To think there is a new generation of reckless cyclists?

[FuriousVexation]

In the last few years there has been a massive increase in cyclists. I have no problem with this at all! People cycling to work rather than driving can only be a good thing. And it is at least a healthy hobby for those who get a bit obsessed with their timings. (I get a bit obsessed with my strength training at the gym so can't judge.)

But over the last year I have seen an increasing number of young people, mainly teenagers, riding around and "popping a wheelie" as we used to say in the 1980s. (IE - leaning back on the seat and raising the front wheel off the road/pavement.)

More concerning, there seems to be a trend of teenage cyclists to just swerve into the road or across the road without looking for traffic. I can count 3 times in the last week that a cyclist has put their life in my hands.

For example, on Friday I was driving up to the side road I needed to turn into, had my indicator on. No obstructions in front of me. I saw a young lad cycling down the pavement of the main road, towards me, with his little sister (I assume) being given a backie. If I had only been paying attention to the road and other cars then he would have plowed straight into me as I turned into the road. Thankfully for us all I stopped as I reached the turnoff (as I had clocked him and that he probably wasn't looking around) as he sailed across the road in front of me without even looking.

Worst of all, the young people who I see doing this aren't wearing headgear. I know teenagers always think they're immortal - I did! But to ride without a helmet AND be so reckless just seems insane.

Has there been a TV programme or something which encourages teens to ride? and isn't too hot on safety?

ahhh yes and I nearly forgot about the north european utopias

Quite ironic that you seem to have entirely dreamt up a kind of person that gets angry about people moving to get angry about, QualCHeck.

Play my own version of cyclist bingo here, squares including 'but drivers do it as well' and 'its safer fo me to plough down the footpath and run red lights'

More concerning, there seems to be a trend of teenage cyclists to just swerve into the road or across the road without looking for traffic.

It's not just teenagers. A short way from my house, there's a point where an off-road cycle route joins the road. I couldn't count the number of times cyclists have just ridden into the road, which has a 40mph limit, without looking.

It happened again yesterday, a 40-ish couple both just swung out into the road without looking. In fact, in one 14 mile trip, I had them, a cyclist who pulled onto a roundabout right in front of me, and another who joined from a side road without looking, into a stretch where the limit is 50.

It's a good job I pay attention when I drive.

there's a point where an off-road cycle route joins the road

This is why so many cyclists don’t use the inadequate cycle paths. They tend to stop just where they are most needed, at busy junctions on main roads. It is far safer to stay on the road the whole way to maximise visibility

DH and I actually believe there must be some secret local cycle proficiency test in operation round our way, with marks awarded for: correct pavement cycling technique (erratic weaving or bombing along at speed), red light jumping, sudden swerving into the middle of the road. Higher level skills: balancing your can of lager, your phone and your fag/joint whilst on the move (the handlebars are for decoration or to hang your shopping on). Experienced professionals add wearing black clothing at night with no bike lights. But the ones who always give me most rage have to be the middle class family clad head to toe in reflective lycra, with helmet cams in place, cycling three abreast down the pavement and expecting pedestrians to scatter for them.

I get that we all need to share the roads and be respectful, but I think cyclists need to apply common sense sometimes about where they cycle, not all roads are suitable or safe for cycling.

For example, near us there is a very narrow road that snakes around a loch for about 20 miles, absolute zero chance of passing even a single cyclist, and yet the other day with loads of tourist traffic there were 3 cyclists causing a massive tailback cycling along at 5 to 10 miles an hour.

Reckless cyclists are a dying breed........

I hate these sorts of threads because they just stir up general venom against cyclists and everybody congratulates themselves on pointing out they are the scum of the earth then feels justified in their hatred because everybody agrees.

On Friday I was cycling home from work. 4pm, helmet "check" hi viz "check" lights on bike "check" riding legally on road "check"

Didn't stop two people in their car revving up behind me when I was on a really narrow road with cars parked either side. I looked behind because they shouted at me - some shite about being in the middle of the road.

They then DELIBERATELY drove at me to make me wobble and fall off - driving away laughing their fucking heads off.

These sorts of threads, I believe, encourage that sort of behaviour - threads like these, daily mail comments and idiots in the pub going on about "cyclists" all the time.