Self preservation, are car drivers putting you off?

[roubaixtuesday]

One way streets in Italy are interesting. Many, but by no means all are signposted as two way for cyclists only. However, if you cycle down an unsigned one the wrong way, motorists don't seem worried at all, they'll just cheerfully avoid you or give way.

Contrast to the spittle fuelled rage or deliberate endangerment that a similar act would induce in the UK.

 

[Dogtrousers]

One way streets in Italy are interesting. Many, but by no means all are signposted as two way for cyclists only. However, if you cycle down an unsigned one the wrong way, motorists don't seem worried at all, they'll just cheerfully avoid you or give way.

Contrast to the spittle fuelled rage or deliberate endangerment that a similar act would induce in the UK.

Oddly enough there's one way street near my home where, according to the signs, it's ok to cycle against the traffic. I never have done so, I make a small detour to avoid the inevitable aggro.

 

[Badger_Boom]

What a wonderful example they give to their children.

The passenger did also accuse me of upsetting the children and 'ruining their day'.

 

[HLaB]

One way streets in Italy are interesting. Many, but by no means all are signposted as two way for cyclists only. However, if you cycle down an unsigned one the wrong way, motorists don't seem worried at all, they'll just cheerfully avoid you or give way.

Contrast to the spittle fuelled rage or deliberate endangerment that a similar act would induce in the UK.

Even when you go down a signed one in the UK some muppets in cars get aggressive and deliberately drive at you 😲 Thankfully they are becoming more and more of a rare breed.

 

[Dogtrousers]

The sheer joy of a sunny day in the hills on a bike is incomparable to a trainer.

A sunny day (but not too sunny) in the hills, with tweety birdies and polite drivers doffing their caps to cyclists would be a joy.

Where it gets to be a closer call with the trainer is a shitey day in the freezing cold, hissing down with rain, getting repeatedly close-passed and everything is gritty and soaking.

There's "type two fun" and then there's just plain horrible.

 

[Bonzothechippy]

Another possible and increasing danger to everyone, is the guys that think it’s fine to smoke the cannabis whilst driving. Near every trip out on my bike, a car goes by that absolutely stinks of the stuff. I’ve no idea how it affects your driving, but the car has gone passed anyway 🤷‍♂️

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Another possible and increasing danger to everyone, is the guys that think it’s fine to smoke the cannabis whilst driving. Near every trip out on my bike, a car goes by that absolutely stinks of the stuff. I’ve no idea how it affects your driving, but the car has gone passed anyway 🤷‍♂️

Report it, as drug driving deserves a ban

 

[Dogtrousers]

Report it, as drug driving deserves a ban

Could always be the passengers? That excuse would be unavailable to the guy who passed me on an ebike in the park the other night, going at quite a lick uphill without pedalling. What a pong!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Could always be the passengers? That excuse would be unavailable to the guy who passed me on an ebike in the park the other night, going at quite a lick uphill without pedalling. What a pong!

Just like alcohol, drugs remain in your body for a period after using them with known decay rates. The driver could be tested.

 

[VinSumRox]

Nope, they are pretty good around these parts.

 

[Chief Broom]

Yep car drivers are putting me off. Here in the Highlands i usually ride on single track roads which are pretty safe but sometimes if im tired ive opted getting home via the A9 which is a shorter return journey. Chances of dying are massively increased by this choice as close passes feature nearly every time as well as idiot driving and abuse.
Today i had to get home for a online call so onto the A9 i went... had 3 close passes of the swerving across your 'bows' variety and then a car went for a unbelievable overtake past me with a oncoming lorry in the other lane....it just missed and the lorry was an inch away from collecting it which could have wiped me out.....

 

[All uphill]

Nope, they are pretty good around these parts.

Same here.

 

[Bristolian]

Whilst I do get the odd close pass or deliberate attempt at intimidation it's not often (or serious) enough to put me off. My riding is 99.9% on roads with the occasional shared path thrown in for good measure.

BUT dog walkers that think it's okay to let their dogs wander around on one of those extending leads are making me think twice about the shared paths

 

[tyred]

I've just spent a week on the Isle of Arran (Ayrshire), without a doubt the nicest and most polite place I've cycled. I only managed two rides as it wasn't a cycling holiday but I'll be returning. Arran seems to have its own road code given the smaller roads, and lack of traffic. Both drivers and cyclists seem to interact well with each other, there is even something call the 'e-bike network' which is a series of shops and places that will charge your batteries.

Of course, there were some occassional hooligans (read the sign lol)



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I'm not long back from Arran myself and have to say I love it. One of my favourite places to cycle. Kintyre and Islay are great too.

 

[tyred]

I'm definitely going back, the North to South road on the west of the island looks very picturesque and quiet. Kintyre I wanted to visit by ferry from Lochranza but just ran out of days.

It is. It's perfectly possible to circumnavigate the island in one day. Stop for a pint at the Corrie Hotel. It must be one of the most scenic beer gardens in the world.

The road that goes through the centre of the island, from Machrie to Brodick, is well worth doing too, but it is a tough one through the mountains.

Lots of opportunities for island hopping there. From Clonaig, you could very easily get to Gigha or Islay. I must plan a proper island hopping expedition some time, taking in Colonsay as well.