Why so much anger towards cyclists?

[Thatsthatthen87]

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/sep/01/i-will-never-ride-a-bike-again-why-people-are-giving-up-on-cycling

Just read this and I can totally relate to what a couple of people are saying about drivers' attitudes to cyclists. If people are not following the rules or using their bikes responsibly or whatever, I get it, but some drivers just seem to hate the fact that they have to share the road. Why? I've even had 'get a car' yelled at me from a window. 😄

I also don't understand why lycra is used as an insult

probably because much of mumsnet are too large to wear it.

Pin pulled, and run away

This is why!

I love it when they ring their bell. That way I know they are coming and I move out of the way. When they don't and are suddenly right behind me it feels me out. A cheery little 'briiinnnnggg' makes me grateful for them thinking

I also don't understand why lycra is used as an insult

Because lycra lout is pleasantly alliterative. Nothing to do with MN posters being too large to wear it (and thank you for that bit of casually insulting misogyny, pp, love you too).

The whole point of Lycra is that it can stretch about 6 times it’s original length and has a fast recovery time.

So anyone whatever size can wear it.

You can’t win with bells. People will strop and whine if you use a bell and will strop and whine if you don’t. May as well do what you feel safest and most considerate re bells when cycling, in the safe knowledge that 50% of people will hate you for it anyway.

I have just been out for a bike ride. There were 10 of us. The youngest was 4 and on a seat with his dad, the oldest in his 60s. Men and women. Some wore lycra, some jeans. Road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids and an e-bike. We pulled over for cars and horses, no lights were jumped. We rode 30 miles. It was great!

🤷‍♀️

some drivers just seem to hate the fact that they have to share the road

Simply this. They don't see why they should have to slow down or give cyclists space because they have their huge SUV and pay "road tax".

Their driving habits are no better with pedestrians really, but fortunately we have more segregated spaces.

There was a post earlier from @perenniallymessy per about cycling in Holland. Their infrastructure came about because so many children had been killed by motorists the Govt went all in to reduce the death toll. Note the children werent killed by cyclists. Kinder Murden I think the scheme was called. If you are all happy to have the Govt in the UK undertake such a solution lobby your MP

Newsthump is on point, as usual.
newsthump.com/2022/09/10/man-waiting-three-years-for-hip-replacement-and-who-cant-afford-hot-baths-still-hates-cyclists-more-than-the-tories/?fbclid=IwAR0KKO1ds83ipDQI4rgW4UaOtmCqGLDCuzRw9a6xJOWyUopMocXO-EBMZCg

This internet page describes how the Dutch got their cycle lanes- bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/how-the-dutch-got-their-cycling-infrastructure/

Thinking of the beautiful Dutch cities it's terrible to think they were previously knocking down buildings to make larger roads and bigger car parks. Now they have lovely quiet streets in many towns and cities.

Whilst it would be very difficult to add cycle lanes on windy country roads that doesn't mean we shouldn't start adding them elsewhere. Better cycling infrastructure in cities could move more journeys to bikes and reduce journey times for those who still need to drive. So many streets in city suburbs are already 20mph, so why can't we do like the Dutch- say that cyclists have priority and cars are guests.

It's not just the infrastructure that helps boost cycling in the Netherlands- there are also strict rules around liability to pay for damage to the bike if they crash into a cyclist, so drivers are more cautious around bikes. And almost all children take a cycle exam (including a theory test). In the UK we do have the fantastic Bikeability sessions but there are rarely enough spaces for all children.

I love it!

all drivers have to share the road. The point is that nobody should hold anyone up unnecessarily or just because they feel like it.

• it's terrifying watching them wobble uphill in front of me with carrier bags of shopping swinging from the handlebars.

• it's terrifying when they shoot out from a side road in front of me because they don't know what give way markings are.

• it's terrifying when they come to a zebra crossing and use it to do their right turn without signalling.

• it's terrifying when they unmount the pavement onto the road when the fancy takes them.

• it's unpleasant when I hear ding ding behind me on the pavement and I have to dive out of the way because they want to do 20 on the pavement.

• it's really annoying when there is a road with a string of traffic lights, I have to overtake the same cyclist over and over and watch them go through the red light, knowing in a minute I'll have to overtake again.

• it's ridiculously rude when they moan at me and my toddler for staying on the pavement of the car park instead of jumping into the 'road' for them. Poor cyclist having to brave the car park for a toddler 🙄

I really think urban cycling needs to be registered just to make sure all cyclists know how to read road signs and markings, and know how the traffic moves. We should be singing from the same sheet. I don't think it's safe to use busy roads if you have no idea about what's happening around you. And handlebars aren't an alternative for baskets or panniers. You can't hang swinging weights on the thing you use to steer, if common sense hasn't stopped you from doing this you shouldn't be allowed any vehicles, ever.

They don't pay towards the roads or have any number plates
They are dangerous and getting around them safely is a nightmare sometimes causing tailbacks
They tend to ride ten a dozen too !

This is exactly the problem.

Ever thought they might have slowed down to make it easier to pass?

The fact they move two abreast shouldn't make any difference whatsoever if you were going to overtake as you should, on the opposite side of the road as if passing a car. They do it to stop arse holes squeezing past when it's not safe.

They are not holding someone up unnecessarily. They are just cycling on the road.

Just yesterday I was midway walking across a junction (green man showing) and had to stop suddenly for 2 cyclists that had run red lights. They weren't at all bothered, clearly thought the rules didn't apply to them.

When a group of cyclists slows down and forms a group 2 wide it is either to make it easier to overtake because the car will need less distance to get ahead of them or if the road isn't wide enough it is to stop the driver overtaking when it's not safe.

If you think about it carefully enough a group of 6 cyclists 2 a breast is only 3 long whereas a group of 6 in single file is twice as long and therefore needs more distance/speed to overtake.

No excuse for red light jumping though which I hate both in cyclists and drivers and I see about the same for both.

My issue is that it feels like they are always racing on the roads. To beat their own time, to beat their friends , to get a head of the cars, to ride at the speed limit, to clock up more miles. I find them careering down hills frightening, they seem fearless and seem to have no awareness of what else is happening on the road. I am quite happy with cyclists going 'on a bike ride' , moving along in a relaxed way or cycling to work or to the allotment etc. But not racing along and not in a pack. I think the number in a group should be limited . I think this us why lycra is used as an insult as it indicates they want to race. Sometimes at weekends I avoid driving because of the cyclists (popular area fur this) . As I said perfectly happy with folk out on a normal bike ride.

Perfect for this thread.

If they pay any taxes they are paying toward the road.

I pay taxes and road tax too
Cyclists don't pay road taxes