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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
Thread gallery
6
INeedAFlerken · 30/05/2019 17:27

YABVU.

Most cyclists are also drivers. Most cyclists are considerate. Most drivers are considerate. But it's the arseholes on cyclists and in cars that we all remember...

Keepithidden · 30/05/2019 17:27

They have a right to be in the road. Motorists have a permissive licence (well other then the 2 million plus who are untaxed and uninsured).

Simple legalities means that cyclists should be above the hierarchy of cars etc.

Buddytheelf85 · 30/05/2019 17:27

They’ve got as much right to be there as you have.

Well, more really, given that they aren’t polluting the air and contributing to the destruction of the planet. And are also exercising which makes them less likely to be overweight.

FizzBuzzBangWoof · 30/05/2019 17:27

If you had to trail them then presumably it was a narrow country road with no option to safely overtake?

Do you also hate bloody tractors, bloody old people, bloody sheep, bloody horseriders, bloody bin lorries and bloody pedestrians OP?

YABU if you hadn't already guessed Hmm

CheeseCakeSunflowers · 30/05/2019 17:28

Yes cyclists have as much right to be on the road as motorists. They do, however, have a duty to follow the rules of the highway code like motorists. Rule 66 states: never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends.
I have no problem with those who keep to this rule but unfortunately many don't, particulary when cycling along country roads. I also agree that the ones who break the rules are often wearing lycra.

redspider1 · 30/05/2019 17:28

I was cycling at the weekend and the majority of my route was on cycle paths but involved some roads. Every motorist I encountered was polite and considerate. If I know it’ll be a while before they can pass, I’ll stop and let them pass but I can’t all the time or I wouldn’t get anywhere!

redspider1 · 30/05/2019 17:29

Oh and I stop at red lights!

Pinkvoid · 30/05/2019 17:29

YANBU, I think most drivers feel this way tbh. The worst thing is when two ride side by side.

redspider1 · 30/05/2019 17:30

Most cyclists wear Lycra, it’s comfortable to exercise in fgs ! What does that have to do with it?

fairweathercyclist · 30/05/2019 17:31

However, I do think that leisure cyclists should pull over and let cars by once in a while. You don't know whether the driver behind you is trying to get to work, or do a duty visit to an elderly relative, and if your'e just out for a nice Sunday morning ride to enjoy the countryside, you can move over and let them get to where they need to be. When I am out with cycling groups we pull over to let drivers past from time to time. However, I am rarely, if ever, shown the same courtesy by other cyclists when I am driving.

fairweathercyclist · 30/05/2019 17:32

The worst thing is when two ride side by side

Because it forces you to wait and you can't slide past a single file cyclist with zero clearance. You should be going onto the other side of the road to overtake. And yes, that does mean you need to wait if someone is coming the other way.

Usuallyinthemiddle · 30/05/2019 17:33

I read it as cystitis.
Cystitis - YANBU
Cyclists - YABU

LolaSmiles · 30/05/2019 17:34

The worst thing is when two ride side by side.
Absolutely! The worst thing about other road users is when they make me do one safe overtake whilst giving the correct space.
What they should really do is get right into the edge of the road so I can squeeze past and risk injuring or killing one of them. After all I have a car and that makes me king.
Road safety is for losers. Can't people tell I have somewhere to be.

Maryjoyce · 30/05/2019 17:36

This reply has been deleted

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NicoAndTheNiners · 30/05/2019 17:38

Do you seriously think a cyclist should pull over potentially every 90 seconds to let a car past? You won't be the only car to have been behind them so it isn't like they would only have to pull over once.

On some roads maybe. I often cycle in a very narrow country lane where a car can't pass a cycle at all. Its not often a car comes along but if one is behind me I pull over in the next gateway.

But apart from roads like that the driver can wait like they have to wait for any other road user.

Cyclists aren't hogging the road, they have every right to be there and aren't hogging it anymore than you. As a car you take up more space so you're the road hogger!

Catalicious · 30/05/2019 17:38

Cyclists will cycle in a pack on roads where it is too dangerous for cars to overtake (as one person out it - 'barely any room to overtake'. It stops cars taking unnecessary risks, as unfortunately we experience near misses at least once a week.

So it's not to be selfish - it's to protect everyone's safety.

It's also the recommended approach in the highway guide.

Cyclists are just normal people trying to get from a to b tooSmile

lazyarse123 · 30/05/2019 17:39

Not rtft but yadnbu

HoustonBess · 30/05/2019 17:39

Yabu

Get out of your death box and join them

If you think cyclists need more space on the roads so they don't get in the way of cars, join a campaign for segregated bike lanes (with space taken from cars)

Veterinari · 30/05/2019 17:43

Threads like this are really good for demonstrating the ignorance/arrogance relationship!

It seems that many motorists despite being totally unaware of safe driving and cycling practices (or even just the HWC) are still utterly confident that they’re right!

It’s terrifying. And I’m a motorist!

twojackrusselsandamoggie · 30/05/2019 17:45

@Maryjoyce aren't you a joy? What do you mean the bus driver in London had the best way Just keep on driving? Are you implying that drivers should just plough on anyway even if there's a risk of injuring or killing a cyclist?

Fuck me I hope you don't have a driving licence.

BlueSkiesLies · 30/05/2019 17:45

I also agree that the ones who break the rules are often wearing lycra

So it would be cool to say:
Fucking runners, always getting in my way, running all over the place. They are always wearing these stupid legions as well! Twats in leggings running in the park. middle aged women in leggings, how silly are they?!

Nope. Not cool. Stop getting pissed off at people wearing suitable clothing to exercise in.

FluffMagnet · 30/05/2019 17:45

In the country, a single rider can easily hold up cars for miles, therefore significantly increasing journey times. As a lifelong equestrian and an occasional cyclist, I always remember my dad's insistence that if you are a slow moving vehicle/presence on the road, it is polite to avoid disrupting other people's journeys as much as possible. He would always make sure he would pull in where possible when towing or driving a horse lorry to let traffic pass, and ditto when I'm out riding (which is now a pretty terrifying experience with the general attitude of most road users). Equally when I am driving, I try to be very considerate to cyclists and give them plenty of space. It's just politeness and give and take on both sides that is needed. Bad experiences make people less tolerant and respectful in the future.

FYI to the pp that asked - horses are often spooked by cyclists because they appear suddenly at speed with no prior warning (remember they are prey animals). If horses are ahead, please shout out a friendly greeting so the horses are aware you are there (and are human!) and be prepared to stop if they go nuts. You don't want one jumping on you as you go past!

hellenbackagen · 30/05/2019 17:46

I'm both a driver and a very nervous cyclist because of drivers like
You op!

If I pulled over to let cars pass I'd never get to work!

I try to cycle through summer the 7 miles each way to lessen my carbon footprint and to keep fit.
Lots of hills and yes I'm slow but impatient drivers do put me off- one actually brushed my leg as they passed and I envisaged myself under their Ford Focus....

Why can't you just pass when you can?

Maryjoyce · 30/05/2019 17:46

They should also take a full test to be on the road and get points and fines and banned too for breaking the law as motor vehicle drivers do

BackOnceAgainWithABurnerEmail · 30/05/2019 17:49

Road tax. Lol. Abolished in the 1930s as winston Churchill was worries car drivers would think they owned the road.

Also, most cyclists also drive so even if road tax did exist the answer would be ‘yes I do pay it’

Plus, road repairs generally come from income tax and people on pricey bikes pay more for that.

But, all of this is irrelevant as all road users are equal.