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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think people who are anti cyclists are hypocrites

182 replies

microfight · 15/05/2011 18:42

I am always hearing people moan about cyclists and the normal argument is that they don't pay road tax and they jump red lights and generally a menace on the roads.
I was wondering how many of these people who moan about them jumping red lights do exactly the same thing as a pedestrian. I would say on my average cycle journey I have to shout, brake or ring my bell three or more times because a pedestrian has stepped out without looking or crossed the road when the red man is lit.

So, AIBU to think that many of the anti cycle brigade must be hypocrites because they don't abide by the highway code themselves.

OP posts:
Bennifer · 15/05/2011 20:16

Just jealousy, cyclists are just better people than those who don't cycle

cumbria81 · 15/05/2011 20:17

I am sorry to hear about your mum and son. BUt that was one cyclist - ONE! Out of thousands of cyclists and not necessarily indicative of all of them.

With regard to pulling over, fine - I agree on a single track country road where there are no overtaking opportunities. But in a town? No!

CurrySpice · 15/05/2011 20:17

micro, tbh I think trying to get pedeestrians to "admit" that they jaywalk is a pretty sorry defence for bad cyclists

Obviously we should all, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, show each other care and consideration.

But the fact that one group acts badly doesn't excuse another group acting even worse

bluebeach · 15/05/2011 20:17

Get off your fat arses and onto your bikes you bunch of lazy twats.

Most cyclists pay road tax anyway if they have a car at home so they have every right to use the road.

blouseenthusiast · 15/05/2011 20:17

I sometimes feel like carrying a cane to stick in the wheels of the cyclists who narrowly miss hitting my children as they jump lights...

AuntieMaggie · 15/05/2011 20:18

I regularly almost get run over by cyclists and cars alike on my walk through Bristol every day - there is one woman who insists on riding her bike up the middle of the pavment into the pedestrian crowd every morning - have pointed out to her she should be on the road but she hasn't paid any attention. Wouldn't be so bad if she could ride in a straight line but she can't!

Another thing that annoys me is I have to cross several roads but most fail to realise that pedestrians crossing the road have right of way over traffic turning into said road...

"watch out for pedestrians crossing a road into which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way"

blouseenthusiast · 15/05/2011 20:18

But not to fail to follow any rules of the road...

CurrySpice · 15/05/2011 20:20

Constructive bluebeach Hmm

I cycle, walk, run and drive on the roads / pavements. It doesn't make any difference who pays tax. We are all entitled to use the roads

And y arse is only mildly fat thanks :o

Northernlurker · 15/05/2011 20:21

I cycle, I don't run red lights and the only times I have nearly collided with pedestrians have been on occasions when they stupidly walk straight out in to the ROAD without looking. I therefore object to the venom hurled at cyclists by people too lazy to get on a bicycle themselves.
I have however lost count of the number of times I've had to avoid a collision with a badly driven vehicle. Many people appear to turn into exceptionally stupid thugs behind the wheel of a car.

blouseenthusiast · 15/05/2011 20:22

I am not too lazy to get on a cycle, I don't drive. I walk everywhere. i am menaced by sodding cyclists every single day.

Original poster
microfight · 15/05/2011 20:24

curryspice
I have never once said that getting pedestrians to admit they jaywalk is a defence for bad cyclists. I have not once tried to defend bad cycling quite the reverse, I hate bad cycling. I am saying that it is hypocritical to moan about cyclists jumping red lights if one jaywalks as a pedestrian.

OP posts:
CurrySpice · 15/05/2011 20:25

You see northernlurker it's that kind of santimonious attitude that gets right on my last one. And this is what carries over onto your attitude to the road

"I cycle. I am morally superier. I therefore have the right to treat the roads as my personal domain. Get out of my fucking way you lazy arsed pedestrian"

It stinks Angry

Many people appear to turn into exceptionally stupid thugs on a bike

Northernlurker · 15/05/2011 20:26

Blouse I do not believe that you cannot go out of your house without being menaced by a cyclist. I live in a city with a higher than average number of cyclists and I honestly cannot ever recall an occasion when walking I have been 'menaced'. Of course I do look where I'm going so that may help.

CurrySpice · 15/05/2011 20:26

Microfight, even if I jaywalked for a living it wouldn't stop me moaning about bad cycling. Sorry. It's lame

blouseenthusiast · 15/05/2011 20:27

Totally agree CurrySpice. I do not see cars running lights in my nieghbourhood like 80% of the clyclists do. Nor driving (fast) down the middle of pavements.

Original poster
microfight · 15/05/2011 20:27

curryspice
I not saying you should stop I am saying you would be a hypocrite.

OP posts:
blouseenthusiast · 15/05/2011 20:29

Wlell, you know when i walk my kids to school across the same pedestrian crossing every day and we cross on the green man and every single day cyclists run through the light narrowly avoiding us, I really find it hard to balame myself. But perhaps you are right and my children and I should only cross at the green man when there are no clyclists in view for miles. Which would be never.

Northernlurker · 15/05/2011 20:30

Morally superior? Well yes cycling has less of an impact on the environment and improves your health so I do think cyclists have some justification for feeling pleased with themselves. I repeat I have no issue with pedestrians unless they walk out if front of me - in which case I tell them to get out of my way.

CurrySpice · 15/05/2011 20:30

Maybe. Wouldn't stop me though :o

I don't jaywalk. I don't often see people jaywalking (outside extraordinary situations like Oxford Street). I do see cyclists acting like idiots who own the road every day (motorists too tbh)

blouseenthusiast · 15/05/2011 20:31

Well walking has no impact on the environment.

CurrySpice · 15/05/2011 20:32

You do have an issue with pedestrians northernlurker sibnce you brand them "people too lazy to get on a bicycle themselves."

Pedestrians have the same impact on the environment as cyclists and walking is also good for your health too.

I repeat I have no issue with cyclists unless they almost mow me down - in which case I tell them to get out of my way.

teaforone · 15/05/2011 20:32

I was out driving to work the other day and was stuck behind a stupid man on a bike who was not at the side of the road more like in the middle and i could not over take as busy road cars always coming the other way ... HOW ANNOYING!! GET OFF THE ROAD!!

blouseenthusiast · 15/05/2011 20:33

I have an issue with the 80% of cyclists in my neighbourhood who behave appallingly.

Original poster
microfight · 15/05/2011 20:34

blouseenthusiast
firstly I have never said you should only cross "at a green man when there are no clyclists in view for miles." why would you say perhaps you are right when i never said it. Please tell where I said you should do that.

secondly if I were you with such a terrible problem with cyclists I would get onto the local council to get something done about it. That is terrible, every day you have a near miss!

OP posts:
stoatie · 15/05/2011 20:36

There is a long road near me on the approach to the city. It is only single carriageway, but has very wide paths, half of which have been made into cycle paths. So plenty of room for pedestrians, separate cycle way and road for the motor vehicles. However this lovely long straight road has lots of side streets (off at 90 degrees from road). Most of the cyclists choose not to use the cycle path (as they would have to slow down when crossing side streets) and go on the road which is not wide enough to safely get passed easily. Oddly the same cyclists appear not to have to stop at the red light zebra crossing near the school Hmm

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