Anti-cyclist comments
Discussion
Reading other parts of PH, as well as other forums, the amount of hatred some display for cyclists is rather alarming to say the least. To a point I can understand why some think we should be insured, but the comments saying they 'hate' cyclists or that we should be knocked off, or driven close enough to cause wobbles is really eye-opening.
I am commuting by bike these days and the fact that some would like to cause me harm for no reason really makes me mad.
I can only hope that it is keyboard bravado.......
I am commuting by bike these days and the fact that some would like to cause me harm for no reason really makes me mad.
I can only hope that it is keyboard bravado.......
I'm on my third week of cycling to work, and so far I've not had so much as a single bit of hassle on the roads. I think it helps though that I'm either on completely quiet roads or a cycle superhighway so busy that it often has 20-strong peletons waiting at traffic lights! 
The one thing that does get me is that people in cars seem to have a complete obsession with overtaking me. I can understand it if I'm riding below the speed limit, but there's one particular patch on my ride where I can comfortably maintain 20mph through a 20 limit. I regularly have people speed up to get past me, then slow down because they're in a 20, leaving me having to either slow down or try to ride round them.
If they're actually intending to respect the 20 limit, does it really make that much difference for them to respect it behind me instead of in front of me?
The one thing that does get me is that people in cars seem to have a complete obsession with overtaking me. I can understand it if I'm riding below the speed limit, but there's one particular patch on my ride where I can comfortably maintain 20mph through a 20 limit. I regularly have people speed up to get past me, then slow down because they're in a 20, leaving me having to either slow down or try to ride round them.
If they're actually intending to respect the 20 limit, does it really make that much difference for them to respect it behind me instead of in front of me?
A lot of it is bravado, Paul, I've yet to have any 'proper' bother on my commute.
However, one thing I was very angry at the other day was a car trying to overtake someone in Richmond Park (we were going about 20 mph anyway, which as you may know is the speed limit) and the car tryed to squeeze past, realised he couldn't make the gap so pulled back in, literally inches from the guy in front of me, who then flat palmed his rear window to alert the driver as to his issue, the driver wasn't happy with this (I must say the guy didn't hit it hard, just enough so he heard it) and the guy then made a swerve inwards at the cyclist.. He was in a people carrier too!
Just
s out there, I gave him the finger as I was too far back to do anything else, and was hoping he'd stop as I having seen that would have punched him straight in the face I think.
WRT to the overtaking, yes, they feel they MUST overtake the bike, at all costs. Usually they do it, stop, I turn round and laugh at them as I go straight to the front of the line.
However, one thing I was very angry at the other day was a car trying to overtake someone in Richmond Park (we were going about 20 mph anyway, which as you may know is the speed limit) and the car tryed to squeeze past, realised he couldn't make the gap so pulled back in, literally inches from the guy in front of me, who then flat palmed his rear window to alert the driver as to his issue, the driver wasn't happy with this (I must say the guy didn't hit it hard, just enough so he heard it) and the guy then made a swerve inwards at the cyclist.. He was in a people carrier too!
Just
s out there, I gave him the finger as I was too far back to do anything else, and was hoping he'd stop as I having seen that would have punched him straight in the face I think.WRT to the overtaking, yes, they feel they MUST overtake the bike, at all costs. Usually they do it, stop, I turn round and laugh at them as I go straight to the front of the line.
Interesting subject.
I find the majority of cyclists to be fine, happy in thier use of a bike to get from A to B.
Then there are the militant bds who give the rest a bad name, one way street disobeying, traffic light ignoring, door kicking, mirror wrenching aholes.
I have been spat at and had my door kicked by such individuals for simply being in their general area.
Sort out that element of the cycling population and you will start to get a change of attitude from the rest of us.
I find the majority of cyclists to be fine, happy in thier use of a bike to get from A to B.
Then there are the militant b
ds who give the rest a bad name, one way street disobeying, traffic light ignoring, door kicking, mirror wrenching aholes.I have been spat at and had my door kicked by such individuals for simply being in their general area.
Sort out that element of the cycling population and you will start to get a change of attitude from the rest of us.
I don't hate cyclist, I am one. However I ride off road for my own reasons. Hate for cyclists is a bit strong but I too have noticed an increasing amount of bad behaviour from both sides.
Cyclist need to ride defensively because they don't get the respect they deserve on the road. But many riders mistake defensive with agressive. This aggressiveness gets directed towards drivers that don't deserve it in turn creating all round dislike from both sides.
Cyclist need to ride defensively because they don't get the respect they deserve on the road. But many riders mistake defensive with agressive. This aggressiveness gets directed towards drivers that don't deserve it in turn creating all round dislike from both sides.
I'm just glad I dont do the urban commutes these nutbars apparently occupy! granted ive only been cycle commuting for 5 months or so. I've had a lot of inattentive drivers doing irritating or ill thought out things but that happens in the car too - I dont take those personally.
Worst I've had has been one driver honking his horn at me for no reason (aside from daring to cycle on the road), which meant due to the double solid white lines (that most of the drivers ignore) he had to delay his overtake by maybe.. 15 seconds?
It doesn't bother me though. If a driver does decide to get irate with me I am confident enough to either explain the error of their ways and avoid a confrontation, or handle one if it does occur. Is it worrying that I think practising martial arts is a good counterpart to cycling? probably
Worst I've had has been one driver honking his horn at me for no reason (aside from daring to cycle on the road), which meant due to the double solid white lines (that most of the drivers ignore) he had to delay his overtake by maybe.. 15 seconds?
It doesn't bother me though. If a driver does decide to get irate with me I am confident enough to either explain the error of their ways and avoid a confrontation, or handle one if it does occur. Is it worrying that I think practising martial arts is a good counterpart to cycling? probably
Getragdogleg said:
I have been spat at and had my door kicked by such individuals for simply being in their general area.
Sort out that element of the cycling population and you will start to get a change of attitude from the rest of us.
Fair point. Sort out that element of the cycling population and you will start to get a change of attitude from the rest of us.
There are also drivers who will allow the odd mistake to pass if you apologise, and others who will try to follow you home so they can punch you in the face. There's bad in all walks of life.
I'm no eco-warrior, I'm not trying to convert others from their cars either. I just enjoy cycling as a method of keeping fit and sport. My lycra marks me out it seems.
You shouldn't have that much trouble at all going from where you live to work, though. Its not that busy, most of the bad stuff occurs when you get into busier bits of town, I'm lucky that the busiest bit of my journey is probably Hammersmith, the rest is probably the exact route I'd be taking if I were you (haven't seen you though!)
okgo said:
You shouldn't have that much trouble at all going from where you live to work, though. Its not that busy, most of the bad stuff occurs when you get into busier bits of town, I'm lucky that the busiest bit of my journey is probably Hammersmith, the rest is probably the exact route I'd be taking if I were you (haven't seen you though!)
It's a good run for me. Just enough to be worth it health wise, but not far enough to be a marathon. Not sure you'd recognise me really, I probably look like any other chap on a bike to be honest
IMO there's three main types of cyclist.
The ones that also drive cars who roughly obey the rules of the road, take a few liberties with red lights where appropriate (come on we all do). And tries to keep out of the way and make life a bit easier for cars who are all just ultimately trying to get somewhere without delays.
The ones who would basically have trouble walking in a straight line. Haphazard, in the wrong gear, swerving and veering all over the place. Takes no notice of anything and by still being alive is proof that the people in control of motorised vehicles are not as dozy as you'd imagine. There's no malice but they are very frustrating to encounter as a diver, pedestrian or fellow cyclist.
The one who's a bit militant. Flat out everywhere, over and undertaking at random. Treats everyone, and everything with utter contempt. Happy to damage other vehicles to prove a point.
IME most people are in the first camp but 2 and 3 are what spoil it for the rest of us and you can almost see (but not condone) why people in cars do such stupid things when they're near a bike.
The ones that also drive cars who roughly obey the rules of the road, take a few liberties with red lights where appropriate (come on we all do). And tries to keep out of the way and make life a bit easier for cars who are all just ultimately trying to get somewhere without delays.
The ones who would basically have trouble walking in a straight line. Haphazard, in the wrong gear, swerving and veering all over the place. Takes no notice of anything and by still being alive is proof that the people in control of motorised vehicles are not as dozy as you'd imagine. There's no malice but they are very frustrating to encounter as a diver, pedestrian or fellow cyclist.
The one who's a bit militant. Flat out everywhere, over and undertaking at random. Treats everyone, and everything with utter contempt. Happy to damage other vehicles to prove a point.
IME most people are in the first camp but 2 and 3 are what spoil it for the rest of us and you can almost see (but not condone) why people in cars do such stupid things when they're near a bike.
Ahh ok, I don't do that route then.
If I were you I'd do Putney to Priory Lane in Roehampton, up towards Richmond Gate, hang a left at that roundabout, and follow the path that cuts right through the middle of the park which comes out opposite Ham Gate, down Ham gate, through Ham and then over the bridger by the lock. You'd hardly see any traffic, and get to tussle with many more cyclists!
If I were you I'd do Putney to Priory Lane in Roehampton, up towards Richmond Gate, hang a left at that roundabout, and follow the path that cuts right through the middle of the park which comes out opposite Ham Gate, down Ham gate, through Ham and then over the bridger by the lock. You'd hardly see any traffic, and get to tussle with many more cyclists!
As an ashamed heat of the moment poster on one of those said discussions, it really is quite alarming how strong a worded replies they are! Pretty shocking to be honest and as hopefull as i am that it is keyboard bravery, it does worry you, i try to avoid riding on the road but if i did commute them it would be by cycle and i worry enough about some driving standards without worrying that someone might have me in their sights on purpose!
I have to jump in on this one...
My commute for almost the past year involves encountering more cyclists than I have ever seen before.
My observations over this period are without exception the motorist will give ample room when passing cyclists to the extent where a large queue of traffic builds up until an appropriate gap is available.
The level of courtesy and consideration extended to cyclists to my eyes couldn't be more.
However, it is a very much one way street if you'll forgive the pun.
Many cyclists I have seen are more than ready to ride 2 abreast as it suits, undertake, go through red traffic lights thereby causing delays to traffic that has already been courteous enough to delay their journeys in order to pass them safely again.
There is a very narrow bridge in my commute that has (blue) compulsory signs for cyclists to use a provided for cyclists path, but no, most have to ignore these signs and block the bridge traffic.
... and breathe.
Seriously, what else do you cyclists want.
I passed a guy the other morning, then eventually came to a red traffic light, I stopped, next thing I know is this cyclist as at my window in such a state, he's swearing his head off at me with spit flying everywhere and saliva running all down his designer biker jacket, why... he said (in between expletives) I nearly knocked him off, wrong, I simply did a quick kick-down to navigate traffic and as near as I can figure out, I just scared the crap out of him due to my nice exhausts.
Honestly the aggression and selfishness demonstrated by the majority of cyclists is not helping their own cause.
My commute for almost the past year involves encountering more cyclists than I have ever seen before.
My observations over this period are without exception the motorist will give ample room when passing cyclists to the extent where a large queue of traffic builds up until an appropriate gap is available.
The level of courtesy and consideration extended to cyclists to my eyes couldn't be more.
However, it is a very much one way street if you'll forgive the pun.
Many cyclists I have seen are more than ready to ride 2 abreast as it suits, undertake, go through red traffic lights thereby causing delays to traffic that has already been courteous enough to delay their journeys in order to pass them safely again.
There is a very narrow bridge in my commute that has (blue) compulsory signs for cyclists to use a provided for cyclists path, but no, most have to ignore these signs and block the bridge traffic.
... and breathe.
Seriously, what else do you cyclists want.
I passed a guy the other morning, then eventually came to a red traffic light, I stopped, next thing I know is this cyclist as at my window in such a state, he's swearing his head off at me with spit flying everywhere and saliva running all down his designer biker jacket, why... he said (in between expletives) I nearly knocked him off, wrong, I simply did a quick kick-down to navigate traffic and as near as I can figure out, I just scared the crap out of him due to my nice exhausts.
Honestly the aggression and selfishness demonstrated by the majority of cyclists is not helping their own cause.
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