AIBU to bloody hate cyclists

[FortyAndFlagging]

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?

Yes Minnie but only someone who never drives could post that. Lots of people never cycle though.

It's funny how rarely one sees a "I hate all car drivers" thread on MN.

'I hate' threads with swear words are only allowed about cyclists. I can't think of any other group it would be tolerated for.

you only need to look at a 'lifeskill thread' to see that many people don't rate cycling as important.

imo it's a great skill to have and as pp I think a driving test should include a cycling test as well.

I have learned from this thread what is meant by giving a cyclist the same room as a car.
Cycle lanes give very little room to cyclists from cars.

only someone who never drives could post that.

More than a few MNers meet that criterion. They still don't post threads about hating all motorists because non-motorists get that motorists are people and you cannot hate everyone who drives on the basis of seeing some of them being dickheads on your way to work this morning.

What a guy.

I hate cyclists. Bloody nuisance. Wish there were bike lanes everywhere so they'd keep out of the bloody way.

True. I never drive.

It would be so easy to post a load of stereotyping vitriol on here about motorists.

Strofeaffle likes to be aggressive with other road users that get in the way - don’t be like strofeaffle, don’t ignore the Highway Code and use your horn to scare others using the horn. A horn can be used as a warning without being aggressive

Out tonight riding twos up and a drive beeps his horn, I move up and we’re single file- driver moves pasts. No need for aggression from anyone

Most of the ones who hog the road move over when blasted with my ear splitting air horn.

So when you see a cyclist taking a safe central position on the road, not doing anything wrong, you blast them with your horn in order to intimidate them so they get out of your way? Nice.

We should have special car lanes so us bikers know exactly where the dickheads are. And make them all single file. Sensible.

Aha. I've previously asked on MN why the driving theory test has questions like this:

What action would you take when elderly people are crossing the road?

Possible answers:

A. Wave them across so they know that you've seen them
B. Be patient and allow them to cross in their own time
C. Rev the engine to let them know that you're waiting
D. Tap the horn in case they're hard of hearing

because of course the answer is going to be B. Who, I asked, would ever pick C?

Turns out we have a winner on this thread! Congratulations, Stroopwaffel!

Some drivers just don’t have any patience. I had a van driver calling me all sorts today because I wouldn’t overtake a cyclist when there was first a car coming towards me and then when we were approaching a roundabout.

It must have slowed him up for a whole 30 seconds.

Jamie to be fair to Stroop, a cyclist attempting to nip down the inside to get past a lorry before it turns could get themselves killed. I don’t think what she’s suggesting is the same as your HC example at all.

The only comment that has stood out on this thread is @Greeper. That post sums it all for me, therefore enough said.

I'll grant that nipping up on the left is reckless stupidity.

However blaring an "ear splitting air horn" at someone balancing on two wheels, for the sin of being in the middle of the lane doesn't seem calculated to preserve life.

I do like how Stroopwaffel is outraged at cyclists on pavements and on the road. Perhaps cyclists could teleport themselves between cycle-lanes?

Rule 112 of the Highway Code
The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn

^while stationary on the road
when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am^

Walking a mile in another man's shoes before spouting too much vitriolic rubbish is always a wise move

Also rule 66 of the Highway Code says:

You should

keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear
keep both feet on the pedals
never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
not ride close behind another vehicle
not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain
be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.

Head on collision vs beep from a horn. Take your pick.

Okay, I'm thinking outside the box here, but couldn't you just, er, not run them down?