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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
NoodleQueen90 · 04/04/2023 17:49

@Ktime I've explained there was nowhere for me to go as it's literally the actual road and then a steep verge...I was cycling to the left of the left hand lane so there's nowhere for me to pull over to. There's another lane with no oncoming traffic which the driver could have used to safely overtake apart from the times when on bends but lots of big long straight sections. Like I said, if there was a lay-by or something, id have stopped in it (off the road) and let her continue on as it was unnerving me with a car sitting behind for so long. I wasn't rude in any way and didn't gesture for anyone to pass like the cyclists described in the op though, just continued on and focussed on the road ahead.

WestwardHo1 · 04/04/2023 18:48

Droppit · 03/04/2023 22:27

I just wish people used the roads for transport only and not for exercise.
I always have more respect for a cyclist who is clearly going from a to b (ie commuter) as opposed to someone who could very easily be doing Peleton instead.

Peleton is not the same. Jeez

I cycle to unwind, to see the countryside, to hear the birds, to smell the grass and the flowers and the growing, to feel the breeze on my face and in my hair. It's not just exercise.

Peleton FFS 🙄

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 19:01

There’s actually research which shows that threads like this on social media which “other” and promote hatred of cyclists (and i’d count a title of “fucking cyclists” as doing this) actually endangers cyclists.

People who read threads like this feel their general dislike of cyclists is validated, that others feel the same, that cyclists are generally a bit scummy and get what they deserve.

The research shows that next time they encounter cyclists theyre more likely to do a close pass, dangerous overtake, etc.

so yes, I do hate reading stuff like this. Cyclists are vulnerable road users. Like I said a friend was killed out cycling recently. She was someone’s wife, someone’s mum. Left behind young kids. 😢

nomoremerlot · 04/04/2023 19:02

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 19:01

There’s actually research which shows that threads like this on social media which “other” and promote hatred of cyclists (and i’d count a title of “fucking cyclists” as doing this) actually endangers cyclists.

People who read threads like this feel their general dislike of cyclists is validated, that others feel the same, that cyclists are generally a bit scummy and get what they deserve.

The research shows that next time they encounter cyclists theyre more likely to do a close pass, dangerous overtake, etc.

so yes, I do hate reading stuff like this. Cyclists are vulnerable road users. Like I said a friend was killed out cycling recently. She was someone’s wife, someone’s mum. Left behind young kids. 😢

Totally agree! It makes people justified in their hatred. So wrong!

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 19:04

Ktime · 04/04/2023 15:49

How can a road be simultaneously too dangerous for you to pull over by but safe for the lady to overtake you?

If it’s wide enough for her to overtake you then it’s wise enough for you to pull over.

Show quote history

Of course it isn’t…..if I’m going to pull over to let a car past I’m going to pull over off the road to protect myself. Not just stop at the side of the road. This poster explained the verge was too steep to get off the road. If she’d just stopped Doris might have driven into the back of her!

WestwardHo1 · 04/04/2023 19:31

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 19:01

There’s actually research which shows that threads like this on social media which “other” and promote hatred of cyclists (and i’d count a title of “fucking cyclists” as doing this) actually endangers cyclists.

People who read threads like this feel their general dislike of cyclists is validated, that others feel the same, that cyclists are generally a bit scummy and get what they deserve.

The research shows that next time they encounter cyclists theyre more likely to do a close pass, dangerous overtake, etc.

so yes, I do hate reading stuff like this. Cyclists are vulnerable road users. Like I said a friend was killed out cycling recently. She was someone’s wife, someone’s mum. Left behind young kids. 😢

Absolutely

ZeroWorshipHere · 04/04/2023 20:50

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 19:04

Of course it isn’t…..if I’m going to pull over to let a car past I’m going to pull over off the road to protect myself. Not just stop at the side of the road. This poster explained the verge was too steep to get off the road. If she’d just stopped Doris might have driven into the back of her!

Show quote history

If only there were arm signals designed to communicate with other road users 🤔

XenoBitch · 04/04/2023 21:04

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 19:01

There’s actually research which shows that threads like this on social media which “other” and promote hatred of cyclists (and i’d count a title of “fucking cyclists” as doing this) actually endangers cyclists.

People who read threads like this feel their general dislike of cyclists is validated, that others feel the same, that cyclists are generally a bit scummy and get what they deserve.

The research shows that next time they encounter cyclists theyre more likely to do a close pass, dangerous overtake, etc.

so yes, I do hate reading stuff like this. Cyclists are vulnerable road users. Like I said a friend was killed out cycling recently. She was someone’s wife, someone’s mum. Left behind young kids. 😢

Absolutely!

I have been a car driver, a motorcyclist, a cyclist, and obviously a pedestrian.
I have never felt more vulnerable as I have been as a cyclist.
Every road user seems to despise you, sometimes pedestrians. I was told to get off the path by a pedestrian when I was pushing my bike along the pavement.
Just last week, after heavy rain, I was cycling along a shared path, and a car crossed a lane close to the kerb so they could go through a puddle and get me soaked.
As a driver, I have seen other motorists purposely try and scare cyclists. I remember seeing a chap on a bike have to pull onto the pavement and have a panic attack after some knob thought it funny to freak him out.

BustopherPonsonbyJones · 04/04/2023 21:26

You are not being unreasonable, OP. A cyclist is fully entitled to use the road and cycle at a pace which suits them and I believe the new Highway Code encourages cyclists to group themselves across the road. However, cyclists do not have the right to react aggressively because other road users refuse to follow their commands. That is completely indefensible and it is very, very odd that some cyclists are trying to suggest otherwise - rather militant, in fact. It is certainly not a sign of a weak driver to have ignored the cyclist’s signals to overtake, especially in areas of the country like the Yorkshire Dales.

Ktime · 04/04/2023 21:27

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 19:04

Of course it isn’t…..if I’m going to pull over to let a car past I’m going to pull over off the road to protect myself. Not just stop at the side of the road. This poster explained the verge was too steep to get off the road. If she’d just stopped Doris might have driven into the back of her!

Show quote history

If the other side is so clear, why not get in that lane and let Doris pass?

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 21:44

Ktime · 04/04/2023 21:27

If the other side is so clear, why not get in that lane and let Doris pass?

Show quote history

I thought she’d said it was a narrow road, ie a single track road. We have plenty round here, doesn’t matter how far left you go a car still can’t pass.

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 21:45

ZeroWorshipHere · 04/04/2023 20:50

If only there were arm signals designed to communicate with other road users 🤔

Show quote history

Nope not good enough. That relies on trusting the driver to notice and act accordingly and when it’s my life on the line and a stranger who I don’t know I’m not risking it. I will pull in when I can get off the road but I am not stopping on the highway for anyone.

NewPapaGuinea · 04/04/2023 22:33

I experienced something very similar earlier today. Was cycling up through the local woods along the road cars also use to access the car park. Steady climb and a car approached behind. Not sure how close they were, but you could hear the engine tone almost reflecting their impatience. They reved the engine up as they thought about overtaking, but then backed out. Eventually I waved them past as I couldn’t bear to hear it anymore.

Original poster
SpanielSprint · 04/04/2023 22:40

NewPapaGuinea · 04/04/2023 22:33

I experienced something very similar earlier today. Was cycling up through the local woods along the road cars also use to access the car park. Steady climb and a car approached behind. Not sure how close they were, but you could hear the engine tone almost reflecting their impatience. They reved the engine up as they thought about overtaking, but then backed out. Eventually I waved them past as I couldn’t bear to hear it anymore.

I despair

OP posts:
BustopherPonsonbyJones · 04/04/2023 22:46

But you don’t have the right to wave drivers past because you felt nervous. If there is a crash, the driver would be at fault (and cyclists and drivers could be injured or worse). You have to find a better way to deal with your nerves.

alcquestion · 04/04/2023 22:52

With you OP!

Once a tractor tried to wave me past coming up to a right hand corner. Thank fuck I did not do what he suggested as at that moment a car whizzed around the corner in the opposite direction. What a twat.

Trust your own driving/instincts - they can suck it up. It's far more infuriating having to trail in a car than it is being them and taking up the bloody road!

NewPapaGuinea · 04/04/2023 22:58

SpanielSprint · 04/04/2023 22:40

I despair

Show quote history

About what? It’s a one way road so they aren’t going to be crashing into any oncoming traffic.

CoalTit · 05/04/2023 00:46

SpanielSprint · 03/04/2023 22:16

It was an offhand remark, I didn’t realise that some cyclists consider themselves to be a persecuted minority and would take it personally. Most people I know (including myself!) own a bike and are therefore technically cyclists, so in my head it wasn’t much different to saying ‘fucking people’ or ‘fucking drivers’. But yes, I do wish I’d gone for a different title now!

Show quote history

OP, I'm shocked by all the people trying to tell you that you did something wrong while you were driving. Clearly, you did everything right, and you were understandably annoyed about being verbally abused for it.

But you are doing something wrong when you try to stir up hatred towards vulnerable road users to make yourself feel better. I know you're being sarcastic about cyclists feeling they are a persecuted minority, but they are a minority, and yes, plenty of people believe that cyclists and pedestrians deserve to be terrorised, injured and killed whether they're law-abiding or not. Posts such as yours encourage that attitude.

Devoutspoken · 05/04/2023 12:09

Admitting you are stirring up hatred would be a good start, rather than the flippant 'I despair'

Devoutspoken · 05/04/2023 12:18

Zeroworship, - silly me thinking the original post was about an angry car driver, hating cyclists

Justmeandthedog1 · 05/04/2023 12:20

They’re out in force here, I counted a group of eight yesterday, all strung out so I’d have to pass all 8. Far too dangerous to attempt that on narrow lanes so I spent a long time stuck behind them. If you’re going to ride in a group at least split up so a car and pull in between groups if necessary.

Crumpetdisappointment · 05/04/2023 12:20

if the cyclist was that bothered they could have stopped to allow you to pass safely.

QuintanaRoo · 05/04/2023 12:40

Justmeandthedog1 · 05/04/2023 12:20

They’re out in force here, I counted a group of eight yesterday, all strung out so I’d have to pass all 8. Far too dangerous to attempt that on narrow lanes so I spent a long time stuck behind them. If you’re going to ride in a group at least split up so a car and pull in between groups if necessary.

So if there's a row of cars infront of you on a national speed limit road all doing 55mph do you think they should string out so you can overtake them individually? Because as a driver I'm in that situation a lot with nobody in front making any effort to overtake.

QuintanaRoo · 05/04/2023 12:41

And the cars are out in force today, I must have seen about 200 on my way to work today!

Ktime · 05/04/2023 12:45

QuintanaRoo · 04/04/2023 21:44

I thought she’d said it was a narrow road, ie a single track road. We have plenty round here, doesn’t matter how far left you go a car still can’t pass.

Show quote history

No, NoodleQueen didn't say it was a single track road. And if it was, then it possibly wasn't safe for 'Doris' to overtake anyway.