To think some cyclists are complete arseholes....

[Sophisticatedsarcasm]

I’m not blind to the fact that cyclists get grief from drivers, you’d think they’d give some thought to pedestrians. 3 Times today I came across douchebags who couldn’t be bothered to signal when turning and almost run me over, luckily I’m very aware when out walking. One of then tried to hurl abuse at me when I shouted back some very tasteful words along with the other women also almost knocked over. If you want to cycle in a busy part of town then you need to abide by the Highway Code of signalling so people know not to cross the road not just cycle along and spontaneously decide I want that turn no matter who’s there.
Another went up a one way street the wrong way then because a car was coming swerves and almost hits me on the pavement....and not a sorry in sight... which I kindly pointed out when I shouted your welcome really loudly... not that it mattered he continued on his ignorant way.
I like to cycle but I’m always weary of people and to me pedestrians are priority.... it’s a shame not everyone feels the same.
So tell me am I being unreasonable....

@bluebug45 you do make me laugh. Thanks for this tonight

@kayaking there is no tube in the part of London I live in. The tube network doesn't extend everywhere in London so you have to rely on buses and trains.

Also it is made clear at every event where there are road closures that emergency vehicles will be given priority and be allowed to get through, plus we are allowed to cycle as long as we don't get in the way. If the event organisers didn't do this they wouldn't be given licenses. In fact one event that has started near me last year gives resident discounts for entry to butter us up even more and I think they only close about two roads.

The person who was told they couldn't go to their chemo appointment should have gone public.

My old boss who was a keen cyclist used to say that there were cyclists and people who ride bikes.

^^ haha I said that on here once @sunnymeg and one of the haters decided that was the hill she was going to die and tried to rip me to shreds by pretending like I was denying there are bad people who ride bicycles. You can't have a normal discussion with people who are so blinkered.

Sunnymeg
Yes!! I've heard that one before.
I alluded to it up thread when I said that there's often 2 groups:
Cyclists - often lycra wearing hobby cyclists, generally better on the road, often better at group riding (but not all clubs teach it well). Usual sin is to be a bit too fast if using mixed cycle path/footpaths (which can be a pain for kids ans family bike rides and then you have to deal with people meandering with their dogs across the whole space). Tend to have lights on, helmets on etx.

People on bikes - often in casual clothes, cycling around towns, more likely to jump red lights, ride up one way streets, mount pavements, not have lights on, not wearing reflective clothing at night, not wearing a helmet.

You can't have a normal discussion with people who are so blinkered.
This.
Most cyclists will admit there are some bad cyclists just like there are stupid pedestrians who walk behind reversing cars, cross roads in dangerous places, dangerous drivers, drivers who 'just check their phone', drivers who speed up and swerve through amber lights as they hit red etc.
People who hate cyclists seem to have the conflicting view that cyclists shouls be on cycle paths (because they're an abomination to road users and heaven forbid they had to do a safe overtake instead of squeezing past) whilst also not being on the cycle path (because they go too quick and it's like their own speed race in heir silly lycra).

People who hate cyclists seem to have the conflicting view
Yes, as a cyclist you are unwelcome everywhere.

You shouldn't be on the roads because they're for cars.

You shouldn't on cycle paths because they're for dog walkers.

You shouldn't be on towpaths because people want to have a stroll with their headphones on.

I hate the cyclists in London who ding their bells incessantly and ride straight at pedestrians though.

However, in most cases, a careless cyclist will only hurt themselves. A careless driver may kill themselves, and take a few innocent people with them.

I hate dickhead cyclists as much as the next person.

I just disagree that having to move your dog out the way or slow down or do a safe overtake is a sign a cyclist is a dickhead.

I love the helmet cam videos that some people put on YouTube. It shows up how close many drivers think it is acceptable to drive. I'm thinking of getting one.

However, in most cases, a careless cyclist will only hurt themselves

Well, they've hurt me a couple of times (non-driver / non-cyclist)

I don't walk on cycle paths, & I wait for a space before I cross them. The only time I have headphones on is when I'm running, which is usually on shared paths, but then I'll keep to one side & my music is always low enough for me to hear voices / bells anyway.

I was bashed into by an idiot running a red light, who at least stopped & apologised, & knocked over by a git whizzing over the grass in a park, who didn't stop. I'm sorry he didn't hurt himself because he bloody well deserved to.

Cyclists in general - fine, no problem. But as a pedestrian, staying out of the way of cars tends to be much easier than staying out of the way of cyclists.

I'm relatively new to road cycling and regularly head out for a 35-40 mile trundle at the weekends with 1 or 2 other people. However as none of us are entitled twats, we always cycle responsibly (even if we are wearing padded lycra shorts (for comfort) and a lycra top (helps wick the sweat away from the torso ) ).

I never cycle on pavements and only on dual aspect paths when they are clear. If not clear we reduce our speed !

Always say thank you with both raised hand and vocally to motorists who have not tried to squeeze past but have waited ten seconds to overtake safely. Wear hi vis yellow jacket or bright pink top so we can be seen.

Plot our routes to avoid busy roads and hopefully cause as little disruption as possible.

We do take part in the organised sportives and I do feel guilty about my part in the disruption for local residents. However, does the good outweight the bad? How many of the people taking part, of all shapes and sizes, wouldn't have been doing any exercise if it wasn't for these organised events?

I'm also an ex horse rider and a motorist. As a rider I used to position myself midway between the gutter and the central white line (if there was one!) which meant a) the motorist could see me sooner and slow down to pass safely and b) if they did decide to squeeze past, I had space to move to the left and avoid an accident.

As a motorist, I try to drive in a considerate fashion to every other road user, overtaking safely and leaving plenty of room, whether its another car, a lorry, a walker, a dog walker, a cyclist, horse and rider, milk float etc.

I have come to the conclusion that there are entitled idiots on all modes of transport but that as a nation we are getting more angry with other people who we perceive as hindering our progress through the day. Dont know what the answer is though!

BlueBug I lived in London for 20 years and access to transport there compared to a sussex village couldn't be more different. In a sussex village there is probably 2 or 3 buses a day (but they can't run on closed roads either! ) and no trains. And yes bikes not registered with Velo South (at a cost of at least £40 up to £125 for a ticket are banned from the route, so walking or nothing. The tickets were all sold before local people knew anything about the event, so we have just been ignored. West Sussex county council have aloud this event without consultation with the residents. So please do not compare this to ride London, it is totally different.