AIBU Cyclist Twats

[TractorAndHeadphones]

Walking down lovely canals with DP. Supposed to be romantic - but every 5 minutes we were interrupted by a cyclists whizzing along! Some had the courtesy to ring the bell but even so they rode straight at us instead of around us.

This really boils my piss because cyclists always complain that cars overtake dangerously and that’s it’s their god given right to hold up traffic. But cyclists can ride straight through pedestrians?

There was enough space for a cyclist to ride alongside us if they’d been slower ; even so you don’t expect people to walk in single file on canal roads which are meant to be enjoyed slowly! There were families in front of us, mothers with prams etc. Thé cyclists were probably scared of swerving into the lake but if you can’t control your bike then dont bloody ride!
It really ruined my day.

This has also happened on pavements with people whizzing along in the middle. Even if the road is dangerous there’s no need to go that fast.
AIBU to think that cyclists are twats and should be licensed?
People often complain that cars are rude to cyclists but IMO people in general are twats. Cars can do more damage but they’re not behaving worse than cyclists.

The vitriol towards cyclist on this thread is awful.

Apparently nothing we do is acceptable. And it’s always dangerous.

@MinnieMountain

Unless you’re a cyclist who is deliberately aggressive and dangerous, then it’s not about you. And if you are one, then suck it up.

@DoesHePlayTheFiddle

Why is it 'so hard to comprehend' that if something is clearly dangerous, you don't do it?

Because I dont think roads are dangerous, people.who can't drive properly are however having said that in 20 years of cycling around London I have had an accident. I've cycled through the worst blackspots including elephant and Castle before they redesigned it. I never found it dangerous.

[quote FloconDeNeige]@MinnieMountain

Unless you’re a cyclist who is deliberately aggressive and dangerous, then it’s not about you. And if you are one, then suck it up.[/quote]
Actually this the majority of this thread have been about non aggressive and non dangerous cyclists. Full of people moaning about cyclists cycling perfectly normally and legally on the roads but the poor motorist gets stuck behind them until it’s safe to overtake.

Exactly @CovidCorvid.

The using bell v calling out debate for example. Different pp have said both are equally annoying.

@CovidCorvid

I am specifically talking about the particular type of who are arrogant, aggressive and deliberately dangerous to others. These (mostly) men put other cyclists at risk too.

Unless you behave like this, I don’t know why you’re getting your knickers in a twist.

I hate cyclists. They pull out without looking and just expect you to stop and be on the lookout for them even tho they don't take responsibility. Yes it's not all it's just 99.9%

@WhatDidISayAlan a cyclist slows me down way more than a car does

[quote FloconDeNeige]@CovidCorvid

I am specifically talking about the particular type of who are arrogant, aggressive and deliberately dangerous to others. These (mostly) men put other cyclists at risk too.

Unless you behave like this, I don’t know why you’re getting your knickers in a twist.[/quote]
Because majority of posters say cyclists meaning all cyclists instead of saying some cyclists

But you were responding to my post just now @FloconDeNeige and I was talking about the general feel of this thread. Or have I imagined any post that wasn’t about dangerous cycling?

The traffic on the canal is only allowed to travel at 4 miles per hour . It should be the same speed for the cyclists. I live by the sea . We have a very wide car free bit of promenade enjoyed by families and dog walkers and cyclists though I am not sure they should be there . It would be ok if they didn’t try to race each other weaving in and out of unpredictable children and dogs .

Car drivers are utter pigs. Lardy, lazy wankers, congesting the roads, polluting the environment, killing thousands of people every year, and damaging the road surfaces that I pay for with with my council tax. When I see them sitting in traffic jams, in their sad "fat person" clothes, one per car, belching out fumes, I just want to slash their tyres.

@LarryVeest

Car drivers are utter pigs. Lardy, lazy wankers, congesting the roads, polluting the environment, killing thousands of people every year, and damaging the road surfaces that I pay for with with my council tax. When I see them sitting in traffic jams, in their sad "fat person" clothes, one per car, belching out fumes, I just want to slash their tyres.

I think you need a

@LarryVeest

Don’t project your fat-issues onto other motorists!

@larryveest

Is that you again, Vicar?

Larryveest has got a point, (apart from possibly pigs/wankers/fat bit!), leave your car at home, change your life, don't be part of the problem, the problem is cars and has been for many years

Thanks @LarryVeest, made me laugh. The way these threads go is always horribly predictable with people 'othering' cyclists as one kind of homogenous group responsible for getting in their way and holding them up. You can try and highlight the hypocrisy and explain why it's often better to do things like ride two abreast, but it falls on deaf ears frankly.

@Macncheeseballs

Larryveest has got a point, (apart from possibly pigs/wankers/fat bit!), leave your car at home, change your life, don't be part of the problem, the problem is cars and has been for many years

I guess so, but if you work somewhere that you can only get to by car, or need to use the car for work then leaving it at home becomes problematic.

@LarryVeest

Car drivers are utter pigs. Lardy, lazy wankers, congesting the roads, polluting the environment, killing thousands of people every year, and damaging the road surfaces that I pay for with with my council tax. When I see them sitting in traffic jams, in their sad "fat person" clothes, one per car, belching out fumes, I just want to slash their tyres.

Spot on!

There are an increasing number of cars on the road with entitled drivers. Combine this with lack of space for cyclists on the road leads to cyclists travelling on tow paths. My husband used to cycle to work on the roads but after being knocked off twice by careless drivers, switched to the tow path where it's safer.

There needs to be huge changes in cycling infrastructure and that does mean slowing down traffic. This might even force people out of cars and increase active transport.

But until the government invests in active and public transport, changes won't happen. Until then, we all need to share the roads and keep each other safe (but this thread shows that this obviously isn't going to happen ... Depressing).

‘Othering’ cyclists!!! Hahaha. I’m a cyclist and a driver and think there are wanker cyclists and wanker drivers, if you’re upset by some of the comments then you’re probably one of the wankers. There are entitled cyclists and entitled drivers. Some of them are the same people!!

Whether Shared paths or roads, we should all be treating more vulnerable users with the care and respect they deserve, be it pedestrians or cyclists. Unfortunately so many drivers (and cyclists on shared paths) do not, but time and time again, its the cars,vans, lorries that kill. The domination of the motor vehicle needs to end.

@MinnieMountain

The vitriol towards cyclist on this thread is awful.

Apparently nothing we do is acceptable. And it’s always dangerous.

Yes and it makes drivers think that it's ok to use their cars as a weapon to intimidate people on bikes.

Mind you, those idiots will do it to other drivers and pedestrians too.

Pity the driving test doesn't include a personality test.

@CovidCorvid

Do people realise it’s a legal requirement for bikes to have a bell when they’re sold. Don’t think the govt made that law intending them to be for decoration. 🤷‍♀️

No they didn't but a pedestrian I hate people dinging their bells at me. A cheery good morning will do just fine (and they can just ride past me if there's space, which there generally is because I use my common sense and keep well over to the left).

I don't use a bell myself unless there's a group blocking the path.

Quite right Larry. Most of those single person in car short journey able bodied adults should be on a bike. Less pollution less congestion and smaller arses. Out of those cars ladies! Wean yourselves!