I think we just have to accept that the UK has a fair amount of aggressive immature idiots who do not respect anyone else whatever the situation. Sadly when this attitude is had on the road, we end up with a dangerous mess. I usually go cycle touring in Netherlands and Belgium a few times a year, but went to France for a tour this year as well. Again, another country in mainland Europe where I was treated with utter respect, whether in cities or out on country roads. No idiots on small bendy lanes overtaking me at 60 mph on blind bends (happens regularly in UK), no closes passes, no horn honking by impatient fools, no verbal abuse shouted at me, just patient respectful drivers. I was on a campsite in Normandy and got talking to an elderly Dutch man who was touring with his wife. I asked if he had cycled in UK...once was the reply, never again. He went on to say that he and his wife were cycling in Suffolk, their first ride in the UK, not so long ago. They lasted barely 1 hour before cycling back to the campsite. He said they had so many closes passes, some at over 50mph, and had one moron shout and swear at them. The road they were on was the A12 at Brantham, nothing major, I cycle it a lot and can attest to their experience. He said it was sad as the UK is a beautiful country but the roads were like the wild west. Funnily enough on my way back after arriving in Newhaven on the ferry, I turned right out of the port and there was a french family, straight off the boat, all on bikes, and some bonehead in a white van went wizzing past them honking his horn. As for zebra crossings, almost weekly I am stood at one and a car just goes wizzing past with the driver just staring forward. On occasion I have gestured and had the driver open their window to tell me to eff off. What a sad pathetic little land we are.
