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

Yes agree there is so much stress and anger, most of it so unnecessary

I've absolutely no problem with cyclists exercising their legitimate right to cycle on the roads (and obey the rules, such as stopping at traffic lights).

I do have a problem with the ones who insist on cycling on the pavements, especially in my quiet little town where the roads are extremely safe. The teenager who delivers papers, who hurtles around blind corners on the pavement when I'm out walking the dog and there are hardly any cars on the roads is one I particularly loathe.

Vicki, a teenager doing a job? That's a good thing. Can't you be a little more tolerant, loathe is a bit strong

I feel there should be more cycle lanes on roads where there is space for both cyclists and vehicles. However, I also strongly believe that where there are cycle lanes, then cyclists MUST use them, not cycle on pavements or on the roads next to the cycle lanes.
If cyclists don’t use the cycle lanes, then they should be fined, the same as if cars drove on pavements etc.
It’s things like this that annoy car drivers, roads being made narrower to allow cycle lanes to be built, which then are not used by the cyclists.
If I had the transport budget, which I obviously don’t, I would also install barriers next to the cycle lanes to keep cyclists and vehicles apart and safe.
If cyclists are then held up by slower cyclists, then that’s tough luck!!!
But at least they’re safe and not in a position to be knocked down by vehicles.

Actually I find most of the abuse I receive as a regular cyclist happens when I am riding on a cycle path. I have had car drivers stick their fingers up at me when driving in the opposite direction to me - no idea why as I was on the cycle path, they were on the road.

I cycle to work every day (market town in the Home Counties). Most of my journey is on a shared-space cycle path. It’s wide enough for 6 people walking next to each other, and is meant to be shared between pedestrians and cyclists. I have posted about this before. The consensus then was that I shouldn’t ride on the cycle path (apparently I should stay on the major A-road next to it?!), that I was unreasonable to expect pedestrians not to block the path when they see me coming, and that I was unreasonable to be upset by teen-aged pedestrians jumping at me, shouting.

Honestly, cyclists can’t win. We shouldn’t be on the road, we shouldn’t be on a cycle path. We can’t complain about pedestrians, we can’t complain about drivers.

Yes a bike doesn't take up much space, surely we can share

@Greeneyedminx

I feel there should be more cycle lanes on roads where there is space for both cyclists and vehicles. However, I also strongly believe that where there are cycle lanes, then cyclists MUST use them, not cycle on pavements or on the roads next to the cycle lanes. If cyclists don’t use the cycle lanes, then they should be fined, the same as if cars drove on pavements etc. It’s things like this that annoy car drivers, roads being made narrower to allow cycle lanes to be built, which then are not used by the cyclists. If I had the transport budget, which I obviously don’t, I would also install barriers next to the cycle lanes to keep cyclists and vehicles apart and safe. If cyclists are then held up by slower cyclists, then that’s tough luck!!! But at least they’re safe and not in a position to be knocked down by vehicles.

Sure, when we learn how to make cycle lanes that are actually fit for purpose.

Until then... nope.

Yeah, properly done segregated cycle lanes in more places would be brilliant. The kind we usually get instead… no.

There’s a busy road near me that has a “cycle lane” which is about 18 inches of different coloured tarmac next to the kerb, separated by a dashed white line. Full of parked cars and rubbish that’s washed to the side of the road. Manages to annoy drivers and be totally unusable for cyclists both.

Greeneyedminx do you also believe that bypass roads and motorways should also be used by drivers where they are available? After all they were built to take the motorists away from the built up areas. Yet motorists use "short cuts" frequently on roads that weren't suitable and the motorways and bypasses were built to be a better alternative.

If I had the transport budget, which I obviously don’t, I would also install barriers next to the cycle lanes to keep cyclists and vehicles apart and safe

this is every cyclists dream

If cyclists are then held up by slower cyclists, then that’s tough luck!!!

slimline vehicles don't often get congested and due to this cycle lanes are often empty or free flowing, as they are efficient

I was thinking about this thread when I was out to buy milk earlier. I came to a crossing. Green man for me. I started to cross, then off course comes a cyclist in full speed, ignoring the red light and passing about 50cm away, luckily I stopped. Two cars had to swerve, horns honking and the bastard man on the bicycle swerved and continued his way.

This is why I hate cyclists.

I have been hospitalised by a car but I don't hate all cars

@HooverIsAlwaysBroken

I was thinking about this thread when I was out to buy milk earlier. I came to a crossing. Green man for me. I started to cross, then off course comes a cyclist in full speed, ignoring the red light and passing about 50cm away, luckily I stopped. Two cars had to swerve, horns honking and the bastard man on the bicycle swerved and continued his way.

This is why I hate cyclists.

I reckon this is not the reason you hate cyclists.

Do you hate all men too?

Nope, I like my male friends and I love DH and DS.

I hate male cyclists in Lycra. Almost time I almost have been run over it has been by a Lycra clad, male cyclist.

Yep, every time a cyclist is being a knob it’s usually a Mamil.

And then when they are in packs it’s kind of magnified.

I'm a cyclist, but, I think the hate derives from the Sat/Sun group cyclists that think it's ok to ride side by side. I just can't shake that image & effing despair when I encounter them. I really do want to ram them off the road.

That's clear then: you're prejudiced against cyclists. In your worldview one does something bad so they're all bad.

At least it's better than the alternative, ie, you would hate just about everyone.

@HopelesslyOptimistic

I'm a cyclist, but, I think the hate derives from the Sat/Sun group cyclists that think it's ok to ride side by side. I just can't shake that image & effing despair when I encounter them. I really do want to ram them off the road.

Then you should turn in your licence. You shouldn't be behind the wheel of a car.

[quote Offmyfence]@opalescent that's very concerning that you don't feel able to drive safely and not harm other road users. Not good at all. [/quote]
Sometimes I feel that people on Mumsnet are either deliberately obtuse, or I am actually going mad.

Absolutely nowhere in my post did I suggest that I am worried about my own driving, or that I feel unable to refrain from hurting a cyclist.

Cyclists and motor vehicles are an unsafe mix when using the same busy roads, as one is far more vulnerable than the other.

To act as though you cannot grasp that simple concept is very odd.

@HopelesslyOptimistic

I'm a cyclist, but, I think the hate derives from the Sat/Sun group cyclists that think it's ok to ride side by side. I just can't shake that image & effing despair when I encounter them. I really do want to ram them off the road.

It is ok to ride side by side. It’s safer to do,so. 🤷‍♀️ You sound like a psycho. Maybe reflect on your thoughts.

Opalescent, yes so the answer is for you to drive carefully

Arsein window - 'And when they are in packs it's kind of magnified', - yeah kind like traffic jams that block near every street in Britain, packs of drivers clogging up the rosds

@TomPinch

That's clear then: you're prejudiced against cyclists. In your worldview one does something bad so they're all bad.

At least it's better than the alternative, ie, you would hate just about everyone.

No, never said all, just the inconsiderate twats that ride side by side.

Tompinch, yes clearly if I rammed them off the road, I would gladly revoke my licence, do bird and know there was one less group of psychopaths riding side by side blocking the road. Then again, I'm more likely to be riding my two wheels tucked in to the pavement, allowing motorists to pass. Do you group cycle?

@HopelesslyOptimistic

Tompinch, yes clearly if I rammed them off the road, I would gladly revoke my licence, do bird and know there was one less group of psychopaths riding side by side blocking the road. Then again, I'm more likely to be riding my two wheels tucked in to the pavement, allowing motorists to pass. Do you group cycle?

Do you not realise what danger you’re putting yourself in riding a bike in the gutter? You need to ride more defensively.

And defensive riding is a big prt of riding in pairs on group rides.

As a motorist do you think it’s easier to pass ten single file cyclists in a long line, or 5 pairs of cyclists in a shorter line? Remember you should be moving over to the opposite carriageway when you pass them?