Page 13 | AIBU to bloody hate cyclists

FortyAndFlagging · 2019-05-30T15:20:25+00:00

I have just trailed three cyclists during the course of the day. Honest to God, why don't they just pull over and let people pass?

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 31/05/2019 07:38

I passed my cycling proficiency when I was a kid, and then I took my driving test when I was older; and have also voluntarily taken lessons with an Advanced Driving Instructor. I now have ~25 years of road experience without incident or ticket.

What other road-using test would you like me to undertake?

missfliss · 31/05/2019 07:38

Car driver and cyclist commuter here in Sussex.

This thread is horrible.

I got knocked off my bike by a lorry last week on an A road. He drove off after checking in his rear view mirror that I had left the road.

I'm lucky to be not seriously injured or dead, but I'm still in pain and having to work at home and pay for treatment to my back and elbow.

Complaining entitled drivers pose a far greater risk to my safety than anything else.

It's disgusting how little regard some of you have for other human beings.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 31/05/2019 07:40

YABU.

I am just about to set off to cycle 20 miles to a hospital appointment. We have one car which DP needs for work, there is no public transport and I can't afford a taxi.

How do you want me to get there?

It will be a 40 mile round trip, plus I will then have to go to work. Having rude and inconsiderate drivers like you who "hate" me does not help.

spot102 · 31/05/2019 07:42

It's nice to see so many (presumably lady?) cyclists on this thread. Used to be a bit of a rare breed when I was young. Let's hope the improvement continues.

YouBumder · 31/05/2019 07:48

If anyone else impeded the free flow of traffic like they do they’d be prosecuted

I doubt it. My “free flow of traffic” to work on the motorway is often impeded by traffic buildup due to (minor) accidents. Which don’t just happen, they are caused by the negligence of one or more drivers. Court system would pretty soon grind to a halt if all these crap drivers were prosecuted.

swingofthings · 31/05/2019 07:51

I find it unbelievable that people adopting a healthy lifestyle, for themselves and the environment, are considered pests because people who dont experienced some slight inconvenience on their way.

Totally agree with poor un considerate cyclists.ut these are more likely to be in town than in the countryside, yet the number of entitled drivers thinking they own the roads even the small countryside ones is very sad.

Its fine to be annoyed at being slowed down, but just swallow your frustration, don't turn it into an attitude that because you are annoyed, the others are in the wrong.

ivykaty44 · 31/05/2019 07:51

Round my way there is no room to cycle on the pavement, it’s difficult for pedestrians to actually use the pavement

YouBumder · 31/05/2019 07:53

I saw a guy cycle the wrong way down Regent Street (lethal, could have caused a major accident) a few months back in full view of a policeman, who shouted at him but couldn't do anything

Why couldn’t the policeman do anything? Doesn’t sound a very effective cop if he didn’t know that the Road Traffic Act also covers cycling offences.

Muminho · 31/05/2019 07:54

Not read the full thread but YABVU. You 'hate' cyclists? Maybe you should jump on a bike yourself - could help with the 'Forty and Flagging' situation.

Imustbemad00 · 31/05/2019 07:58

I despise all cyclists. I live in central London and I know it’s not all of them, but the vast majority are entitled and aggressive wankers. The roads are now a nightmare because so many of them have been halved to make cycle routes which in some ways is good, but half the time the cyclists don’t use them, they’ll use normal roads, pavements, go across pedestrian crossings, anything so they don’t have to stop at lights. They don’t stop at lights if I’m crossing roads. I’ll have up to 10 of them surrounding my car from all angles which makes it impossible to do anything safely. I hate them and my biggest fear on the roads is that I’m going to accidentally leave knock one of them over one day because of how dangerous it is.

whothedaddy · 31/05/2019 08:02

This post has gone peasants and pitchforks hasn’t it?

Wankers are wankers full stop.
I don’t hate all pedestrians because half of them walk around with headphones in making them unaware as to anything going on around them.... or worse crossing a road while staring at a mobile phone.
Most cycle paths are shared pavements. I’ve seen a lot of people say cycling on a path is a menace... can they honestly say as a pedestrian they are constantly looking out for hazards? The majority of pedestrians I encounter on shared cycle paths are walking on the cycle path side and totally unaware of you until you are right near them. They can’t hear your warnings as they have headphones in or are talking animatedly to their companion. I walk to work daily and I very day I end up having to walk into the road because oncoming pedestrians insist on walking 2-3 abreast taking pregnancy while footpath and refusing to go in single file on my approach.

The majority of us are selfish, self important part... if you think you are not you’re a liar

ivykaty44 · 31/05/2019 08:04

Imustbemad and parking cars on both sides of a road which leaves just one lane from a possible 3 isn’t entitled or taking road space which could help all traffic flow flow freely

Diddleysquat · 31/05/2019 08:04

Believe it or not, just driving a car does not make your journey any more important or urgent than any other road users journey. The road is a shared space, either learn to share it safely and with consideration to vulnerable users or get off it.

cyclingmad · 31/05/2019 08:07

For Londoners being a car driver will become even more harder. The Mayor is aiming for vision zero i.e. noone dies on the road. They are looking to introduce 15mph roads in the square mile and already huge parts of London are reduced to 20mph. Lots of traffic calming measures going in as well.

With the upcoming aiq quality emissions zone extension lots of people who can't afford to upgrade their cars will have an impact on number of cars on the road. Infact I think it's by 2025 the Mator wants it to be only electric cars allowed to drive in London for free. Other cars will be charged.

And whilst this might be London other major cities in the UK are following suit.

WhiteDust · 31/05/2019 08:08

My message to cyclists near me: Don't keep waving me past you when we are on blind bends (windy, country roads here full of them). I'm not going to take your word for it. You might find me trailing you for 2 miles annoying but that's what you get when you ride narrow bendy roads with no safe passing points. Suck it up.

swingofthings · 31/05/2019 08:11

Don't keep waving me past you when we are on blind bends (windy, country roads here full of them)
See most road users are grateful for the gesture so you never know who to please!

HillRunner · 31/05/2019 08:19

I am actually dismayed to see that this thread - with all its ignorant and damaging hatred against a vulnerable group of fellow humans - has been allowed to flourish. I have complained, of course, but have received nothing beyond an automated reply. Shame on you Mumsnet.

Totally agree, the level of ignorant hatred on this thread is appalling. I can't believe posts in which people joke about mowing cyclists down have been allowed to stand by mumsnet.

fairweathercyclist · 31/05/2019 08:19

Round my way there is no room to cycle on the pavement, it’s difficult for pedestrians to actually use the pavement

Awful. It's amazing how people hate cyclists on pavements but it's ok for a car to park on them (or lots of cars) and force pedestrians into the road.

If I could change one thing about our roads I would ban pavement parking, although giving pedestrians absolute priority crossing side roads would be a very close second.

fairweathercyclist · 31/05/2019 08:20

Don't keep waving me past you when we are on blind bends (windy, country roads here full of them)

A cyclist can often see it's clear when you can't.

fairweathercyclist · 31/05/2019 08:21

Dear MN please don't zap this thread. If one person reads it and is educated about why cyclists ride two abreast or don't hug the gutter it is worth it.

fairweathercyclist · 31/05/2019 08:24

on stretches of road that are busy I have been pushed into the road with my 2 children to let grown men cyclists pass us on the pavement

No you weren't, you chose to move. I just stop on those situation - it tends to be parents with buggies taking up most of the pavement. I refuse to walk in the gutter of a busy road so I simply stop and make people go round me. You can do the same with the cyclists.

HillRunner · 31/05/2019 08:27

I can often see that it's clear when a car behind can't. They are waving to be helpful....

HillRunner · 31/05/2019 08:29

And believe me, the cyclist does not want to have two cars having a head on collision next to them, as they'd be killed in the accident too. So if they wave that it's clear they will be telling the truth.

LonelyTiredandLow · 31/05/2019 08:29

All this thread has done is establish that roads are not safe for cyclists - not merely because of cars and drivers, but because potholes and road widths are not maintained.

As I said, it's almost sado-masochistic. Not to mention being in the direct line of fire for exhaust fumes - people can't honestly believe breathing that in whilst doing high impact cardio is healthy ?

Teateaandmoretea · 31/05/2019 08:31

My message to cyclists near me: Don't keep waving me past you when we are on blind bends (windy, country roads here full of them). I'm not going to take your word for it. You might find me trailing you for 2 miles annoying but that's what you get when you ride narrow bendy roads with no safe passing points. Suck it up.

I was with you until the unnecessary 'suck it up' at the end. I agree though re waving past the car driver needs to see for themselves.