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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cyclists without helmets

168 replies

Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 21:39

Driving around my local town today which was heaving and was quite lovely to see everybody having a good time.

Anyway, as we were driving, there were 3 cyclists who didn't appear to be experienced cyclists - 2 men and a woman.

They were riding in the middle of the road, they had no helmets on, they were trying to over take cars when cars were turning (a few near misses from different cars), they were weaving in and out of cars, and they were not concentrating on the road but pointing at buildings as they cycled in the middle of the road.

The thing is, we would sigh a sigh of relief whenever we got past them, just for them to catch up at traffic lights.

The worst 2 incidents were:
The man and woman got through an amber traffic light turning right and it turned red before their friend got through. Their friend decided to go through the red light and almost got hit by an oncoming car.

Second was, in a queue of traffic lights ready to turn left, when the cyclists come through on the left side of the cars and as i'm about to turn left they coming straight past me on the left side wanting to turn right.

My patience was wearing a thin and I couldn't believe they weren't wearing helmets when they were riding their bikes with such carelessness.

OP posts:
Unhomme · 31/05/2021 21:47

Helmets don't give you riding ability. I think they have bigger issues!

PurpleDaisies · 31/05/2021 21:49

I agree that the helmet was probably not their only issue.

Original poster
Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 21:52

I think the most annoying thing was they were adults and I was shocked at the danger they were putting themselves in as well as their carelessness.
They were laughing to each other in the middle of the road and looked like they were either clueless as to their carelessness or they were purposely being ignorant to the "stress" (can't think of a better word?) they were causing other road users.

OP posts:
Svalberg · 31/05/2021 21:52

A helmet won't help if you're hit by a car. It only helps in a slow speed accident where your head hits the ground.

Svalberg · 31/05/2021 21:54

And helmet wearing makes motorists, like you, think it's OK to close pass cyclists, putting them in greater danger.

Original poster
Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 21:55

@Svalberg excuse me? "Motorists like" me? Where did I say anywhere that I close-passed them? I always give space to cyclists.
These three were putting themselves in danger.
Please don't make up a narrative.

OP posts:
KarmaViolet · 31/05/2021 21:56

Helmets won't protect them from being squashed. What will stop them being squashed is motorists like you checking your wing mirrors before turning left to check there's nothing - cyclist, pedestrian, child, dog - coming up the inside. Too few people do that so well done OP for using the mirror and seeing them coming.

How frustrating for you though to be getting past them only for them to catch you up - you may as well have driven slowly but safely behind them to the next set of lights, it would have got you no further ahead than overtaking. For those like you who are responsible and concerned for vulnerable road users, maybe that's the better option for next time.

Original poster
Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 21:58

@KarmaViolet I think what will stop them being squashed is learning how to safely ride a bike

OP posts:
ichundich · 31/05/2021 21:58

There is no law in England which states that cyclists must wear helmets. The road is there for vehicles, not just cars.

Original poster
Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 22:00

@ichundich of course they are, but surely, in the same way a car should not go through a red light, the same applies to cyclists.
Also, concentration should apply to cyclists also.
Yes, we share the road, so learn to ride a bike properly.

OP posts:
murbblurb · 31/05/2021 22:01

Yes, correct. Actually nothing to do with helmets. Was it?

gegs73 · 31/05/2021 22:01

I’d love for them to make it law for helmets to be worn by all cyclists. My teenage DS cycles, refuses to wear one and scares me to death. I have at least 3 friends who have fallen off their bikes or been knocked off and saved themselves from severe head injuries by wearing one.

Original poster
Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 22:02

@murbblurb if you read my thread properly, you'd see it wasn't just about helmets but all the other carelessness they were displaying Hmm

OP posts:
LimaFoxtrotCharlie · 31/05/2021 22:03

What have helmets got to do with it? You saw some bad cycling but I see bad driving daily

Original poster
Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 22:03

@gegs73 totally agree! And most 'experienced' cyclists do wear helmets

OP posts:
Original poster
Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 22:07

The highway code also advices the use of helmets so unsure why I'm being ridiculed for being shocked at cyclists not wearing a helmet Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 22:08

*advises

OP posts:
schoolfinder007 · 31/05/2021 22:09

YANBU

Absolutely not

Oenanthe · 31/05/2021 22:11

Cycling is a safe, enjoyable, healthy and completely benign activity.

It's cars that make the danger. No motorist has the right to pontificate when it's entirely their choices that introduce the risk.

Original poster
Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 22:13

@Oenanthe so when the adult cyclist went through the red light to turn right and the oncoming car almost hit him, it's the oncomings car's fault for driving a car? Hmm

OP posts:
colouringcrayons · 31/05/2021 22:14

[quote Freedi8]@gegs73 totally agree! And most 'experienced' cyclists do wear helmets[/quote]
Plenty of experienced cyclists don;t wear helmets

Original poster
Freedi8 · 31/05/2021 22:16

@colouringcrayons i'd expect experienced cyclists would atleast know how to stay safe on a road

OP posts:
Etulosba · 31/05/2021 22:16

This reply has been deleted

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GreenLeafTurnip · 31/05/2021 22:17

It's bank holiday in the UK right? They sound like they had had a couple of drinks to be honest! But I agree with you and I'm a cyclist!

YoComoManzanas · 31/05/2021 22:18

They are probably on holiday and a bit drunk. Which is not great of them really and quite annoying, but it is up to you as a driver to watch out for these hazards of the road, be aware and drive safely. Much as you would if a toddler ran into the road or an animal.
Too many drivers feel they have a right to the road and that cyclists are a nuisance. (Although these clearly were).
Bank Holiday plus nice weather equals allow more time for your journey.