Why do so many people hate cyclists?

[400bhp]

Been thinking about this a bit today.

why do some people believe that a negative action on a bike (be that a perceived negative reaction like 2 abreast-might come back to this later, or an actual negative) will then have connotations for all cyclists?

yet, we see a car doing something negative, very few of us (if any) would tar all drivers with the same brush.

I came to the conclusion that it must be because we are seen as doing something that isnt a societal norm, so it sticks in minds. Which then tells me that those that think this way are somewhat ignorant.

seriously, how many times would you be held up by, for example a 2 abreast cyclists, or inconvenienced by a slow cyclist in,say, 10,000 miles vs inconvenienced or harassed by someone driving irresponsibly or agressively over the same distance. No brainer. Hence my conclusion above.

nobbers in cars and nobbers on bikes. All nobbers but independent of the chosen mode of transport.

 

[Garethgas]

Been thinking about this a bit today.

why do some people believe that a negative action on a bike (be that a perceived negative reaction like 2 abreast-might come back to this later, or an actual negative) will then have connotations for all cyclists?

yet, we see a car doing something negative, very few of us (if any) would tar all drivers with the same brush.

I came to the conclusion that it must be because we are seen as doing something that isnt a societal norm, so it sticks in minds. Which then tells me that those that think this way are somewhat ignorant.

seriously, how many times would you be held up by, for example a 2 abreast cyclists, or inconvenienced by a slow cyclist in,say, 10,000 miles vs inconvenienced or harassed by someone driving irresponsibly or agressively over the same distance. No brainer. Hence my conclusion above.

nobbers in cars and nobbers on bikes. All nobbers but independent of the chosen mode of transport.

Unfortunately, I think you're dead right there.

 

[Garethgas]

Yes, terrible the way it all becomes the cyclist's fault.

It's not a matter of apportioning blame, it's to do with a bit more tolerance and consideration for others on both parties.

 

[boydj]

Some drivers ............
Cyclists who ride 2 or 3 abreast taking up the whole lane don't exactly enamour us to drivers though!

I have never seen cyclists riding more than two abreast apart from during the early stages of mass participation events - when there are seldom many cars about anyway. All the cycling groups I see regularly - and there are lots of club groups on the road round here at the week-ends - are pretty disciplined in their riding.

Cyclists riding two abreast are barely any wider than a single cyclist riding in a safe position and are therefore no more difficult to overtake on most roads.

 

[ComedyPilot]

How many more dead cyclists and pedestrians do we have to 'tolerate or consider' in our thoughts towards motoring?

How much more can we as a community of cyclists give?

IMO - 1 dead cyclist is one TOO MANY, let alone a 100+ per annum?

I don't give a flying rat's arse if the 'statistics show deaths are at a 10 year low' - EVERY death is avoidable....just back off the gas and let someone get home in one piece.

 

[boydj]

Sorry to the "cyclists are perfect" brigade but riding two or more abreast on usuitable roads [and yes you know what I mean] are no less ignorant than a motorist who clogs up a lane. The highway code [no it's not a legal requirement but that doesn't mean it should be ignored]. On many country lanes it's easy to pass a cyclist and give plenty of room but not two riders side by side. As for the speed thing well it's back to the old [and it gets quoted at motorists a lot on here but sorry it applies to bikes as well] "Stop in the distance you can SEE to be clear".
For anyone who thinks it doesn't matter to delay someone else just because "they're in a car and I'm on a bike" well be 100% honest and admit what would your reaction be if a car blocked your lane so you couldn't get past and decided to drive along at 5mph ? If you were going to work ?
I defend cycling whenever I can but TBH the are more and more riders out there who are just as pig headed as the motorists they pretend to despise.

Far too much is made of this issue. How often are motorists really held up by cyclists for any significant time to delay their journeys? I think the reality is that most of the time that cyclists are accused of holding up cars, it's actually the traffic going in the opposite direction that is preventing the drivers overtaking the cyclists.

 

[Garethgas]

Far too much is made of this issue. How often are motorists really held up by cyclists for any significant time to delay their journeys? I think the reality is that most of the time that cyclists are accused of holding up cars, it's actually the traffic going in the opposite direction that is preventing the drivers overtaking the cyclists.

I think that it's nothing more than a perceived hold up. At worst it's no more than a few seconds.

 

[Garethgas]

Yes but you appear to be coming at this one from a "get the #+&% out of Mr. Toad's way" viewpoint.

I have no idea where you got that from!
Are you sure that was aimed at me? If so, I'd be interested if you could elaborate

 

[benb]

I've overtaken dozens, if not hundreds of cyclists when I've been driving, and I can't recall a single ocaission when it has made the slightest difference to my total journey.

The most I've been delayed for is a couple of minutes, and as I then had a clear road once I had overtaken, that time was almost immediately made back up.

However, I have been stuck in traffic jams for a total of several days probably.

Bicycles simply impose no significant delay to other road users journey times, and anyone who claims bicycles slow traffic down is an idiot.

 

[Garethgas]

Your post #162

What a bizzare deduction to make. Ah well.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'm not against 'convivial' cycling just not when there's another road user quicker than you who wants to overtake and is being held up unnecessarily

It's about basic road manners irrespective of what vehicle you're using

Tosh.

It isn't up to other road users to get out of the way of the people who want to overtake them in order to avoid being held up unnecessarily. Only possible exceptions for me are buses on my rural commute, I let 'em pass, they are a public service after all, and people running twos and blues.

And if it is about basic road manners isn't the polite thing for the driver to wait any way?

 

[Garethgas]

Are you not saying "I ride in the gutter out of their way"? If not, apologies I have managed to misinterpret you.

Nope, I didn't say that.
Don't worry, lots of things get misinterpreted on forums

 

[Big Nick]

Tosh.

It isn't up to other road users to get out of the way of the people who want to overtake them in order to avoid being held up unnecessarily. Only possible exceptions for me are buses on my rural commute, I let 'em pass, they are a public service after all, and people running twos and blues.

And if it is about basic road manners isn't the polite thing for the driver to wait any way?

You've missed the point by a country mile, what you say about overtaking is correct but in the real world some impatient git in a car/van etc doesn't follow the same rules. The bottom line is if you don't respect the person driving it you need to respect the potential damage their vehicle can do to you if it hits you

You've also contradicted your initial point by giving way to buses because you feel like it but no one else as they don't fit you code.....tends to prove the 'stubborn' point I made earlier.....

 

[Garethgas]

Tosh.

It isn't up to other road users to get out of the way of the people who want to overtake them in order to avoid being held up unnecessarily. Only possible exceptions for me are buses on my rural commute, I let 'em pass, they are a public service after all, and people running twos and blues.

And if it is about basic road manners isn't the polite thing for the driver to wait any way?

Regarding your first point, I disagree:
1. Highway code 168 and 169
168
Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.
169
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.
The above refer to cars but I think they serve the cyclist equally well particularly as many motorists don't cycle and are often unaware of the problems cyclist face.

2. Your second paragraph is, however quite right.
I too, find that most riding (and driving) is less stressful if you're polite and considerate to others.
A belligerent cyclist will have a more unpleasant experience and expose him/herself to a higher risk of an accident (my opinion).

 

[ComedyPilot]

You've missed the point by a country mile, what you say about overtaking is correct but in the real world some impatient git in a car/van etc doesn't follow the same rules. The bottom line is if you don't respect the person driving it you need to respect the potential damage their vehicle can do to you if it hits you

You've also contradicted your initial point by giving way to buses because you feel like it but no one else as they don't fit you code.....tends to prove the 'stubborn' point I made earlier.....

?

So this 'respect' carp is actually all about bowing down to a bully because they could hurt you?

The ONLY drivers I respect are the safe, considerate, competent, forward-thinking drivers.

Any other driver doesn't deserve respect. They deserve to have their license taken away for good.

I think you are mistaking self-preservation with showing respect.