Something needs to be done about the British mentality towards us cyclists!

[Hip Priest]

I rarely feel the wrath or bad temper of a motorist. In fact, the only time I've been shouted at was by a fellow cyclist! I've seen some bad driving, and had the odd close pass, but mainly I feel this is down to driver education rather than malicious intent - some simply don't know how to deal with a cyclist.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I agree that the actual ragers are rare; I probably encounter one every two months or so (which is still too many, mind you).

about the same frequency I encounter commutting on rural roads B & C in sussex.

I also think this results in an attitude among some motorists whereby they feel it is appropriate to pass cyclists at an uncomfortably close distance, but which they feel is not actually dangerous, in order to punish them for doing something they disagree with, such as claiming the lane. I probably see this two or three times a month.

I've become almost immune to these. Any overtake which does not involve hitting me is a successful overtake in my book nowadays. In fact I think many are quite proud of just how close they can get without actually making contact. I know only report the ones where actual contact is made; two so far this year. I've more or less given up window/roof banging or making polite "give me more space" hand gestures as it seems to invite the ragers to kick off.

 

[gbb]

But by and large I think things are about as they should be in the UK.

I think the same, but maybe for different reasons...(i can't speak for Bicycle).
'Right' in the sense i don't think you can make the cyclist 'right' in all situations, as in other countries.
There's a lot to be done re driver education, but i really don't ever see it happening. Perhaps i'm being pessermistic.

I'm rather shocked that any UK cyclist would say such a thing.

I've cycled in Bristol a fair bit on visits there and my experience was nothing like described either.

Perhaps some of us really don't see the vitriol that's aimed at cyclists. I know i don't, rarely ever have detected a deliberate 'fcuk you' attitude from drivers.
Perhaps, only perhaps, we're (individual cyclists) partly responsible for that vitriol. I used to have moderately regular close passes, (i still do, but at slow speed, i can handle it and have got moderately used to it), get the occasional stupid thing done towards me...but i've conciously changed my tactics on the road.

Since then, i rarely have any trouble from drivers. I indicate whenever possible, i look at drivers before manoevering, i'll wave a bus past me if one's behind me and i'm static at TLs, i rarely take primary (i rarely have to TBF) but ride a strong secondary, i thank drivers who've done the decent thing, i tend not to alienate drivers who have cut me up, i tend more to have a word at his window (given the chance) without raising my voice....hopefully it'll make him think next time..and not think 'fcuk you' having blown my top at him....and so on. Respecting other road users, let them see that you're on the ball. It seems to work for me.

Perhaps its a regional thing, but drivers round here really arent that much bother.

 

[Peteaud]

I am not having a moan about 2 abreast, and the argument about me driving to work and slower traffic does not make sense, as ive stated both sides.

I drive and i cycle, and both can be crazy at times.

Most of your come backs seem to say riding 2 abreast is ok all the time, and its the case of the car driver being in the wrong., correct me if i am wrong, but thats the attitude imho that gets cyclists a bad name.

Isnt it about common sense?

The law says you can drive at 70 on a motorway, so would you in poor condition, fog heavy rain etc, no.

I couldnt care less about being held up a little when driving, i am used to being behind tractors, cows, etc.

All i am saying is, have a bit of common sense, a fast rat run of a road is a potential killer for anyone, let alone cyclists, ramblers, horse riders etc.

Not all car drivers are bad, and not all cyclists are angels.

 

[BentMikey]

yep. that all sounds familiar but "everyday confrontion with the wrath and bad temper of some irritated motorist or red faced white van man whoose attitude quite frankly is...get out of the way you ****ing cyclist" is not.

It's not that rare you know. There are lots of videos out there with drivers raging at cyclists to get on the pavement, beeping them out of the way, etc.

 

[al78]

Why is it acceptable for you to have someone sitting alongside you in the car to chat to (or more usually an empty seat) that makes your car so wide its difficult to overtake, but you curse cyclists who ride alongside a friend? Is it because they are impeding your more important progress in your over-wide vehicle?

If he was in his car, he would likely be going at a speed that a driver behind would not feel the need to overtake because said driver would feel that they were making satisfactory progress.

There is a world of difference between following another driver doing 50 mph and following two cyclists doing 15 mph.

 

[cycleruk]

TBH i think it works both ways.

As a driver i curse at some of the cyclists and their lack of manners / savvy, two abreast on some of the country lanes, (read rat runs) is just crazy.

As a cyclist ive wanted to let loose at some of the idoits behind the wheel, driving way too fast down some of the above lanes.

I would love more cycle lanes and old rail lines but with this government, that wont happen.

prehaps these guided busways have a use after all!!!!

 

[Red Light]

If he was in his car, he would likely be going at a speed that a driver behind would not feel the need to overtake because said driver would feel that they were making satisfactory progress.

There is a world of difference between following another driver doing 50 mph and following two cyclists doing 15 mph.

Where I cycle its quite often lots of drivers doing 0mph or thereabouts getting in the way of cyclists capable of doing 15mph if their way wasn't blocked by the motorists line astern. Of course if they weren't so wide and long with all those empty seats they lug around there would be much more room to pass them.

 

[Nearly there]

In recent weeks ive seen some bad examples of cycling,recently on the A66 i had to overtake a cyclist hogging the middle of the road when theres a perfectly good cycle lane all the way along it and cyclists riding two abreast on a 50 road and they showed no intention of pulling in gggrrrr it wound me up no end.

 

[Crankarm]

As the evenings are drawing in I have seen some shocking cycling in Cambridge. Legions of cyclists RLJing, hundreds without lights, thousands riding and dialing and texting, lots riding across pedestrian crossings causing peds to scatter. Jumping on and off kerbs onto and off the pavement/roads. Riding at full pelt along pavements full of peds, no indications or observations when they are turning at junctions, pulling straight out into traffic without looking or giving way, riding up one way streets the wrong way, riding 3 or 4 abreast, riding down the wrong side of the road, swerving in front of cars expecting them to stop which they have. In all I observe motorists as a group to be far more careful, far more risk averse and being a much lesser nuisance than cyclists. Many cyclists seem incapable of integrating into a mass traffic system, they are impatient, inconsiderate, hazardous, seldom give way and are abusive when challenged. I see all this from the perspective of a pedestrian.

 

[Red Light]

As the evenings are drawing in I have seen some shocking cycling in Cambridge. Legions of cyclists RLJing, hundreds without lights, thousands riding and dialing and texting, lots riding across pedestrian crossings causing peds to scatter. Jumping on and off kerbs onto and off the pavement/roads. Riding at full pelt along pavements full of peds, no indications or observations when they are turning at junctions, pulling straight out into traffic without looking or giving way, riding up one way streets the wrong way, riding 3 or 4 abreast, riding down the wrong side of the road, swerving in front of cars expecting them to stop which they have. In all I observe motorists as a group to be far more careful, far more risk averse and being a much lesser nuisance than cyclists. Many cyclists seem incapable of integrating into a mass traffic system, they are impatient, inconsiderate, hazardous, seldom give way and are abusive when challenged. I see all this from the perspective of a pedestrian.

I think you must have a different Cambridge to the one I know.

 

[Red Light]

In recent weeks ive seen some bad examples of cycling,recently on the A66 i had to overtake a cyclist hogging the middle of the road when theres a perfectly good cycle lane all the way along it and cyclists riding two abreast on a 50 road and they showed no intention of pulling in gggrrrr it wound me up no end.

How dare they cycle on the roads. Do they not know they are reserved for important people in cars? I bet they wear lycra too!

 

[dawesome]

Some cyclists are silly. Lots of motorists are silly. Cyclists, in all circumstances, kill on average half a person a year. Drivers kill 2500. Some perspective please.

 

[dawesome]

As the evenings are drawing in I have seen some shocking cycling in Cambridge. Legions of cyclists RLJing, hundreds without lights, thousands riding and dialing and texting, lots riding across pedestrian crossings causing peds to scatter. Jumping on and off kerbs onto and off the pavement/roads. Riding at full pelt along pavements full of peds, no indications or observations when they are turning at junctions, pulling straight out into traffic without looking or giving way, riding up one way streets the wrong way, riding 3 or 4 abreast, riding down the wrong side of the road, swerving in front of cars expecting them to stop which they have. In all I observe motorists as a group to be far more careful, far more risk averse and being a much lesser nuisance than cyclists. Many cyclists seem incapable of integrating into a mass traffic system, they are impatient, inconsiderate, hazardous, seldom give way and are abusive when challenged. I see all this from the perspective of a pedestrian.

Bumgravy. Every day you see thousands of unlit cyclists texting?

Also, unicorns with golden horns and naked elves dancing to Marillion.

Motorists are of course a far lesser nuisance than cyclists, despite killing two and a half thousand more people every year. Don't argue with me, if what you're saying is true then film it and post it here, he asked, with diminished expectations.

 

[John the Monkey]

Bumgravy. Every day you see thousands of unlit cyclists texting?

That's what the cabbie told me last time I was in Cambridge.