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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why some people are twats towards cyclists

715 replies

Apacheshadows · 16/11/2021 14:29

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
TowandaForever · 16/11/2021 16:18

@GaspingGekko

I get similar when I'm running or even when gardening near the roadside outside my house. Beeping horns, yelling, deliberately unlocking their car (so it beeps loudly) when I'm next to the car and they are still a long way off.

I've had a couple of issues when cycling but not as many.

I sadly have to agree with a PP that it's often when jerks see a woman on her own.

I experience this when I'm walking in the countryside. Cars driving really close to me, deliberately speeding up as they go past.
MurielSpriggs · 16/11/2021 16:18

I don't think it's because you're a cyclist. It's because you're a woman. It's misogyny.

You've not read all the anti cyclist threads on MN?

I'm guessing they also manage not to notice the women drivers being twats to male cyclists as well.

Offmyfence · 16/11/2021 16:19

@Vates

I don't drive and absolutely hate cyclists with a passion. I always wait at pedestrian crossings....100% of cyclists do not. From fucking basket on their front bars like a kiddie bike middle aged women to in full cycling gear fit blokes!
100% you say 🤔
DdraigGoch · 16/11/2021 16:19

Can all of these posters bringing up percentages "75% of cyclists...", "100% of cyclists..." provide their surveys they used to come up with these statistics?

Or did they just make them up?

autumnleavesoutside · 16/11/2021 16:19

With the combination of the climate crisis and the obesity crisis I also cannot understand this OP. I am always very impressed by cyclists! I just wish there were more cycle lanes so I could feel confident enough to join them.

To those complaining about being unable to overtake riders riding two abreast - I thought the official advice was that cyclists should ride two abreast when appropriate to prevent dangerous overtaking?

Vates · 16/11/2021 16:19

*I meant I am crossing when the green man shows but cyclists purposefully ignore pedestrians. About a third of the cyclists that have nearly ridden into me have given a murmured apology. The majority don't give a shit.

Offmyfence · 16/11/2021 16:20

@DdraigGoch

Can all of these posters bringing up percentages "75% of cyclists...", "100% of cyclists..." provide their surveys they used to come up with these statistics?

Or did they just make them up?

They just make them up, but it's about cyclists so it is apparently ok to do that!
Gymohithoughtyousaidgin · 16/11/2021 16:20

Iv never been rude to a cyclist and never would but I do vent in my car to myself when stuck behind one. It's dangerous on roads and irritating

Vates · 16/11/2021 16:20

You're right, I should clarify: 100% of the cyclist that I have encountered at crossings.

OneTC · 16/11/2021 16:22

To those complaining about being unable to overtake riders riding two abreast - I thought the official advice was that cyclists should ride two abreast when appropriate to prevent dangerous overtaking?

Since then cyclists now commonly go up to 4 abreast apparently Grin

SusieBob · 16/11/2021 16:23

People have some weird kind of cognitive dissonance when it comes to cyclists.

The fact is, the vast majority of cyclists obey the rules of the road, stop at lights and are responsible.

As are motorists, but when a motorist races to beat a red light for some reason that doesn't get filled into a little box labelled "all motorists are dicks".

Jenster03 · 16/11/2021 16:23

In my experience cyclists are just a PItA.
They're too slow and just get in the way when you want to get to where you going.
Same with tractors, same with drivers who drive 20mph below the speed limit. Same with people who ride horses and don't thank you for slowing down. Common courtesy that.

Maybe I'm an arsehole, but I don't treat cyclists disrespectfully. I just curse to myself when I get stuck behind one.

bakingdemon · 16/11/2021 16:25

Part of it is misogyny.

Unfortunately part of it is also a reaction to the small proportion of cyclists who think they are above the law and go through red lights/cycle on the pavement etc etc. I always call those cyclists out when I see them as I think we have to try and police ourselves. I have noticed in 15 years of commuting by bike that nearly all the worst offenders are men. Yet again, the problem is not actually cyclists, but men.

MurielSpriggs · 16/11/2021 16:26

The fact is, the vast majority of cyclists obey the rules of the road, stop at lights and are responsible

Actually in the South East 58% of cyclists go through red lights, and 71% ride at night after dark without lights

jpbee · 16/11/2021 16:27

@Vates

I don't drive and absolutely hate cyclists with a passion. I always wait at pedestrian crossings....100% of cyclists do not. From fucking basket on their front bars like a kiddie bike middle aged women to in full cycling gear fit blokes!
It must be tiring hating such a large group of people so much. You hate my DH and a few of my friends and haven't even met them yet! I honestly couldn't say I hate anyone with a passion and I've come encountered a few dickheads in my time.
Vates · 16/11/2021 16:28

I might just be unlucky and there are good cycle paths along this particular stretch of roads. The last incident was a cyclist who did a back wheelie trying to stop. He was riding in the road, the traffic light was red. The green man was showing and I was crossing. Where did he think he was going?! He would have mowed down by a car if he tried to continue or seriously injured me if he tried to continue.

SusieBob · 16/11/2021 16:30

@MurielSpriggs

The fact is, the vast majority of cyclists obey the rules of the road, stop at lights and are responsible

Actually in the South East 58% of cyclists go through red lights, and 71% ride at night after dark without lights

And you are getting those figures from where?
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 16/11/2021 16:32

It’s the clubs that get me. Out in the country on hills and bends. Riding in packs.

No one can get past as the roads or too narrow. And they arrogantly sail along, never pulling in. Use the road like a race track, hugging the centre line when rounding bends.

TuftyMarmoset · 16/11/2021 16:33

@bakingdemon

Part of it is misogyny.

Unfortunately part of it is also a reaction to the small proportion of cyclists who think they are above the law and go through red lights/cycle on the pavement etc etc. I always call those cyclists out when I see them as I think we have to try and police ourselves. I have noticed in 15 years of commuting by bike that nearly all the worst offenders are men. Yet again, the problem is not actually cyclists, but men.

To be fair most cyclists are men. I have a bike but I’m too scared of motorists to actually cycle anywhere.
JudyJudyJudyDench · 16/11/2021 16:33

I just don't get it
If you are in a car behind a cyclist and you have to slow down-how is that causing a danger to anything or anyone?
If you have to slow down and be held up briefly what is the issue?
Could be a traffic jam, could be a fallen tree, dog loose, skittish horse or y number of reasons for you as a car driver to need to slow down.
In face it another legitimate road user means you should really wind your neck in and drive with due care and attention.

DdraigGoch · 16/11/2021 16:34

@Vates

You're right, I should clarify: 100% of the cyclist that I have encountered at crossings.
And that you noticed. If you go into a clean room, you won't notice. Yet you'll remember that one time it wasn't clean.
ErickBroch · 16/11/2021 16:35

I live in a home county and cyclists are fine, when I am in London for work though... London cyclists are a different breed. 8 years of working in London and every single day I would have to nearly get hit on zebra crossings as they all jump red lights and don't give a fuck about pedestrians.

Vates · 16/11/2021 16:35

#jpbee I really don't think your friends or DH cares what some random woman thinks. It didn't matter whether I wished he would sprout peacock feathers out his arse, it has zero impact. I don't shout at passing cyclists. I just cross the road to avoid them. I just am totally fed up of nearly being run over when I use a crossing correctly. I am not asking for too much here!

MurielSpriggs · 16/11/2021 16:36

To be fair most cyclists are men. I have a bike but I’m too scared of motorists to actually cycle anywhere.

The problem again is men.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 16/11/2021 16:42

It's the entitled twats on shared paths I have an issue with, especially those that cycle behind pedestrians and get arsey that the pedestrians won't move out of the way. They can ring their bloody bells all they want but not once, ever, have any considered the fact that the person in front may not be able to hear it. Just get off the fucking bike and walk around them or cycle around if there's room.