Why are cyclists so angry?

[Disastrous]

I've bought a mountain bike recently and sometimes pop into the pedal powered forum to look for inspiration and whatnot but I must say that I seem to find the general attitude of 'cyclists' really offputting. They all (well, not all but you know what I mean) seem to be really angry with loads of posts going on about 'idiot car drivers' or 'people starting fights with them'. Just in the last few days on here we've had one poster fighting a man in a BMW because he wouldn't move over and another complaining that his best friend has got a bike the same as his and is a copycat.

I've literally never had a stranger start a fight with me in the middle of the day (and I live in Glasgow) so can only assume it's something they do to themselves but what??

It really puts me off being a cyclist to be honest and I can't figure out where it comes from. Is it jealousy of car/motorcycle drivers or something else?

Also, why do so many of them film everything? Just a thought but it seems that they cast themselves in a victim mentality and then perhaps bring it on themselves by camera kitting up and acting in a way that winds people up?

Anyone got any thoughts on this as at the moment I think I may sell my bike.


I've put this in the lounge as a general discussion, btw.

[KB_S1]

I don't think it is cyclists as such.
It is just the noisy internet cyclists are the problem.

I have never met an angry cyclist. Some have been upset at certain things on occasion but, usually fully justified.

Don't give up something you want to do because of others.

[weeredmetro]

Cyclists are just like any other group - there are some who are somewhat more militant than others. The great thing about cycling though is that you do it solo, so you can just ignore the militant cyclists brigade.

I suggest you keep the bike, but stay out of pedal powered. I ride a bike and have only dipped in there occasionally since the Lounge is far more appealing!

Edited to add that I'm also from Glasgow and have never had any problems with other cyclists or other road users despite occasionally riding like a maniac through the middle of rush hour!

[mattviatura]

I also cycle and am aware of the thread to which you refer although I don't wish to pass comment on it.

Last night I was cycling along a small residential road with cars parked on either side. I was moving at about 15 mph and a Transit was following me. As he obviously couldn't pass, he held back. At the end of the road I turned right into a lane climbing a steep hill, noticing the van had followed me I pulled off the carriageway and allowed him to pass. He did, and waved his thanks.

There's room for all of us out there. Admittedly I don't cycle in city conditions but it seems a bit of give and take might be appropriate.

Car drivers who overtake for the sake of it when the bike is moving faster than the speed limit anyway are a pain in the backside and militant cyclists who jump lights and slap car bodywork are a pain in the backside.

[hondafanatic]

So you are thinking about selling your bike because of something you read on the Internet? But your first hand experience tells you what you read isn't reality for you?

[Saddle bum]

Ignorant, inconsiderate tintops make any other road user angry, especially vulnerable users such as cyclists.

It is pointless going into the whys and wherefores, it will start yet another "us and them" row.

[Testicals]

Because they can't afford a car and have to wear silly shorts

[NoVetec]

I know where you are coming from OP, but in general I think it's just down to the individual. Certainly ignore any silliness and enjoy your bike! Same goes for walking and driving.

I've never been in the Pedal Powered forum, take it you mean the one here? Would assume as PHers they would mostly have cars as well, with the majority driving at least as much as cycling.

[johnnyreggae]

I think a lot of cyclists have seen the leeway & power that resulted from minority communities playing victim in the last century together with the effectiveness of the Campbell/Bliar technique of using criticism to launch an attack on the critic and/or another group rather than addressing the criticism

[normalbloke]

Saddle bum said:

Ignorant, inconsiderate cyclists make any other road user angry, especially vulnerable users such as the persecuted motorist..

It is pointless going into the whys and wherefores, it will start yet another "us and them" row.

EFA HTH

[HowMuchLonger]

Disastrous said:

Anyone got any thoughts on this as at the moment I think I may sell my bike.

I know how you feel.

I read on the internet that there are some wierdos in chat rooms, I think I will sell my computer.

[Paul Dishman]

Militant cyclists on the internet who think that they are saving the planet by cycling, and who hate anyone using an internal combustion engine, are a pain in the arse.

People riding bikes in the real world aren't.

Exceptions occur, but are few and far between.

[caymanjames]

cyclists all seem to be pretty nasty in london, they run red lights and shout at pedestrians for getting in the way.. i have no time for them and if one comes too close to me again im gonna shove my umbrella through there spokes.

[Disastrous]

I don't know. I accept it may be a few individuals 'spoiling' it but there seems to be a really stubborn, childish mentality that runs through the serious cyclists that makes me think "maybe this isn't for me".

I always let cars/motorbikes past when I'm out on mine as I know how frustrating it is when I'm in the car or proper bike and cyclists ride in a peloton and prevent passing but this doesn't seem to be common in my experience on the road.

Also, are motorbikes allowed to filter up to the cycle box at traffic lights? I got fantastically tutted at by a cyclist for doing this the other day (he was probably recording me with a helmet cam as well) but I really can't see who it's harming.

[hondafanatic]

Are you on a windup?

[Council Baby]

Mods- can you move this to the Pedal Powered forum please

[SplatSpeed]

have you seen those seats?

like sitting on a razor blade!

[Zod]

I drive in most days. HTe majority of cyclists are sensible, balanced people, but there is a minority of angry types, who shout at drivers and pedestrians, ignore crossings and red lights and like to cycle in the middle of the road. There is another minority of the clueless who terrify me - yesterday morning, I saw a girl duck in between two double-deckers moving off from the traffic light off City Road (going South) onto the Old Street roundabout, despite the fact that they were converging.

[budgie smuggler]

Disastrous said:

stuff

If you go into any forum, you'll find loads of posts about problems. People don't tend to post 'had quite an okay ride' or 'my commute was average', they'll only post if it was exceptionally good or exceptionally bad.

The camera thing I think has come about due to the low cost of cameras (£12 on ebay) and the utter lack of patience and roadcraft from a lot of road users (not just drivers). There is an epidemic of stupid idiots on the road, I think congestion and over signposting* has worsened this in recent years.

There are some places where I ride where I know that 9 times out of 10, some dick cheese will overtake then immediately turn left across me. On another road you are almost guaranteed to have somebody swing the car door out in front of you, whilst you are being squeezed from the other side as cars overtake where there is no room. That kind of st gets to you after a while.

Frankly if it makes people think 'i might get filmed and look like a bit of a here' i'm all for it.

As for selling your bike because of a few forum posts, WTF?

• people no longer think for themselves, instead relying on signposts telling them what to do.

[NoVetec]

Council Baby said:

Mods- can you move this to the Pedal Powered forum please