Can we have a rant now?
Discussion
Now I know this won't be news to anyone in this section of the forum, but I've seen some truly diabolical driving lately. What's more a lot of it is exactly the sort of behaviour the anti-cycling brigade attribute to those on two wheels.
Last night I was hit by a car. That's a slightly melodramatic comment perhaps as I was only clipped on the elbow, but still he made contact. I'd been stationary for some time at a busy mini roundabout waiting for a gap - and trust me I'm not hessitant when one appears - but this guy obviously assumed being a slow cyclist I was going to hold him up, so he came streaming through smacking my arm with his wing mirror and cut up the car joining the roundabout to our right.
This morning was equally commical. Coming up to another small roundabout I was keeping well to the left of the straight on lane to allow cars to pass. One did (fair enough), but promptly realised there was a car entering the roundabout, so pulled back in front of me and slammed the brakes on. I very nearly went into the back of him. Next came a downhill stretch where I get up to the best part of 40mph when it's clear. This morning was no exception, but a guy in a van was so determined to get past the cyclist that he overtook in a gap barely big enough for a bike and had to cut in before taking out one of the oncomming cars. There was a completely empty stretch of road he could have used 100 yds down the hill and I was probably already exceeding the speed limit. The size of inferiority complex you must need to pull off manouveres like that hints at why they're so horrified by the idea of Lycra trousers I reckon.
Sorry, I'm not done yet. Another bugbear of the anti-cycling brigade is people filtering past on the side they're indicating on (and I'd have to say I agree if they're imminently close to a junction, rather than just sitting there stationary with the indicators on 200 yds back). It doesn't stop plenty of morons on four wheels doing the same thing though. On the quieter suburban roads (or up the hills) where they can nip past, most people think nothing of overtaking and then turning immediately left. I was nearly taken out by some stupid t
t in a MINI doing just that this morning. It works the other way too. If you're going up a hill on the bike with dense traffic overtaking and (like a polite individual) you keep to the side, then just try pulling across to the right to take a turning! No one will let you throw and you can ride clean past the junction with your arm stuck out like a mong while waiting for a gap.
All of this is two day's worth of commuting in the suburbs of North London, not even dog-eat-dog town centre stuff. So, with that in mind, I thought it was time that those of us (occasionally) on two wheels had a rant - contrary to popular belief cyclists don't have the market cornered on bad road manners. Not by a long way.
Last night I was hit by a car. That's a slightly melodramatic comment perhaps as I was only clipped on the elbow, but still he made contact. I'd been stationary for some time at a busy mini roundabout waiting for a gap - and trust me I'm not hessitant when one appears - but this guy obviously assumed being a slow cyclist I was going to hold him up, so he came streaming through smacking my arm with his wing mirror and cut up the car joining the roundabout to our right.
This morning was equally commical. Coming up to another small roundabout I was keeping well to the left of the straight on lane to allow cars to pass. One did (fair enough), but promptly realised there was a car entering the roundabout, so pulled back in front of me and slammed the brakes on. I very nearly went into the back of him. Next came a downhill stretch where I get up to the best part of 40mph when it's clear. This morning was no exception, but a guy in a van was so determined to get past the cyclist that he overtook in a gap barely big enough for a bike and had to cut in before taking out one of the oncomming cars. There was a completely empty stretch of road he could have used 100 yds down the hill and I was probably already exceeding the speed limit. The size of inferiority complex you must need to pull off manouveres like that hints at why they're so horrified by the idea of Lycra trousers I reckon.
Sorry, I'm not done yet. Another bugbear of the anti-cycling brigade is people filtering past on the side they're indicating on (and I'd have to say I agree if they're imminently close to a junction, rather than just sitting there stationary with the indicators on 200 yds back). It doesn't stop plenty of morons on four wheels doing the same thing though. On the quieter suburban roads (or up the hills) where they can nip past, most people think nothing of overtaking and then turning immediately left. I was nearly taken out by some stupid t
t in a MINI doing just that this morning. It works the other way too. If you're going up a hill on the bike with dense traffic overtaking and (like a polite individual) you keep to the side, then just try pulling across to the right to take a turning! No one will let you throw and you can ride clean past the junction with your arm stuck out like a mong while waiting for a gap.All of this is two day's worth of commuting in the suburbs of North London, not even dog-eat-dog town centre stuff. So, with that in mind, I thought it was time that those of us (occasionally) on two wheels had a rant - contrary to popular belief cyclists don't have the market cornered on bad road manners. Not by a long way.
I don't mean to cause offence, but you're cycling like a girl. As in, using the mentality of "I'll just ride in the gutter to let traffic past, don't mind me, I'm not really here".
Take the primary position (centre of lane) when you need to. Where the road becomes too narrow for cars to pass you safely, move over so they're not tempted. At junctions and roundabouts, take the middle of the lane - if there isn't a gap big enough for you, it's not likely to be much use to someone behind either. As for right turns, plan further ahead, if you see a gap, signal and move - even if it's 100m before the junction. Once you're over, traffic can pass on your left. Be assertive and, like in a car, don't just aimlessly signal before you know it's safe to go - look for the gap, signal, move. If you're plodding along with your arm out and cars are going past, all the cars behind will think it's OK for them to pass too.
You might ps off the odd idiot who think you're causing him whole seconds of delay to his journey, but you need to assert your space in the traffic.
Take the primary position (centre of lane) when you need to. Where the road becomes too narrow for cars to pass you safely, move over so they're not tempted. At junctions and roundabouts, take the middle of the lane - if there isn't a gap big enough for you, it's not likely to be much use to someone behind either. As for right turns, plan further ahead, if you see a gap, signal and move - even if it's 100m before the junction. Once you're over, traffic can pass on your left. Be assertive and, like in a car, don't just aimlessly signal before you know it's safe to go - look for the gap, signal, move. If you're plodding along with your arm out and cars are going past, all the cars behind will think it's OK for them to pass too.
You might p
s off the odd idiot who think you're causing him whole seconds of delay to his journey, but you need to assert your space in the traffic. sjg said:
I don't mean to cause offence, but you're cycling like a girl. As in, using the mentality of "I'll just ride in the gutter to let traffic past, don't mind me, I'm not really here".
Take the primary position (centre of lane) when you need to. Where the road becomes too narrow for cars to pass you safely, move over so they're not tempted. At junctions and roundabouts, take the middle of the lane - if there isn't a gap big enough for you, it's not likely to be much use to someone behind either. As for right turns, plan further ahead, if you see a gap, signal and move - even if it's 100m before the junction. Once you're over, traffic can pass on your left. Be assertive and, like in a car, don't just aimlessly signal before you know it's safe to go - look for the gap, signal, move. If you're plodding along with your arm out and cars are going past, all the cars behind will think it's OK for them to pass too.
You might ps off the odd idiot who think you're causing him whole seconds of delay to his journey, but you need to assert your space in the traffic.
good advice, i thought some bits were worth bold-erising.... its true though, drivers will take a yard where they see an inch and i dont think it is arrogant, aggressive or disrespectful to just make that inch a foot and keep yourself safe... part of it is letting them know that i wont be bullied into the gutter... Take the primary position (centre of lane) when you need to. Where the road becomes too narrow for cars to pass you safely, move over so they're not tempted. At junctions and roundabouts, take the middle of the lane - if there isn't a gap big enough for you, it's not likely to be much use to someone behind either. As for right turns, plan further ahead, if you see a gap, signal and move - even if it's 100m before the junction. Once you're over, traffic can pass on your left. Be assertive and, like in a car, don't just aimlessly signal before you know it's safe to go - look for the gap, signal, move. If you're plodding along with your arm out and cars are going past, all the cars behind will think it's OK for them to pass too.
You might p
s off the odd idiot who think you're causing him whole seconds of delay to his journey, but you need to assert your space in the traffic. sjg said:
I don't mean to cause offence, but you're cycling like a girl.
Fair point. I did in the dim and distant past ride a motorcycle (well, a learner 125) and when I first started cycling on the road I did all the proper CBT type stuff. As things have progressed I guess I've relaxed a little.Apart from being clipped the other day I've always been in a position to react to this behaviour, so I'm not particularly fussed about what's actually happening. What really annoys me is I try to set a good example, in the face of all this whinging about cyclists, then the some t
t comes along and subjects me to all the things we're supposed to hold a monopoly on!Not only is this idea that the only idiots on the road are those on two wheels patently untrue, it's even some of the exact same things - filtering in the wrong place, going up the inside of someone who's indicating etc.
That said I did have an awesome ride in this morning - brilliant cloudless blue sky, daffodils coming out on the road side, even the drivers were behaving themselves.
to add to the rant, I hate people who think they're pressing on and don't bother to check over their shoulder before pulling out to overtake a bus/stationary object, etc. This often forces me wide, or with no where to go execept brake, which destroys any momentum. This is coming down the embankment everyday, so 25-27mph generally.
fergus said:
to add to the rant, I hate people who think they're pressing on and don't bother to check over their shoulder before pulling out to overtake a bus/stationary object, etc. This often forces me wide, or with no where to go execept brake, which destroys any momentum. This is coming down the embankment everyday, so 25-27mph generally.
So just to clarify, you're complaining about people in front of you performing an overtake manoeuvre just before you are about to overtake them and the stationary object? 
Had this the other week riding around Greenwich one way system...
I have to take a centre position in the road and the left lane goes..er...left and the right lane...right to go back round the one way system... I go straight on and up a road to greenwich park.
So, when a pr1ck in an Audi A3 gets right up my rear because I'm in his lane (moving from right hand lane to centre) what does he do? Politely wait for no more than 15 seconds? No... he floors it round me, cuts me up and almost takes me out - this is after already driving up my ass for 50metres prior and getting the blood boiling...
So... with me thinking "does he know he threatened my life there?", "does he know I have a 2 year old and wife at home waiting for me?", "Does he realise they'd be a bit upset and if there is an afterlife I'd be rather annoyed at not being able to see them again" ... all of this riding up the road to Greenwich park's hill and the blood is boiling to the point of wanting this idiot to appear tomorrow so I can remind him of the above....
All of a sudden I'm aware of a car on my back wheel up the hill.... it's him! As he wound down his window and gave me some advice on career options and commented on my ability as a rider I just let rip at him, verbally that is... I was fuming!! Absolutely saw red in the most insane fashion, offered him to pull over immediately where I'd make him eat my bike piece by piece in the same fashion as he seemed intent on me kissing his front bumper... never before have I been so livid as to commit road rage and it wasn't pretty...
He absolutely shat himself and motored off up that hill so quick that I don't think he'll be quite as ready to abuse a cyclist next time
I'm really glad he didn't stop - I really would have gone for him - the danger of having the post-altercation "wish I'd said/done" and then being given the opportunity to try again!!
Testosterone, adrenaline and everything else the body uses for sheer grit and determination in hard exercise can certainly make you react out of character sometimes!!
I have to take a centre position in the road and the left lane goes..er...left and the right lane...right
to go back round the one way system... I go straight on and up a road to greenwich park.So, when a pr1ck in an Audi A3 gets right up my rear because I'm in his lane (moving from right hand lane to centre) what does he do? Politely wait for no more than 15 seconds? No... he floors it round me, cuts me up and almost takes me out - this is after already driving up my ass for 50metres prior and getting the blood boiling...
So... with me thinking "does he know he threatened my life there?", "does he know I have a 2 year old and wife at home waiting for me?", "Does he realise they'd be a bit upset and if there is an afterlife I'd be rather annoyed at not being able to see them again" ... all of this riding up the road to Greenwich park's hill and the blood is boiling to the point of wanting this idiot to appear tomorrow so I can remind him of the above....
All of a sudden I'm aware of a car on my back wheel up the hill.... it's him! As he wound down his window and gave me some advice on career options and commented on my ability as a rider I just let rip at him, verbally that is... I was fuming!! Absolutely saw red in the most insane fashion, offered him to pull over immediately where I'd make him eat my bike piece by piece in the same fashion as he seemed intent on me kissing his front bumper... never before have I been so livid as to commit road rage and it wasn't pretty...
He absolutely shat himself and motored off up that hill so quick that I don't think he'll be quite as ready to abuse a cyclist next time
I'm really glad he didn't stop - I really would have gone for him - the danger of having the post-altercation "wish I'd said/done" and then being given the opportunity to try again!!
Testosterone, adrenaline and everything else the body uses for sheer grit and determination in hard exercise can certainly make you react out of character sometimes!!
hondafanatic said:
fergus said:
to add to the rant, I hate people who think they're pressing on and don't bother to check over their shoulder before pulling out to overtake a bus/stationary object, etc. This often forces me wide, or with no where to go execept brake, which destroys any momentum. This is coming down the embankment everyday, so 25-27mph generally.
So just to clarify, you're complaining about people in front of you performing an overtake manoeuvre just before you are about to overtake them and the stationary object? 
Fergus - +1 mate, never mind us it could just as easily be a white van that takes them out... one Pasha and wicker basket twisted and everyone blaming the van driver...
anonymous said:
[redacted]
If the person in front is in the process of pulling out to pass the bus, I seem to be caught in the echelon position more often than not at the precise moment they decide to alter their line w/o checking. I could be a bl00dy electric scooter for all they know, or given some of their complete lack of peripheral awareness a 2 stroke scooter, or even a bin wagon, given the look of surprise some people exhibit. Often tempted to pull in sharpish to just miss their wheel (w/o looking or signaling) to wake them up again.....
dubbs said:
So... with me thinking "does he know he threatened my life there?", "does he know I have a 2 year old and wife at home waiting for me?", "Does he realise they'd be a bit upset and if there is an afterlife I'd be rather annoyed at not being able to see them again" ... all of this riding up the road to Greenwich park's hill and the blood is boiling to the point of wanting this idiot to appear tomorrow so I can remind him of the above...
Yeah, I must say there's something about cycling that brings out quite a lot of aggression in me. I guess it's simply the act of doing exercise - gets the adrenaline going - but I'm far more ready to have an argument with someone on the bike than I am in the car. I probably shouldn't say that while claiming how tolerant we all are...These numpties don't realise that their impatience and even the slightest nudge could send us careering in to a kerb head first or any form of street furniture... at which point paralysis or death could be a real possibility thanks to their stupidity.
That's where I get riled I think - just the no consideration or understanding of the outcome of their actions.
That's where I get riled I think - just the no consideration or understanding of the outcome of their actions.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
You are a moron, with no ability to anticipate.As at least two posters have pointed out you are complaining about someone IN FRONT OF YOU.
They have right of way. End of story.
If you were in a car doing what you suggest (cutting in to wake them up) you would be rightly castigated on here and hopefully dished several points if the Bibs ever spot you in action.
It makes no difference if you are on a bike.
They are coming up to a stationary object WHAT THE f
k DO YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO DO?STOP????
So you can maintain momentum?
Just to be clear - THE OVERTAKING VEHICLE (that's you) GIVES WAY.
Jesus Christ, I dearly hope you are a troll.
walm said:
You are a moron, with no ability to anticipate.
As at least two posters have pointed out you are complaining about someone IN FRONT OF YOU.
They have right of way. End of story.
<snip>
Just to be clear - THE OVERTAKING VEHICLE (that's you) GIVES WAY.
So you just pull out to overtake and go around stuff without looking over your shoulder or in your mirrors when driving your car?As at least two posters have pointed out you are complaining about someone IN FRONT OF YOU.
They have right of way. End of story.
<snip>
Just to be clear - THE OVERTAKING VEHICLE (that's you) GIVES WAY.
Mr E said:
walm said:
You are a moron, with no ability to anticipate.
As at least two posters have pointed out you are complaining about someone IN FRONT OF YOU.
They have right of way. End of story.
<snip>
Just to be clear - THE OVERTAKING VEHICLE (that's you) GIVES WAY.
So you just pull out to overtake and go around stuff without looking over your shoulder or in your mirrors when driving your car?As at least two posters have pointed out you are complaining about someone IN FRONT OF YOU.
They have right of way. End of story.
<snip>
Just to be clear - THE OVERTAKING VEHICLE (that's you) GIVES WAY.
Even more so when cycling; it is simple self-preservation.
However, if there was some faster pedalling moron behind me he'll just have to wait his turn or overtake both me and the obstacle.
Once again, the overtaking car is behind you and by definition is about to overtake the same obstacle you are. They can't just force you to brake because they are going faster than you.
My rant would be t
ts like fungus in their cars forcing me to choose between stopping behind a stopped bus or having him crush me under the grill.Any t
t who runs into me because they can't anticipate a blatantly obvious manoeuvre IS IN THE WRONG.I would of course be dead or injured and I would far rather be alive than "dead right".
So, Mr E do you simply drive/cycle on regardless as to whether a cyclist in front of you is going to overtake an obstacle?
Or do you just do that when they don't look to check whether you are going to crush them first?
walm said:
Mr E said:
walm said:
You are a moron, with no ability to anticipate.
As at least two posters have pointed out you are complaining about someone IN FRONT OF YOU.
They have right of way. End of story.
<snip>
Just to be clear - THE OVERTAKING VEHICLE (that's you) GIVES WAY.
So you just pull out to overtake and go around stuff without looking over your shoulder or in your mirrors when driving your car?As at least two posters have pointed out you are complaining about someone IN FRONT OF YOU.
They have right of way. End of story.
<snip>
Just to be clear - THE OVERTAKING VEHICLE (that's you) GIVES WAY.
Even more so when cycling; it is simple self-preservation.
However, if there was some faster pedalling moron behind me he'll just have to wait his turn or overtake both me and the obstacle.
Once again, the overtaking car is behind you and by definition is about to overtake the same obstacle you are. They can't just force you to brake because they are going faster than you.
My rant would be t
ts like fungus in their cars forcing me to choose between stopping behind a stopped bus or having him crush me under the grill.Any t
t who runs into me because they can't anticipate a blatantly obvious manoeuvre IS IN THE WRONG.I would of course be dead or injured and I would far rather be alive than "dead right".
So, Mr E do you simply drive/cycle on regardless as to whether a cyclist in front of you is going to overtake an obstacle?
Or do you just do that when they don't look to check whether you are going to crush them first?
2. Common decency suggests not resorting to stupid names/swearing
3. If you rode a motorbike would you check your 'blindspot' prior to changing lane/direction?
4. Why is someone pedalling faster than you 'a moron'?
5. I've never suggested someone should brake, more that they shouldn't just assume it's safe to pull out. If you're going to rant, please pick up on what was actually said.
6. I've never suggested I would ever force a cyclist to 'make way for a car' if I were to be driving a car.
I think you need to learn how to respond to a debate in a constructive way prior to posting any more drivel.
PS If you're cycling on the embankment any time around commuting times, I'm on a cervelo soloist; Remind me to punch you.
walm said:
So, Mr E do you simply drive/cycle on regardless as to whether a cyclist in front of you is going to overtake an obstacle?
Or do you just do that when they don't look to check whether you are going to crush them first?
If I were about to change my line, I always, always perform the lifesaver. Regardless of mode of transport.Or do you just do that when they don't look to check whether you are going to crush them first?
I believe that is what was under discussion
Having seen the size of Fergus I think I'd rather take my chances with the bus. 
Sadly out here in the suburbs there are no other cyclists to anticipate so this isn't really an issue. I always glance behind me before overtaking though. For some reason a lot of commuter drivers don't register a bike overtaking a slow or parked vehicle - even one doing near-traffic speeds. I think a lot of the problem is they just assume bikes are going to be slow full stop.
Sadly out here in the suburbs there are no other cyclists to anticipate so this isn't really an issue. I always glance behind me before overtaking though. For some reason a lot of commuter drivers don't register a bike overtaking a slow or parked vehicle - even one doing near-traffic speeds. I think a lot of the problem is they just assume bikes are going to be slow full stop.
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