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?

They're so aggressive to pedestrians! I have twice been sworn at by cyclists who bumped into me. Even worse when they're in packs doing a race of some sort, littering the countryside with their gel things and sip bottles

At this point you cease to be a credible witness! You are asking us to accept that a significant proportion of cyclists go out of their way to avoid a route which is actually better for them simply to make the lives of motorists harder

No, I’m saying I can’t understand why they do.

See? Simply impossible to even dare hazard a criticism at a cyclist

FiddlesticksAkimbo

I’m all ears as to why I’m unreasonable being annoyed at cyclists who ride in areas they’re directed to dismount.

Or in the “no cyclists” area of the country park.

No, I’m saying I can’t understand why they do.

See? Simply impossible to even dare hazard a criticism at a cyclist

There are only two interpretations of this this though. The one I set out above, which renders you unbelievable. Or alternatively one that renders you lacking in comprehension ability! Neither of those involves a criticism of cyclists. They both undermine your objectivity in this!

The poster who states that cars rarely hit pedestrians is talking bollocks.

There are only two interpretations of this this though. The one I set out above, which renders you unbelievable. Or alternatively one that renders you lacking in comprehension ability! Neither of those involves a criticism of cyclists. They both undermine your objectivity in this

You’re proving my point deliciously

Your point is clearly too subtle for me in that case!

Could you explain to me why I’m in the wrong for criticising cyclists who fail to dismount when instructed?

I mean, obviously I am, but....

Are you asking me?

(I think that is called "whataboutery" by the way!)

Are you asking me?

Well yes, given, despite clearly saying I don’t agree with criticising cyclists en masse and only thinking it important to criticise poor behaviour, there’s all sorts of reasons being put forth as to why I’m wrong.

So either you all know exactly where I live and the area I’m discussing, or you really can’t even suggest a cyclist might be displaying slightly silly behaviour

we live on the edge of the forest and walk/drive up there all the time, it’s come to the point where I don’t want to drive up there in the summer as the amount of club cyclists/organised events is ludicrous. It’s lovely to see everyone enjoying the forest but these large groups spoil it for everyone

I haven't ventured to the new forest for about 15 years but back then (and I went regularly as a friend used to live there) I just remember it being traffic jams and hordes of people. There are too many people of all types on the forest, not just cyclists....! But yeah blame the cyclists

@Vulpine unfortunately I have MS it makes life pretty tough for me and my only access is by car. @jasjas1973 it will be great if they have limited the amount of organised events it just proves how ludicrous it has been getting! I’m sure the groups that were out this weekend were not part of any organised event though.

At the end of the day people have to face a few facts there are selfish cyclists and selfish drivers (possibly same people)

It doesn’t kill cyclists to move over a bit and allow drivers past, it doesn’t kill drivers to give cyclists a bit more room. We are in a world of me me me unfortunately, we are a growing population in a small island some consideration of each other really wouldn’t hurt anyone!

@Teateaandmoretea well if you’ve not been for 15 years then you have no clue what she it’s like now!

Consideration of others would include not driving a polluting vehicle just for the hell of it

Council Report from 2017 of cyclists in forest, they expected 850 cyclists 4258 turned up over that weekend.

Cyclist behaviour this time appeared worse than in last September's event. It seems that the higher the number of participants, the worse the behaviour. The worst problems occurred in restricted space - narrow lanes and pinch points. It seemed that participants believe everybody else on the road should give way to them. This hardly fosters good relations between cyclists and other road users.

Motorist behaviour also needs to be addressed. On several occasions drivers attempted to overtake in dangerous situations. This was often exacerbated by a total lack of forethought by cyclists. Groups of more than 6 cyclists are very difficult to overtake, and a large space is needed between groups for vehicles to move into.

@Vulpine how do you suggest I get about then??

I thought you said you liked taking a classic car out for a drive. As a hobby that's affects more people than a lycra clad middle aged man cycling selfishly. But of course you need a car to get around then fair dues.

@Vulpine of course all the cyclists that appear in the New Forest cycle here from their homes in London etc? Strange that as I regularly see people carriers carrying bikes on racks so they can ride in the forest.

Two years ago took my DD to the cycle track at Calshot, she was there all day, so i went for bike ride in the New Forest, few cyclists but loads of horse riders, walkers, classic vehicles and streams an streams of cars... there was little in the way of quiet roads, it was a friggin nightmare, August in Polperro on steroids!!!
I went back to the cycle track and spent the day in the cafe!

I can think of few worse places to ride a bike or visit full stop.

No, I’m saying I can’t understand why they do.

Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean there isn’t a good reason, it just means you don’t know much about safe cycling.

@jasjas1973 doesn’t seem to discourage everyone though. We went through Calshot yesterday it was a lovely place

True, you could also drive over to Salisbury Plain? few cyclists and in parts very pretty.

Yes the shingle beaches and views to the IOW where lovely.

@jasjas1973 it wouldn’t be too far I don’t think, would have to check with DP as he’s the born bred local I’m still finding my way around (5 years down here)

All these people complaining that they get held up because of someone's hobby (cycling). That hobby may be of immense value for people's physical and mental health.

Have you never been stuck in a motorway traffic jam on a bank holiday? Chances are a lot of the drivers have been somewhere to do their hobby (whether that is rock-climbing, watching football or whatever).

I was passed unsafely by three of the c. 20 drivers who passed me drivers during my 2 mile commute this morning. For two of them it was while I was going downhill at about 20-25mph in an urban area, so they definitely weren't being held up by me. I was also commuting in my work clothes (which means that I was the acceptable kind of cyclist according to this post).

So that's three unsafe passes which directly endangered my life in just one morning. And yet somehow I manage not to hate all car drivers.

If people who don't cycle actually took notice of how many drivers drive dangerously, and how often they do so, I doubt cyclists would be seen as the issue. The problem is that other car drivers barely even notice this behaviour on the roads, and when they do they often minimise it.