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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to bloody hate cyclists

845 replies

FortyAndFlagging · 30/05/2019 16:20

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?

OP posts:
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BuzzShitbagBobbly · 31/05/2019 08:31

See most road users are grateful for the gesture so you never know who to please!

I'm doing it as a way of thanking you for your patience, as I can now see the road ahead is clear and safe for you to overtake if you want to. FFS, talk about looking for offence.

HillRunner · 31/05/2019 08:32

The more I read this thread, the more I think that it should be mandatory to have spent a certain number of hours cycling on public roads (and done a cycling proficiency test) before people are allowed to obtain a driving licence. That way people might be better informed about cycle and road safety, and would treat other road users with more consideration.

The level of ignorance really is astounding.

WhiteDust · 31/05/2019 08:33

I get that they are trying to be 'helpful' but I'm not going to overtake if I can't see the road ahead /judge distance before next bend myself. I might as well close my eyes and hope for the best.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 31/05/2019 08:35

And again, why don't you fuck off to your own special roads - the motorway network - that was built especially for motorised traffic and nobody else; and stop polluting and causing danger on the minor roads which weren't built for you to be racing round in your too-fast, dangerous vehicles?

If you want to get to point B at the end of that country lane, campaign for your own special car lane to get there and use that. Perhaps you can pay a special tax and license fee to use it as well?

HillRunner · 31/05/2019 08:35

So was the 'suck it up' necessary?

You were talking about people trying to be helpful, but you managed to be aggressive about it. And you reckon they're the inconsiderate ones?

fairweathercyclist · 31/05/2019 08:36

Agree HillRunner.

Also - yesterday evening I went out for a ride with my local Breeze group (national ladies riding initiative for those of you who don't know, there is probably a group near you). We cycled 15 miles and pulled over twice on narrow lanes to let drivers past. So it's not the case that we "might as well walk" - it probably held us up by a minute over the whole ride. I do think groups should let drivers past when they can. Breeze also advocates small groups of cyclists riding two abreast as much as possible so it makes you the size of a small van rather than a long strung out line and drivers can get past.

Despite this thread, I think the message about overtaking two abreast may be beginning to get through, as we did not receive any abuse for it.

HillRunner · 31/05/2019 08:37

To be fair, there are many areas of the country that don't have many, if any, motorways. My nearest motorway is an hour's drive away.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 31/05/2019 08:37

I get that they are trying to be 'helpful' but I'm not going to overtake if I can't see the road ahead /judge distance before next bend myself.

OK, so why did you feel the need to be such a cunt about it previously then?

WhiteDust · 31/05/2019 08:38

Just to add, I'm happy to wait behind them. I've lived here for years and know how dangerous the road is. I know every bend, every 'adverse camber'. I know how many serious accidents there have been. Cyclists really don't like me trailing them (from a safe distance). Maybe they don't live nearby and don't realise.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 31/05/2019 08:39

To be fair, there are many areas of the country that don't have many, if any, motorways. My nearest motorway is an hour's drive away.

One could say the same about usable cycle lane provision though, yet my (tongue in cheek) comment is (seriously) trotted out every single time about that.

WhiteDust · 31/05/2019 08:40

OK, so why did you feel the need to be such a cunt about it previously then?

Quote me please. Would love to know what was 'cuntish' (lovely choice of word).

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 31/05/2019 08:41

I know how many serious accidents there have been.

Out of interest, how many of these were (proven) caused by cyclists and/or where the cyclists caused the death or serious injury of another party?

If not cyclists, what is usually the main factor?

WhiteDust · 31/05/2019 08:43

Yes, the 'suck it up' was necessary.
Waving me on constantly. I'll wait! Stop trying to force me to overtake! I've given the context!!

WhiteDust · 31/05/2019 08:46

Buzz It is a very dangerous stretch of road for everyone. Accidents have involved a range of different vehicles and pedestrians.

LonelyTiredandLow · 31/05/2019 08:46

Highway code is clear - you do not go on another road users' say so - you use your own eyes/ears faculties. Only an idiot would trust someone else on a blind bend. Just because cyclists get frustrated that they have a trail of cars behind them I am not risking my life and my daughter's because you think you can see. As stated, I don't have particular confidence that cyclists are always the most 'safety conscious' amongst us Hmm

Teateaandmoretea · 31/05/2019 08:48

Cyclists really don't like me trailing them (from a safe distance).

Its probably because they are expecting a mouthful of abuse for not letting you past/ feel they have to let you past. No one has an issue with a nice, patient car driver.

The thing is the narrow lanes I ride on the usual reason for people driving down them anyway is because they are going to somewhere on the lane. They often decide they cba to overtake and then stop to open a gate in 200m time.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 31/05/2019 08:49

The more I read this thread, the more I think that it should be mandatory to have spent a certain number of hours cycling on public roads (and done a cycling proficiency test) before people are allowed to obtain a driving licence.

I'd like one element of that to have people (at best) riding a bike or (at least) running along a train platform (over the white line), when a non-stop train is passing through. Give them a sense of what a close pass actually feels like when it is your skin and bone exposed, not a 2 ton metal safety shield.

Damntheman · 31/05/2019 08:49

I do both driving and cycling and have noticed wankers in both camps.

And feel the need to point out that cycling two or three abreast is actually SAFER for everyone involved than going one by one. It a) forces the car to actually pull out properly to overtake instead of potentially knocking a cyclist over by being too close and b) makes the distance required to safely overtake shorter, getting the driver back in the correct lane more swiftly.

People do get awfully frothy, but cyclists should not have to lose all their momentum to pull over every time a car shows up. Be patient, overtake with GOOD SPACE when a clear opportune moment arises. Everybody is happy.

MrPan · 31/05/2019 08:50

Well this weekly biker-bashing thread seems be rolling much longer than most. Well done in forming such an effective peloton!
BikeBikeBikeBike-------Bike

WhiteDust · 31/05/2019 08:51

And again, why don't you fuck off to your own special roads - the motorway network - that was built especially for motorised traffic and nobody else; and stop polluting and causing danger on the minor roads which weren't built for you to be racing round in your too-fast, dangerous vehicles?

Not everyone lives near a motorway!

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 31/05/2019 08:52

Just because cyclists get frustrated that they have a trail of cars behind them I am not risking my life and my daughter's because you think you can see. As stated, I don't have particular confidence that cyclists are always the most 'safety conscious' amongst us hmm

FFS, get over yourself. We're trying to be helpful and show we appreciate your patience. When we are on two wheels I can assure you we are painfully, sometimes very personally, aware of what being "safety conscious" means. Why do you immediately assume we're trying to wave you to certain death because we "think" Hmm we can see?

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 31/05/2019 08:54

Not everyone lives near a motorway!

Oh well. Best build some then, eh?
Then you can drive on them unencumbered by lesser beings.

(Again,this is tongue in cheek, referencing the same old "use the cycle lanes" line that is trotted out every single time. When we don't live near any either / are unusable /not safe/stop and start etc)

LonelyTiredandLow · 31/05/2019 08:57

I am not assuming anything.
You may be for all I know. I am not you.
I would not choose to ride on a pothole ridden road on a bicycle. Next to fast moving cars. Being covered in fumes.
Please excuse me if I don't trust your idea of what is best for me and my daughter. I also do not mean to cause offence. We merely have different views on safety.

Dongdingdong · 31/05/2019 08:57

YANBU. I see so many cyclists in London just whizz over zebra crossings with no heed to pedestrians whatsoever.

WhiteDust · 31/05/2019 08:59

Buzz Let go of some of your anger!
I am happy to wait. I would rather live. Many of the cyclists are not happy for me to wait.
As for your tongue in cheek 'build more motorways' I'm sure even our government is going to churn up the Peak District national park anytime soon!

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