This hatred towards cyclists needs to stop

[OverlyFragrant]

This constant drip feeding from the media and online that cyclists are road vermin, dont pay tax, shouldn't be on roads etc needs to stop.
The last two days ive read about cyclists being pushed into dangerous situations by members of the public who feel entitled to hurt them, just because...
First a cyclist was pushed into a canal, the cyclist was still clipped into their bike pedals and couldn't swim. They very nearly drowned.
The second was pushed off a beach wall and needed urgent assistance from the ambulance and suffered serious injuries.
Words aren't just words, they have consequences and know two people have come to harm simply because they were riding a bike.

Bossy boots 😆

100% agree. And the hatred is not just on the media…. There’s plenty of it on mumsnet too.

Utterly awful. And generally (in London) I find that the vast majority of drivers are fine and I don’t feel threatened. Some nasty keyboard warriors out there.

I’ve stopped cycling because of close passes by drivers & I now drive far more, worse for the traffic & air quality.

Obviously that is absolutely dreadful and there is never any excuse for violent and aggressive behaviour but I think cycling organisations need to think about what makes others dislike them as a group.

I live in the New Forest and we are plagued by cyclists ignoring by laws and ruining the habitat, causing accidents by cycling fast and unannounced up behind horse riders ( a local horse rider died this way some years ago), and frequent “wiggle” events where cyclists block the roads by riding three and four abreast refusing to let cars overtake them for miles.

I live one Peak District. We have the same problem. Lots of windey hilly roads with nowhere to overtake and hoarded of cycling clubs taking up the entire road.

Was the cyclist on a designated cycle path next to the canal?

How come the second cyclist was pushed from a beach wall? What was he (I assume he) doing on there?

This is really interesting use of language "plague",like a plague of locusts that swarm, eat everything leaving devastation in their wake.
You really think people on bikes do that??

As far as I know, wiggle stopped trading n 2022.

While I agree with you, the lady who was pushed into the canal didn't nearly drown.

Some cyclists can be pretty lawless. Not stopping on red lights when pedestrians are crossing, cycling in packs taking over the whole road. And electric bikes rushing through parks. Obs the cyclist that got pushed into the canal is a criminal act though.

I've not seen the video of the canal, but I read it was a footpath and the walker asked her to slow down.

This doesn't justify it he did push her in but I am fed up with entitled cyclists, riding at speed, uninsured.

She couldn't swim

And generally (in London) I find that the vast majority of drivers are fine and I don’t feel threatened.

That is not my experience at all. I live near Barbican, walk to work everyday. Every morning and evening I get nearly run over, shouted/sworn at for walking across the pedestrian crossing, walking on the pavement or crossing at green lights. It is so scary when you have a group of around 20-30 of them wizzing down with no intention of stopping when they are meant to.

funnily enough I was going to say the same.

I’ve always ignored any media hate etc but my actual experience is often scary. I also live near new forest with lots of country roads between me and there.

O always leave the 2m and go around.

However when I’m driving and cyclists pull out in front of me to ride 2/3/4 abreast meaning I can’t pass on a windy 60mph road instead of remaining in a line I only see why people get frustrated. I get worried about knocking someone off because cyclists are worse than lorries for deciding that they want to move NOW and o should just magically be able to get out of their way!

It’s the cyclists who flaunt the rules as previous poster said. Three times in the last two weeks I have been crossing the road and had very near misses with cyclists who ignore the red lights. Also the ones who weave in and out of traffic with no thought for drivers. Don’t get me started on Hyde Park Corner on my walk to work. Pedestrians beware!

UK cyclists are not great
On average, they’re entitled and aggressive
And WTF with adults riding on pavement

On the other hand - lots of the cycle routes are also pavements (shared) which is disastrous. But I'm also fed up of pedestrians wandering into the cycle lane, using the designated cycle crossing as their crossing and getting upset that bikes are crossing their path when it's a shared space - and most of these bikes are going reasonably slowly because it's a shared space.
Ultimately there needs to be separation and investment.

That’s me as a very slow cyclist who observes every red light. I do get cross with mamils and deliveries drivers who ignore rules of the road. As a pedestrian (I worked near ludgate circus) I was careful about crossing the road, particularly the dual cycle lane, but wouldn’t say it was terrifying.

Wtf? Are you justifying these actions? Do you seriously think it's ok that two people nearly died because of the deliberate action of someone else?

Rather than nit pick it would be more helpful all around to engage with the points made.
I appreciate you are rightly upset but griping at someone who sympathises and tries to suggest of a way to improve how cyclists are viewed is counterproductive.
Cycling is great in many ways. The behaviour of a noticeable number of cyclists and cycling organisations not so much. This is what makes people angry. The anger can fuel violence. Not excusing it at all, just making the link.

As a driver and a cyclist in the uk, I can confirm that both groups are equally terrible.

Cyclists should never be put into a dangerous situation or experience violence - I think we can agree on that. I always try and allow enough space to pass a cyclist safely and give them the same consideration on the road as any other vehicle.

However, I also fully understand the bad feeling towards them. In my town, they ignore the cycle paths and ride on the main road regularly causing huge tailbacks and causing awful rush hour traffic issues. They are demonstrably a selfish lot and don't do themselves any favours in terms of reputation. You have to ask what on earth goes through someone's mind if they have no problem holding up traffic and delaying people just trying to get to work/get on with their day?

I think if they were more considerate - using cycle paths where available, pulling over at regular intervals to allow large buildup of cars to pass - it would considerably improve their reputation. But of course they won't.

I’ve seen canal video woman. Awful she was pushed in but don’t ignore the fact she was cycling far too fast on a narrow path on which walkers have priority.
I live semi rurally. I am sick of the packs of cyclists riding 3 abreast and then stretched out and holding people up on country lanes. The farmers on tractors who are actually working have the decency to pull in after a few passing points but not the cyclists. Then when you do get past them and you are at a junction, they come round the inside of you and plonk themselves in front of you. I couldn’t push in like that if I was in a car so why are they allowed. Too many middle aged men thinking they are Bradley Wiggins, clad in Lycra and thinking they are more important than other road users.
I like cycling but because I am slow, I always pull over if I know someone is trying to pass me.

It's not nitpicking.
My whole post was about massive hatred to cyclists, comparisons to vermin and then you straight away go in with comparisons to vermin and a company that hasnt put on any events in 3 years!!

I am not justifying it at all! I am a cyclist myself. However it is unclear why and if they were cycling in the correct place.

How did this happen? In both cases?

I really don’t think cyclists should be using cleats on public pathway it’s unsafe and cause them to take silly risk because they don’t want to unclip or brake.

I haven’t heard about these incidents which is horrid and nasty. I think the government should probably put bit more effort into infrastructure before going on this road closing and respecting of traffic.

it’s made a lot of drivers very mean and nasty because commuting length has increased by almost a 3rd for many people and cyclists are getting the blame.

the roads have become a very hostile place because every journey is now traffic jam.