Road cyclists?…

[Humphreyshead]

Do you genuinely enjoy having cars following behind you? Or is it just something you’re willing to put up with?

I live in a very popular road cycling area, with scenic routes and lovely windy and hilly roads. Some of these roads are busy though and it can take a few miles sometimes to be able to overtake a cyclist safely.

When I’m driving behind them I often wonder if they’re constantly aware of the cars behind them, which then in turn ruins their experience. Or do you have to just switch them off?

I also ask as I’m an avid mountain biker, and sometimes I have to use the roads to connect trails. But I always pull over when I can, to let cars past, as I hate it!… But road cyclists never seem to do this.

For me too. I have a countryside route to and from work and cyclists who signal you to pass them seem to not understand you need to be able to see it is safe to overtake. If you can't see what's coming, it isn't.

Fair point.

They mean: "please sod off behind me"

I’m sure the driver would sod off if they could just get past the cyclist.

It's not a great idea for anyone to gesture to other road users to pass them as it is up to all road users to decide for themselves when it is safe to do so. This is the advice in the Highway Code. I know it's meant to be helpful but personally if I can't see for myself that it is safe to pass then I won't.

It wasn’t a dig at using the road. It was a musing on why they seem to enjoy it.

i drive a polo and a berlingo

What about cycle paths that are so badly designed, it's safer to cycle on the road!!!

I wouldn’t want to over take on a blind corner, just because someone waved me through. That’s not sensible

If that's really the case they should go out at times which aren't peak commuting times. In my 11 mile journey there are three overtaking opportunities, i.e. places where the road markings allow and it's safe to do so.

Or broken bits of car where car drivers have crashed vying for position to be one car ahead at the lights.

Highway Code says two abreast is correct

Arse

Rude!

I could get a lot worse 🚲😉

I road bike, mountain bike, motorcycle, and drive. They are all great.

We are living abroad at the moment on the foot of a mountain side along the coastline. We are faster on our road bikes than most drivers on the tight twisting descents from the 1000m summit - but I would never wish to "mow them down". I'm looking at you, @Pickandmixmood

The cyclist vs cars battle is a very UK phenomenon centred around a fundamental lack of road infrastructure for both cars and cyclists, as well as a lack of public transport which necessitates every adult to own a car and compete for space on the very few roads that exist. It is also true that some UK cycle clubs can be anti-social.

The solution is not to rage at people on bicycles but to reintroduce a nationalised bus service with extensive subsidised routes across the country - not just in urban centres - to set people free from shackles of obligatory car ownership, and to build proper decent cycle infrastructure that allows people to travel on bicycles safely - as they do in many other countries.

I don't like the MAMILS who don't take a moment to pull over when there's a huge queue. And I won't overtake a moving cyclist when they signal, my car is a feeble thing and I need to wait for a massive gap.
I don't know how cycling on a main road can be enjoyable tbh. I walk almost everywhere and see how many people are on their phones and not paying attention. I wish they'd use the cycle paths and empty pavements.

Pretty much this...however I do not signal cars to pass as it is on the driver to decide when it is safe to do so.

It's not enjoyable to cycle on a main road, but it's often the only way to get to quieter roads.

What makes you think they are not commuting too?

She was saying it tongue in cheek.

Almost as bad as people in cars when there's public transport.

Road cyclist in my opinion are entitled they think the road belongs to them, I lived with one for 25 years, for egg he once followed a car and hurled insult to his owner because he thought when he was overtaken by the car it was too close to him.

Absolutely - when the public transport covers exactly the same journeys as motorists across the UK want to make, in the same time as it takes to drive, at the same cost. Until such time as that becomes an actual reality, cars will be on the roads.

Road cyclist in my opinion are entitled
It's motorists who kill thousands of people every year through collisions and pollution and then whine about having to share the roads and follow the Highway Code. We need more cyclists and fewer motorists.