I think I'm becoming one of those cyclists

[marting]

Recently I've started commuting a lot more by bike. The more time on the saddle with a place to be seems to make me really intolerant of the terrible driving and chaos of London.

I've yet to become a helmet cam warrior, but I find myself shaking my head and shouting at pedestrians and drivers who seem intent on ruining my day.

This doesn't happen when I'm in the car, but I guess mistakes are much more obvious and painful when on the bike hence noticing them more often.

Anyone else get the rage like me or has everyone found their inner peace? Help me before I become the traffic droid!

[AyBee]

I think it's fairly normal, I've certainly become less tolerant too; I think it's mainly because bad driving, whether it's being on the phone or not looking before pulling out, has the potential to cause fairly serious damage to me!

[AC43]

Used to be like that in years 1 and 2.

Into year 6 now and TBH I just let it all wash over me these days.

[JQ]

AC43 said:

Used to be like that in years 1 and 2.

Into year 6 now and TBH I just let it all wash over me these days.

This, when I first started commuting I was Mr Angry Cyclist, with good reason most of the time. However, the reality will eventually dawn on you that it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever, other than to raise your own blood pressure. I now take pleasure in trying to ride smoothly, anticipating the actions of the idiots and taking evasive action when necessary. I also take far less risks and will hang back when uncertain of the actions of others.

[okgo]

I'm still one of those, I'll never bother with a camera or anything, but if someone acts like a , be it on a bike, on foot, or in a car I usually let them know.

[warp9]

JQ said:

AC43 said:

Used to be like that in years 1 and 2.

Into year 6 now and TBH I just let it all wash over me these days.

This, when I first started commuting I was Mr Angry Cyclist, with good reason most of the time. However, the reality will eventually dawn on you that it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever, other than to raise your own blood pressure. I now take pleasure in trying to ride smoothly, anticipating the actions of the idiots and taking evasive action when necessary. I also take far less risks and will hang back when uncertain of the actions of others.

Me too! I'm 5 years in and now rarely get wound up by other road users. I try to imagine how my cycling would appear to car users, so always keep to the rules of the road, don't jump lights, hang back if I'm unsure of whats ahead, wave and thank other users if they have let me in etc.

The times I have had to drive in I've found the opposite and get really wound up. I'd struggle to give up cycling in now.

[bakerstreet]

99% of the time, I let it wash over me. A car and driver is much heavier than a cyclist and with one whirl of the wheel, you could be on the deck with your carbon frame crushed and a few broken bones. The car driver will be miles away and people will just drive by you and even if said motorist is caught, he might get a slap on the wrist.

Yes you could claim for your bike, but even that will cost you money long term.

[v12Legs]

I only get angry when someone endangers my life, or someone else's.
The rest of the time I might well mutter something like "fking tt", shake my head, or give them the coffee beans, but it's more or less instantly forgotten.

[cailean]

The more I ride the more I want to shout at other cyclists in London when I see the stupid way some of them ride....

[marting]

cailean said:

The more I ride the more I want to shout at other cyclists in London when I see the stupid way some of them ride....

Had a good one the other day - I was overtaking another cyclist on City Road in Islington, he starts to turn right into a side road just as I'm next to his rear wheel, very nearly taking me out.
"fkING LOOK BEHIND BEFORE TURNING!" soon made him stop.

The best part was that I saw the same guy a week later, he did a life saver check before turning into the same side road

[Greenish]

I had a car the other day - I was mid roundabout, going through it- she just pulled out well ahead of me whilst looking at me, from her give way. I applied brakes, anticipating the entire thing.

She just kept looking at me, and I just kept going, ready to stop if need be, but confirming my position. Right of way was no issue, it was clearly mine as confirmed by her sheepish forward crawl.

But no, she kept coming. I kept braking. On it went until I was around a few feet from her car. I slowed. She slowed. By now I am mouthing and shouting expletives, and everyone else is just waiting and watching in disbelief. I am now crawling and I am standing firm, still going through my roundabout. Nope. She continues.

I end up waiting for her to cut me up, and everyone else doing the same. Response / recognition from her = zero. Me = swearing and cursing at top of my voice and shaking in rage. As she goes ( I allow it ) I am given all the road by all other traffic as they have seen everything.

Incompetence and obliviousness. Standard daily occurrence.

[mattikake]

Helmet cams are awesome for yelling an fat dawdlers and you power past their car under your own power. - You've just been overtaken by a bike! Get out and walk! You wouldn't be so fat and ugly then!

[Psimpson7]

Greenish said:

I had a car the other day - I was mid roundabout, going through it- she just pulled out well ahead of me whilst looking at me, from her give way. I applied brakes, anticipating the entire thing.

She just kept looking at me, and I just kept going, ready to stop if need be, but confirming my position. Right of way was no issue, it was clearly mine as confirmed by her sheepish forward crawl.

But no, she kept coming. I kept braking. On it went until I was around a few feet from her car. I slowed. She slowed. By now I am mouthing and shouting expletives, and everyone else is just waiting and watching in disbelief. I am now crawling and I am standing firm, still going through my roundabout. Nope. She continues.

I end up waiting for her to cut me up, and everyone else doing the same. Response / recognition from her = zero. Me = swearing and cursing at top of my voice and shaking in rage. As she goes ( I allow it ) I am given all the road by all other traffic as they have seen everything.

Incompetence and obliviousness. Standard daily occurrence.

I had a very similar incident on a very large roundabout with a mouth breather in a navara towing a boat trailer. I managed to scrub off most of my speed but had to ram my road bike up onto the centre of the roundabout to miss him.

I swear even though I was shouting at him, he had no clue I was even there. Dozy half witted douche.

The other cars waiting and the truck behind him couldn't believe it. Thankfully the truck driver let me back onto the road.

[uncinqsix]

I had someone do a U-turn right in front of me yesterday. The driver was, however, a rather attractive young lady so I repressed my instinct to shake my fist at her and just gave a "hey, that was a bit silly but I'm cool with it" smile. He response was a slightly guilty smile back, but it made me realise how pointless it is to get angry at these things, and that's how much more productive it is to just relax and avoid escalating the situation.

[TheInternet]

marting said:

Had a good one the other day - I was overtaking another cyclist on City Road in Islington, he starts to turn right into a side road just as I'm next to his rear wheel, very nearly taking me out.
"fkING LOOK BEHIND BEFORE TURNING!" soon made him stop.

Certainly sounds like they could've done better, but did they not shout "fkING DON'T OVERTAKE PAST JUNCTIONS"?

[marting]

TheInternet said:

Certainly sounds like they could've done better, but did they not shout "fkING DON'T OVERTAKE PAST JUNCTIONS"?

That was you wasnt it? MTFU and pedal harder up the hill next time.