Recumbent Riders And Cyclists View On Traffic

[a.twiddler]

Are recumbent riders not cyclists then?

Perhaps when they're tricyclists? Even then, tricyclists aren't bicyclists, but tricyclists, bicyclists, unicyclists, even quadricyclists are some sort of cyclist. (Pauses for breath). I've never ridden a recumbent quadricycle or recumbent unicycle but my experiences on recumbent bikes and trikes suggest that drivers give me more room than when I'm riding an upright bike. And even on an upright, I notice that I get more room than pre pandemic or pre Highway Code updates, though not as much as on a recumbent.

A simplistic poll such as this doesn't allow for including where you live. Certainly in my part of leafy Cheshire drivers are pretty polite. They let you out of junctions, give room for you to pull out, show a certain amount of patience, etc whatever you're riding or driving. I've had visitors comment on this. Yet when they return from London or some other unpleasant crowded place one comment that stuck with me was how all the drivers seem to be so angry.

 

[DogmaStu]

I've been back in Blighty for 9 months now and find it isn't as bad as I expected.

I'll caveat that though by saying I time my rides so that I typically only leave the house at 9:30am - after school run traffic - and head off onto country lanes here in Yorkshire where traffic density is relatively very low. I avoid built-up areas as much as possible and happy to use cycle lanes where they exist.

That said, the UK does have a terrible reputation for arrogant motorists who strongly believe the roads are not meant for cyclists and I do witness some appalling road manners from time to time. It isn't any particular 'type' of vehicle driver, it can be any. It's the individual, not the vehicle that they happen to be driving at the time.

To the Poster who recalls only BMW driver's being naughty, I drive a BMW and have driven behind a cyclist or cyclists, commenting to my girlfriend about how they are riding, whether they look tired, if they are suffering, if they are just out on a cruise, their kit etc I wait until I can make a slow, wide pass while she is telling me: "you could have gone then...and then...and then"

 

[FishFright]

I've been back in Blighty for 9 months now and find it isn't as bad as I expected.

I'll caveat that though by saying I time my rides so that I typically only leave the house at 9:30am - after school run traffic - and head off onto country lanes here in Yorkshire where traffic density is relatively very low. I avoid built-up areas as much as possible and happy to use cycle lanes where they exist.

That said, the UK does have a terrible reputation for arrogant motorists who strongly believe the roads are not meant for cyclists and I do witness some appalling road manners from time to time. It isn't any particular 'type' of vehicle driver, it can be any. It's the individual, not the vehicle that they happen to be driving at the time.

To the Poster who recalls only BMW driver's being naughty, I drive a BMW and have driven behind a cyclist or cyclists, commenting to my girlfriend about how they are riding, whether they look tired, if they are suffering, if they are just out on a cruise, their kit etc I wait until I can make a slow, wide pass while she is telling me: "you could have gone then...and then...and then"

One swallow does not make a spring.

Not every BMW is a numpty but when I am pulled out on, squeezed against the kerb or overtaken with barely any space and lots of revs it's a BMW that does it . I bet you even know how indicators work

 

[Alex321]

Vale and Monmouthshire I don't find too bad. Cardiff and the valleys are a different story.

I mainly ride in Cardiff when commuting, and the parts I ride through still aren't usually too bad, although definitely not as good as out in the Vale.

I work in the Bay, and ride in via St Fagans, using Cardiff Road, then Cowbridge Road East, Landsdowne Road, Ninian Park Road, Corporation Road, Clarence Road. I've rarely ridden anywhere much else in Cardiff.

 

[T4tomo]

I beg to differ on that. It is about them and us. Motorists generally want to transform or maintain the road infrastructure to suit their needs, i.e., high speed and no annoying slow road users around. We want to use the roads at our speed and not get threatened and harassed. Bikes and cars are very different types of vehicle and need very different types of infrastructure. We want more of our thing, they want more of their thing.

pollocks. Most cyclists are motorist as well.


it also a pollocks OP, its about a few rogue drivers, nothing to do with what vehicle type.

 

[DogmaStu]

One swallow does not make a spring.

Not every BMW is a numpty but when I am pulled out on, squeezed against the kerb or overtaken with barely any space and lots of revs it's a BMW that does it . I bet you even know how indicators work

I do! I'll also be unlikely to get a speeding ticket because I drive relatively sedately. I drive the slowest 'fast' car on the road!

The last time I quietly cursed a BMW driver it was because they were going far too fast and relying more upon luck than skill. Close passes have been all types of vehicles - I actually ignore close passes these days. I've been hit by car mirrors twice before, so a close pass to me now is that or just something I don't think about.

I get pulled out upon occasionally near where I live at the moment. Again, all types of vehicles - they just don't seem to see a cyclist as a reason not to continue their journey so I factor that in and cycle defensively, anticipating it.

Sadly, as cyclists, we tend to get to the point where we do just 'accept' how some motorists behave and expect it - thus cycling in a way that predicts their arrogance or ignorance.

 

[GuyBoden]

Last week, while cycling near home, an Audi sports car tried squeezing past me from behind when I was overtaking two parked vans on either side of the road. There was obviously not enough space to squeeze past, the Audi car was so intimidatingly close I held out my hand signalling them to stop and shouted some abuse, I think the Audi sports car driver was my neighbour from two doors down, we've not spoke since.

 

[Alex321]

Well then you will be mixing with cars lorrys and tractors doing high speeds.
Do you think you can cope with that or would it be best for you to stay somewhere more urban?

Given he said he prefers it, I am quite sure he can "cope" with it - noit that youy do getr many vehicles doing high speeds on those roads.

 

[Deleted member 121159]

pollocks. Most cyclists are motorist as well.


it also a pollocks OP, its about a few rogue drivers, nothing to do with what vehicle type.

Most cyclists may also be motorists, but not vice versa. The number of people who only drive far outnumbers that of people drive and also regularly cycle. Those people who never cycle, i.e., the vast majority of motorists, want the road infrastructure that suit their needs - obviously. I can totally empathise with them - I would want the same thing if I was one of them. Try doing a poll on a motorist equivalent of this forum and ask how many of them want to ban cycling on roads. Probably the majority. 'A few' rogue drivers - perhaps. But also don't forget the millions of disgruntled drivers who are generally unhappy with seeing cyclists on the road. They will advocate for whatever will reduce the number of cyclists, i.e., less cycling infrastructure and more dangerous roads for vulnerable users. You're seeing it in Wales right now with the new rules.

What type of vehicle does have a link to what type of driver. There's a lot of research on that which you can browse at leisure.

 

[Baldy]

SUVs on narrow roads trying to squeeze in. Also cars with whatever type of trailer often don't realise that the thing they're hauling may be wider than the car.

This. I live in rural Clackmannanshire so there are quite a lot of horseboxes/farm trailers being pulled by idiots in 4x4's around. They've no idea how wide their trailers are, and think wing mirrors are just there for decoration.

 

[All uphill]

Last week, while cycling near home, an Audi sports car tried squeezing past me from behind when I was overtaking two parked vans on either side of the road. There was obviously not enough space to squeeze past, the Audi car was so intimidatingly close I held out my hand signalling them to stop and shouted some abuse, I think the Audi sports car driver was my neighbour from two doors down, we've not spoke since.

View attachment 710577

I've told the story before of a very close pass from a neighbour. When I got home I tapped on his door and asked him if he realised he had put me at risk.

His answer?

"Sorry, didn't realise it was you."+

 

[Ming the Merciless]

The worst drivers tend to be the third one overtaking.

 

[All uphill]

The worst drivers tend to be the third one overtaking.

I have noticed that occasionally. Just following the bumper of the car ahead, maybe.

 

[classic33]

Perhaps when they're tricyclists? Even then, tricyclists aren't bicyclists, but tricyclists, bicyclists, unicyclists, even quadricyclists are some sort of cyclist. (Pauses for breath). I've never ridden a recumbent quadricycle or recumbent unicycle but my experiences on recumbent bikes and trikes suggest that drivers give me more room than when I'm riding an upright bike. And even on an upright, I notice that I get more room than pre pandemic or pre Highway Code updates, though not as much as on a recumbent.

A simplistic poll such as this doesn't allow for including where you live. Certainly in my part of leafy Cheshire drivers are pretty polite. They let you out of junctions, give room for you to pull out, show a certain amount of patience, etc whatever you're riding or driving. I've had visitors comment on this. Yet when they return from London or some other unpleasant crowded place one comment that stuck with me was how all the drivers seem to be so angry.

What about quadracyclists! Especially the more laid back ones?

If three wheels are quicker than two, four must be faster still!

Found there's only one or two car drivers , and one van driver, that have a problem with a recumbent on the road in front of them. Larger, wider and heavier than a bike, especially when loaded. Truck drivers* seem to stay further back than car drivers, and give more room when passing. If I'm able I'll pull in and stop to let them past.

*Especially the local specialist heavy haul drivers.

 

[Slick]

Whilst none of them are to be trusted, I don't seem to get the issues I once did.

My cycling habits have changed mind, as I'm no longer commuting so my experience will be skewed.