car drivers were putting me off on my Saturday ride for sure, normally its my commute thats the main hassle and the weekends are fairly chill, but sheesh Id barely gone 2 miles, and actually seriously was considering turning round and calling it a day as I did not feel safe at all, just in those 2 miles had 4-5 really dangerous passes all at high speed (breaking speed limits too) that were definitely not ok, in the end I carried on because I hoped as I was travelling further into the countryside away from the main routes it would get quieter, which it was mostly in the end, but still Ive not felt that nervous on a bike for a while.
Self preservation, are car drivers putting you off?
- Thread starter Bonzothechippy
- Start date
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grldtnr
Veteran
Yes I'd agree about aggressive drivers It does depend where you ride, ,which I mean congested busy cities over rural or urban areas, I still ride but mostly for utility reasons ,tho' I do less of that now preferring to walk , as it far less stressful, if I do ride into town ,I have to carry anything I have with me , as casually theft is a big problem if you leave bags on the bike, it that's a different problem.
I had a serious accident 25 years ago, knocked of by a negligent driver more a case of negligence over accident , up till then I was a confident cyclist , that incident has since dented my confidence considerably.
But getting back to aggressive drivers, I've noted that on social media that there is festering malcontent against cyclists on the whole, mostly of the 'shouldn't be on the roads' type, don't pay taxes , insurance or have registration plates....generally frustration in the fact that cyclists don't have to comply like motorist, these are the minority drivers that are aggressive to cyclists', I'd say that minority is growing.
I had a serious accident 25 years ago, knocked of by a negligent driver more a case of negligence over accident , up till then I was a confident cyclist , that incident has since dented my confidence considerably.
But getting back to aggressive drivers, I've noted that on social media that there is festering malcontent against cyclists on the whole, mostly of the 'shouldn't be on the roads' type, don't pay taxes , insurance or have registration plates....generally frustration in the fact that cyclists don't have to comply like motorist, these are the minority drivers that are aggressive to cyclists', I'd say that minority is growing.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
One of many reasons not to bother with that sorta of social media. At best is photos of people's lunch or political know-it-alls giving us the benefit of their awesome opinion, at worst its full of outright vitriol and nastiness. I can get all of that without allowing the social media companies to monetise my data.
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
I've not noticed any worsening of driver behaviour.
I'm on the bike every day and very, very rarely feel unsafe on the road.
I try to avoid the busiest roads, occupy the lane, give clear signals, avoid dithering and am alert and observant.
I'm on the bike every day and very, very rarely feel unsafe on the road.
I try to avoid the busiest roads, occupy the lane, give clear signals, avoid dithering and am alert and observant.
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Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Or do a clockwise loop from Brodick, stopping at Lochranza YHA for the night. Then ferry north or back to Brodick in the morning.
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
I am not on social media, other than Strava. Don’t get to see all the output of the keyboard warriors. There will be a big disconnect between what is said online and what you encounter on the roads.
Oldhippy
Cynical idealist
I completely agree @Ming the Merciless the perceived and actual are very different I think. As @All uphill says roadcraft, confidence play a huge part.
midlandsgrimpeur
Senior Member
I would say the same although the odd idiot does give you pause for thought.
This is quite timely as I was the closest to calamity yesterday that I have ever been in 25 years of road cycling.
Coming down a quiet B road, 3 cars behind me. I was coming up to a right turnoff down a quiet lane. Checked behind twice, all 3 cars a decent distance behind me, signalled, pulled to centre lane, checked again whilst still signalling right, all fine. As I made the turn, first car just floored it and tried to overtake me. All a bit of a blur and still don't understand how they didn't hit me, just utterly reckless driving.
It must have been bad as both the other car drivers made a point of stopping and pulling over to check I was okay.
I had something similar, but I was driving a tractor at the time. Indicated my intention to turn right, made doubly sure the Transit van behind me was holding back. Then as I was turning across the road, an A6 pases the van at a serious rate of knots. I was sure they were going to hit me side on. I had committed and couldn't do much else. Acceleration on a 1960s Fordson is somewhat limited. The Audi driver had to absolutely stand on the brakes and blew the horn.
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Probably high on drugs or alcohol or never passed a driving test.
nogoodnamesleft
Well-Known Member
Worth noting that whilst car (and big heavy fast moving objects) do represent a big threat to all vulnerable road users, across any large group of people you are always going to get a (hopefully) small %age who are inconsiderate idiots who don't consider the potential of their actions on others.
Like most cyclists over the miles I've had incidents from cars, lorries, vans, etc. but also nearly badly "taken out" by other (e-bike) cyclists.
Thinking, the one group I don't remember any incidents with is motorcyclists.
Not trying to make any excuses for inconsiderate drivers and we certainly should keep shouting/talking about it to raise aware ness (and reduce that %age), just that such dangerous driving is not limited to car/van/lorry/etc. drivers.
I do notice that certain vehicle makes/styles are far more likely to show lack of consideration for cyclists.
Like most cyclists over the miles I've had incidents from cars, lorries, vans, etc. but also nearly badly "taken out" by other (e-bike) cyclists.
Thinking, the one group I don't remember any incidents with is motorcyclists.
Not trying to make any excuses for inconsiderate drivers and we certainly should keep shouting/talking about it to raise aware ness (and reduce that %age), just that such dangerous driving is not limited to car/van/lorry/etc. drivers.
I do notice that certain vehicle makes/styles are far more likely to show lack of consideration for cyclists.
midlandsgrimpeur
Senior Member
Same here, I was completely committed so it was totally out of my hands. Strangely enough it was also an Audi. Not sure what that says about Audi drivers? 😂
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
Today I thought I'd ride my Mum's old 1950s Raleigh to a new bike shop opening about 3/4 of a mile away. I went on residential back streets, in my jeans and shirt, thinking I would not bother with helmet/camera.
Had a reportable very close pass from young driver of a white Audi A1 on one back street and another from an older woman driving a grey small SUV on the main road near the bike shop. It's depressing that I can't even ride to the shop without some idiots squeezing past.
Had a reportable very close pass from young driver of a white Audi A1 on one back street and another from an older woman driving a grey small SUV on the main road near the bike shop. It's depressing that I can't even ride to the shop without some idiots squeezing past.
presta
Legendary Member
That reminds me of a similar occasion when I was cycling along a straight road, and a lass in a hatchback slowed down behind me to let an oncoming car through before overtaking. The car behind must have thought "what's she slowing down for", because he just pulled out to overtake and came face to face with one coming car. The first I knew was when the pair of them screeched to a halt bumper to bumper right beside me, and I disappeared in a cloud of rubbery smoke.
Have you seen this:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3iLnFZ7Bsc
