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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fucking Cyclists

624 replies

SpanielSprint · 03/04/2023 16:17

I live in a very rural area that is super popular with cyclists. All of the roads around me are narrow, bendy, single track lanes - no white lines. Wherever I go I get stuck behind cyclists. I accept this, always leave extra time for my journeys and never drive aggressively.

The issue is that the cyclists always seem to try and wave me past when I don’t feel it is safe to overtake. Either into blind corners, or when the road is too narrow so would necessitate going onto the verges which are rutted and full of hidden rocks and pot holes - I’m not willing to risk my tyres driving at pace along them. Obviously I just ignore them but this seems to infuriate them.

I’ve just returned from yet another journey where I was behind a pair of cyclists for several miles. The cyclist at the rear kept waving me on and when I didn’t go past she seemed to get increasingly angry about it, gesticulating etc. when I finally did pass, she screamed fucking twat at me and gave me the Vs.

Nice. So basically that’s my ‘thanks’ for trailing patiently behind them for 10 minutes and almost doubling the duration of my journey.

disclaimer: I realise that not all cyclists do this, but there seems to be a significant enough number of them around here to make this sort of thing a weekly occurrence.

AIBU to overtake cyclists when I’m good and ready, and think that some of them need to learn a few lessons about manners and road safety before they go out on their bikes?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Tulipvase · 03/04/2023 16:19

I feel pretty much the same about most car drivers, so I get you! And I’m a pedestrian not a cyclist.

Ktime · 03/04/2023 16:20

YANBU, keep trailing them, don’t be bullied into unsafe driving. Get a dashcam.

Lockheart · 03/04/2023 16:20

How close were you waiting behind them? Did you leave enough room when you overtook?

It can be very intimidating when there is someone tailgating you and they refuse to pass even when there is room to do so.

LibrariansGiveUsPower · 03/04/2023 16:20

YABU to have such a goody title.

LibrariansGiveUsPower · 03/04/2023 16:21

*goady

Callmenat · 03/04/2023 16:22

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
SpanielSprint · 03/04/2023 16:23

I do make a conscious effort not to drive too closely behind them as I know this can be intimidating. Although obviously I don’t want get too far left behind or I’ll never get past them. I always leave loads of room when I overtake, this is part of them problem I think because they don’t seem to think I need so much!

OP posts:
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 03/04/2023 16:24

Do you have a dash cam? If not, you need one, because the —twats— cyclists can be very intimidating.

Dreamysaurus · 03/04/2023 16:25

Dangerous mother fuckers ride 4 abreast here all wearing the same sweaty testicle clinging lycra.

The way they duck right down for extra speed is HILARIOUS.

But it also means they wobble into oncoming traffic.

The fact they are so unsafe and yet wear a camera on their helmet is remarkably funny. We saw one poor guy wobble and swerve into an oncoming tractor. We had to give a statement. The cyclist was badly injured and convinced he wasn't in the wrong. Until everyone actually stated otherwise.

Trail, leave a gap and don't get bullied by other drivers

I did see a window sticker on a car that said "sorry I'm slow. Avoiding squished cyclists" or something like that 😂

Original poster
SpanielSprint · 03/04/2023 16:25

I know I don’t own the road. I thought I made it quite clear that I am very patient about waiting behind. I’d much rather double my journey time than take any risks.

OP posts:
dietcokelime · 03/04/2023 16:26

They're the same where I am.

Always trying to make me overtake when I can't see what's coming / it's super bendy etc. I won't overtake until I'm fully comfortable and I've got a view on the road - I don't trust them enough to assume they're only waving me when it's safe!

I'll sit behind them as long as I need to, if they don't like that - it's their issue!

SnackSizeRaisin · 03/04/2023 16:26

Hmm. I wonder if you were too close behind, if this sort of thing happens regularly? If you know you can't get past for a while because you know what the road is like, leaving a bigger gap should avoid this situation.

If you are revving your engine right behind for ten minutes and not getting past when there's space, I can see why they are annoyed.

If you are well back I can't really see why cyclists are frequently giving you abuse. There's the odd loon about but most cyclists are not looking for a fight.

Mumski45 · 03/04/2023 16:27

To be totally honest it is unlikely that a cyclist would encourage you to pass if it's not safe as they are by far the more vulnerable road user. Are you sure you aren't being a bit too cautious and sitting behind them too close. It can be intimidating to have someone stick behind you when you are trying to give them time and space to overtake and if you have slowed down to allow an overtake it's even more frustrating if the driver doesn't take the opportunity.

Most drivers who don't like cyclists would complain that the cyclists never let them pass so this does sound unusual.

Poor cyclists can't do right these days, hated by pedestrians if on the pavement (even shared use ones) hated by drivers when slowing traffic on the road and now for trying to let someone pass.

justgettingthroughtheday · 03/04/2023 16:28

There a bloody nuisance round here too. Refuse to use the brand new purpose built cycle paths and travel around in packs of 30 making it impossible to safely pass.
They don't seem to think the rules of the road apply to them. I witnessed one go through a red light over a single file hump back bridge and almost end up underneath the HGV coming in the opposite direction.
They are a law unto themselves!

Lockheart · 03/04/2023 16:29

SpanielSprint · 03/04/2023 16:23

I do make a conscious effort not to drive too closely behind them as I know this can be intimidating. Although obviously I don’t want get too far left behind or I’ll never get past them. I always leave loads of room when I overtake, this is part of them problem I think because they don’t seem to think I need so much!

It sounds like - rightly or wrongly - you'd made her nervous and intimidated by sitting behind them for so long. If you're confident you're leaving enough room and not tailgating then you're doing the right thing by waiting until it's safe to overtake before doing so, but 10 mins / a few miles with absolutely no opportunity to overtake safely sounds unlikely.

justgettingthroughtheday · 03/04/2023 16:30

Mumski45 · 03/04/2023 16:27

To be totally honest it is unlikely that a cyclist would encourage you to pass if it's not safe as they are by far the more vulnerable road user. Are you sure you aren't being a bit too cautious and sitting behind them too close. It can be intimidating to have someone stick behind you when you are trying to give them time and space to overtake and if you have slowed down to allow an overtake it's even more frustrating if the driver doesn't take the opportunity.

Most drivers who don't like cyclists would complain that the cyclists never let them pass so this does sound unusual.

Poor cyclists can't do right these days, hated by pedestrians if on the pavement (even shared use ones) hated by drivers when slowing traffic on the road and now for trying to let someone pass.

Are they going to take responsibility if there is an accident due to them waving the driver on?

No I thought not!

It isn't safe to pass unless the driver can see and make their own assessment. If the cyclist is in the way of that then no they should not pass!

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 03/04/2023 16:30

Yes OP!

I have this exact same issue.

DH is a cyclist so I am hyper aware of how I drive around cyclists. I would rather be late and keep everyone safe. Happy to trail along behind cyclists when I can't overtake. Not their fault or problem!

But the sheer number who wave me on and get pissed off when I don't go is mad. As the driver of the car, it's up to me to complete a safe manoeuvre, not them. If I don't feel it's safe, I will not do it nor be pressured into doing it.

I've had cyclists shout and swear at me before and even one who tried to shame men on FB.

I appreciate that it might be intimidating or uncomfortable having a car trailing behind you but that's also not our fault.

Ktime · 03/04/2023 16:30

@Mumski45

To be totally honest it is unlikely that a cyclist would encourage you to pass if it's not safe as they are by far the more vulnerable road user.

This is terrible advice. You should never rely on anyone else’s judgement when overtaking. If OP gets into a smash, that will be completely her fault, the cyclist won’t be injured or liable for the accident.

Lockheart · 03/04/2023 16:30

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 03/04/2023 16:24

Do you have a dash cam? If not, you need one, because the —twats— cyclists can be very intimidating.

With respect, the person who is in the large, heavy, powerful, lockable metal box is not the one who should be feeling intimidated by another road user who doesn't have anything like that to keep them safe and who can't outrun the other.

nomoremerlot · 03/04/2023 16:30

Dreamysaurus · 03/04/2023 16:25

Dangerous mother fuckers ride 4 abreast here all wearing the same sweaty testicle clinging lycra.

The way they duck right down for extra speed is HILARIOUS.

But it also means they wobble into oncoming traffic.

The fact they are so unsafe and yet wear a camera on their helmet is remarkably funny. We saw one poor guy wobble and swerve into an oncoming tractor. We had to give a statement. The cyclist was badly injured and convinced he wasn't in the wrong. Until everyone actually stated otherwise.

Trail, leave a gap and don't get bullied by other drivers

I did see a window sticker on a car that said "sorry I'm slow. Avoiding squished cyclists" or something like that 😂

The one OP was taking about wasn't wearing testicle clinging lycra, is that better?

Original poster
SpanielSprint · 03/04/2023 16:31

Lockheart · 03/04/2023 16:29

It sounds like - rightly or wrongly - you'd made her nervous and intimidated by sitting behind them for so long. If you're confident you're leaving enough room and not tailgating then you're doing the right thing by waiting until it's safe to overtake before doing so, but 10 mins / a few miles with absolutely no opportunity to overtake safely sounds unlikely.

Show quote history

I live in the Yorkshire dales - trust me 10mins with not opportunity to overtake is very possible

OP posts:
Ktime · 03/04/2023 16:32

Lockheart · 03/04/2023 16:30

With respect, the person who is in the large, heavy, powerful, lockable metal box is not the one who should be feeling intimidated by another road user who doesn't have anything like that to keep them safe and who can't outrun the other.

Show quote history

And yet women drivers have posted saying they do feel intimidated…

farnhamgal · 03/04/2023 16:32

Lockheart · 03/04/2023 16:20

How close were you waiting behind them? Did you leave enough room when you overtook?

It can be very intimidating when there is someone tailgating you and they refuse to pass even when there is room to do so.

This. If you left a significant gap then presumably they could see round the corners and we're letting you know it's safe.

Was there really no opportunity to overtake in ten minutes??

Cornwallintherain · 03/04/2023 16:32

You can be stuck behind cyclists for over 10 mins in Cornwall. The roads are swinky swonky and go on for miles with blind corners. All round St Just in Roseland and the Lizard.

We saw a motorcyclist get killed overtaking a cyclist after being stuck for about 10 mins on our way to St Mawes.

The cyclist was a lycra clad idiot who knew he was causing congestion because he kept looking behind (while losing balance) but never once went to the side or stopped to let traffic go.

Mumski45 · 03/04/2023 16:34

@Ktime oh don't get me wrong I'm not encouraging anyone to pass unsafely on blind bends or if you can't see far enough ahead.

Actually the cyclist is far more likely to be injured in a crash than a car driver.