To wonder why some people are twats towards cyclists

[Apacheshadows]

I’ve lost count of the number of times a car has driven past me and people (usually grown men) have screamed/shrieked at me out of their window, shouted obscenities etc.
Beeped at and then they drive on laughing
Today I had a teenage boy deliberately try and jump in front of my path on a road, this isn’t the first time someone has done that.
I had another teenager try to intimidate me by pulling out in front of me on his own bike, forcing me to quickly swerve

It’s putting me off cycling really, there are some absolute pricks out there.

Also, the number of people who have to comment on how small the bike is. It’s not one of the mini fold up bikes or a children’s one, it’s a bit smaller than average but suits me fine, but people have to comment on it constantly which is weird.

Anyone else had this when cycling? I’m responsible, use lights and wear a high vis and go slowly

Meanwhile, the reality is that drivers continue to become enraged by cyclists on country roads where you cannot overtake for miles and miles.
I am also a driver, I am not enraged and never have been, prior to taking up cycling, by other road users that are perfectly entitled to be there. They are a minor occasional inconvenience at most, if you can't control your temper while driving then get off the road. You are the bigger danger.

Comefromaway

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/driver-61-who-killed-two-25450423

guilty, and walked free

road.cc/content/news/driver-who-cannot-recall-fatal-crash-acquitted-287167 witnesses saw her on her mobile phone, but she walked free after cyclist killed

www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/no-justice-as-driver-who-killed-cyclist-walks-free-6365822.html. changed lanes, killed cyclist, walks free

www.standard.co.uk/news/london/truck-driver-who-hit-and-killed-pregnant-cyclist-walks-free-a4017411.html suddenly turned left, no indication and killed a cyclist - walks free

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-59003558 speeding driver, breaking the law but walks free after killing cyclist

www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/8814096.careless-driver-who-caused-death-of-wallasey-cyclist-walks-free-from-court/ drives illegally, kills cyclists and walks free

if there isn't a death, its even less likely any driver will be sent to prison

@Quirrelsotherface

Because most cyclists are twats.

As are a number of mumsnetters!

Those cases are either old, or don’t demonstrate the aggressive (with intent) driving talked of earlier or don’t have dashcam footage.

I'm not sure how useful prison sentences are for driving offences, given that rehabilitation is the goal, not revenge. A large proportion seem to be caused by reckless rather than malicious behaviour and most offenders are seriously traumatised afterwards.

@WhiteVanWoman91

I'm not sure how useful prison sentences are for driving offences, given that rehabilitation is the goal, not revenge. A large proportion seem to be caused by reckless rather than malicious behaviour and most offenders are seriously traumatised afterwards.

Oh well that's ok then. Poor diddums. That must be some consolation for the cyclists friends and family members.

Oh well that's ok then. Poor diddums. That must be some consolation for the cyclists friends and family members.

It's not about consolation. Somebody spending years in prison isn't going to being the person back and I'm not sure I'd want to ruin somebody's life for a stupid momentary mistake, no matter how severe the consequences.

The accident I saw was definitely malicious, not reckless. It was a clear case of road rage. Hence why those cases are not relevant to that situation

It's not about consolation. Somebody spending years in prison isn't going to being the person back and I'm not sure I'd want to ruin somebody's life for a stupid momentary mistake, no matter how severe the consequences.
Strange how the families in all the articles take a different view, I wonder if that's because they have lost a loved one and you have not in circumstances that could have been entirely prevented, if the driver had not been speeding, or driving recklessly.

Tbh they give me the rage too. They're like the people who go to the bank at lunchtime with a big sack of coppers to change and hold up the queue. It's not just about what you're allowed to do but also about being considerate. Making a long stream of cars look at your lycra clad arse for 15 mins is basically being a massive cunt IMO.

@EightWheelGirl

Tbh they give me the rage too. They're like the people who go to the bank at lunchtime with a big sack of coppers to change and hold up the queue. It's not just about what you're allowed to do but also about being considerate. Making a long stream of cars look at your lycra clad arse for 15 mins is basically being a massive cunt IMO.

You've never been stuck in congestion caused by cars then?

You've never been stuck in congestion caused by cars then?

Yes, it's unavoidable.

Driving down country lanes with 30 cars behind you is unnecessary knobhead behaviour.

I think the reason people behave like twats towards cyclists is they routinely see cyclists going against the Highway Code.

Are you sure? There are various aspects of thr Highway Code which are different for cyclists, and most drivers don't seem to be aware. I cycle roundabouts following the higway codes rule for cyclists, and Im regularly beeped shouted at by drivers who assume I'm doing it wrong when they just don't kniw the rules.

Of course it annoying to be stuck behind a motorist doing 30 when clearly it’s safe to go faster, However bicycles rarely go much more more than 20mph and less up hill. How is that reasonable on a road with a 60mph speed limit?
And yes I also frequently get stuck behind tractors and big agricultural lorries. But they are working. Not trying to beat some “speed” trial or endurance race.

Why should bikes have the priority of holding up lines and lines of cars? I’m not suprised car drivers are angry. It gets ridiculous. 20 cars driving behind 2 cyclists who are too arrogant to pull in’

How’s that right?

Plainly and simply because they're already there. And as with anything else in front of you when you're driving it is your responsibility to drive safely around it.

@WhiteVanWoman91

I'm not sure how useful prison sentences are for driving offences, given that rehabilitation is the goal, not revenge. A large proportion seem to be caused by reckless rather than malicious behaviour and most offenders are seriously traumatised afterwards.

My view is that prisons should be for people who are a physical danger to the community.

If you drive dangerously and cause death, that's precisely that you are.

Some time after my last (but one) post on this thread I began my commute home.

The first thing I have to do is turn right at a roundabout.

So I approach the roundabout what what do I see? A car also approaching the roundabout via an entrance on my left. But I am at the roundabout first and have right of way.

Does the motorist start to slow? Noooooo. Clearly going to rush on straight through

So I adopt my usual tactics. Speed up, play chicken, make it clear that if they don't brake they'll go through me, filthy look at driver, who brakes.

Something like this happens most times I cycle. And if anyone wonders why I didn't just let the car go first, I find it assertiveness that keeps me safe. Bad drivers are like children: they need clear boundaries.

@DdraigGoch

Car drivers always drive two-abreast, even when travelling alone. What piss-takers they are

What an excellent point. I'm not a sports cyclist but I will remember that next time someone starts moaning about them to me.

@EightWheelGirl

You've never been stuck in congestion caused by cars then?

Yes, it's unavoidable.

Driving down country lanes with 30 cars behind you is unnecessary knobhead behaviour.

No, traffic caused by cars is completely avoidable. It's quite simple, as the picture shows. The people in the cars take them on a one-way trip to a scrap yard. They then buy bicycles and save a huge amount of road space. Even better, they save money and get fit.

@Lightisnotwhite

Of course it annoying to be stuck behind a motorist doing 30 when clearly it’s safe to go faster, However bicycles rarely go much more more than 20mph and less up hill. How is that reasonable on a road with a 60mph speed limit? And yes I also frequently get stuck behind tractors and big agricultural lorries. But they are working. Not trying to beat some “speed” trial or endurance race.

It's a limit, not a target. Slow down.

Yes! Particularly men over the age of 40, i'd say often seem baffled and/or amused by the concept of a women riding a bicycle...why though?

Comefromaway I truly wish it was different. I know many cyclists that run cameras, in the event of a crash (not an accident, accidents are very rare) they wouldn’t be blamed

Good luck with your court case but don’t get your hope up for a custodial sentence

It really needs to change, other countries have house & work arrest instead of prison. Some for driving offences reduce the cc of car you can drive to 800 or infirce banns if a month at a time.

I’d rather see shirt sharp shock treatment of banned for a month instead of 6 points, make people appreciate thier licence before they kill

TomPinch

Drivers lug round 3 seater sofa and armchairs, 95% of the time empty! Then have the audacity to complain about two bikes side by side.

As petrol increases in price, people will look at electric cars but also electric bikes

EightWheelGirl It’s inconsiderate of drivers to be making 50% of their journeys under 2 miles, it congested the roads when other drivers have linger journeys to make & delays them. I know it’s legal for drivers to make short journeys but it’s inconsiderate behaviour that is causing high pollution. Most of them could, not all but most as you’ll always have an exception, walk, bus or bike instead. This would leave the rds less congested and speed up the queue

@EightWheelGirl

You've never been stuck in congestion caused by cars then?

Yes, it's unavoidable.

Driving down country lanes with 30 cars behind you is unnecessary knobhead behaviour.

Of course it's avoidable, a number of those motorists could've chosen a different mode of transport or shared their car.