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.

@MinnieMountain

Clearly if the pedestrian won’t move, the cyclist has not choice. My question to you is should the pedestrian move if they can?

If they can and it doesn't inconvenience them, why not?

If cyclists dismount they actually take up more room and they still get glared at by people walking.

So what? I get glared at all the time by cyclists just for being on the path.

It’s a shared path, so they do have to. Although according to you I don’t know the meaning of sharing.

So if you are generally a non moving pedestrian, do you move for fast walkers, runners, wheel chairs, dog walkers etc, it's just bikes you don't move for?

Why don't you move out of the way for pedestrians then?

I hit a nerve with the sharing thing as well, you keep mentioning it.

How can I be non moving pedestrian? I'm clearly walking, that would be moving.

As a runner and general pedestrian, cyclists can piss off expecting us to dive out of the way when they ring a bell.

Obviously not all cyclists, most are courteous. but a significant small number are so entitled that they become dangerous.

Birmingham canals are bad for this. I, many times, ran up the steep verge to let them pass. A man once flew past at such speed that his handle bar hit me very hard. So hard it left large bruises on my hip and lower back. I never ran up the verge again.

I slow my car and wait for a safe place to overtake - even if that takes a long time - I wish cyclists could afford the same courtesy to pedestrians.

Given the fuel shortages a few of you might get your taster of bicyle commuting fairly soon. Remember to toot your bell politely or your fellow Mumsnetters might not make way.

Oh dear! OP it doesn't matter what group of people you choose, a proportion will always be twats.

"cyclists always complain that cars overtake dangerously" yup because it is true. Read this by a driving school:

www.reddrivingschool.com/learners/how-do-i-do-it/highway-code/overtaking-cyclists-explained/

The Highway Code tells us to overtake a cyclist as if it were the size of a car. As an experienced cyclist, I estimate that around 1 in 4 drivers don't follow this rule.

Surprised that this thread is going - looks like this subject gives people the rage.
I'm pleased to say that on today's canal walk in the exact same position a couple of cyclists went past us - easy peasy, they were riding at a moderate pace. So to the multiple posters banging on about holding hands (why DO they get hung up on that point by the way - do they hate happy couples? I don't know :) ) there was indeed enough space.

Unfortunately in all the times I've been there these were the only ones to show such consideration.

If there was enough space why does going past you at a higher speed annoy you? Do you believe cyclists get wider as they speed up?

@ChaoBella

If there was enough space why does going past you at a higher speed annoy you? Do you believe cyclists get wider as they speed up?

Yeah cyclists - why don't you want to pass me at higher speeds but insist on plowing through the middle of the path? Do you believe you all get wider as you speed up? Please enlighten me and @ChaoBella or our morning tea will cool down too quickly!

On a more serious note I believe that a high speed swerve might result in a cyclist flying straight into the canal which is why they don't want to ride next to it but instead in the middle.

A Ctrl'f for the word 'speed' (which other people have posted) shows the Highway Code opinion of this:

www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/changes-and-answers/highway-code-for-cyclists
"You should always be riding at a speed that would allow you to slow down and stop if necessary."