fading.

 

[Guyincognito76]

Yes, I have certainly found aggression from drivers to be more and more of a common occurence. There may be something in what you are saying, but I would suggest it has more to do with people becoming more selifsh and values like respect for other people fading.

I feel that if people are angry, rightly or wrongly, and then if that anger is being stoked by sections of our press, or by what they read on the internet then that anger has to be released somewhere.

 

[snorri]

I think it has little to do with the present political situation.
Government spending for the past 50 years has been slewed to encourage motorised road transport at the expense of other modes, the danger to cyclists is just one of the problems resulting.

 

[Markymark]

I'm finding it better.

 

[Drago]

Seems much as always to me, but if it is worse it will be Corbyn's fault - missile subs with no nukes and police with crochet'd truncheon covers doesn't give anyone one incentive to behave.

 

[oldwheels]

There has been a vast increase in the amount of motorised traffic on the roads. Today I came down the A82 from Inverness to Ballachulish. Too early in the day for many bikes to be out but with nose to tail traffic heading north the few I did pass took a long time to get enough space to pass safely on this narrow road. I was not in a hurry and not stressed by waiting but it is easy to see how vehicle drivers can get ratty. There were few large lorries either which are even more difficult to get past bikes on a busy narrow road. On a side issue it was easy to see that all the ones I passed were much more visible on a murky rainy day using front and rear flashing lights which I do not generally approve of.

 

[Tin Pot]

More likely seasonal. Hot sunny days bring out the rage in all commuters.

 

[ianrauk]

London and the south east is great and over the years has got much better for cyclists and cycling. People are far more aware of bikes then ever before.

 

[Venod]

I find there is a lot selfish angry drivers out there if I'm on the bike or in the car, but one good thing I have noticed on the bike is a lot of drivers giving more room when they pass, whether this is a result of the 1.5 meter pass campaign I don't know, they have police on bikes with cameras in Leeds and give advice to people who pass too close, or if its because of the popularity of cycling here in Yorkshire with the Tour and the Tour De Yorkshire making people more respectful of cycling, also with a lot more riders on the road a lot of people will have a relative or someone they know who cycles.

 

[Will Spin]

ive been cycling for about 50 years and my experience is that generally drivers now are more tolerant and give more room when passing. I have probably changed the way I interact with other traffic, which may also have improved the situation (i.e. Still assertive, but not quite so aggressive!)

 

[Guyincognito76]

ive been cycling for about 50 years and my experience is that generally drivers now are more tolerant and give more room when passing. I have probably changed the way I interact with other traffic, which may also have improved the situation (i.e. Still assertive, but not quite so aggressive!)

What I have noticed is an increase in what some people call the 'punishment pass', but with a slight difference. The 'punishment pass' I seem to experience now isn't necessarily close, but often is, but it's accelerating, with excessive revs in the act of overtaking. It's the pass that annoys me most as it's the one that gives you a start, and makes you wobble offline, often towards the vehicle. I am usually minding my own business before these passes where my only crime is to be riding on a road too narrow to pass, due to oncoming traffic, for a period of time.

 

[mjr]

Generally I think it's improving in West Norfolk as more and more people cycle or at least know someone who does, but radial routes to/from the towns still suck a bit and I'm glad there are cycle track alternatives to most of them.

 

[LonesomeWanderer]

Cycling seems a lot better than it was 10 years ago but there does seems to have been an increase in angry people on the road recently. Just yesterday I was pulling up to a traffic light in the car at the speed limit and the guy behind me leant on the horn - I think he got upset that I wasn't prepared to floor it to get through before it turned red. The anger seems to be increasing whatver mode of transport you choose....

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

Lots of people still drive like an absolute tit round here.
I wouldn't say it's changed much. In a 30 minute drive I can have 2 head ons at pinch points and 3 tailgates. Phone use hasn't changed. Lots of guilty eyes and attempts to conceal it.