To think that teenagers should know better than to ride their bikes down the middle of a road?

[imwithspud]

And not at least be aware of any traffic? Had to honk my horn at a group of about 4 lads casually meandering along a (fairly busy/dangerous) road on their bikes like they owned it, obviously not on the look out for traffic. They seemed most put out when I came along and wanted to go past.Got a nice mouthful of abuse from one of them as I drove past. Their parents must be so proud

[Artandco]

Your supposed to ride a bike in the middle. It's safer as means idiot drivers have to slow down and wait rather than zoom past like yourself

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

Yanbu, if they are stupid on the road on bikes they may not live long enough to be bad drivers. But I encountered a twatty teenager on a moped on the pavement last week. Followed by grinning idiot mates on scooters, they clearly thought they were the dogs bollocks, rebels, not the future organ donors they potentially are.

[wasonthelist]

It's not that they don't know any better. I have had kids play "chicken" with me on foot and on bikes - they know it will always be my fault if I hit them so they do dangerous stuff on purpose for their amusement. I imagine their parents aren't bothered.

[Narp]

That sounds completely normal to me, if not ideal. It's what they do.

Keep your temper.

[DropYourSword]

Of course they know better. They just choose to act like idiots. Just as tailgaters do, or those who speed, run red lights or all other manner of dickhead road user behaviour.

[imwithspud]

Your supposed to ride a bike in the middle. It's safer as means idiot drivers have to slow down and wait rather than zoom past like yourself

Where in my op does it say I zoomed past? I actually had to slow down significantly as I didn't want to hit them. And by 'middle of the road' I meant they were weaving all over the place at snails pace, no crash helmets or safety gear, not looking out for oncoming traffic or listening out for traffic coming up behind them. Accident waiting to happen.

But I suspect you knew that already and you're just being goady so I don't know why I feel the need to justify myself

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

I agree cyclists should be confident and ride on the road not teetering on the gutter but they must also be road aware as should drivers, cyclists are vulnerable. The behaviour described in the open struck a chord as I have seen some spectacularly poor road awareness and arrogance displayed by some younger cyclists locally. As a non driver I am very pro cyclist but I am not blind to faults in cyclist behaviour.

[drivingmisspotty]

Loads of teenagers do that round here. But on rollerskates. Down hills, towards busy junctions, weaving in and out of cars and swearing at anyone who honks/they get close to. I assume it is for the thrill.

[imwithspud]

Just to clarify I'm not anti cyclist on the road at all provided they drive safely. The majority of cyclists I come across on the road are fine and we are respectful of each other. I guess when you're a teenager you think you're invincible to an extent and some like to 'give it the biggun' in front of their mates.