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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cyclist bad manners?

229 replies

Hagridy · 03/03/2023 15:14

There were roadworks on my journey today which kept us waiting for 20 minutes so quite a few cars waiting. Just before we were allowed past a cyclist came up behind us but decided to pass us all and wait at the front. Once we were past the roadworks the road is very windy so it took a couple of miles before I could safely pass never mind all the other cars he had pushed past.
AIBU to think it was bad manners for the cyclist to whizz past us all and keep us all waiting. Most cyclists seem sensible but every now and again I come across a complete idiot who seems to think the road belongs to him.

OP posts:
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QuertyGirl · 03/03/2023 16:49

Thunderpunt · 03/03/2023 16:36

@QuertyGirl you wouldn't be clipped if you pulled over safely and allowed a long line of traffic past would you, and if you gave a jaunty salute like the farmer does I'm sure you and your son would be rewarded with some lovely gestures of appreciation, so off you pedal dear!

Oh how I hope I have the pleasure of reporting your driving to the police one day.

MelchiorsMistress · 03/03/2023 16:51

PauliesWalnuts · 03/03/2023 16:08

Cyclists are road users the same as you. There’s no pecking order. They’ve gone to the front as risk mitigation.

That’s not true though, there is a pecking order where cyclists are seen as having more rights than drivers despite the latter having training, registration and insurance and the former being able to use the road without any knowledge of how it’s supposed to work. The law that presumes the motorists are at fault and that cyclists are blameless no matter what they do really doesn’t help anti cyclist views.

OneTC · 03/03/2023 16:52

I'd never go after the cars into a contraflow because I've been half way down one when the traffic starts coming in the opposite direction

OneTC · 03/03/2023 16:54

MelchiorsMistress · 03/03/2023 16:51

That’s not true though, there is a pecking order where cyclists are seen as having more rights than drivers despite the latter having training, registration and insurance and the former being able to use the road without any knowledge of how it’s supposed to work. The law that presumes the motorists are at fault and that cyclists are blameless no matter what they do really doesn’t help anti cyclist views.

Show quote history

The word you're looking for is required, and were required to have all those things in place to be allowed on the road, we literally need permission to be there and we're the newcomers

Also most cyclists can drive, but most drivers don't cycle

QuertyGirl · 03/03/2023 16:57

@MelchiorsMistress

You're correct. We have use of the road by right, drivers there by licence (which means by permission) which can be revoked.

The hierarchy of responsibility was also introduced last year I think (Google it) which reinforced it.

You have a ton of steel and a combustion engine, you don't need the same protection.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 03/03/2023 17:02

Thunderpunt · 03/03/2023 16:36

@QuertyGirl you wouldn't be clipped if you pulled over safely and allowed a long line of traffic past would you, and if you gave a jaunty salute like the farmer does I'm sure you and your son would be rewarded with some lovely gestures of appreciation, so off you pedal dear!

So you're saying if she is clipped it's her fault instead of the vehicle that does the clipping?

And that she should merrily wave and say thank you to those that don't kill her?

Runningonempty01 · 03/03/2023 17:03

MelchiorsMistress · 03/03/2023 16:51

That’s not true though, there is a pecking order where cyclists are seen as having more rights than drivers despite the latter having training, registration and insurance and the former being able to use the road without any knowledge of how it’s supposed to work. The law that presumes the motorists are at fault and that cyclists are blameless no matter what they do really doesn’t help anti cyclist views.

Show quote history

I don't really feel like I'm at the top of the pecking order when car drivers try to kill me. You should see how it works in other European countries regarding the legal position of hitting a cyclist.
Its a bit like men worry that women will laugh at them, women worry that men will kill them. Cyclists main concern to staying alive!

QuertyGirl · 03/03/2023 17:05

All drivers should have to ride a bike in busy traffic as part of their test.

They honestly haven't got a fucking clue!

OneTC · 03/03/2023 17:07

QuertyGirl · 03/03/2023 17:05

All drivers should have to ride a bike in busy traffic as part of their test.

They honestly haven't got a fucking clue!

Our delivery drivers all had to do it as part of a course through their company

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 03/03/2023 17:11

QuertyGirl · 03/03/2023 17:05

All drivers should have to ride a bike in busy traffic as part of their test.

They honestly haven't got a fucking clue!

No! I can't ride a bike at all! DH is a cyclist though and it worries me when he goes out on the bike because I know what drivers can be like.
Can I ride a horse instead?
I find cars are often just as aggressive with horses as they are with bikes.

OneTC · 03/03/2023 17:11

They all found the experience pretty eye opening. They went out in pairs and had to ride round various areas in East London. Many hadn't ridden since they were kids and none of them had ever commuted by bike.

I think it's a great scheme

OoooohMatron · 03/03/2023 17:20

QuertyGirl · 03/03/2023 17:05

All drivers should have to ride a bike in busy traffic as part of their test.

They honestly haven't got a fucking clue!

Err. No they shouldn't. I don't want to cycle, my job requires me to drive. I have no need or desire to cycle, other than a family bike ride occasionally. I'm a good, safe driver and don't let my frustrations get in the way of that.

QuertyGirl · 03/03/2023 17:23

@OoooohMatron

Why should you be special?

The idea is to make you appreciate why cyclists act the way you do.

What are you scared of?

Runningonempty01 · 03/03/2023 17:28

I was in a car with someone who you would describe herself as good safe driver ( woman in her sixties, no points or accidents) she passed a cyclist, fairly slowly but with way less than a metres gap. She looked really surprised when the cyclist shook his fist and I gasped audibly. I wonder if she would have done that if she had ridden a bike regularly?
It would also be quite useful for cyclist to see what HGV drivers can see and where the blind spots are. Bit more difficult to arrange. I must say most HGV drivers are very professional and behave very well near cyclists.

OneTC · 03/03/2023 17:29

Runningonempty01 · 03/03/2023 17:28

I was in a car with someone who you would describe herself as good safe driver ( woman in her sixties, no points or accidents) she passed a cyclist, fairly slowly but with way less than a metres gap. She looked really surprised when the cyclist shook his fist and I gasped audibly. I wonder if she would have done that if she had ridden a bike regularly?
It would also be quite useful for cyclist to see what HGV drivers can see and where the blind spots are. Bit more difficult to arrange. I must say most HGV drivers are very professional and behave very well near cyclists.

The same company who do the cycling courses for truckers also do sitting in a truck experiences 😅

You don't get to drive them though unfortunately

Thunderpunt · 03/03/2023 17:30

@QuertyGirl what on earth do you think you will be reporting me to the police for? Grin

Thunderpunt · 03/03/2023 17:30

I think all cyclists should be made to ride a horse on the roads before being allowed on a bike

OoooohMatron · 03/03/2023 17:31

QuertyGirl · 03/03/2023 17:23

@OoooohMatron

Why should you be special?

The idea is to make you appreciate why cyclists act the way you do.

What are you scared of?

I have nothing against cyclists. I would never do anything to risk anyone's safety, even if I was a bit annoyed. I don't want to cycle, it's tiring sweaty work with a chance of being rained on! I think it's actually a dangerous way if getting around and money should be invested in proper cycle routes/paths.

Runssometimes · 03/03/2023 17:33

Filtering is completely allowed and is safer often for cyclists to be seen at junctions so they will position themselves in front. And as the more vulnerable road user the cyclist was correct to position themselves like this. Manners isn’t to do with it, it’s sharing the road responsibly and safely so on a narrow road you may have to wait to overtake as you would for a slower vehicle. The cyclist should move to the left to allow faster vehicles to overtake if safe to do so but on a very narrow road it’s often safer to take the middle of the lane to discourage a close pass. You don’t sound like a very good driver TBH

Runningonempty01 · 03/03/2023 17:34

Thunderpunt · 03/03/2023 17:30

I think all cyclists should be made to ride a horse on the roads before being allowed on a bike

I have ridden horses, ride a bike, walk / run and drive a car. I must say it's cars ( including in a car!) that make feel the most vulnerable in all those situations. Riding a horse on the rode can be a truly terrifying experience.

QuertyGirl · 03/03/2023 17:34

Thunderpunt · 03/03/2023 17:30

I think all cyclists should be made to ride a horse on the roads before being allowed on a bike

Fine by me

QuertyGirl · 03/03/2023 17:35

Thunderpunt · 03/03/2023 17:30

@QuertyGirl what on earth do you think you will be reporting me to the police for? Grin

Close passing by the sound of it

piedbeauty · 03/03/2023 17:36

Redebs · 03/03/2023 15:19

Last week I was part of a massive tailback of coaches, cars and agricultural vehicles behind an elderly cyclist. I was hoping he would pull over and let us pass, but it didn't occur to him, I guess.

What sort of road was it that was big enough for coaches yet nobody could overtake one cyclist?

Nice age-shaming there too 👍🏼

Mummyneedsacoffee · 03/03/2023 17:40

As a cyclist … YABU.

I also drive… a lot.

you need to learn patience. Cyclists will do what is safe.. we don’t want to end up under a car… and most of us obey the rules of the road (I do know some don’t but most do). Stop/starting is harder and will slow more people down.

before you come at me … I’m not a slow cyclist… I compete and I can gain a lot of speed. Up to the actual speed limit and hold it steady at that but I still get drivers who see me and think they can intimidate me just because I’m on a bike… it’s actually them who are the danger

user1471505494 · 03/03/2023 17:40

Runningonempty01 · 03/03/2023 15:19

Are you not a very confident driver, I can't think of any road in the UK where I haven't been able to pass a cyclist for a couple of miles?. If you read your Highway code, cyclists and motorcyclists are allowed to filter through slow moving traffic so it doesn't sound like they did anything in wrong in the queue. I don't like having lots of cars behind me so I will often pull over if it's safe to do so though.

Not sure where you are but I have driven on a lot of roads around the UK where you can easily get stuck for miles behind a cyclist especially with the new overtaking laws

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