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AIBU?

Was I unreasonable to have called a cyclist an a**ehole . . .

32 replies

Scholes34 · 24/10/2014 18:26

. . . or should I have called him something else? Suggestions welcome!

I was on my bike, patiently waiting for the green man and the green bike so I could cross the road. Red light comes on for the traffic, but a cyclist, doesn't stop - can't stop no hands on his handlebars as he's using his phone. Instead he has to swerve to avoid me as I started to cross. So he has a go at me. I was very cross. What should I have called him?

OP posts:
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Charitybelle · 24/10/2014 18:29

A test of the highest order. People have been killed by speeding cyclists like this. Shame he doesn't have a license plate you can report.

As my DH always says, people like that have a tendency to die young. Just fingers crossed he doesn't take any innocent pedestrians like you with him!

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SophiaPetrillo · 24/10/2014 18:30

A cunt?

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partialderivative · 24/10/2014 18:30

no hands on his handlebars as he's using his phone

OMG!

The Darwin effect will take it's toll. I do hope he doesn't take anyone down with him.

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Charitybelle · 24/10/2014 18:30

Test??? I meant 'twat'

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SophiaPetrillo · 24/10/2014 18:31

I thought you mean "teste" and were being posh, hee hee.

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merrymouse · 24/10/2014 18:31

Yes, agree about Darwin effect.

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mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 24/10/2014 18:36

An ambulance springs to mind as the only thing that'd make the cretin learn.

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Scholes34 · 24/10/2014 18:38

I was so cross, because there's a split second opportunity to try to impress on someone like that just how dangerous they're being to themselves and others and aresehole just didn't see adequate enough.

He did seem, however, just every so slightly taken aback that it was a fellow cyclist and not a pedestrian or driver that was having a go at him.

OP posts:
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Doyouthinktheysaurus · 24/10/2014 18:43

Wanker normally works for me in such situations!

I nearly had a cyclist crash into me as I was running when he came round a corner using his phone, he got called a wanker!

Such a stupid thing to do.....

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AnyoneForTardis · 24/10/2014 18:50

I don't understand why its not compulsory /law for cyclists to wear helmets/hi viz jackets and whatever else (all because some-the young ones usually just want to look cool), have some sort of liscence plate (as a poster suggested) so they can be identified,

be banned from using phones while cycling (difficult I know, same as twatty car drivers on their fecking phones) and be fined for jumping red lights.

there should be a law too that cyclists must at all times have at least ONE hand on a handlebar while cycling.

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MrsItsNoworNotatAll1 · 24/10/2014 18:51

It's that kind of cyclist that gives responsible cyclists a bad name. What a stupid tosser!

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Optimist1 · 24/10/2014 18:52

Pillock is my insult of choice in such situations, but I think that arsehole is equally applicable, OP. In my experience, cyclists come in two distinct types - 1) those who indicate what they're doing, keep an eye on other road users and obey the Highway Code and 2) those who behave like yours today and the idiots who don't have lights on their bikes. I'm quite a laid-back and unaggressive driver, but type 2) cyclists give me the rage!

(It goes without saying that you're obviously a type 1), Scoles)

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specialsubject · 24/10/2014 18:54

here we go - one stupid cyclist and out come the people who've apparently never been on a bike in their life.

yes, of course it is dumb to use a mobile on a bike and that is an offence.
no, the helmets thing is NOT due to looking cool. Wearing a helmet has downsides too, it is not that simple.

hi-viz is a good idea, but not a builder style vest, that doesn't work on a bike. You also need reflective strips for lower light, especially at this time of year as yet again we have to change the clocks because we can't have two time zones.

but no, OP, you were not unreasonable. Never a policeman around when you need one.

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ithoughtofitfirst · 24/10/2014 19:07

Asshole might be a bit of a sore subject for him. GEDDIT?!! Grin

I agree with whoever said cunt.

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avocadotoast · 24/10/2014 19:09

I always want to yell "red light, dickhead!" at cyclists in that situation. I never do. Maybe one day...

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LuckyGin · 24/10/2014 19:44

Nope, I think you did a good enough job!

Such a shame a minority of rubbish cyclists give the rest a bad name - but hopefully he'll think twice after being chastised by a fellow biker! (Can't write you off as a bike-hating pedestrian or driver...)

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ElliotLovesGrub · 24/10/2014 19:50

He was a twat. People like this are the reason you always wait, even with a green man/bike, to make sure all the traffic stops.

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MozzchopsThirty · 24/10/2014 20:04

I haven't read the thread but YANBU all cyclists are assholes

Despite the protests of posters on here saying they are great cyclists I am yet to see one, and I spend most of my day in the car
They're twats

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40SomethingFabulouslyClueless · 24/10/2014 20:11

Oh Mozzchops. Yawn.

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Nicola19 · 24/10/2014 20:15

What about 'You fucking bell- end, did you see what you just did, TWAT!!'

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ChelsyHandy · 24/10/2014 21:14

Of course you are not U OP. I would have sworn at the fecker.

But yawn to the posters who trot out the same lines about everyone having to be wrapped in bubble wrap or being reported to the police for dangerously exciting behaviour - do you ever get out from behind the computer screen? Or indeed do anything but spend most of their day in their cars? There are fun sports out there and people who occasionally do exciting, slightly risky stuff. Please don't let them die out and forcefeed us the drivel risk averse smug police instead.

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MollyHooper · 24/10/2014 21:27

I think people should be able to indulge themselves in as much dangerously exciting behaviour as they want, as long as they do it away from me.

I'm sure that most pedestrians, drivers and sensible cyclists feel the same way.

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Rowgtfc72 · 24/10/2014 21:39

I've been cut up by the same sort of chap,whilst on my cycle. I have a high viz vest so not sure how he missed me. I also have a working bell but find wanker suffices on such occasions.

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Scholes34 · 24/10/2014 22:15

Very disappointed with Mozzchops, but will remember Optimist1's pillock. I'm not one to swear, but think pillock will do very nicely.

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PanIsNotAButterfly · 24/10/2014 22:37

There is no way on this planet that a thread criticising one cyclist isn't going to invite the usual 'pile in' gobshites of bikist haters. You will have known this OP, so I'm Hmm about your motivation to commence a thread on circumstances where you already know you were right to be a bit cross....

you're coming across as a bit of a shit stirrer.

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