AIBU - cyclists should use the cycle lane on the huge pavement?

[Fizzielove]

AIBU to feel really annoyed when I see a cyclist on the road - when there is a special lane on the pavement (which was specially widened to provide a cycle lane with a white line and everything!)

I mean seriously - USE THE CYCLE LANE!! I get sooooo annoyed!! They hold up the traffic because everyone has to give them a wide birth.

AIBU to get annoyed and want to put the window down and shout at them "Use the f cycle lane - that's what it's there for!!!"

OP - you are being massively ignorant about what it's like to ride a bike in heavy traffic. So do please get stuffed.

'Normally cyclists don't use the cycle path - all the usual reasons, (hazards, stopping and starting etc). Today traffic on the road jammed solid - nothing moving. All the cyclists using the cycle path. Cyclists whizzing along. No problem with all the "hazards" today. (And I was stuck in the jam for 35 minutes).'

The hazards on the path were still there, it was just the better of the alternatives at that time. It would have taken the cyclists longer than going on the road when the road isn't snarled up. And was safer than weaving in and out trying to overtake queuing traffic.

Ooh just checked back in to this thread this morning and there is some serious cyclist rage and driver rage!

Just wanted to comment on this....

If you are commuting 15 miles to work by bike would you stop 3 or 4 times to cross a road if you cycled at 20 to 30mph and keep up with the speed and flow of traffic?

I commute 30miles to work by car everyday and 30 miles home, I have to stop numerous times at traffic signals/roundabouts/junctions etc.
Most of the cyclists I encounter don't bother with stopping at red lights they just switch from vehicle mode to pedestrian mode and skip through the lights!

I think this is a thread that may turn into a cat fight, so I'm bowing out!

I just waited my turn at a 4 way stop and a car that came up behind me decided to tailgate me - instead of waiting his turn-so closely that when a garbage truck was forcing me to move over, i couldn't and barely managed not to go into the crusher. He continued on his way regardless. He got a little antsy tho when i pulled up beside him at the next light and took a photo and his license # .

There are always people on these threads that like to claim that cyclists have as much right as drivers to use the roads. They do not. Cyclists have a right to use the roads (except in very particular situations like motorways), whereas drivers are only tolerated under licence.

Well quite. Roads are a public utility, which car/van/truck drivers seem to forget. So you can walk on them, ride a horse, drive a tractor, play hop-scotch (where safe to do so) on them etc. And..ride a bike.

I do think that a significant number of car drivers go a bit crazy behind the wheel in the way they regard cyclists and pedestrians. Everyone is in their way and barely tolerated and there is a need to not be held up for even the smallest amount of time.

I was walking across the supermarket carpark today and got to a pedestrian crossing and crossed. A car pulled up to the crossing when I was halfway across so waited for me. I smiled politely at the driver. As they drove off they shouted "thanks" sarcastically out the window at me.

I can only assume that because I didn't wave a thanks to them or get down and bow to them or something I pissed them off. If I'd had the chance to ask her I'd have been interested in finding out if she waves thank you to every car which stops at a red light. I suspect she doesn't.

The red light thing - can we put it to bed?
car drivers go through on red much more than people who ride bikes.

There.

I ride a lot and drive a bit. The incidence of drivers 'sneaking through' on red is enormous! Most annoying when riding at a junction when I am setting off and going straight on, BUT..have to wait whilst red light-dodging drivers cut across my path whilst they are turning right.

Besides of course, a rider going through on red in no way impinges on the drivers journey. It's just a bit of bitterness, and evidence of a "I just don't like bike riders because they are not the same as me."

Oh but that's accepted Song. The problem when cyclists do it is that the cars are there waiting so get annoyed that they're being overtaken. (Not that cyclists should of course. I have been known to hop off my bike to walk through pedestrian crossings before. Not doing anything illegal but for some reason bugs the hell out of some drivers).