Anti-cyclist comments

[option click]

I'm simply suggesting that there should be some common courtesy and consideration from cyclists and drivers alike.

I'm all for riding defensively and ensuring that you don't get squeezed off the road, but at the same time, don't go blocking other people by riding 3-4+ abreast

As a cyclist, I have loads of patience for other cyclists when I'm driving - please don't put me in with the usual PH bike-bashers!

[Mr Gear]

option click said:

I'm simply suggesting that there should be some common courtesy and consideration from cyclists and drivers alike.

I'm all for riding defensively and ensuring that you don't get squeezed off the road, but at the same time, don't go blocking other people by riding 3-4+ abreast

As a cyclist, I have loads of patience for other cyclists when I'm driving - please don't put me in with the usual PH bike-bashers!

I think the trick would be to briefly block them from passing and them do everything you can to facilitate them passing when it is safe to do so. Just don't let people breeze past with their brain out.

[option click]

Fair enough, although it's amazing the number of people who don't do this!

[Boshly]

ewenm said:

option click said:

Not if its Zig Zag road! There's barely enough room for two cars to pass each other. Very selfish of people to ride more than single file on these narrow roads, regardless of 'rights' set down in the highway code.

So there's barely enough room for 2 cars to pass each other on a road with what sounds like lots of blind bends, and you want cyclists to ride single file presumably so you can squeeze past when there is oncoming traffic?

If you're not suggesting you'd squeeze past against oncoming traffic, then there should be room to get fully on the other side of the road, like a normal overtake, so single file or not shouldn't matter.

Can I complain about all the cars that don't pull out of my way when I'm cycling through town to work? After all, I'm going faster than them and they could stay further left. Or do I just accept delays as part of sharing busy roads on a small, overpopulated (in the S and SE especially) island?

I'm not a cyclist nor am I anti cyclist; and I have heard a lot of sensible arguments from both sides and some sensible debate. However my previous whinge of piousness and irrelevant bordering on ridiculous arguments is highlighted here (and yes I am aware that can be aimed at many different types of road users).

First : presumption and supposition. What would you like me to presume in a counter argument? Please stick to facts.

Second : Yes it does matter! The more 'file' you are the more I have to pull across the other side of the road, but more pertinently I always allow even more room for 'more than single file' as the possibility of swerves or incidents is higher due to the proximity of others, or worse the fact that they are/may be conversing.

Third Yes of course you can. A car if being overtaken should move over or keep tight where posssible (looking out for other hazards) and let all faster traffic past safely! I do it for motorbikes, cars or bicycles.

Why is it so important to drive two or more abreast? I know its allowed and it's legal but why not, if you can, as aptly pointed out by Kermit above, ride single file wherever it is busy? On a 4 lane motorway can I drive gently at say 60mph abreast with a friend in an adjacent car in an adjacent lane having a conversation? Would that be deemed fair and reasonable?

I re-iterate I'm not anti cyclist and I'm sure from reading the many sensible posts from the many cyclists on here, that there are many times when you are endangered completely unnecessarily. I thoroughly condemn such action, and indeed any selfish and or/dangerous use of the roads (or pavements!!). Please however lets all be realistic and sensible.

Edited for spelling.

Edited by Boshly on Tuesday 24th May 14:30

[ewenm]

I'm just suggesting (as a road user on foot, bike and car) that we all need to share. Any suggestion that cyclists should always move into single file when a car approaches from behind is as silly as suggesting they should never move into single file at all.

The traffic ahead (be it bike or car) has better visibility and can make a better decision about whether it is appropriate to "assist" an overtake. An immediate move to single file may incorrectly suggest to following traffic that an overtake is appropraite.

Despite many miles of driving the b-roads of Britain, I've rarely been "held up" by cyclists. Numpty car drivers however... (note: not all car drivers, just numpties). Sometimes it takes a minte or two of patience to get past some cyclists and it can be frustrating to be doing under 20mph for those few minutes, but it's hardly a big chunk of time in a journey.

[allegro]

Can we all agree that there are pillocks on the road on both two and four wheels and put this cyclical arguement to bed

[ewenm]

allegro said:

Can we all agree that there are pillocks on the road on both two and four wheels and put this cyclical arguement to bed

Maybe we should keep this one rolling on, as with the velocity that these threads come around again, having one ongoing thread might keep everyone abreast of the arguments.

[frontbum]

Kermit power said:

Not really, no. A farmer can't do anything to reduce the width of his tractor. Cyclists riding 4 abreast can.

I didn't mention the issue of courtesy, merely the overtake itself. It was in response to this:

SteveS Cup said:

To the point where I have to be close if I want to overtake!

If you can't over take leaving a decent gap, don't overtake. Cyclists, lorry, horse & cart, tractor, whatever. You've got to go into the other lane.
You wouldn't over take with the car only a few CM away from a horse, don't do it to cyclists.


I agree it is fking inconsiderate on the part of the cyclists though, especially on narrow roads.