So its not just me

[Matthew_T]

Last night, waiting at the front of a queue of traffic in the car with my dad at a red light, crossing traffic was moving steadily. I noticed a cyclist going through the junction from the right. Then a right turning red Ford Escort van decided to just ignore the cyclist and pulled across his path. The cyclist had to slam on and naturally shouted and gave the van the finger.
As the van passed us, I saw the driver smiling. Clearly with no remorse of what he had done.
It was night time but the cyclist was wearing a hi-viz top with a bright rear light and a front light. So no excuse to not see him.

So to all the people out there who say I go causing these incidents and have far more than normal, it mustnt be me because other cyclists experience exactly the same manouvres.

Later that evening we also saw 3 cars jump red lights and a guy tailgating us in a 30 zone. Reinforcing the view that cyclists drivers are idiots on the roads.

 

[Tommy2]

How many other incidents has that cyclist been involved in?
Did he put a video on youtube about it?
Did he make a complaint to the police?

 

[uclown2002]

 

[Matthew_T]

What I am trying to say is that these things happen to everyone. And most cyclists in my area also have experienced some of what I have or something similar.

Even people at work frown upon me cycling along the main road (the only route there) because they see 60mph+ as dangerous (and rightly so). However on the commute I rarely experience anything with other drivers.

 

[Lockring]

I do not lnow who are you or what are people saying to you, but this as one story of one van in one traffic light. It is funny but it is not the proof of nothing. Some drivers are crazy and dangerose. Also some bicycles. You are funny. Maybe paranoja?

 

[glenn forger]

Whats funny about it?

 

[Spinney]

I would like to present a challenge to the rest of CycleChat.

How about trying really, really hard NOT to tell Matthew again that he films too much/should enjoy his riding/brings it upon himself/etc

Just walk on by folks, nothing to see here...

 

[Boris Bajic]

Last night, waiting at the front of a queue of traffic in the car with my dad at a red light, crossing traffic was moving steadily. I noticed a cyclist going through the junction from the right. Then a right turning red Ford Escort van decided to just ignore the cyclist and pulled across his path. The cyclist had to slam on and naturally shouted and gave the van the finger.
As the van passed us, I saw the driver smiling. Clearly with no remorse of what he had done.
It was night time but the cyclist was wearing a hi-viz top with a bright rear light and a front light. So no excuse to not see him.

So to all the people out there who say I go causing these incidents and have far more than normal, it mustnt be me because other cyclists experience exactly the same manouvres.

Later that evening we also saw 3 cars jump red lights and a guy tailgating us in a 30 zone. Reinforcing the view that cyclists drivers are idiots on the roads.

I am one of those who decry much of your Youtubery and this story changes my view not one jot. I'm sorry to ignore Spinney's considered and thoughtful advice, but this will be brief and painless (compared with my usual verbose and tedious drivel).

What you saw @Matthew_T was perfectly normal driving on any day in almost any town on Earth. I've been being bunted off my bicycle (or almost clipped or swerved round or turned in front of) since I was little. You are quite right; it is wrong. But so is war and so is theft and so is processed cheese. These things happen.

One thing about your OP surprises me... I am (these days) very careful always to do 30 in a 30. Unless the car you were travelling in was doing 40 or 45 as I used to, I am AMAZED that you were only tailgated once in a 30. Doing 30 in a 30 zone, I am tailgated by almost every car that finds itself behind me. Is this not the experience of every motorist who tries to obey at least some of the speed restrictions on our highways? I'd be amazed if I went through two 30-mph villages in the Three Counties without being tailgated a couple of times. Pleased, but amazed.

 

[Spinney]

(but why am I not surprised.....)

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Is there any room on your settee?

Alan..

 

[Boris Bajic]

(but why am I not surprised.....)

"Cakes on the table children; don't eat them all at once. Children? Children? I said don't... Children! I said DON'T EAT THEM ALL AT ONCE!!!!!"

Your advice (or request) was welcome, well intentioned and constructive Spinney, but when I am in the room it has the same effect as my offering above.

Nonetheless, I did not engage in what you feared... Just stated my amazement that only a single driver tailgated in a 30 zone.

 

[Spinney]

I just had to try....
This is why I gave up being a teacher....


But you are right, you didn't do any of those things I challenged you not to do....

 

[Cheddar George]

You are correct Matthew, it is not just you. We could all probably post every day about driving/cycling incidents we have witnessed that were potentially dangerous ........... but we don't.

 

[I like Skol]

I was driving the kids to school yesterday morning when I turned out of the end of the quiet cul-de-sac where I live and proceeded to drive along the narrow single lane between double parked cars. before I got to the end of the parked cars a car travelling at high speed (30-40mph on a residential side road with lots of parked cars where 15-20mph is a bit on the quick side) came in to view and decided to try and bully his way through the gap. I did not defer to the other car as the only space available to me was a single car spot that I would have been unable to pull into and out of without some to-ing and fro-ing. the result was the other car performing an emergency stop just as I exited from between the parked cars and the delightful car driver giving me the V's as we passed before he floored it and shot off on his shortcut rat-run at an inappropriate speed.

This just goes to show, it isn't just you, it isn't just cyclists. Unfortunately there are some socially incapable kn*bs on the road who just can't integrate their actions into a manner that allows us all to get along nicely, safely and efficiently. I will add that I tend to get far more aggression shown towards me when I am in my car than I do when on my bike but I am far more assertive when riding than when I drive.

 

[Crackle]

You are correct Matthew, it is not just you. We could all probably post every day about driving/cycling incidents we have witnessed that were potentially dangerous ........... but we don't.

Pretty much this.

It's a but yawny most of what you post, I mean, if you've got Boris posting back, you can guarantee your posting is going wrong somewhere. You need a route and branch review of what you find interesting.