Mood change on the roads?

[jonny jeez]

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?

I find it better too but then I live/ride in London and the surrounding burbs.

I also don't think that cycling is still seen as a liberal elite thing. The rise of the MAMIL has seen it become much more of a conservative replacement for golf. Mostly socially aspiring middle aged men

 

[Guyincognito76]

I find it better too but then I live/ride in London and the surrounding burbs.

I also don't think that cycling is still seen as a liberal elite thing. The rise of the MAMIL has seen it become much more of a conservative replacement for golf. Mostly socially aspiring middle aged men

And if the Brexit vote was driven by the left-behind working-class, who certainly don't golf? I still think that cycling is considered, however wrongly (or rightly,) as elitist.

 

[jonny jeez]

And if the Brexit vote was driven by the left-behind working-class, who certainly don't golf? I still think that cycling is considered, however wrongly (or rightly,) as elitist.

I expect it has something to do with where we live.

Edit, do you really think working class people don't play golf?

 

[tommaguzzi]

I have been riding for over 50 years now and it's only this last few years where i have ever experienced any aggressive behaviour from motorists.
I believe that the new entitled generation who cycle in a confontatonal maner often these days wearing cameras do not help our cause.
Every time i see an aggressive cyclists kicking off i just think why didn't you just ride a bit more defensivly then the situation would never have happened.
We are vunerable road users and the fact that we have the right of way in some situations doesn't mean we can go where we want.
I think the increase hatered of cyclists from especially younger motorists is a reaction to the abuse they receive from cyclists.

I have already ducked down for the incoming.

 

[Guyincognito76]

I expect it has something to do with where we live.

Edit, do you really think working class people don't play golf?

I don't know anyone who plays golfs. There's always going to be outliers, but it is certainly a costly pastime. Cycling isn't cheap either, of course -although it can be a one off cost, unlike golf.

 

[jonny jeez]

I don't know anyone who plays golf. There's always going to be outliers, but it is certainly a costly pastime. Cycling isn't cheap either, of course -although it can be a one off cost, unlike golf.

I reckon every taxi driver and Labourer in London plays golf. It's not an exclusive game at all these days, pretty common actually. You can play a game without membership in any public course

 

[Guyincognito76]

I reckon every taxi driver and Labourer in London plays golf. It's not an exclusive game at all these days, pretty common actually. You can play a game without membership in any public course

The problem here is the old label 'working-class.' It's the service sector, and 'gig economy'', or whatever you want to call it 'left-behind' who drove the Brexit vote. I'm one of them, although not politically, but I'm an outlier too. I see how angry they are and I wonder if this is how they are jettisoning some of that anger -I'm sure other car drivers are getting it too.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I have noticed a general increase of road rage, not only directed to cyclists, but from drivers to other drivers too.
Since the increase of cycling here, there are also a lot of impatient cyclists on the shared paths.

 

[Cuchilo]

I'm finding it better.

Same here . Maybe its a London thing .

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've not noticed any change, it's the same as it's always been, the vast majority of drivers are fine, and there's just the occasional idiot to deal with.

 

[User32269]

A section of motorists are arrogant, selfish and aggressive morons. They get away with dangerous driving on a daily basis. They slow down for the speed cameras then carry on with impunity. The lack of policing on the roads is a contributing factor. In my opinion these people have such an overblown sense of entitlement they feel no remorse bullying and endangering others to take seconds off their journey to the next set of lights.
I see truly appaling driving when I'm in my works van, but feel the real danger when I'm on my bike. I think it has become worse in recent years.

I've noticed more drivers hanging back and giving space on passing, this is encouraging. I wonder if this is due to the increase in cycling? More drivers who cycle, experiencing life on the other side? Sadly, even though it's from a minority, I feel in more danger now on the road. Punishment passes are common, I experience dangerous and aggressive driving daily. I don't see us moving away from the car is king culture, that has prevailed for decades, any time soon. I don't see sentences realistically reflecting the death and devastation caused to cyclists changing soon.

Yet, I still ride my bike, encourage my kids to ride, and I still love it. We all need to press for attitude changes, similar to drink driving, making aggressive and dangerous driving socially unacceptable.

 

[Fenrider]

We've just got back from Shetland. We had two weeks there, so were able to pick the least windy days to do some great day rides. We found drivers, almost without exception, very considerate. No close passes, no impatience, and the only horns we heard were to say 'thanks' for moving into the passing places on single-track roads to allow overtaking. Everyone waves or nods to everyone else up there - It's a very contented place. Too many people down south just seem to be angry about their lives and need to take it out on the world.....

 

[Drago]

That's because they'd all stoned or drunk in Mainland.

 

[bozmandb9]

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.

Are you sure you're not misinterpreting this? Do you drive? Personally, when I'm passing cyclists, my concern is to give them as much space as I can, and certainly as they need, and to pass them quickly and safely. If driving an automatic, kickdown may engage when I accelerate to pass safely. Sometimes safe opportunities require a reasonably rapid acceleration. Would you wish drivers to not take opportunities to pass you safely, and insist that they wait until they can pass with minimal acceleration, bearing in mind that they will be going from 15-50 miles per hour? Also if allowing plenty of space for you, they will be substantially on the wrong side of the road potentially, when in this position I prefer to return to the correct side asap.

 

[bozmandb9]

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?

I'd say definitely not. Also I very much doubt if any of the liberal elite even know how to ride a bike, and I very much doubt that people would perceive cyclists as being part of the liberal elite. I know people like to blame Brexit for everything and anything (probably caused the rain today), but I think this is maybe a stretch too far.