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.

I was responding really to the op where she talked about the cyclist on the tow path.

The cyclist is at fault imo because of their actions- clipped in on a footpath says it all.

I thought they said in the post,stand to the side

Let’s be honest: some car drivers are just as pig-headed and nasty as some cyclists. I don’t think you’d find any greater personal qualities in one group over the other.

I think the difference in how the groups are perceived is that car drivers on the whole recognise their responsibilities and know that their car is dangerous to other road users so they have to be alert and careful. But many cyclists have developed a ‘rights’ mentality so they think they can ride around as they like, and sod the drivers and pedestrians.

There’s a shared cycle and pedestrian stretch near me. It’s the pedestrians that avoid the collisions. The cyclists just speed along, don’t anticipate anything and don’t use bells. Their ‘warnings’ are usually shouting swear words over their shoulders after nearly riding into you.

No you were responding to another poster who had written

If I'm driving a car and I see a cyclist, I slow down and give them a wide berth.
I expect cyclists to do the same if they see pedestrians.

The vast majority of adult cyclists also have a driving license, a car, pay tax on that car as well as the usual council tax etc. Many (most?) cyclists who ride regularly in a sporting context also have insurance.

You get cyclists to: (a) obey the rules of the road and (b) carry 3rd party insurance and I'll agree to stop considering them road vermin.

See, I see that as giving way too.
Slowing down to allow both to pass and continue with their day unhindered. Exactly how its done on the road.

Unfortunately, there is no official definition of give way, so everyone has different ideas of what that means. Someone upthread believes it means someone should get off their bike, stop and wait for the pedestrian to pass them before mounting again and pedalling.

Quite how this would work if you are approaching someone from behind is beyond me.

I believe if you build segregated cycle lanes (actually well designed ones not just a painted strip) people absolutely use them

But they absolutely don't! If you read my post earlier, I commuted by the side of the Leeds to Bradford Cycle Superhighway, which is a 14.2 km (8.8 mile) segregated cycle route connecting the two cities and cost £39 million to build. Cyclists do not use it, and (to be honest) the more lycra they have the less they use it. The say that it slows them down because it makes them observe the rules of the road! What they do is continue to use the commuter roads, then jump over onto the cycleway at junctions to avoid red lights, risking themselves, pedestrians and other road users. This is regular, not occasional. £39 million for an almost never used super highway for cyclists which actually makes the roads more, not less dangerous due to the way many cyclists (ab)use it. .

I live in the New Forest too, and I think the vehicle drivers are far more of an issue than the cyclists - I've never seen such appalling driving. I don't think a cyclist has ever killed a pony or donkey, but happy to be corrected.

Don't tar all cyclists with the same brush, many are considerate.

"Many (most)"? Really? And what about those who do not "ride regularly in a sporting context"?

Ditto with car drivers.

Completely agree with you, I cycle and the aggression I get from car users trying to pass me is something else. Also, if more people cycled we wouldn’t have such a big obesity problem but cyclists are not allowed to say such things

They're people too. Try not to kill them.

I'm sure all the "stick to designated cycle route" types have absolutely no overlap with the arseholes who park their cars on pavements.

I mean, if you don't know what "give way" means, I'm not convinced you should be operating any kind of vehicle or cycle on the road!
I cycle, and I think most of the anger towards cyclists is entirely justified. I'd say really dickish drivers are a minority, but cyclists are about 50/50 responsible road users and selfish twats (obviously I'm in the former camp haha 😇)

I have 4 insurance policies.
My home insurance, my membership with cycling UK and LCC and the one I pay for specifically for bike insurance.
5 I guess if you count that I'm insured by work when I use my bike for my commute.
Oh and I'm also covered by the charity I volunteer for when I teach kids how to ride.
I do not and will never ride for sport.
Pretty much every single person I know who rides bikes is the same.

I think the problem with most cyclists is that they are men. Men tend to be more selfish and entitled.

The issue is that so many people have completely different ideas of what give way means.
Some think it means someone on a bike needs to get off and wait for the pedestrian to walk past them, others think it means passing wide and slow.
Others, who knows.

We clearly live in v different parts of tbe country (I'm in central london) but as a daily pedestrian, frequent off-peak cyclist and occasional driver, what i observe is cycle lanes that abruptly disappear, where they exist they're shared with buses that need to pull over frequently, and most traffic lights not having a filter for cyclists. This means many cyclists go through or early off red lights in order to avoid holding up traffic behind them. They're dammed if they do and dammed if they don't.

The behaviour that really stokes my ire is cyclists with headphones in/on phone calls or listening to music/texting navigating with phone in hand. It's phenomenally dangerous. No helmet or high vis clothing either.

I agree. Cyclists ought to be praised and respected. The UK is so crowded and the traffic is such a nightmare that anyone prepared to cycle rather than drive is making a big difference. And don't get me started on the morons who modify their car exhaust so it bangs and explodes. As if modern life isn't noisy and stressful enough!😡

(That said, cyclists can be very arrogant and aggressive.)

We live on a favourite route for the lycra clad club cyclists. They appear in massive groups, shouting to each other, fuck this fuck that, spit on the roads and pavements. It's lovely to hear from my bed early on a Sunday morning. Locally they are a bit of a menace.

One actually got run over last weekend at a set of temporary roadworks, not sure whether he jumped the lights, as they came down the long hill fast, but the air ambulance had to come out. Obviously hope he is ok, he was sitting up, but they do ride dangerously.

If you are referring to me (someone up thread), Off road paths are generally divided into two groups and have legal limitations.

Footpaths - no cycles allowed
Bridal Ways - Cyclists should give way to walkers and pedestrians.

Where I live there are lots of cyclists who cause no issue, however there also are a few who cause/have caused serious issues, including:

1. Cycling the wrong way down a 1 way street.
2. Pulling out directly in front of vehicles (closer than another vehicle would).
3. Convoys of 20 plus coming off liners and holiding up traffic.
4. Not signalling at junctions or roundabouts.
5. Magically turning into pedestrians at crossings, cutting in front of vehicles and people.
6. Lack of lights/high vis/safety gear.
7. Cycling far too fast on pavements.

Oh interestingly the 2 recent cylists who I mentioned who recently cycled straight through a roundabout failing to give way to me were both women.

Our other issue is individual cyclists on the country ways. They are supposed to give way to walkers, they don't, and they never have bells. Often been side swiped or pushed off the path as they go whizzing by.